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Given By
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THEKOMAN BREVIARY
REFORMED BY ORDER OF THE HOLY
CECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF TRENT;
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF POPE ST
PIUS v.; AND REVISED BY CLEMENT
VIII., URBAN VIII., AND LEO XIII.
TOGETHER WITH THE
OFFICES SINCE GRANTED
AND THE MARTYROLOGY
TRANSLATED OUT OF
LATIN INTO ENGLISH BY
JOHN, MARQUESS OF BUTE, K.T.
A NEW EDITION *'"-'vnuJ
FOR USE IN ENGLAND
■3 3 , I) T " a :>, o ^
, , \ -, ^ tt ■, ' 1 ..
IN FOUR VOLS.
VOL. II.— SPRING
y
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
MCMVIII
All Rights reserved
BK2O00
1933 "-^ ^^' 7 ^"fe'^
~f Z-j —
SULLIVAN'^BEOUEST
'42
934
193&
V
«6
'-' V'' r\'- ^''' .'•' '- -
-rSrV^
"; i.:
iftrmr
CONTENTS
THE PIE .....
TWO EASY TABLES ....
THE KALENDAR ■ . . . .
PRAYERS. ABSOLUTIONS AND BLESSINGS'
PAGE
See vol. i. p. xix
ix
xix
xxxiii
THE PSALTER—
MATTINS
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY .
FRIDAY
SATURDAY .
LAUDS
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY .
THURSDAY .
FRIDAY
SATURDAY .
PRIME —
SUNDAY
WEEK-DAYS .
I
73
92
108
123
140
157
22
87
105
120
137
153
171
35
45
VI
CONTENTS.
THE PSALTER-
TERCE
SEXT
NONE
VESPERS
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY '
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
COMPLINE
PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON-
LENT
PASSION WEEK
HOLY WEEK
EASTER .
ROGATION
ASCENSION
WHITSUNTIDE
THE COMMON OF SAINTS—
FOR APOSTLES' EVES
FOR APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, AND MARTYRS, IN EASTER-TIDE
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS OUT OF EASTER-TIDE
FOR ONE MARTYR OUT OF EASTER-TIDE .
FOR MANY MARTYRS OUT OF EASTER-TIDE
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP
FOR DOCTORS ....
FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FOR VIRGINS ....
FOR HOLY WOMEN .
FOR DEDICATION OF A CHURCH
CONTENTS.
VU
PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS—
FEAST-DAYS
IN
FEBRUARY ....
68l
11
MARCH . . .
. 725
II
APRIL .....
. 789
II
MAY . . . .
- 839
II
JUNE . . . .
.931
ADDITIONAL SERVICES-
LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
OFFICE FOR THE DEAD ....
GRADUAL PSALMS .....
SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS AND LITANY
GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEAT
PRAYERS FOR A JOURNEY
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION .
DEVOTIONS AFTER COMMUNION
965
974
993
994
998
1 00 1
1003
1009
lOI I
THE VOTIVE OFFICES-
ALL HOLY ANGELS . . . . . . . . . 1014
ALL THE HOLY APOSTLES . . . . . . . I02I
ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY . . . I024
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR . . . . IO31
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ... . . IO44
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IO54
GENERAL APPENDIX
1063
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND
1139
ERRATA.
Page 925, 2nd col., line 8 from {oot,/or Antiphon read Conm\emora.t\on.
II 928, 2nd col., line 1 1 from top, before Octave insert preceding, of the.
TWO EASY TABLES. ix
TWO EASY TABLES,
COMPILED FROM THE PIE.
And in nvhich it can he seen at a glance ivhat is to he done
( 1 ) When the Second Vespers of one Office fall on the same evening ivith the First
Vespers of another Office.
(2) When ttvo Offices fall on the same day.
To use these Tables, find the Httle square in which Hnes drawn from the
designations of the two Offices meet at right angles, and then look what direction
is given underneath the Table, with the number inscribed in the square.
For instance, in Table A a Double of the Second Class meets a Semi-double
in a square containing the numeral 4. And 4 gives the Rule " all of the former,
with a Commemoration of the latter," but if the case be reversed they meet in i,
and the Service is " all of the latter, nothing of the former." And so in Table B,
the case of a Double of the Second Class and a Semi-double falling on the same
day is provided for in 4 and 3, and it is ordered that the Semi-double be com-
memorated and the Double of the Second Class observed, o indicates a case
which either cannot occur, or which is the subject of special directions in its own
place. However, it is first needful to know the rank of the different Offices.
LIST OF FEASTS ACCORDING TO THEIR CLASS.
Douhles of the First Class.
Christmas Day. Dec. 25.
Twelfth-Day. Jan. 6.
Maundy Thursday.
Good Friday.
Holy Saturday.
Easter Day.
Easter Monday.
Easter Tuesday.
Ascension Day.
Whitsun Day.
Whitsun Monday.
Whitsun Tuesday.
Corpus Christi.
The Sacred Heart.
The Immaculate Conception. Dec. 8.
Lady Day. March 25.
VOL. II. a 2
X TWO EASY TABLES.
The Assumption. Aug. 15.
The Birthday of St John the Baptist. June 24.
St Joseph. March 19.
SS. Peter and Paul. June 29.
All Saints. Nov. i.
St Thomas of Canterbury.^ Dec. 29.
St George. April 23.
St Augustine of Canterbury. May 26.
The Dedication of the Particular Church.
The Feast of the Patron, or Titular of the Particular Church.
The Feast of the Chief Patron or Patrons of the diocese.
Doubles of the Second Class.
The Circumcision. Jan. i.
The Holy Name.
The Most Holy Trinity.
The Most Precious Blood.
The Finding of the Cross. May 3.
Candlemas Day. Feb. 2.
The Visitation. July 2.
The Birth of the Blessed Virgin. Sept. 8.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Rosary.
Michaelmas Day. Sept. 29.
The Patronage of St Joseph.
The Feasts of the Eleven Apostles, and of the Evangelists.
St Stephen. Dec. 26.
The Holy Innocents. Dec. 28.
St Lawrence. Aug. 10.
St Anne. July 26.
St Joachim.
St Gregory the Great. March 12.
St Edward. Oct. 13.
Greater Doubles.
The Commemorations —
Of the Prayer of our Lord,
Of His Sufferings,
Of His Coronation,
Of His Piercing,
Of His Enshroudment,
Of His Five Wounds,
Of His Precious Blood.
The Transfiguration. Aug. 6.
The Most Holy Redeemer. Oct. 23.
The Exaltation of the Cross. Sept. 14.
Dedication of the Church of St Saviour. Nov. 9.
1 Regarding the rank of this Feast, see note under his day.
TWO EASY TABLES. xi
The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin. Dec. i8.
Her Espousal. Jan. 23.
Her Sorrows (the two Feasts).
The Blessed Virgin styled Help of Christians. May 24.
The Blessed Virgin styled of Mount Carmel. July 1 6.
Dedication of St Mary's of the Snows. Aug. 5.
The Name of Mary.
The Blessed Virgin styled of Ransom. Sept. 24.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin.
Her Motherhood.
Her Purity.
Her Patronage.
Manifestation of St Michael. May 8.
St Gabriel. March 18.
St Raphael. Oct. 24.
The Guardian Angels. Oct. 2.
The Beheading of the Baptist. Aug. 29.
St Peter's Chair at Rome. Jan. 18.
St Peter's Chair at Antioch. Feb, 22.
St Peter's Chains. Aug. i.
The Conversion of St Paul. January 25.
Commemoration of St Paul. June 30.
Dedication of the Churches of SS. Peter and Paul. Nov. 18.
St John before the Latin Gate. May 6.
St Barnabas. June 11.
The Blessed John and his companions. May 4.
St Bede the Venerable. May 27.
St Alban. June 22.
Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury. July 7.
The Holy Relics (second Sunday in July).
St Ursula. Oct. 21.
St Edmund the Martyr. Nov. 20.
St Benedict. March 21.
St Dominic. Aug. 4.
St Francis. Oct. 4.
St Patrick. March 17.
St Francis Xavier. Dec. 3.^
Sundays of the First Class.
The First Sunday of Advent.
The First Sunday of Lent.
Passion Sunday.
Palm Sunday.
Easter Sunday.
Low Sunday.
Whitsunday.
Trinity Sunday.
The Feast was an Ordinary Double when the Office given in this Breviary was printed.
xii TWO EASY TABLES.
Sundays of the Second Class.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays in Advent.
Septuagesima Sunday.
Sexagesima Sunday.
Quinquagesima Sunday.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Lent.
Those of Advent.
Those of Lent.
The Ember Days.
Rogation Monday.
Greater Week-days.
In the General Appendix will he found the following Greater Doubles.
Translation of the Holy House of Loreto.
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
The Holy Home.
The Blessed Thomas Plumtree and his Companions.
The Flight of our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled of Good Counsel.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled the Mother of the Lord our Shepherd.
Lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled Mother of Grace.
Translation of St Edmund.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled of Perpetual Succour.
The Blessed John Fisher.
The Blessed Thomas More.
Translation of St Cuthbert.
The Blessed Thomas Percy.
LIST OF PRIMARY FEASTS.
I. Doubles of the First Class..
Christmas.
Twelfth Day.
Easter Day.
The Ascension.
Whitsun Day.
Corpus Christi.
The Immaculate Conception.
Lady Day.
The Assumption.
The Birthday of St John the Baptist.
St Joseph.
TWO EASY TABLES. xiii
SS. Peter and Paul.
All Saints.
St Thomas of Canterbury.
St George.
St Augustine of Canterbury.
The Dedication of the Particular Church.
The Patron or Titular.
The principal Patron or Patrons of the district or diocese.
II. Doubles of the Second Class.
The Circumcision.
The Most Holy Trinity.
Candlemas Day.
The Visitation.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.
Michaelmas Day.
The Feasts of the Eleven Apostles, and of the Evangelists.
St Stephen. Dec. 26.
The Holy Innocents.
St Lawrence.
St Anne.
St Joachim.
St Gregory the Great.
St Edward.
III. Greater Doubles.
The Transfiguration.
The Dedication of St Saviour's.
Dedication of St Mary's of the Snows.
The Angels Guardian.
The Dedication of the Basilicas of SS. Peter and Paul.
St Barnabas.
St Benedict.
St Dominic.
St Francis.
St Gabriel.
St Raphael.
The Blessed John and his Companions.
St Bede the Venerable.
St Alban.
The Holy Relics.
St Ursula.
St Edmund the Martyr.
St Patrick.
St Francis Xavier.
IV. Doubles.
The Birthday (or day kept as such) of each Saint.
XIV TWO EASY TABLES.
LIST OF SECONDARY FEASTS.
I. Doubles of the First Class.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
II. Doubles of the Second Class.
The Most Holy Name of Jesus.
The Finding of the Holy Cross.
The Feast of -the Most Precious Blood.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Rosary.
The Patronage of St Joseph.
III. Greater Doubles.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin (the two Feasts).
The Blessed Virgin styled of Mount Carmel.
Her Holy Name.
The Blessed Virgin styled of Ransom.
Her Presentation.
The Manifestation of St Michael.
The Beheading of St John the Baptist.
St Peter's Chair at Rome.
St Peter's Chair at Antioch.
St Peter's Chains.
The Conversion of St Paul.
The Commemoration of St Paul.
St John before the Latin Gate.
The Commemorations —
Of the Prayer of our Lord,
Of His Sufferings,
Of His Coronation,
Of His Piercing,
Of His Enshroudment,
Of His Five Wounds,
Of His Precious Blood.
Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin.
Her Motherhood.
Her Purity.
Her Patronage.
The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin.
The Blessed Virgin styled Help of Christians.
Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury.
All other Feasts of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Saints not
provided for in these lists.
TWO EASY TABLES.
XV
TABLE A.
If the Second Vespers of
An Higher Sunday (z>., of the First or
Second Class) . .
4
4
2
4
2
4
4
4
4
0
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
3
5
3
4
4
2
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
3
0
3
4
4
4
4
5
3
5
3
3
3
4
4
4
6
3
3
3
3
3
I
6
3
0
3
I
4
6
4
•->
I
I
3
I
6
6
0
0
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
An Ordinary Sunday ....
A Double of the First Class .
A Double of the Second Class
A Patron or Titular ....
A Greater Double • . .
A Double ......
A Semi-double .....
An Octave-day .....
A Day within an Octave
1 . All of the latter, nothing of the former.
2. All of the former, nothing of the latter.
3. All of the latter, but with a Com-
memoration of the former.
4. All of the former, but with a Com-
>
C
l-f-
>
0
0
p
<;
>
in
B
>
a-
0
>
0
>
9
ri
p
r-h
>
p
<-+
0
0
>
C
0
fT
0
>
C
0
0
>
p
fall on the
First Ves
memoration of the latter.
5. All of the former till the Chapter, ex-
clusive ; then of the latter, from the
5'
0
6-
p
fT
H
p'
O)
CD
same ev
pers of
Chapter, inclusive, but with a Com-
P
0
CD
memoration of the former.
O)
a
0
crq
6. All of the more important, but with
0
p'
P
C/)
^
a Commemoration of the less
en
important ; if equal. Vespers of the
r-t-
latter from the Chapter inclusive.
(T
A^o/f.
At the First Vespers of the Octave-days of the Ascension and of Corpus
Christi and of other Primary Feasts of our Lord, the whole Service is of the
Octave. If a Double Feast have occupied the day, it is only commemorated.
xvi TWO EASY TABLES.
unless it be of the First or Second Class, in which case the Service is of it, with
a Commemoration of the First Vespers of the Octave.
If the Second Vespers of the Octave-days of the Feasts of our Lord which
are Primary and more solemn, such as those of Twelfth-Day, Easter, the
Ascension, and the others, clash with the First Vespers of a Double (including
the Octave-day of St John the Baptist), the Double is only commemorated,
unless it be of the First or Second Class, the Patron, Titular, or Dedication
Feast of the particular Church, in which cases the Service is of the Double,
with a Commemoration of the Second Vespers of the Octave.
On the Octave-days of Primary Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, the Angels,
St John the Baptist, St Joseph, and the Holy Apostles, there is only a Com-
memoration made of an Ordinary or Lesser Double that precedes or follows.
If a Double or Semi-double Feast have been reduced to the condition of a
Simple according to the Pie, Chap, x., and a Double of the First Class fall
upon the day before, the reduced Feast is commemorated at the Second Vespers
of the Double of the First Class only if it is to be commemorated at the Lauds
of the succeeding day, that is to say of its own day ; but upon Doubles of the
Second Class such a reduced Feast is commemorated at. both Vespers in the
same way as an Octave-day or a Sunday would be ; but a day within an Octave
is not commemorated unless the next day's Office be of the same.
When several Commemorations are to be made, they are arranged in the order
of I, Privileged Sunday; 2, Octave-Day; 3, Greater Double; 4, Reduced
Double ; 5, Ordinary Sunday ; 6, Day within the Octave of Corpus Christi ;
7, Semi-double; 8, Day within an Octave, reduced to the form of Simple;
9, Greater Week-day or Eve; 10, Simple.
[Table B.
TWO EASY TABLES.
XVll
TABLE B.
VOL. n.
xviii TWO EASY TABLES.
Note.
A Double of any sort, even the Patron, Titular, or Dedication Feast of the
particular Church, if it fall on Dec. 24, Whitsun Eve, Jan. i or 13, Ash
Wednesday, Holy, Easter, or Whitsun Weeks, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi
Day, March 25, Aug. 15, Dec. 8, Midsummer Day, March 19, June 29, or
Nov. I, is transferred, if it can be transferred, but if not, it is simply com-
memorated upon its own day, or totally omitted, as may be directed in the Pie.
Within the Octave of the Epiphany no Feast can be kept except Double
Feasts of the First Class, and that with Commemoration of the Octave. Other
Feasts of Niiie Lessons are permanently fixed on the first free day after the
Octave ; Simples are commemorated only. Within the Octave of Corpus Christi,
Semi-doubles are reduced to the rank of Simples and commemorated, neither can
Doubles be transferred thither unless they be of the First or Second Class, and a
Commemoration is always made of the Octave. Within those Octaves, in which
the observance of -Feasts is allowed, a Semi-double, if it fall on a Sunday, is
commemorated as prescribed by the Pie.
The Octaves of Christmas, Twelfth -Day, and Corpus Christi, are com-
memorated at every Vespers and Lauds, whatever be the Office.
Other Octaves, which are not in the Kalendar,^ are not observed from Ash
Wednesday to Low Sunday, or Whitsun Eve to Trinity Sunday, both inclusive,
or from Dec. 17 to Jan. 6.
An Octave-day can never be transferred. Therefore, if Corpus Christi fall
on Midsummer Day, and the Feast of St John were consequently kept on June
25, July I would be kept as the Octave of Corpus Christi, with a Commemoration
of the Octave of St John at both Vespers and at Lauds.
If some other Saints be mentioned in the Kalendar on the same day with the
Patron or Titular, the Feast of the Patron or Titular alone is observed. If the
other Feast be a Double or Semi-double, it is permanently fixed on the first free
day and kept as a Semi-double. If it is a Double of the First or Second Class,
it is similarly transferred and kept as on its own day.^
The Week-days of Advent and Lent, if not kept as such, are always com-
memorated at both Vespers and Lauds, whatever be the Office ; Ember Days,
Eves, and Rogation Monday, at Lauds only. But if an Eve fall in Advent or
Lent, on an Ember Day, a Double of the First Class, or the Patronal, Titular,
or Dedication Feast of the particular Church, no notice is taken of it, even in
Lauds.
1 But in the diocese of Hexham there is a special privilege permitting the observance of an
Octave in honom* of St Cuthbert.
2 /.^., in that particular Church, it has a day fixed other than elsevi^here.
KALENDAR. Xix
KALENDAR.
JANUARY.
1 . Circumcision of our Lord. Double of the Second Class.
2. Octave of St Stephen. Double. Commemoration of the Octaves of St
Thomas of Canterbury, of St John, and of the Holy Innocents.
3. Octave of St John, Apostle and Evangelist. Double. Commemoration of
St Thomas of Canterbury, and of the Octave of the Holy Innocents.
4. Octave of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs. Double. Commemoration of St
Thomas of Canterbury.
5. Octave of St Thomas of Canterbury, Martyr. Double, Commemoration of
the Eve of the Epiphany and of St Telesphorus, Pope of Rome, Martyr.
6. Epiphany of Our Lord. Double of the First Class.
7. Within the Octave of the Epiphany.
8. Within the Octave.
9. Within the Octave.
10. Within the Octave.
11. Within the Octave. Commemoration of St Hyginus, Pope of Rome, and
Martyr.
12. Within the Octave.
■^ Lord's Day within the Octave of the Epiphany. [The Finding of the Child
JESUS in the Temple. Greater Double. General Appendix.]
13. Octave of the Epiphany. Double.
* Second Lord's Day after the Epiphany. Feast of the Most Holy Name of
JESUS. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration of the Sunday.
14. Hilary, Bishop [of Poitiers,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double.
Commemoration of St Felix, Priest and Martyr.
15. Paul, the First Hermit. Double. Commemoration of St Maurus, Abbat.
16. Marcellus, Pope and Martyr. Semi-double.
17. Antony, Abbat. Double.
1 8. The Chair of St Peter at Rome. Greater Double. Commemoration of St
Paul and of St Prisca, Virgin and Martyr.
19. Wolstan, Bishop [of Worcester,] Confessor. Double. Commemoration of
SS. Maris, Audifax, Abachum, and Martha, Martyrs.
^ Third Lord's Day after the Epiphany. [The Feast of the Holy Home,
JESUS, Mary, and Joseph. Greater Double. Gen. App.]
20. Fabian and Sebastian, Martyrs. Double.
21. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. Double.
22. Vincent and Anastasius. Semi-double.
23. Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph. Greater Double. Com-
memoration of St Joseph and of Emerentiana, Virgin and Martyr.
24. Timothy, Bishop [of Ephesus,] Martyr. Double.
XX KALENDAR.
25. Conversion of St Paul. Greater Double. Commemoration of St Peter.
26. Polycarp, Bishop [of Smyrna,] Martyr. Double.
27. John Chrysostom, Patriarch [of Constantinople,]] Confessor and Doctor of
the Church. Double.
28. Raymond of Peiiafuerte, Confessor. Semi- Double.'^ Commemoration of St
Agnes for the second time.
29. Francis de Sales, Bishop [of Geneva,] Confessor, and Doctor of the
Church. Double.
30. Martina, Virgin and Martyr. Semi-Double.
\_Double in the Province of Westminster.]
3 1 . Peter Nolasco, Confessor. Double.
* Friday after Septuagesima Sunday, Prayer of our Lord in the Garden of
Gethsemane. Greater Double.
* Friday after Sexagesima Sunday, Sufferings of our Lord. Greater Double.
FEBRUARY.
1. Ignatius, Bishop [of Antioch,] Martyr. Double.
2. Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the Second Class.
3. Laurence, Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor. Double. Commemoration
of Blase, Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, Martyr.
4. Andrew Corsini, Bishop [of Fiesole,] Confessor. Double.
5. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. Double.
6. Titus, Archbishop [of Gortyna in Crete,] Confessor. Double. Commem-
oration of St Dorothy, Virgin and Martyr.
7. Romuald, Abbat. Double.
8. John de la Mata, Confessor. Double.
9. Cyril, Pope of Alexandria, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double.
Commemoration of St Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr.
[The Twenty-six Holy Martyrs who suffered in Japan. Double, Gen.
App.]
10. Scholastica, Virgin. Double.
1 1 . Gilbert [of Sempringham,] Confessor. Semi-double.
12. Benedict Biscop, Abbat, Confessor. Double.
13. The Seven Founders of the Servite Order, Confessors. Double.
[Kentigern, Bishop [of Glasgow,] Confessor. Double. Gen. App.]
14. Valentine, Priest and Martyr.
[Thomas Plumtree and his Companions, Martyrs. Greater Double. Gen.
App.]
1 5. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs.
16. •
17. [The Flight of our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt. Greater Double. Gen.
App.]
18. Simeon, Bishop [of Jerusalem,] Martyr.
19.
1 See vol. i. p. 723.
KALENDAR. XXI
20.
21.
22. The Chair of St Peter at Antioch. Greater Double. Commemoration of St
Paul.
23. Peter Damian, [Cardinal^ Bishop [of Ostia,] Confessor, and Doctor of the
Church. Double. Commemoration of the Eve.
24. Matthias, Apostle. Double of the Second Class.
25.
26. Ethelbert, King of Kent, Confessor. Double.
27. [Margaret of Cortona, Penitent. Semi-double. Gen. App.J
28.
In Leap- Year February has 29 days, the additional day is inserted after the
23rd, the 24th is then the Eve of St Matthias, and the following days
are each counted one later, the Feast of St Matthias being the 25th, &c.
* First Friday in Lent, Coronation of our Lord auith Thorns. Greater
Double.
Second Friday in Lent, Piercing of Our Lord ivith Spear and Nails.
Greater Double.
Third Friday in Lent, Enshroudment of our Lord. Greater Double.
Fourth Friday in Lent, The Fi've Most Holy Wounds of our Lord.
Greater Double.
MARCH.
1. David, Archbishop [of Caerleon,] Confessor. Double.
2. Chad, Bishop [of Lichfield,] Confessor. Double.
3. Aelred, Abbat, Confessor. Semi-double.
4. Casimir, Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of St Lucius, Pope of
Rome, and Martyr.
5-
6.
7. Thomas of Aquino, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double. Com-
memoration of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs.
8. Felix, Bishop [of Dunwich,] Confessor. Double.
9. Frances of Rome, Widow. Double.
10. The Forty Martyrs. Semi-double.
11. John of God, Confessor. Double.
12. Gregory \jhe Great ^ Pope of Rome, Doctor of the Church, and Apostle of
England. Double of the Second Class.
13-
14.
16.
17. Patrick, Archbishop [of Armagh,] Confessor. Greater Double.
1 8. The Archangel Gabriel. Greater Double.
19. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the First
Class.
xxii KALENDAR.
20. Cuthbert, Bishop [of Lindisfarne,] Confessor. Double.
[In the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle this Feast has an Octave. See
Gen. App.^
2 1 . Benedict, Abbat and Confessor. Greater Double.
22. Cyril, Bishop [of Jerusalem,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double.
[Edward, King of England, Martyr. Double. Gen. App.]
23-
24.
25. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the First Class.
26. [The Penitent Thief. Double. Gen. App.]
27. John of Damascus, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double.
28. John of Capistrano, Confessor. Semi-double.
29.
30-
31-
* Friday in Passion Week, Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Greater
Double.
APRIL.
I.
2. Francis of Paola, Confessor. Double.
3. Richard, Bishop [of Chichester,] Confessor. Double.
4. Isidore, Archbishop [of Seville,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double.
5. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor. Double.
6.
7-
8.
9-
10.
II. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double.
12.
13. Hermenegild, Martyr. Semi-double.
14. Justin, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of SS. Tiburtius, Valerian, and
Maximus, Martyrs.
15-
16.
17. Stephen Harding, Abbat, Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of St
Anicete, Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
18.
19. jElphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr. Double.
20.
21. Anselm, Archbishop [of Canterbury,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double.
22. Soter and Caius, Popes of Rome, and Martyrs. Semir-double.
KALENDAR. XXlll
23. George, Martyr, Patron of England. Double of the First Class.
24. Faithful of Sigmaringen, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave
of St George and of St Mellitus, Archbishop of Canterbury.
25. Mark, Evangelist. Double of the Second Class.
26. Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes of Rome, and Martyrs. Semi-double. Com-
memoration of the Octave of St George.
QThe Blessed Virgin Mary, styled of Good Counsel. Greater Double.
Gen. App.]
27. Egbert, Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of the Octave of St
George.
28. Paul of the Cross, Confessor. Double. ' Commemoration of the Octave of
St George and of St Vitalis, Martyr.
29. Peter, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of St George.
30. Octave of St George, Martyr. Double.
* Third Lord's Day after Easter, Patronage of St Joseph. Double of the
Second Class. Commemoration of the Sunday.
[In some dioceses this Feast has an Octave. See Gen. App.]
MAY.
1 . Philip and "James, Apostles. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration
of St Asaph, Bishop of St Asaph.
\^ First Lord's Day in May, The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled the Mother
of the Lord our Shepherd. Greater Double. Gen. App.^
2. Athanasius, Pope of Alexandria, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double.
3. Finding of the Holy Cross. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration
of SS. Alexander, Eventius, and Theodulus, Martyrs, and Juvenal, Bishop
of Narni, Confessor.
4. John, Cardinal Bishop of Rochester, Thomas More, and their companions,
Martyrs. Greater Double.
5. Katharine of Sienna, Virgin. Double.
6. John, Apostle and Evangelist, before the Latin Gate. Greater Double.
7. Stanislaw, Bishop [of Crakow,^ Martyr. Double.
8. Manifestation of the Archangel St Michael. Greater Double.
9. Gregory of Nazianzus, Patriarch [of Constantinople,^ Confessor, and Doctor
of the Church. Double.
10. Antonine, Archbishop [of Florence,] Confessor. Double. Commemoration
of SS. Gordian and Epimachus, Martyrs.
11. Pius v.. Pope of Rome, Confessor. Double.
[John Rochester and James Walworth and their Companions, Martyrs.
Double. Gen. App.]
12. Nereus, Achilles, the Virgin Domitilla, and Pancras, Martyrs. Semi-double.
[Lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Greater Double. Gen. App.]
13. Walburg, Virgin. Double.
[4. Monica, Widow. Double. Commemoration of St Boniface, Martyr.
XXIV KALENDAR.
15. [Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, Confessor. Double. Gen. App.J
[The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled Mother of Grace. Greater Double.
Gen. App.^
16. Simon Stock, Confessor. Double.
17. Paschal Baylon, Confessor. Double.
18. Venantius, Martyr. Double.
19. Dunstan, Archbishop [of Canterbury,^ Confessor. Double. Commemora-
tion of St Pudentiana, Virgin.
20. Bernardine of Sienna. Semi-double.
21. Peter Celestine, Pope of Rome, Confessor. Double.
22. Ubald, Bishop [of Gubbio,] Confessor. Semi-double.
23. John Baptist de' Rossi, Confessor. Double.
24. The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled " Help of Christians." Greater Double.
[In the dioceses of Shrewsbury and Westminster, Double of the First Class,
nv'ith an Octave. Gen. App.^
25. Aldhelm, Bishop [of Sherborne,]] Confessor. Double. Commemoration of
St Urban, Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
26. Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor, Apostle of England.
Double of the First Class.
27. Bede the Venerable, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Greater Double.
Commemoration of the Octave of St Augustine and of St John I., Pope
of Rome, and Martyr.
28. Gregory VII. , Pope of Rome, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the
Octave of St Augustine.
[The Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess [of Salisbury,] Martyr. Double.
Gen. App.]
29. Eleutherius, Pope of Rome, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the
Octave of St Augustine.
30. John of Nepomuc, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of St
Augustine and of St Felix, Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
31. Angela Merici, Virgin. Double. Commemorations of the Octave of St
Augustine and of St Petronilla, Virgin.
■^ Third Lord's Day after Pentecost, the Most Sacred Heart of JESUS,
Double of the First Class. Commemoration of the Sunday.
JUNE.
1. Within the Octave of St Augustine of Canterbury.
2. Octave of St Augustine of Canterbury. Double. Commemoration of SS.
Marcellinus, Peter, and Elmo, Martyrs.
3. Mary Magdalen de' Y?iLTA, Virgin. Double.
4. Francis Caracciolo, Confessor. Double.
5. Boniface, Archbishop [of Maintz,] Martyr. Double.
[In the diocese of Plymouth, a Double of the First Class, nvith an Octave.
Gen. App.]
6. Norbert, Archbishop [of Magdeburg,]] Confessor. Double.
7-
KALENDAR. XXV
8. William, Archbishop of York, Confessor. Double.
9. Primus and Felician, Martyrs.
\^In the diocese of Portsmouth, Translation of St Edmund, Archbishop of
Canterbury, Confessor. Greater Double. Gen. App.J
10. Margaret, Queen of Scots, Widow. Double.
1 1 . Barnabas, Apostle. Greater Double.
12. John of San Fagondez. Double. Commemoration of SS. Basilides, Cyrinus,
Nabor, and Nazarius, Martyrs.
13. Anthony of Padua, Confessor. Double.
14. Basil the Great, Archbishop [of Caesarea-in-Pontus,J Confessor and Doctor
of the Church. Double.
15. Philip Neri, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of SS. Vitus, Modestus,
and Crescentia, Martyrs.
16.
17. Botolph, Abbat, Confessor. Semi- double.
[Lord's Day before the birth of St John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin
Mary, styled of Perpetual Succour. Greater Double. Gen. App.]] y_^
18. Mark and MarceUian, Martyrs. fr:4^.t*^°-^
19. Juliana de' Falconieri, Virgin. Double. Commemoration of SS. Gervase
and Protase, Martyrs.
20. Silverius, Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
21. Aloysius Gonzaga, Confessor. Double.
22. Alban, Proto-Martyr of Britain. Greater Double. Commemoration of
Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, Confessor.
[First Free Day after June 22, the Blessed John Fisher, Cardinal Bishop of
Rochester, Martyr. Greater Double. Gen. App.]|
23. Etheldreda, Virgin. Double. Commemoration of Midsummer Eve.
24. Birth of St John the Baptist. Double of the First Class.
25. WilHam, Abbat, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of^St
John.
26. John and Paul, Martyrs. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of St
John.
27. Within the Octave of the Birth of St John.
28. Leo II., Pope of Rome, and Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of
the Octave of St John, and of the Eve of the Apostles.
29. Peter and Paul, Apostles. Double of the First Class.
[Commemoration of all the Holy Apostles. Gen. App.J
30. Commemoration of St Paul. Greater Double. Commemoration of St Peter,
and of the Octave of St John.
JULY.
* First Lord's Day in July, the Most Precious Blood of our Lord JESUS
Christ. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration of the Sunday.
Octave of the Birth of St John the Baptist. Double. Commemoration of
the Octave of SS. Peter and Paul.
xxvi KALENDAR.
2. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the Second Class. Com-
memoration of SS. Processus and Martinian, Martyrs.
3. Within the Octave of the Apostles.
4. Within the Octave of the Apostles.
5. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the
Octave of the Apostles.
6. Octave of the Hol)?^ Apostles Peter and Paul. Double.
[First Free Day after July 6, the Blessed Thomas More, Martyr. Greater
Double. Gen. App.]
7. Translation of Thomas, Archbishop [of Canterbury J, Martyr. Greater Double.
* Second Lord's Day in July, the Holy Relics. Greater Double. Com-
memoration of the Sunday.
8. Isabel, Queen of Portugal, Widow. Semi-double.
9. Wiliibald, Bishop of Eichstad, Confessor. Double.
10. The Seven Brethren and the Holy Virgins Rufina and Secunda, all Martyrs.
Semi-double.
1 1 . Cyril, Bishop of Moravia, and Methodius, Bishop of Kieff, Confessors.
Double. Commemoration of St Pius I., Pope and Martyr.
T2. John Gualberto, Abbat [of Passignano,] Double. Commemoration of SS.
Nabor and Felix, Martyrs.
13. Anaclete, Pope of Rome, and Martyr. Semi-double.
14. " Buona- Ventura," [Cardinal] Bishop [of Albano,] Confessor, and Doctor
of the Church. Double.
1 5. Swithun, Bishop [of Winchester,] Confessor. Double.
[The Division of the Apostles. Double. Gen. App.]
[Third Sunday in July, Commemoration of All the Holy Bishops of Rome,
Double. Gen. App.]
1 6. The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled of Mount Carmel. Greater Double.
[In the diocese of Salford, Double of the First Class. Gen. App.]
17. Osmund, Bishop [of Salisbury,] Confessor. Double.
18. Camillus de' Lelli, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Symphorosa
and her Seven Sons, Martyrs.
19. Vincent de Paul, Confessor. Double.
20. Jerome Miani, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Margaret, Virgin
and Martyr.
21. Henry II., Emperor of the Romans, Confessor. Semi-double. Commem-
oration of St Praxedes, Virgin.
22. Mary Magdalen. Double.
23. Apollinaris, Bishop [of Ravenna,] Martyr. Double. Commemoration of St
Liborius, Bishop of Mans, Confessor.
24. Alexis, Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of the Eve of St James,
and of St Christina, Virgin and Martyr.
25. James, Apostle. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration of St Chris-
topher, Martyr.
26. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the Second Class.
[/fz the diocese of Leeds, Double ©f the First Class. Gen. App.]
27. Pantaleon, Martyr.
28. Nazarius, Celsus, and Victor, Martyrs, and Innocent, Pope of Rome, and
Confessor. Semi-double.
KALENDAR. xxvii
29. Martha, Virgin. Semi-double. Commemoration of SS. Felix, Simplicius,
Faustinus, and Beatrix, Martyrs.
30. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of SS.
Abdon and Sennen, Martyrs.
31. Ignatius, Confessor. Double.
AUGUST.
1. The Chains of St Peter. Greater Double. Commemoration of the Holy
Machabees, Martyrs.
2. Alphonsus Mary de' Liguori, Bishop [of Santa-Agata-de'-Goti,J Confessor,
and Doctor of the Church. Double. Commemoration of St Stephen,
Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
3. Finding of the body of St Stephen, the First Martyr. Semi-double.
4. Dominick, Confessor. Greater Double.
5. Dedication of St Mary's of the Snows. Greater Double.
6. Transfiguration of our Lord. Greater Double. Commemoration of St
Xystus, Pope of Rome, and SS. Felicissimus and Agapitus, Martyrs.
7. Gaetan, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Donatus, Bishop of
Arezzo, Martyr.
8. Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, Martyrs. Semi-double.
9. Oswald, King of the Northumbrians, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of
the Eve of St Lawrence, and of St Romanus, Martyr.
10. Lawrence, Martyr. Double of the Second Class.
11. Within the Octave of St Lawrence. Commemoration of SS. Tiburtius and
Susanna.
12. Clare, Virgin. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of St Lawrence.
13. Within the Octave of St Lawrence. Commemoration of SS. Hippolytus
and Cassian, Martyrs.
14. Within the Octave of St Lawrence. Commemoration of the Eve of the
Assumption, and of St Eusebius, Confessor.
15. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the First Class.
■^ The Lord's Day within the Octave of the Assumption, St Joachim, Con-
fessor, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the Second Class.
Commemoration of the Sunday.
16. Hyacinth, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the two Octaves.
17. Octave of St Lawrence. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of the
Assumption.
18. Helen, Empress of the Romans, Widow. Double. Commemoration of the
Octave of the Assumption, and of St Agapitus, Martyr.
19. Within the Octave of the Assumption.
20. Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double. Commemoration of the Octave of the Assumption.
21. Jeanne Frances Fremiot de Chantal, Widow. Double. Commemoration of
the Octave of the Assumption.
22. Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double. Com-
memoration of SS. Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian, Martyrs.
xxviii KALENDAR.
■^ The Lord's Day after the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. \iOffice of the Most Pure Heart of the Blessed Virgin. Greater
Double. Vol. iii., Gen. App., p. 1028 ; vol. iv., Gen. App., p. 916.]
23. Philip Benizzi, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the Eve of St
Bartholomew.
24. Bartholomenv, Apostle. Double of the Second Class.
25. Louis IX., King of France, Confessor. Semi- double.
26. Zephyrinus, Pope of Rome, and Martyr.
27. Joseph Casalanz, Confessor. Double.
28. Austin, Bishop [of Hippo,] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double.
Commemoration of St Hermes, Martyr.
29. Beheading of St John the Baptist. Greater Double. Commemoration of St
Sabina, Martyr.
30. Rose of Lima, Virgin. Double. Commemoration of SS. Felix and him
that joined him, Martyrs.
31. Aidan, Bishop [of Lindisfarne,] Confessor. Double.
SEPTEMBER.
T. Raymond the Unborn, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Giles,
Abbat, and of the Twelve Holy Brethren, Martyrs.
2. Stephen, King of Hungary, Confessor. Semi- double.
3-
4. [Translation of St Cuthbert, Bishop [of Lindisfarne] and Confessor. Greater
Double in the diocese of Hexham. Gen. App. J
5. Lawrence de' Giustiniani, Patriarch of Venice, Confessor. Semi-double.
6.
7-
8. Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the Second Class. Commem-
oration of St Adrian, Martyr.
* The Lord's Day within the Octave, The Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Greater Double. Commemoration of the Sunday.
9. Within the Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin. Commemoration of
St Gorgonius, Martyr.
10. Nicolas of Tolentino. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of the Birth
of the Blessed Virgin.
11. Within the Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin. Commemoration of
SS. Protus and Hyacinth, Martyrs.
12. Within the Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin.
13. Within the Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin.
14. Uplifting of the Holy Cross. Greater Double. Commemoration of the
Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin.
I 5. Octave of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin. Double. Commemoration of St
Nicomede, Martyr.
■^ Third Lord's Day in this Month, The Seven Sorrotvs of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Greater Double. Commemoration of the Sunday.
KALENDAR. xxix
16. Cornelius, Pope of Rome, and Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Martyrs.
Semi-double. Commemoration of SS. Euphemia, Lucy, and Geminian,
Martyrs.
17. Marking of the Body of St Francis with the marks of Our Lord. Double.
18. Joseph of Cupertino, Confessor. Double.
19. Januarius, Bishop [of Benevento,] and his Companions, Martyrs. Double.
20. Eustace, Agapitus, Theopistus, and Theopista, Martyrs. Double. Com-
memoration of the Eve of St Matthew.
21. Mattheiv, Apostle and Evangelist. Double of the Second Class.
22. Thomas of Villanueva, Archbishop [of Valencia,] Confessor. Double.
Commemoration of St Maurice and his Companions, Martyrs.
23. Linus, Pope of Rome, and Martyr. Semi-double. Commemoration of St
Thecla, Virgin and Martyr.
24. The Blessed Virgin Mary, styled " of Ransom." Greater Double.
25. Ninian, Bishop [of Galloway,] Confessor. Double.
26. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor. Double. Commemoration
of SS. Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs.
27. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs. Semi-double.
28. Wenceslaus, Duke [of Bohemia,] Martyr. Semi-double.
29. Dedication of the Church of St Michael, the Archangel. Double of the Second
Class.
[In the dioceses of Menevia and Newport, St Michael and All Angels.
Double of the First Class. Gen. App.]
30. Jerome, Priest, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Double. Com-
memoration of St Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury.
OCTOBER.
* First Lord's Day in the Month, The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration of the Sunday.
1 . Remy, Bishop of Rheims, Confessor. Simple or Semi-double at tuill.
2. The Guardian Angels. Greater Double.
3. Thomas, Bishop of Hereford, Confessor. Double.
4. Francis, Confessor. Greater Double.
5. Placidus and his Companions, Martyrs.
6. Bruno, Confessor. Double.
7. Mark, Pope of Rome, Confessor. Commemoration of SS. Sergius and his
Companions, Martyrs.
^ Second Lord's Day in the Month, Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Greater Double. Commemoration of the Sunday.
8. Bridget, Princess of Nericia, Widow. Double.
9. Denys, Bishop of Paris, Rusticus, and Eleutherius, Martyrs. Semi-double.
10. Paulinus, Archbishop of York, Confessor. Double.
11. Francis Borgia, Confessor. Semi-double.
12. Wilfred, Archbishop [of York,] Confessor. Double.
13. Ediuard, King of England, Confessor. Double of the Second Class.
XXX KALENDAR.
14. Kallistus, Pope of Rome, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave
of St Edward.
■^ Third Lord's Day in the Month, Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Greater Double. Commemoration of the Sunday.
I 5. Theresa, Virgin. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of St Edward.
16. Within the Octave of St Edward.
17. ladwiga, Widow. Semi-double. Commemoration of the Octave of St
Edward.
18. Luke, Evangelist. Double of the Second Class.
19. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the Octave
of St Edward.
I^In the diocese of Shrewsbury, Double of the First Class. Gen. App.]
20. Octave of St Edward. Double.
21. Ursula and her Companions, Virgins and Martyrs. Greater Double. Com-
memoration of St Hilarion, Abbat.
* Fourth Lord's Day in the Month, Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Greater Double. Commemoration of the Sunday.
22. John of Kenty, Confessor. Double.
23. Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer. Greater Double.
24. The Archangel Raphael. Greater Double.
25. John of Beverley, Archbishop [^of York,] Confessor. Double. Commem-
oration of SS. Chrysanthus and Daria, Martyrs.
26. Evaristus, Pope of Rome, Martyr.
27. Eve of SS. Simon and Jude.
28. Simon and Jude, Apostles. Double of the Second Class.
29.
30-
31. Eve of All Saints.
NOVEMBER.
1. Feast of All the Saints. Double of the First Class.
2. Within the Octave of All Saints. Commemoration of all the Faithful
Departed.
3. Winefrid, Virgin and Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of
All Saints.
4. Charles, [Cardinal] Archbishop [of Milan,] Confessor. Double. Com-
memoration of the Octave of All Saints, and of Saints Vitalis and
Agricola, Martyrs.
5. Within the Octave of All Saints.
6. Within the Octave of All Saints.
7. Within the Octave of All Saints.
8. Octave of All Saints. Double. Commemoration of the Four Crowned
Martyrs.
9. Dedication of the Cathedral Church of Our Most Holy Saviour. Greater
Double. Commemoration of St Theodore, Martyr.
KALENDAR. XXXI
10. Andrew Avellino, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of SS. Tryphon,
Respicius, and the Virgin Nympha, Martyrs, and of St Justus, Bishop of
Rochester, Confessor.
11. Martin, Bishop [of Tours,]] Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St
Mennas, Martyr.
12. Martin, Pope of Rome, Martyr. Semi-double.
13. Diego, Confessor. Semi-double.
14. Erconwald, Bishop of London, Confessor. Double.
[Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, Martyr. Greater Double. Gen.
App.]
15. Gertrude, Virgin. Double.
16. Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor. Double.
[In the diocese of Portsmouth, Edmund of Canterbury. Double of the
First Class. Gen. App.]]
17. Hew, Bishop of Lincoln, Confessor. Double.
18. Dedication of the Churches of SS. Peter and Paul. Greater Double.
19. Elizabeth, Widow. Double. Commemoration of St Pontian, Pope of
Rome, and Martyr.
20. Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr. Greater Double.
2 1 . Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Greater Double.
22. Cecily, Virgin and Martyr. Double.
23. Clement, Pope of Rome, Martyr. Double. Commemoration of St Felicity,
Martyr.
24. John of the Cross, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Chrysogonus,
Martyr.
25. Katharine, Virgin and Martyr. Double.
26. Sylvester, Abbat, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St Peter, Pope
of Alexandria, Martyr.
27. Gregory, the Wonder-worker, Bishop [of Neo-Caesarea in Pontus,]] Con-
fessor. Double.
28. Jehoshaphat, Archbishop of Polotsk, Martyr. Double.
29. Willibrord, Archbishop of Utrecht, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of
the Eve of St Andrew, if out of Advent, and of St Saturninus, Martyr.
[Cuthbert Maine, Martyr. Double. Gen. App.]
30. Andrew^ Apostle. Double of the Second Class.
DECEMBER.
1. Felix de Valois, Confessor. Double.
[Edmund Campion and his Companions, Martyrs. Double. Gen. App.]
2. Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr. Semi-double.
3. Francis Xavier, Confessor. Double.'^
4. Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop [of Ravenna,] Confessor, and Doctor of the
Church. Double. Commemoration of St Barbara, Virgin and Martyr.
1 Since raised to the rank of a Greater Double.
XXXll KALENDAR.
5. Brian, Bishop [_of Dorchester,^ Confessor. Double. Commemoration of St
Saba, Abbat.
6. Nicolas, Archbishop [of Myra,] Confessor. Double.
[In diocese of Liverpool, Double of the First Class. Gen. App.]
7. Ambrose, Bishop [of Milan,]] Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.
Double.
8. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Double of the
First Class.
9. Within the Octave of the Conception.
10. Within the Octave of the Conception. Commemoration of St Melchiades,
Pope of Rome, Martyr.
[Translation of the Holy House of Loreto. Greater Double. Gen. App.J
1 1 . Damasus, Pope of Rome, Confessor. Semi-double. Commemoration of the
Octave of the Conception.
12. Within the Octave of the Conception.
13. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. Double. Commemoration of the Octave of the
Conception.
1 4. Within the Octave of the Conception.
15. Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. Double.
16. Eusebius, Bishop [of Vercelli,] Martyr. Semi-double.
17-
18. The Blessed Virgin Mary looking shortly to be delivered. Greater Double^
19.
20. Eve of St Thomas.
2 1 . Thomas^ Apostle. Double of the Second Class.
22.
23-
24. Christmas Eve.
25. Birthday of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Double of the First Class.
26. Stephen^ the First Martyr. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration
of the Octave of Christmas.
27. John, Apostle and E'vangelist. Double of the Second Class. Commemora-
tion of the Octaves of Christmas and of St Stephen.
28. The Holy Innocents. Double of the Second Class. Commemoration of the
Octaves of Christmas, of St Stephen, and of St John.
29. Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr. Double of the First
Class.i Commemoration of the Octaves of Christmas, [of St Stephen,
of St John, and of the Innocents.]
30. Office of the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, or of the Octave.
Commemorations of the Octaves of [Christmas,]] of St Thomas of
Canterbury, of St Stephen, of St John, and of the Innocents.
31. Silvester, Pope of Rome, Confessor. Double. Commemoration of the
Octaves of Christmas, of St Thomas of Canterbury, of St Stephen,
of St John, and of the Innocents.
1 See the note to the Office in the Breviary.
PRAYERS. ABSOLUTIONS AND BLESSINGS. xxxiii
PRAYERS. ABSOLUTIONS AND BLESSINGS.
A Prayer before a Service.
O Lord, open Thou my mouth that I may bless Thy Holy Name. Cleanse
my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts ; enlighten my under-
standing ; kindle my affections, that I may pray to, and praise Thee with
attention and devotion ; and may worthily be heard before the presence of
Thy Divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, in union with that Divine Intention wherewith Thou didst Thyself
praise God, while as Thou wast on earth, I offer these Hours unto Thee.
A Prayer after a Service.
In respect of ivh'ich Pope Leo X. has granted to all persons ivho after saying
the Divine Office shall devoutly recite it on their knees ^ condonation of the shortcomings
and faults committed hy them from human frailty in saying the Office.
To the Most Holy and undivided Trinity, to the Manhood of our Lord
Jesus Christ Crucified, to the fruitful Virginity of the most blessed and most
glorious Mary, always a Virgin, and to the holiness of all the Saints be ascribed
everlasting praise, honour, and glory, by all creatures, and to us be granted the
forgiveness of all our sins, world without end. Amen.
Verse. Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary which bore the Son of
the Eternal Father.
Ansnver. And blessed be the paps which gave suck to Christ our Lord.
Then are said the Lord^s Prayer and the Angelic Salutation.
Summary of the Absolutions and Blessings pronounced at Mattins.
In the First Nocturn, and on Monday and Thursday.
Absolution.
Graciously hear, O Lord Jesus Christ, the prayers of Thy servants, and
have mercy upon us : Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy
Ghost, world without end. Amen.
First Blessing.
May the Eternal Father bless us
With an eternal blessing. Amen.
Second Blessing.
May the Son, the Sole-begotten,
Mercifully bless and keep us. Amen.
xxxiv PRAYERS. ABSOLUTIONS AND BLESSINGS.
Third Blessing.
May the grace of God the Spirit
All our heart and mind enlighten. Amen.
In the Second Nocturn, and on Tuesday and Friday.
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness and mercy help us, Who liveth and reigneth with
the Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Fourth Blessing.
o
God the Father Omnipotent,
Be to us merciful and clement. Amen.
Fifth Blessing.
May Christ to all His people give.
For ever in His sight to live. Amen.
Sixth Blessing.
May the Spirit's fire Divine
In our hearts enkindled shine. Amen.
In the Third Nocturn, and on Wednesday and Saturday.
Absolution.
May the Almighty and merciful Lord loose us from the bonds of our
sins. Amen.
Seventh Blessing.
May the Gospel's holy lection
Be our safety and protection. Amen,
Eighth Blessing.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay. Amen.
For Feasts of Saints.
He (or she or they) whose feast-day we are keeping,
Be our Advocate (or Advocates) with God.
For Feasts of the Blessed Virgin.
She whose feast-day we are keeping —
Mary, blessed Maid of Maidens,
Be our Advocate with God.
. PRAYERS. ABSOLUTIONS AND BLESSINGS. XXXV
Ninth Blessing.
May He that is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring. Amen.
Or, if another Gospel and Homily are to be begun,
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
On days of Three Lessons the Absolution and Blessings are as above, according
to the Week-day, nvith the follotuing exceptions : First Blessing on Wednesday or
Saturday, (not the Simple Office of the Blessed Virgin,) if the First Lesson be
not Gospel ^with Homily,
May His blessing be upon us
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Whenever the First Lesson is Gospel nvith Homily, the Blessings are from the
Third Nocturn.
If the OJfice be of a Saint or Saints, the Blessings are :
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Second Blessing.
He [or she or they) whose feast-day we are keeping,
Be our Advocate (or Advocates) with God.
Third Blessing.
May He that is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring. Amen.
The Absolution and Blessings in the Simple Office of the Blessed Virgin for
Saturdays are peculiar to that Office, and are given in their own place.
Zfxt i^^nlttv,
OR,
BOOK OF PSALMS,
DIVIDED ACCORDING TO THE DAYS OF THE WEEK, TOGETHER WITH
THE ORDINARY OFFICE FOR THE DIFFERENT SEASONS.
MATTINS,! OR MORNING PRAYER.
FOR THE LORD'S DAY, SUNDAY.
Before Mattins, and every other
Hour^ except Lauds a?id Compline^
there is said inaudibly^
/^UR Father, Who art in heaven,
^-^ Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation \
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
grace ;
thee :
TTAIL, Mary, full of
^ ^ The Lord is with
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
At the beginiii7ig of Matti?zs and
Priine^ and at the e7td of Compline,
is theji said inaiidibly the Apostles'
Creed.
^ The proper hour for Mattins is midnight, at which time it is said in many Convents.
In others it is said at 2 or 5 A.M. In the Cathedral of Rome (St. John Lateran's) and
other Churches of the same country, the hour is about 7 A.M. It is allowable to say it at
any hour after the sun has begun to decline, and an ordinary practice is to do so late in the
afternoon.
- The reason why the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed are recited inaudibly during
the Office seems to be, that in the early Church these formulse were concealed from the
unbaptized until very shortly before their baptism. Now, all were allowed to be present
at the Office, of which these formulse are a part, and therefore they were then so said that
the unbaptized could not hear them. The " Hail, Mary," having been added as a sort of
appendix to the Lord's Prayer, follows the same rule with it. The Lord's Prayer is said
aloud during the Canon of the Mass, because only the faithful were then present.
VOL. n. A
THE PSALTER.
T BELIEVE in God the Father
-*• Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth. And in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord : Who
was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried : He descended
into hell : the third day He rose
again from the dead : He ascended
into heaven, and sitteth on the right
hand of God the Father Almighty :
from thence He shall come to judge
the quick and the dead. I be-
lieve in the Holy Ghost, the Holy
Catholic Church, the Communion
of Saints, the Forgiveness of sins,
the Resurrection of the body, and
the Life everlasting. Amen.
Then is said aloud :
Verse} ►J^ O Lord, open Thou
my lips.
Answer. And my mouth shall
show forth Thy praise.
Verse} ^ Make haste, O God,
to deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
^ As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen, Alleluia.'*
From Sepiuagesima Sunday to
Maundy Thursday instead of Alleluia
is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
Then is said Psalm xciv. with the
Invitatory. The Invitatory here given
is said from the Octave of the Epiph-
any - to Septuagesima Su7iday, a7id
from the Octave of Pe?ztecost to Ad-
vetit Sunday.
Invitatory. Let us worship the
Lord, for * He is our Maker.
Repetition. Let us worship the
Lord, for * He is our Maker.
Psalm XCIV.5
[Vulgate and LXX., "A song of praise
by David.'']
r~\ COME, let us sing unto the
^-^ Lord, let us make a joyful
noise to the God of our Salva-
tion : let us come before His
presence with thanksgiving, and
make a joyful noise unto Him
with psalms.
Let us worship the Lord, for He
is our Maker.
For the Lord is a great God, and
a great King above all gods : for the
Lord will not cast off His people :
for in His hand are all the ends of
the earth ; and the heights of the
hills are His also.
He is our Maker.
For the sea is His, and He made
it : and His hands formed the dry
land : ^ O come, let us worship
and fall down ; let us cry unto the
1 Ps. 1. 17. 2 ps^ ixix. 2.
■^ The Greek original of this Doxology does not contain the words, " As it was in the
beginning" (inserted against the Arians), but runs thus : " Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, both now, and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen."
"* Or rather, " Hal'lu-YAH," " Praise-ye-the-Eternal," a Hebrew phrase which occurs
repeatedly in the Bible. The sound of these words causes the Church such joy that slie
denies herself their use during her penitential season. But in order not to remit the praise of
God, she substitutes for the Hebrew phrase a short rhyming Latin one, of similar meaning.
•^ This Psalm is not given in the original from the Vulgate, but from some other Latin
translation. ^ Here it is usual to kneel till the *.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
Lord our Maker. * For He is
the Lord our God ; and we are
His people, and the sheep of His
pasture.
Let us worship the Lord, for He
is our Maker.
To-day if ye will hear His voice,
harden not your heart ; as in " the
Provocation," and as in the day of
" Temptation " in the wilderness :
when your fathers tempted Me,
proved Me, and saw My works. ^
He is our Maker.
Forty years long was I grieved
with that generation ^ and said, It is
a people that do alway err in their
heart, and they have not known My
ways : unto whom I sware in My
wrath that they should not enter
into My rest.
Let us worship the Lord, for He
is our Maker.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without
end. Amen.
He is our Maker.
Let us worship the Lord, for He
is our Maker.
The following Hymn is then said^
from the Octave of the Epiphany to the
First Sunday in Lent^ and from the first
Sunday of October to Advent.
Hymn.3
'pO-DAY the Blessed Three in One
-■- Began the earth and skies ;
To-day a Conqueror, God the Son,
Did from the grave arise ;
We too will wake, and, in despite
Of sloth and languor, all unite,
As Psalmists bid, through the dim night
Waiting with wistful eyes.
So may He hear, and heed each vow,
And prayer to Himaddrest ;
And grant an instant cleansing now,
A future glorious rest.
So may He plentifully shower,
On all who hymn His love and power,
In this most still and sacred hour.
His sweetest gifts and best.
Father of purity and light !
Thy presence if we win,
'Twill shield us from the deeds of night.
The burning darts of sin ;
Lest aught defiled or dissolute
Relax our bodies or imbrute.
And fires eternal be the fruit
Of fire now lit within.
Fix in our hearts, Redeemer dear,
The ever- gushing spring
Of grace to cleanse, of life to cheer
Souls sick and sorrowing.
Thee, bounteous Father, we entreat,
And only Son, awful and sweet.
And life-creating Paraclete,
The Everlasting King.
Amen.
Instead of the foregoing the follow-
ing Hymn is said from the Octave of
Pentecost to the first Sunday of Oc-
tober.
^ The occasion here referred to is that described in Exodus xvii. 1-7. The children of
Israel while travelling through the desert became rebellious from want of water. It was
given them from the smitten rock. Then is added : " And he [Moses] called the name of
the place Temptation" (Hebrew and LXX. add "and Provocation"), "because of the
chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying : Is the Lord
among us, or not?"
^ Namely, that particular generation which had come out of Egypt. The next clauses
relate to that which is written in Numbers xiv. 22 : "Because all these men which have
seen My glory, and My miracles, which I did in Egypt, and in the wilderness, have tempted
Me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to My voice, surely they shall not see the
land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked Me see it."
And this is confirmed with an oath, in verse 28 ; " As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye
have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you : your carcasses shall fall in this .wilderness."
^ Ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great, but altered, one verse omitted, and the last
verse added. Translation by the late Card. Newman.
THE PSALTER.
Hymn.i
LET us arise and watch by night,
And meditate always ;
And chant as in our Maker's sight
United hymns of praise.
So singing with the saints in bliss,
With them we may attain
Life everlasting after this,
And heaven for earthly pain.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
When the Invitatories, Hymns, &^c.^
are differ e7it from the above they are
given in the Office to tvhich they be-
long.
First Nocturn, or Watch of
THE Night.
Antiphon for Advent. Behold,
there cometh the King.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
Serve the Lord.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia.
Psalm L
T3LESSED is the man that walk-
J-^ eth not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, * nor sitteth in the seat of
the scoffers :
But his delight is in the Law of
the Lord ; * and in His Law doth
he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, *
that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season :
His leaf also shall not wither :
* and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.
Not so are the ungodly, not so :
* but are like the chaff which the
wind driveth away from the face of
the earth.
Therefore the ungodly shall not
stand in the judgment : * nor sin-
ners in the congregation of the
righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way
of the righteous : * but the way of
the ungodly shall perish.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.
This Doxology is said at the end of
every Psalm unless special directions
are given to the contrary.
Psalm II.
[In Acts iv. 25, 26, the authorship of this
Psalm is attributed to David.]
^T^rHY do the heathen rage, *
* * and the peoples devise a
vain thing?
The kings of the earth set them-
selves, and the rulers take counsel
together * against the Lord, and
against His Anointed.
Let us break their bands asun-
der : * and cast away their yoke
from us.
He That sitteth in the heavens
shall laugh them to scorn : * and
the Lord shall have them in de-
rision.
Then shall He speak unto them
in His wrath : * and plague them in
His sore displeasure.
Yet hath He set me for King
upon His holy hill of Zion * to de-
clare His decree.
^ Also ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great, although somewhat altered,
by the late Card. Newman.
Translation
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
5
The Lord hath said unto me :
* Thou art My Son, this day have
I begotten thee.
Ask of Me, and I shall give
thee the heathen for thine inheri-
tance, * and the uttermost parts
of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt rule them with a rod
of iron, * and shalt dash them in
pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now, therefore, O ye
kings ; * be instructed, ye judges
of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear : * and
rejoice with trembling before Him.
Lay hold of instruction, lest the
Lord be angry, * and ye perish from
the righteous way.
.When His wrath is kindled sud-
denly, * blessed are all they that
put their trust in Him.
Psalm III.
[Intituled ' ' A Psalm of David, when he
fled from Absalom his son." See the his-
tory in 2 Kings (Sam.) xv., xvi. , xviii.]
T ORD, how are they increased
-'-^ that trouble me ? * many are
they that rise up against me.
Many there be that say of my
soul : * There is no help for him
in his God.^
But Thou, O Lord, art a shield
for me, * my glory, and the Lifter
up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my
voice : * and He heard me out of
His holy hill.^
I laid me down and slept ; * I
awaked, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of thousands
of people that have set themselves
against me round about : * arise, O
Lord, save me, O my God.
For Thou hast smitten all them
that fought against me without a
cause ^ : * Thou hast broken the
teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongeth unto the
Lord : * and Thy blessing is upon
Thy people.^
Psalm VI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
title also contains directions, probably musi-
cal, the meaning of which is now uncertain.]
OLORD, rebuke me not in
Thine anger : * neither
chasten me in Thine hot dis-
pleasure.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord,
for I am weak : * O Lord, heal me,
for my bones are shaken.
My soul also is sore vexed : * but
Thou, O Lord, how long?
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul :
* O save me for Thy mercy's sake.
For in death there is no one that
remembereth Thee : * and in the
grave who shall give Thee thanks ?
I am weary with my groaning,
every night I wash my bed : * I
water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is grown dim because
of grief : * I am waxen old because
of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers
of iniquity : * for the Lord hath
heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my suppli-
cation : * the Lord hath received
my prayer.
^ Here occur in the Hebrew the letters SLH, or "Selah." The meaning of this is un-
certain. Gesenius thinks ' ' it seems to have been used to mark a short pause in singing
the words of the Psalm, so that the singer would be silent, while the instrumental music
continued." - 2 gLH, again.
"^ But the Hebrew reads, not, " without a cause," but, "on the jaw-bone.'
THE PSALTER.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed
and sore vexed : * let them return
and be ashamed suddenly.
Antiphon for Advent. Behold,
there cometh the King, even the
Most High, with great power, to
save the nations. Alleluia.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ Serve the Lord with fear, and re-
joice with trembling before Him.
In Paschal time there is only one
Antiphon to the whole Nocturn.
Second Antiphon for Advent.
Strengthen ye.
Second Antiphon for the rest of the
year. God is a righteous judge.
Psalm VIL
[Intituled "An Hymn of David, which
he sang unto the Lord concerning the words
of Cush the Benjamite." This Cush is sup-
posed to be the same as Shimei, whose curs-
ing of David is narrated in 2 Kings (Saiti.)
xvi. 7, 8, or else a nickname for Saul.]
o
LORD my God, in Thee do
I take refuge : * save me
from all them that persecute me,
and deliver me.
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, *
while there is none to deliver, or to
save.
O Lord my God, if I have done
this, * if there be iniquity in mine
hands ;
If I have requited with evil them
that requited me [with good], * may
I then flee empty before mine
enemies.
Let the enemy persecute my soul,
and take it, yea, let him tread down
my life upon the earth, * and lay
mine honour in the dust.^
^ Ps. ii. II.
Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger :
* and lift up Thyself against the
borders of mine enemies.
And awake for me, O Lord my
God, according to the decree that
Thou hast made : * so shall the
congregation of the people com-
pass Thee about.
For their sakes, therefore, return
Thou on high : * the Lord judgeth
the peoples.
Judge me, O Lord, according to
my righteousness, * and according
to mine integrity that is in me.
0 let the wickedness of the
wicked come to an end, and es-
tablish the just ; * God trieth the
hearts and reins.
Mine help is righteous, coming
from the Lord, * Who saveth the
upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge, strong
and patient : * is He not provoked
every day?
If ye turn not, He will whet His
sword : * He hath bent His bow and
made it ready.
And hath fitted thereon the in-
struments of death, * He hath
ordained His arrows against the
persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity :
* he hath conceived mischief, and
brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit and digged it : *
and is fallen into the ditch which he
made.
His mischief shall return upon
his own head : * and his iniquity
shall come down upon his own
pate.
1 will praise the Lord according
to His righteousness : * and will
sing praise to the name of the
Lord Most High.
2SLH.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
Psalm VIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
also a title which seems to show that it was
a song for tlie vintage.]
OLORD, our Lord, * how ex-
cellent is Thy Name in all
the earth !
For Thy glory is exalted * above
the heavens.
^ Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings hast Thou perfected praise
because of Thine enemies, * that
Thou mightest destroy the enemy
and the avenger.
When I consider Thine heavens,
the work of Thy fingers : * the moon
and the stars which Thou hast or-
dained :
What is man, that Thou art mind-
ful of him ? * or the son of man,
that Thou visitest him ?
Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels. Thou hast crowned
him with glory and honour, * and
madest him to have dominion over
the works of Thine hands.
Thou hast put all things under
his feet, * all sheep and oxen, yea,
and the beasts of the field.
The fowl of the air, and the fish
of the sea, * that pass through the
paths of the sea.
0 Lord, our Lord, * how excel-
lent is Thy Name in all the earth !
Psalm IX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
also a superscription the meaning of which
is not now certain. The Targum connects
it with the slaying of Goliath.]
T WILL praise Thee, O Lord,
^ with mine whole heart : * I will
show forth all Thy marvellous works.
1 will be glad and rejoice in
^ This verse was quoted by our Lord, concerning those who cried Hosannah on Palm
Sunday, Matthew xxi. i6.
Thee : * I will sing praise to Thy
Name, O Thou Most High.
When mine enemies are turned
back, * they shall fall and perish at
Thy presence.
For Thou hast maintained my
right and my cause : * Thou satest
in the throne judging right.
Thou hast rebuked the heathen,
and the wicked are perished : *
Thou hast put out their name for
ever, even for ever and ever.
The swords of the enemy have
failed utterly : * and their cities
Thou hast destroyed.
Their memorial is perished with
a crash : * and the Lord endureth
for ever.
He hath prepared His throne for
judgment : * and He shall judge
the world in righteousness. He shall
minister judgment to the people in
uprightness.
The Lord also is a refuge for the
poor : * a refuge in times of trouble.
And let them that know Thy
name put their trust in Thee : * for
Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them
that seek Thee.
Sing praises to the Lord, Who
dwelleth in Zion : * declare among
the people His doings.
For when He maketh inquisition
for blood He remembereth them : *
He forgetteth not the cry of the
afflicted.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord :
* consider my trouble [which I
suffer] of them that hate me.
Thou That liftest me up from the
gates of death : * that I may show
forth all Thy praises in the gates of
the daughter of Zion !
I will rejoice in Thy salvation : *
THE PSALTER.
the heathen are sunk down in the
pit that they made.
In the net which they hid, * is
their own foot taken.
The Lord is known when He
executeth judgment : * the wicked
is snared in the work of his own
hands. ^
The wicked shall be turned into
hell : * all the nations that forget
God.
For the -needy shall not alway be
forgotten : * the expectation of the
poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord, let not man pre-
vail : * let the heathen be judged in
Thy sight.
Put Thou a master over them, O
Lord : * let the nations know them-
selves to be but men.^
Why standest Thou afar off, O
Lord, * why hidest Thou Thyself
in times of trouble ?
The wicked in his pride doth per-
secute the poor : * they are taken
in the devices- that they have im-
agined.
For the wicked is praised accord-
ing to his soul's desire : * and the
unrighteous is deemed blessed.
The wicked provoketh the Lord :
* in the greatness of his scornful
indignation he doth not care.
God is not before his eyes : * his
ways are always grievous.
Thy judgments are far out of his
sight : * he hath dominion over his
enemies.
He hath said in his heart : * I
shall not be moved unto generation
and generation, yea, I shall never
be in adversity.
His mouth is full of cursing, and
bitterness, and fraud : * under his
tongue is mischief and sorrow.
He sitteth in the lurking-places
with the rich : in the secret places
* doth he murder the innocent.
His eyes are privily set against
the poor : * he lieth in wait secretly,
as a lion in his den.
He lieth in wait to catch the
poor
to catch the poor w^hen
he draweth him [after him].
In his snare doth he bring him
down : * yet shall he himself totter
and fall down, when he hath mas-
tered the poor.
He hath said in his heart : God
hath forgotten : * He turneth away
His face so that He shall never see it.
Arise, O Lord, O God, lift up
Thine hand : * forget not the
afflicted.
Wherefore doth the wicked pro-
voke God? * for he hath said in
his heart : He will not require it.
Thou seest it, for Thou beholdest
labour and sorrow : * to deliver
them into Thine own hand.
The poor leaveth himself unto
Thee : * Thou wilt be the helper
of the fatherless.
Break Thou the arm of the
wicked and the evil man : * his
wickedness shall be sought after and
shall not be found.
The Lord shall be King for ever
and ever : * the heathen shall perish
out of His land.
The Lord hath heard the petition
of the poor : * Thine ear hath heard
the desire of his heart.
To judge the fatherless and the
oppressed, * that man may magnify
himself no more upon earth.
^ Here occurs : — "Instrumental music — SLH." This is a strong argument in favour of
Gesenius' opinion, see p. 5, note I.
^ SLH. Here, according to the present Hebrew text, ends Ps. ix.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
Psalm X.
[Intituled " Of David." There is also a
superscription perhaps musical, but now of
uncertain meaning.]
TN the Lord put I my trust;
-'- how say ye to my soul, *
Flee as a bird to the mountain ?
For lo, the wicked bend their
bow, they make ready their arrows
in the quiver, * that they may
privily shoot at the upright in
heart.
For they have destroyed that
which Thou hast established : *
and what hath the righteous done ?
The Lord is in His holy temple :
* the Lord's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold the poor : * His
eyelids try the children of men.
The Lord trieth the righteous
and the wicked : * but he that
loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.
Upon the wicked He shall rain
snares : * fire, and brimstone, and
an horrible tempest, this shall be
the portion of their cup.
For the righteous Lord loveth
righteousness : * His countenance
doth behold uprightness.
Antiphon for Advent. ^Strengthen
ye the weak hands : be strong ; say :
Behold, our God will come, and
save us. Alleluia.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ God is a righteous judge, strong,
and patient : is He not provoked
every day?
Third Antiphon for Advent. Re-
joice, all ye.
Third Antiphon for the rest of the
year. Thou shalt keep us.
Psalm XI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with some
other words, of meaning now uncertain, as
before.]
TTELP, Lord, for the godly
-■- ^ man ceaseth : * for the truth
faileth from among the children of
men.
They speak vanity every one with
his neighbour : * with flattering lips,
with a double heart, do they speak.
The Lord shall cut off all flat-
tering lips, * and the tongue that
speaketh proud things.
Who have said : With our tongue
will we prevail, our lips are our
own : * who is lord over us ?
For the oppression of the poor,
and the sighing of the needy, * now
will I arise, saith the Lord.
I will set him in safety : * I will
deal faithfully with him.
The words of the Lord are pure
words : * silver tried in a furnace,
purged of dross, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep us, O Lord, and
preserve us * from this generation
for ever.
The wicked walk on every side :
* the increase of men is according
to Thy secret counsel.
Psalm Xn.
[This Psalm has the same title as the
last.]
T TOW long wilt Thou forget
-'- -*- me, O Lord ? for ever ? *
How long hidest Thou Thy face
from me?
How long shall I take counsel
in my soul, * having sorrow in mine
heart daily?
How long shall mine enemy be
exalted over me? * Consider, and
hear me, O Lord my God.
Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the
sleep of death : * lest mine enemy
say : I have prevailed against him.
^ Isa. XXXV. 3, 4.
2 Ps. vii. 12.
VOL. II.
A 2
lO
THE PSALTER.
Those that trouble me will re-
joice if I am moved : * but I have
trusted in Thy mercy.
Mine heart shall rejoice in Thy
salvation ; I will sing unto the Lord
because He hath dealt bountifully
with me : * and I will sing praise
to the name of the Lord Most
High. •
Psalm Xin.
[Same title as Psalm x.]
THE fool hath said in his heart :
* There is no God.
They are corrupt, and have be-
come abominable in their works :
* there is none that doeth good,
no, not one.
The Lord looked down from
heaven upon the children of men :
* to see if there were any that did
understand, or seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are
altogether become unprofitable : *
there is none that doeth good, no,
not one.
^ Their throat is an open sepul-
chre : with their tongues they have
used deceit : * the poison of asps is
under their lips.
Their mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness : * their feet are swift to
shed blood.
Destruction and misery are in
their ways, and the way of peace
they have not known : * there is no
fear of God before their eyes.
Have all the workers of iniquity
no knowledge, * who eat up my
people as they would eat bread ?
They call not upon the Lord : *
there were they in great fear, where
no fear was ;
For the Lord is in the generation
of the righteous : ye have shamed
the counsel of the poor : * because
the Lord is his hope.
O that the salvation of Israel were
come out of Zion ! * when the
Lord bringeth back the captivity of
His people, Jacob shall rejoice and
Israel shall be glad.
Psalm XIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David."]
LORD, who shall abide in Thy
tabernacle ? * who shall
dwell in Thine holy hill ?
He that walketh uprightly, * and
worketh righteousness.
He that speaketh the truth in his
heart, * he that deceiveth not with
his tongue.
He that hath not done evil to his
neighbour, * nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is
despised : * but he honoureth them
that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour,
and deceiveth him not, * he that
putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the in-
nocent.
He that doeth these things, *"
shall never be moved.
Antiphon for Advent. ^ Rejoice,
all ye, and be glad : for, behold, the
Lord will come with vengeance. He
will bring a recompense : He will
come and save us.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ Thou shalt keep us, O Lord, and
preserve us.
1 The next three verses are not in the Hebrew, although found in the Vulgate and the
LXX., which are supported by Rom. iii. 13-18.
- Isa. XXXV. 4. '^ Ps. xi. 8.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
II
Antiphon for Paschal ti??ie. Al-
leluia. ^ The stone was rolled away,
Alleluia, from the door of the sepul-
chre.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Theti is said a Verse and Answer,
hi Advent.
Verse. ^ Out of Zion, the Per-
fection of beauty.
Answer. Our God shall come
manifestly.
During the rest of the year.
Verse. ^ I have remembered Thy
name, O Lord, in the night.
Answer. And have kept Thy
law.
Ill Lent.
Verse. ^ He hath delivered me
from the snare of the fowler.
Answer. And from the noisome
pestilence.
In Passio7i time.
Verse. ^ O God, deliver my soul
from the sword.
Answer. And my darling from
the power of the dog.
I?t Paschal time.
Verse. The Lord is risen from
the grave, Alleluia.
Answer. Who hung for us upon
the tree. Alleluia.
Then is said the Lords Prayer.
/^UR Father (fnaudibly). Who
^-^ art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Then this Absolution.
/GRACIOUSLY hear, O Lord
^^ Jesus Christ, the prayers of
Thy servants, and have mercy upon
us : Who livest and reignest with
the Father and the Holy Ghost,
world without end.
Answer. Amen.
The?t the reader says :
^ Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
First Blessing.
May the Eternal Father bless us
With an everlasting blessing.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the First Lesson^ and at
the e?id the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the First Responsory,
after ivhich the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing-
Second Blessing.
May the Son the Sole-begotten
In His mercy bless and help us.
Ansiver. Amen.
2 Ps. cxviii. 55.
^ Mark xvi. 3. 2 pg, xlix. 2..
"* Ps. xc. 3. ^ Ps. xxi. 20.
® Some persons bound to say the Office, when reciting alone, are accustomed to substi-
tute for this the words, " Command Thy blessing, O Lord ! "
12
THE PSALTER.
Then is read the Secoftd Lesso7i^ and
at the e7id the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Second Responsory.,
after which the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Third Blessing.
May the grace of God the Spirit
All our heart and mind enlighten.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Third Lesson, and
at the end the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Third Responsory.
Second Nocturn, or Watch of
THE Night.
Antiphon for Advent. Rejoice
greatly.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
Thou hast no need.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia.
Psalm XV.
[Intituled a work "of David," but the
specifically descriptive word is not now of
certain meaning.]
PRESERVE me, O Lord, for in
-■- Thee do I put my trust : *
I have said unto the Lord : Thou
art my God, for Thou hast no need
of my goods.
To the Saints that are in His
land, * He hath made all my will
admirable.
Their sorrows are multiplied, *
that hasten after [a strange god],
^ Zech. ix. 9.
In their assemblies for blood-
shedding will I have no part : * nor
mention their names with my lips.
The Lord is the portion of mine
inheritance, and of my cup : *
Thou art He That shalt restore
mine inheritance unto me.
The lines are fallen unto me in
pleasant places : * yea, I have a
goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, Who hath
given me counsel : * my reins also
instruct me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always be-
fore my face : * because He is at
my right hand, I shall never be
moved.
Therefore mine heart is glad, and
my tongue rejoiceth : * my flesh
also shall rest in hope.
For Thou wilt not leave my soul
in hell : * neither wilt Thou suffer
Thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou hast shown me the path
of life. Thou shalt fill me with joy
in Thy presence : * at Thy right
hand there are pleasures for ever-
more.
Antiphon for Adve?tt. ^ Rejoice
greatly, O daughter of Jerusalem :
behold, thy King cometh into thee,
O Zion ; fear not, for thy salvation
cometh quickly.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^Thou hast no need of my goods,
in Thee do I put my trust, preserve
me, O Lord.
In Paschal time there is only one
Antiphon to the whole Nocturn.
Second Antiphon for Advent.
Christ our King.
Second Antiphon for the rest of
the year. By the words.
- Ps. XV. I, 2.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
13
Psalm XVI.
[Intituled "A Prayer of David."]
HEAR my right, O Lord, *
attend unto my cry.
Give ear unto my prayer, * that
goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from
Thy presence : * let Thine eyes be-
hold the things that are equal.
Thou hast proved mine heart,
and visited it by night : * Thou
hast tried me with fire, and found
no wickedness in me.
That my mouth may not speak
concerning the works of men : * by
the words of Thy lips I have kept
me to strait paths.
Hold up my goings in Thy paths,
* that my footsteps slip not.
I have called upon Thee, for
Thou hast heard me, O God ; * in-
cline Thine ear unto me, and hear
my speech.
Show Thy marvellous loving-
kindness, * O Thou That savest
them which put their trust in Thee !
From those that rise up against
Thy right hand keep me, * as the
apple of the eye.
Hide me under the shadow of
Thy wings, * from the face of the
wicked that oppress me.
Mine enemies compass my soul
round about, they are inclosed in
their own fat : * with their mouth
they speak proudly.
They that drave me out have
now compassed me : * they have
set their eyes bowing down to the
earth.
They have lain in wait for me, as
a lion that is ready for his prey : *
and as it were a young lion lurking
in secret places.
1 John i. 36.
Arise, O Lord, disappoint him,
and cast him down : * deliver my
soul from the wicked. Thy sword
from them that hate Thine hand.
O Lord, part them in their life
from the precious things of the
earth : * their belly is filled with
Thine hidden treasure.
They have children to the full : *
and leave the rest of their substance
to their babes.
As for me, I will behold Thy face
in righteousness : * I shall be satis-
fied when Thy glory shall appear.
Antiphon for Advent. Christ
our King cometh, ^ Whom John
preached, saying \ Behold the Lamb
That should come !
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ By the words of Thy lips I have
kept me to strait paths.
Third Antiphon for Advent. Be-
hold, I come.
Third Antiphon for the rest of the
year. I will love Thee.
When this Antiphon is used the
Psalm begins with the words ^ " O
Lord, my strength."
Psalm XVII.
[After a superscription, of meaning now
uncertain, the title of this Psalm proceeds,
" Of David, the servant of the Lord, who
spake unto the Lord the words of this song,
in the day that the Lord delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies, and from
the hand of Saul : and he said : — " It is
found also, with a few slight differences, in
2 Kings (Sam.) xxii.]
T WILL love Thee, O Lord,
-^ my strength : * the Lord is
my rock, and my fortress, and
my Deliverer.
My God, mine Helper, * in
Whom I trust.
2 Ps. xvi. 4.
H
THE PSALTER.
My buckler, and the horn of my
salvation, * and my refuge.
I called upon the Lord with
praises, * and am saved from mine
enemies.
The sorrows of death compassed
me : * and the floods of wicked-
ness made me afraid.
The sorrows of hell compassed
me about : * the snares of death
came upon me.
In my distress I called upon the
Lord, * and cried unto my God.
And He heard my voice out of
His holy temple : * and my cry
came before Him, even into His
ears.
The earth shook and trembled :
* the foundations of the hills moved
and quaked, because He was wroth.
There went up a smoke in His
wrath, and fire burst forth before
His presence : * coals were kindled
by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and
came down : * and darkness was
under His feet.
And He rode upon the Cherubim ^
and did fly : * yea, He did fly upon
the wings of the wind.
And He made darkness His secret
place, His pavilion round about
Him : * dark waters, thick clouds
of the skies.
At the brightness that was be-
fore Him, the thick clouds passed,
* hailstones and coals of fire.
The Lord also thundered in the
heavens, and the Highest uttered
His voice : * hailstones and coals
of fire.
Yea, He sent out His arrows
and scattered them : * He shot
out many lightnings and discomfited
them.
And the fountains of waters were
seen, * and the foundations of the
world were discovered.
At Thy rebuke, O Lord, * at
the blast of the breath of Thy
wrath 1
He sent from above, and took
me ; * and drew me out of many
waters.
He delivered me from the strong-
est of mine enemies, and from them
which hated me : * for they were too
strong for me.
They came upon me in the day
of my calamity, * but the Lord was
my stay.
He brought me forth also into a
large place : * He delivered me be-
cause He delighted in me.
And the Lord shall reward me
according to my righteousness, *
and according to the cleanness of
mine hands shall He recompense
me.
For I have kept the ways of the
Lord, * and have not wickedly de-
parted from my God.
For all His judgments were before
me : * and I did not put away His
statutes from me.
I shall also be upright with Him,
* and keep myself from mine in-
iquity.
And the Lord shall reward me
according to my righteousness, *
and according to the cleanness of
mine hands in His eye-sight.
With the holy Thou shalt be holy,
* and with the innocent Thou shalt
be innocent.
And with the pure Thou shalt be
^ Of these creatures, frequently mentioned in connection with the Divine manifestation,
an elaborate account will be found in Ezekiel i. (First Sunday of Novembei"), and more
shortly in Apoc. iv. (Tuesday in Third Week after Easter).
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
15
pure, * and with the contentious
Thou shalt be contentious.
For Thou wilt save the afflicted
people, * and bring down high
looks.
For Thou lightest my lamp, O
Lord : * my God, enlighten my
darkness !
For by Thee shall I be delivered
from temptation, * and by my God
shall I leap over a wall.
As for my God, His way is per-
fect ; the word of the Lord is tried
in the fire : * He is a buckler to all
those that trust in Him.
For who is God save the Lord ?
* or who is God save our God ?
It is God that girdeth me with
strength, * and maketh my way
perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds'
feet, * and setteth me upon mine
high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, *
and maketh mine arms like a bow
of brass.
Thou hast also given me the
shield of Thy salvation : * and Thy
right hand hath holden me up.
Thy correction also hath made
me great : * and Thy chastening it
is that shall teach me.
Thou hast enlarged my steps
under me, * and my feet have not
slipped.
I will pursue mine enemies and
overtake them : * neither will I turn
again till they be consumed.
I will wound them that they shall
not be able to rise : * they shall fall
under my feet.
Thou hast girded me also with
strength unto the battle, * and hast
subdued under me those that rose
up against me.
^ Apoc.
And hast made mine enemies to
turn their back toward me, * and
hast destroyed them that hate me.
They cried, but there was none
to save them, even unto the Lord,
* but He answered them not.
And I will beat them small, as
the dust before the wind : * I will
cast them out as the dirt in the
streets.
Thou shalt deliver me from the
gainsayings of the people : * Thou
shalt make me the head of the
heathen.
A people whom I knew not have
served me : * as soon as they heard
of me they obeyed me.
The strangers feigned obedierice
unto me : * the strangers were
wearied out, and stumbled in their
paths.
The Lord liveth, and blessed be
my God : * and let the God of my
salvation be exalted !
It is Thou, O God, That avengest
me, and subduest the people under
me. * Thou art my deliverer from
my wrathful adversaries.
And Thou shalt lift me up above
those that rise up against me : *
Thou shalt deliver me from the
wicked man.
Therefore will I give thanks unto
Thee, O Lord, among the heathen,
* and sing praises unto Thy name.
Great deliverance giveth He to
His king, and showeth mercy to
His Anointed, to David, * and to
his seed for evermore.
Antiphon for Advent. ^ Behold,
I come quickly, saith the Lord,
and My reward is with Me, to give
. every man according as his work
shall be.
xxii. 12.
i6
THE PSALTER.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ I will love Thee, O Lord, my
strength.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia. 2 Woman, whom seekest
thou ? Alleluia. The Living among
the dead ? Alleluia. Alleluia.
The7i is said a Verse aiid Answer.
In Advent.
Verse. ^Send forth the Lamb,
O Lord, the ruler of the land.
Ansiver. From the " Rock " of
the wilderness unto the mount of
the daughter of Zion.
During the rest of the year.
.Verse. ^ For Thou lightest my
candle, O Lord.
Answer. My God, enlighten my
darkness.
In Lent.
Verse. ^ He shall cover thee with
His wings.
Answer. And under His feathers
shalt thou trust.
In Passion time.
Verse. ^O Lord, save me from
the lion's mouth.
Answer. And mine affliction from
the horns of the unicorns.
In Paschal time.
Verse. "^ The Lord is risen indeed,
Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared unto
Simon, Alleluia.
Then is said the Lord's Prayer.
OUR Father {inaudibly), Who
art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
1 Ps. xvii. 2.
3 Isa. xvi. I. The " Rock " is the town of
* Ps. xvii. 29. ^ Ps. xc. 3.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Then this Absohition.
1\ /FAY His loving-kindness and
^^ His mercy help us, Who
liveth and reigneth with the Father,
and the Holy Ghost, world without
end.
Answer. Amen.
Theji the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing-
Fourth Blessing.
God the Father the Almighty,
Show on us His grace and mercy.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Fourth Lesson^ and
at the end the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Fourth Responsory^
after which the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Fifth Blessi?tg.
May Christ to all His people give.
For ever in His sight to live.
Answer. Amen.
^ John XX. 15.
Petra in the wilderness.
^ Ps. xxi. 22. '' Luke xxiv. 34.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
17
Then is read the Fifth Lesson^ and at
the e?td the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Fifth Responsory,
after which the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Sixth Blessing.
May the Spirit's fire Divine
In our inmost being shine.
Answer. Amen.
The7t is read the Sixth Lesson, and
at the end the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Sixth Respoiisory.
Third Nocturn, or Watch of
THE Night.
Antiphon for Advent. The Angel
Gabriel.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
There is no speech.
Antipho7i for Paschal time. Al-
leluia.
Psalm XVIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with the
same farther obscure superscription, as in
Pss. xii. and xiii.]
'T^HE heavens declare the glory
^ of God, * and the firmament
showeth His handy-work.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
* and night unto night showeth
knowledge.
There is no speech nor lan-
guage, * where their voice is not
heard.
Their sound is gone out through
all the earth : * and their words to
the ends of the world.
He hath set His tabernacle in the
sun : ^ * which is as a bridegroom
coming out of his chamber.
He rejoiceth as a strong man to
run a race : * his going forth is from
the end of the heaven.
And his circuit unto the ends of
it : * and there is nothing hid from
the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul : * the testimony
of the Lord is sure, making wise the
simple.
The statutes of the Lord are
right, rejoicing the heart : * the
commandment of the Lord is clear,
giving light unto the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is holy,
enduring for ever and ever : * the
judgments of the Lord are true,
righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than
gold and store of precious stones,
* sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb.
Verily, Thy servant keepeth them :
^ So the LXX., as well as the Vulgate. Cf. Ps. cii. 19 ; ciii. 2, 3. The sense seems
to be that the physical source of the light and life of this system is represented as a kind of
celestial counterpart of the tabernacle, which was the centre of the Divine authority as i^e-
vealed upon earth. The Hebrew, however, which is supported by St. Jerome, reads, "In
them [i.e., the starry heavens) hath He set a tabernacle for the sun," and this reading
seems to commend itself to Archbishop Kenrick, who suggests that the '' tabernacle " may
signify the region below the horizon, into. which the sun retires nightly, as into a tent, to
sleep, and from which he issues in renewed glory every morning. Targum : — "In them
hath He set splendour as a tabernacle for the sun."
i8
THE PSALTER.
* in keeping of them there is great
reward.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse Thou me from secret faults :
* preserve Thy servant also from
the sins of others.
If they get not dominion over me,
then shall I be undefiled : * and
I shall be cleansed from the great
transgression.
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of mine heart,
* be acceptable in Thy sight for
ever,
O Lord mine Helper, * and my
Redeemer !
Antiphon for Advent. ^ The An-
gel Gabriel spake unto Mary, saying :
Hail, thou that art full of grace, the
Lord is with thee : blessed art thou
among women.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ There is no speech nor lan-
guage where their voice is not
heard.
In Paschal thneo7ily 07ie Antiphon is
said to the whole Nocturn.
Second Antiphon for Advent.
Mary said.
Second Antiphon for the rest of the
year. The Lord.
Whe7i this Antiphon is used the
Psalm begins with the words " Hear
thee."
Psalm XIX.
[This Psalm has the same title as the
last.]
'T^HE Lord hear thee in the day
^ of trouble : * the Name of
the God of Jacob defend thee.
1 Luke i. 28. 2 ps^
^ Luke i. 29. -5 Ps.
Send thee help from the sanc-
tuary, * and strengthen thee out of
Zion.
Remember all thine offerings, *
and accept thy burnt sacrifice.^
Grant thee according to thine
own heart, * and fulfil all thy
counsel.
We wall rejoice in Thy salvation :
* and in the name of our God will
we exult.
The Lord fulfil all thy petitions :
* now know I that the Lord saveth
His Anointed.
He will hear him from His holy
heaven, * strong is the salvation of
His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some
in horses : * but we will call
upon the name of the Lord our
God.
They are brought down and fal-
len : * but we are risen, and stand
upright.
O Lord, save the king : * and
hear us in the day when we call
upon Thee.
Antiphon for Advent. *Mary
said : What manner of salutation
is this? My soul is troubled.
Shall I bear the King? And will
He not break the seal of my vir-
ginity ?
Antiphon for the 7'est of the year,
^ The Lord hear thee in the day of
trouble.
Third Antiphon for Adve7tt. The
King.
Third Antiphon for the rest of the
year. The king.
Whe7i this Antiphon is used the
Psali7i begi7ts with the words " Shall
joy-"
xvm. 4.
xix. 2.
SLH.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
19
Psalm XX.
[This Psalm also bears the same title as
the xviiith.]
THE king shall joy in Thy
strength, O Lord : * and in
Thy salvation how greatly shall he
rejoice !
Thou hast given him his heart's
desire, * and hast not withholden
the request of his lips.-^
For Thou hast met him with the
blessings of sweetness : * Thou hast
set a crown of precious stones upon
his head.
He asked life of Thee : * and
Thou gavest him length of days for
ever and ever.
His glory is great in Thy salva-
tion : * honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
For Thou wilt give him to be a
blessing for ever : * Thou shalt
make him exceeding glad with Thy
countenance.
For the king trusteth in the
Lord, * and, through the mercy
of the Most High, he shall not be
moved.
Thine hand shall find out all
thine enemies : * thy right hand
shall find out all those that hate
thee.
Thou shalt make them as a fiery
oven in the time of thine anger : *
the Lord shall cut them off in His
wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from
the earth, * and their seed from
among the children of men.
For they intended evil against
thee : * they imagined a device,
which they were not able to perform.
Therefore shalt thou cast them
behind thee : * thou shalt leave
their faces lying in thy track.
Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in
Thine own strength : * we will sing
and praise Thy power.
Antiphon for Advent. The King,
even the Most High, cometh \ there-
fore let the hearts of men be purified
to go forth to meet Him, for, behold,
2 He will come and will not tarry.
Antiphon for the rest of the year.
^ The king shall joy in Thy strength,
O Lord.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Weep not, Mary, Alleluia : the
Lord is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said a Verse and Answer.
In Advent.
Verse. ^ The Lord cometh out of
His holy place.
Answer. He will come and save
His people.
Dicring the rest of the year.
Verse. ^ Be Thou exalted, O
Lord, in Thine own strength.
Answer. We will sing and praise
Thy power.
In Lent.
Verse. ^ His truth shall be thy
shield.
Answer. Thou shalt not be afraid
for the terror by night.
In Passion time.
Verse. '^ Take not away my soul
with sinners, O God !
Answer. Nor my life with bloody
men.
1 SLH. 2 Heb. X. 37.
^ Isa. XXXV. 4 ; Micah i. 3. ^ Ps. xx. I4.
^ Ps, XX, 2.
6 Ps. xc. 5. ' Ps. XXV. 9.
20
THE PSALTER.
In Paschal time.
Verse. ^ The disciples were glad,
Alleluia.
Answer. When they saw the
Lord, Alleluia.
Then is said the Lord^s Prayer.
/^UR Father {inaudibly), Who
^-^ art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Then the Absolution.
1\ /TAY the Almighty and merci-
^^ ^ ful Lord loose us from the
bonds of our sins.
Answer. Amen.
Then the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing-
Seventh Blessinsr.
May the Gospel's saving Lord
Bless the reading of His word.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Seventh Lesson^ and
at the end the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
The7t is said the Seventh Respo?tsory,
after which the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Eighth Blessing.
God's most mighty strength al-
way
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Eighth Lesson^ and
at the end the reader says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said the Eighth Responsory^
after which the reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless
ing.
Ninth Blessijig.
May He That is the Angels'
King
To that high realm His people
bring.
Answer. Amen.
Or^ if another Gospel and Homily are
to be read:
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
The7i is read the Ninth Lesson, and
at the end the reader says:
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said a Ninth Responsory,
unless this Hymn, "We praise Thee,
O God," be substituted for it. The
Hym?i "We praise Thee, O God," is
said in this place on every Sunday a?id
Feast-day in the year {except the Feast
of the Holy l7inoce7its if it fall on a
Week - day) fro7n Easter to Advent
and fro7n Christmas to Septuagesi77ta.
I7i Adve7it and fro7n Septicagesi77ia to
Easter it is not said on Stmday, but
only on Feast-days. Fro77i Easter to
Pe7itecost it is said 07i every day what-
soever, except 07ily Rogatio7t Mo7tday.
^ John XX. 20.
SUNDAY AT MATTINS.
21
^A 1 TE praise Thee, O God : we
* ^ acknowledge Thee to be
the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee,
the Father everlasting.
To Thee all Angels cry aloud,
the heavens, and all the Powers
therein.
To Thee Cherubim '^ and Sera-
phim ^ continually do cry :
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of
Sabaoth.4
Heaven and earth are full of the
majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious company of the
Apostles praise Thee :
The goodly fellowship of the
Prophets praise Thee :
The white-robed army of Mar-
tyrs praise Thee :
The holy Church throughout all
the w^orld doth acknowledge Thee :
The Father of an infinite Ma-
jesty :
Thine honourable, true and only
Son :
Also the Holy Ghost, the Com-
forter.
Thou art the King of glory, O
Christ !
Thou art the everlasting Son of
the Father.
When Thou tookest upon Thee
to deliver man, Thou didst not
abhor the Virgin's womb :
When Thou hadst overcome the
sharpness of death. Thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to
all believers :
Thou sittest at the right hand of
God, in the glory of the Father :
We believe that Thou shalt come
to be our Judge :
^We therefore pray Thee, help
Thy servants, whom Thou hast re-
deemed with Thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with
Thy Saints in glory everlasting.^
'^ O Lord, save Thy people, and
bless Thine inheritance.
Govern them, and lift them up
for ever.
Day by day we magnify Thee ;
And we worship Thy namej
ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day^
to keep us without sin.
^ Have mercy upon us, O Lord
have mercy upon us.
^ O Lord, let Thy mercy lighter^
upon us, as our trust is in Thee.
^^O Lord, in Thee have I trust
ed : let me never be confounded. ;
If Lands be not iimnediately tofollo7i\
Mattins end thus : \
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord
Answer, And let my cry com<
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Then the Prayer for the day ; then
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. May the souls of the
faithful, through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
The7t the Lord's Prayer.
^ The authorship of this Hymn, which is prescribed in the Rule of St. Benedict (bom a.d.
480, died 543), is uncertain. ^ See Ezek. i. ^ vSee Isaiah vi. 2.
^ Hebrew feminine Plural, meaning "hosts," "armies."
^ During this verse it is usual to kneel. ^ Here ends the original Hymn.
"^ Ps. xxvii. 9.
^ Ps. cxxii, 3.
Ps. xxxii. 22.
10
Ps. XXX. 2.
22
LAUDS, OR THE MORNING PRAISES
OF GOD.i
Sutitiag.
The Lord's Day.
Verse, ►f* Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen, Alleluia.
From Septuagesivia Sunday to
Maundy Thursday instead of " Alle-
luia," is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of Heaven.
The?t follow at once the Psalms and
Antiphons. From the First Sunday in
Advent till the Sunday after the Octave
of the Epiphany and from Septuagesima
Sunday till the Octave of Pentecost
{and also 07i all Feasts), Five Antipho?is
are given, which are the?i said in the
places here marked. During the rest
of the year only Three Antiphons are
said, which are given here.
Antiphon. Alleluia.
Psalm XCH.
[The Hebrew and the Targum give no
superscription ; but the LXX. and the
Vulgate have "A Song of Praise by David
for the eve of the Sabbath when the earth
was established" — i.e., A Song of Praise
proper for the close of Friday before the
setting - in of the Sabbath ; the time of
which it is said (Gen. i. 31, ii. i) : "And
God saw every thing that He had made,
and, behold, it was very good. And the
evening and the morning were the sixth
day. Thus the heavens and the earth
were finished, and all the host of them,"]
THE Lord reigneth, He is
clothed with majesty : * the
Lord is clothed with strength, where-
with He hath girded Himself.
He hath established the world
also, * that it cannot be moved.
Thy throne is established of old :
* Thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O
Lord, * the floods have lifted up
their voice —
The floods lift up their waves. *
— But Mightier than the noise of
many waters —
Than the mighty breakers of the
sea — * is the Lord on high !
1 The proper hour for Lauds is the dawn of day. This is reckoned to be about 3 A.M., at
which time this Office is said in many Convents. For this purpose it is, in choirs, invari-
ably (except where it forms part of the same service with the Midnight Mass at Christmas)
said immediately after and as one service with Mattins. Hence it follows 1st, that it is
said late in the afternoon, when Mattins are said at that time, and 2ndly, that the Lord's
Prayer and Angelic Salutation are not said at the beginning. This service is constructed
on the same general principle as Vespers, and answers to that Oifice as Prime does to
Compline,
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
23
Thy testimonies are very sure : *
holiness becometh Thine house, O
Lord, for ever !
When there are Five Antiphons the
First is repeated, a7id the Seco7id begtcn
or said through the first time here.
Psalm XCIX.
[Intituled in the Vulgate and the LXX.,
" A Psalm of Thanksgiving. "]
MAKE a joyful noise unto God,
all ye lands : * serve the
Lord with gladness.
Come before His presence, * with
singing.
Know ye that the Lord, He is
God : * it is He That hath made
us, and not ■'- we ourselves :
We are His people, and the sheep
of His pasture. * Enter into His gates
with thanksgiving, and into His courts
with praise : give thanks unto Him,
Praise His Name. For the Lord
is good. His mercy is everlasting :
* and His truth endureth to all
generations.
When there are Five Antiphoiis the
Second is repeated^ a7td the Third begun
or said through the first time here.
Psalm LXn.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David, when he
was in the wilderness of Judah." This was
one of the most perilous periods of David's
life, when he was flying from the pursuit of
Saul, and hiding in different forests and
wildernesses in the south of Palestine. He
was betrayed again and again, and had the
most hairbreadth escapes. The history
will be found in I Kings (Sam.) xxii. and
xxiii.]
GOD, Thou art my God, *
early will I seek Thee :
My soul thirsteth for Thee, * my
flesh longeth for Thee,
o
In a dry and desert land, with-
out water. * So have I appeared
before Thee in the Sanctuary, to see
Thy power and Thy glory.
Because Thy loving-kindness is
better than life, * my lips shall praise
Thee.
Thus will I bless Thee while I
live : * and will lift up mine hands
in Thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as
with marrow and fatness ; * and
my mouth shall praise Thee with
joyful lips.
When I remember Thee upon my
bed, I meditate upon Thee in the
night watches : * because Thou
hast been mine help :
And in the shadow of Thy wings
will I rejoice. My soul followeth
hard after Thee : * Thy right hand
upholdeth me.
But those that seek my soul to
destroy it, shall go into the lower
parts of the earth : *" they shall fall
by the sword, they shall be a portion
for foxes.
But the King shall rejoice in
God : every one that sweareth by
him shall glory : * for the mouth
of them that speak lies shall be
stopped.
Here the D 0x0 logy, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is 7tot said.
Psalm LXVI.
[Besides a musical superscription, the
Hebrew and the Targum give no title ex-
cept " A Psalm, a Psalm. " But the Vulgate
and the LXX. ascribe the authorship to
David.]
r^ OD be merciful unto us, and
^-^ bless us : * cause His face
^ The Hebrew tradition attributes the 'negative to an eccentric spelling, and translates
"and His we are."
24
THE PSALTER.
to shine upon us, and be merciful
unto us.-^
That Thy way may be known
upon earth : * Thy saving health
among all nations.
Let the people praise Thee, O
God : * let all the people praise
Thee.
O let the nations be glad and
sing for joy: * for Thou judgest
the people righteously, and govern-
est the nations upon earth.^
Let the people praise Thee, O
God, let all the people praise Thee.
* The earth hath yielded her in-
crease ;
Let God, even our own God,
bless us ; let God bless us : * and
let all the ends of the earth fear
Him.
When there are Five Antiphons, the
Third is repeated, and the Fourth begun
or said through the first time here.
Ordinary Antiphon throughout the
year. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Secojid Ordinary Antiphon. The
king commanded.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia; Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Seco7id Antiphon for Paschal time.
He That delivered.
The Song of the Three Holy
Children. (Daniel iii. 57.)
[It is well known how the three young
comrades of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah, called by the heathen, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown into
a furnace for refusing to worship an idol,
and remained unhurt amid the flames. In
this strange position Azariah oft'ered a long
prayer. " And the king's servants, that put
them in, ceased not to make the oven hot
with resin, pitch, tow, and small wood, so
that the flame streamed forth above the
furnace forty and nine cubits. But the
Angel of the Lord came down into the
oven together with Azariah and his fellows,
and smote the flame of the fire out of the
oven, and made the midst of the furnace as
it had been a moist whistling wind, so that
the fire touched them not at all, neither
hurt nor troubled them. Then the three,
as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and
blessed God in the furnace, saying" the
Hymn, of which that in the text is a cento.
The first five verses are omitted.]
OALL ye works of the Lord,
bless ye the Lord : * praise
Him, and exalt Him above all for
ever.
O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye
the Lord : * O ye heavens, bless ye
the Lord.
O all ye waters that be above the
heavens, bless ye the Lord : * O all
ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the
Lord.
O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye stars of heaven, bless
ye the Lord.
O ye showers and dew, bless ye
the Lord : * O ye winds of God,
bless ye the Lord.
O ye fire and heat, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye winter and summer,
bless ye the Lord.
O ye dews and rime, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye frost and cold, bless
ye the Lord.
O ye ice and snow, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye nights and days, bless
ye the Lord.
O ye light and darkness, bless ye
the Lord : * O ye lightnings and
clouds, bless ye the Lord.
O let the earth bless the Lord :
* let her praise and exalt Him above
all for ever !
^ SLH. The repetition of the words "be merciful unto us" is peculiar to the Latin.
2 SLH.
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
25
O ye mountains and hills, bless
ye the Lord : * O all ye green
things upon the earth, bless ye the
Lord.
O ye wells, bless ye the Lord :
* O ye seas and floods, bless ye the
Lord.
O ye whales, and all that move
in the waters, bless ye the Lord :
* O all ye fowls of the air, bless
ye the Lord.
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless
ye the Lord : * O ye children of
men, bless ye the Lord.
O let Israel bless the Lord : * let
him praise and exalt Him above all
for ever !
O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye
the Lord : * O ye servants of the
Lord, bless ye the Lord.
O ye spirits and souls of the
righteous, bless ye the Lord : * O
ye holy and humble men of heart,
bless ye the Lord.
O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael,
bless ye the Lord : * praise and
exalt Him above all for ever.
^ Bless we the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Ghost : * let us
praise and exalt Him above all for
ever.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the
firmament of heaven : * and to be
praised, and glorified, and exalted
above all for ever.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said^ nor "Amen"
answered. But the other Canticles are
treated like ordinary Psalms.
When there are Five A?itiphons, the
Fourth is repeated, and the Fifth begun
or said through the first tii7te here.
Ordinary Antiphon throughout the
year. The king commanded, and
the Three Children were cast into
the furnace, fearing not the. flame
of the fire, but saying : Blessed be
God!
Antiphon for Paschal time. He
That delivered the Three Children
from the burning fiery furnace, even
Christ, is risen from the grave.
Alleluia.
Third Afitiphon. Alleluia.
Psalm CXLVIII.
[To this Psalm is prefixed "Alleluia."
The LXX, connect it with the Prophets
Haggai and Zechariah. See Thursday and
Friday in the fifth M^eek of November. ]
jDRAISE ye the Lord from the
-'- heavens : * praise Him in the
heights.
Praise ye Him, all His Angels : *
praise ye Him, all His hosts.
Praise ye Him, sun and moon :
* praise Him, all ye stars and light.
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens :
* and all the waters that be above
the heavens. Let them praise the
Name of the Lord !
For He spake, and they were
made ^ : * He commanded, and they
were created.
He hath established them for
ever and ever : * He hath made a
decree which shall not pass.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
* ye dragons, and all deeps : —
Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy wind,
* fulfilling His word : —
Mountains, and all hills, * fruitful
trees, and all cedars : —
Beasts, and all cattle, * creeping
things, and flying fowl : —
Kings of the earth, and all people ;
^ This verse is, of course, a later addition ; more than two verses are omitted, and the last
given is one of those omitted at the beginning.
^ Taken from Ps. xxxii. 9.
26
THE PSALTER.
* princes, and all judges of the
earth : —
Young men, and maidens, old
men, and children : let them praise
the Name of the Lord — * for His
Name alone is exalted !
His glory is above heaven and
earth. * He also exalteth the horn
of His people.
The praise of all His Saints, *
even of the children of Israel, a
people near unto Him.
[Here "Alleluia."]
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
Psalm CXLIX.
[Here "Alleluia."]
SING unto the Lord a new
song : * His praise in the
congregation of Saints.
Let Israel rejoice in Him That
made him : * and let the children
of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His Name in
the dance : * let them sing praises
unto Him with the timbrel and
harp.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in
His people : * He also will exalt
the meek unto salvation.
Let the Saints be joyful in glory :
* let them sing aloud upon their
beds :
Let the high praises of God be in
their mouth : * and a two-edged
sword in their hands ;
To execute vengeance upon the
heathen, * and punishments upon
the people ;
To bind their kings with chains,
* and their nobles with fetters of
iron ;
To execute upon them the judg-
ment written : * this honour have
all His Saints.
[Here "Alleluia."]
Here the Doxology^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
Psalm CL.
[Here "Alleluia."]
pRAISE the Lord in His sanc-
^ tuary ! * praise Him in the
firmament of His power !
Praise Him in His mighty acts !
* praise Him according to His ex-
cellent greatness !
Praise Him with the sound of
the trumpet ! * praise Him with the
psaltery and harp !
Praise Him with the timbrel and
dance ! * praise Him with stringed
instruments and organs !
Praise Him upon the loud cym-
bals, praise Him upon the high-
sounding cymbals ! * Let every-
thing that hath breath praise the
Lord !
[Here "Alleluia."]
Antiphon. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
{The last of Five Antipho7is is, of
course, repeated here.)
The7i follows the Chapter. F7'om the
First Sunday in Advent to the Second
Sunday after the Epiphany, and from
Septuagesiina Sunday to the Third
Sunday after Pentecost, as also on all
Feasts, a special Chapter is given. On
the remaining Sundays the Chapter is
that given here.
Chapter. (Apoc. vii. 12.)
13LESSING, and glory, and wis-
^-^ dom, and thanksgiving, and
honour, and power, and might be
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
27
unto our God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
This answer is always made after
the Chapter.
Then follows the Hymn. From the
First Sunday in Advent till the Octave
of the Epiphany aiid from the First
Sunday in Lent till the Octave of Pen-
tecost, as also on all Feasts., a special
Hymn is given. On the remaining
Sundays the Hymn given here is said,
except between the Octave of Pentecost
and the first Stmday of October.
Hymn.^
FRAMER of the earth and sky,
Ruler of the day and night,
With a glad variety,
Tempering all, and making light ;
Gleams upon our dark path flinging,
Cutting short each nighit begun.
Hark ! for chanticleer is singing,
Hark ! he chides the lingering sun.
And the morning star replies,
And lets loose the imprison'd day ;
And the godless bandit flies
From his haunt, and from his prey.
Shrill it sounds, the storm relenting
Soothes the weary seamen's ears ;
Once it wrought a great repenting.
In that flood of Peter's tears.
Rouse we ; let the blithesome cry
Of that bird our hearts awaken ;
Chide the slumberers as they lie,
And arrest the sin-o'ertaken.
Hope and health are in his strain.
To the fearful and the ailing ;
Murder sheathes his blade profane,
Faith revives when faith was failing.
Jesu, Master 1 when we sin.
Turn on us Thy healing Face ;
It will melt the offence within
Into penitential grace :
Beam on our bewildered mind,
Till its dreamy shadows flee ;
Stones cry out where Thou hast shined,
Jesu ! musical with Thee.
To the Father and the Son,
And the Spirit, Who in heaven
Ever witness. Three and One,
Praise on earth be ever given.
Amen.
The following Hymn is said from the
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost till the
first Sunday of October.
Hymn.2
TDALER have grown the shades of
^ night.
And nearer draws the day.
Checkering the sky with streaks of
light.
Since we began to pray :
To pray for mercy when we sin.
For cleansing and release.
For ghostly safety, and within
For everlasting peace.
Praise to the Father, as is meet.
Praise to the Only Son,
Praise to the Holy Paraclete,
While endless ages run.
Amen.
The7i is said a Verse and Answer.
hi Advent and from Septuagesima
Sunday till the end of Paschal time., as
also on all Feasts, a special Verse ajid
Answer are given.
Verse. ^ The Lord reigneth, He
is clothed with majesty.
Answer. The Lord is clothed
with strength, and hath girded Him-
self with power.
Theti is said the followi7ig Song from
the Gospel. It has an A?2tiphon, which
is always special, and which is either
Translation
1 By St. Ambrose, or at least of the Ambrosian school, except the last verse.
by the late Card. Newman.
2 By Pope St. Gregory the Great, but a good deal altered. Translation by the late
Card. Newman. ^ Ps. xcii. I.
28
THE PSALTER.
begun or said through the first time be- Father, &c.," is said, and the?! the
fore it, according as the Office is Double Aniiphoii repeated,
or 7iot.
The?i is said :
The Song of Zacharias.
[On the occasion of the circumcision of
St. John the Baptist. — Luke i. 6S-79.]
T3LESSED be the Lord God of
^ Israel, * for He hath visited
and redeemed His people.
And hath raised up an horn of
salvation for us, * in the house of
His servant David :
As He spake by the mouth of
His holy Prophets, * which have
been since the world began :
That we should be saved from
our enemies, * and from the hand of
all that hate us :
To perform the mercy promised
to our fathers, * and to remember
His holy covenant :
The oath which He sware to our
father Abraham, * that He would
grant unto us.
That we, being delivered out of
the hand of our enemies, * might
serve Him without fear.
In holiness and righteousness be-
fore Him * all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called
the Prophet of the Highest : * for
thou shalt go before the face of the
Lord to prepare His ways :
To give knowledge of salvation
unto His people, * by the remission
of their sins ;
Through the tender mercy of our
Gody * whereby the dayspring from
on high hath visited us.
To give light to them that sit
in darkness, and in the shadow of
death, * to guide our feet into the
way of peace.
The Doxology, "Glory be to the
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Then follows the Prayer for the day
at the end of w]iich is ajiswered :
Answer. Amen.
Aftei'wards are made any Commem-
orations necessary, by the Antiphon
for the Song of Zacharias, the Verse
and Answer after the Hymn, a7id the
Pi^ayer {^preceded by "Let us pray")
from the superseded Office which is to
be co?nme?7torated. After which the
following Common Comniemoratio7is
are 77iade, if required, accordi7ig to
Chapter xxxv. of the Ge7ieral Rubrics.
Whe7i 77iore tha7i two Prayers are to
be said, the last clause of each {begi7i-
7ii77g "Through our Lord, &c.," or
" Who livest, &c.,") is 077iitted i7i all
except the first a72d the last, nor is
"Amen" a7iswered except after these
tzuo.
(^Note that if these Co7n77ie77ioratio7is
be said up07t a week-day, kept as such,
out of Paschal ti77ie, they are preceded
by the Co77i77ie77ioratio7i of the Cross,
give7i hereafter at the e7id of the Lauds
of Mo7iday.)
I. Co77i77iemoratio7i of the Blessed
Virgi7i Mary.
{077iitted if the Office of the day is
of the Blessed Viigi7i, or if her Little
Office is to be said.)
Antipfio7t. O Holy Mary, be
thou an help to the helpless, a
strength to the fearful, a comfort to
the sorrowful ; pray for the people,
' plead for the clergy, make inter-
cession for all women vowed to
God ; may all that keep thine holy
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
29
remembrance, feel the might of
thine assistance.
Verse. Pray for us, O holy
Mother of God.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O
^^ Lord God, unto all Thy
servants, that they may continually
enjoy soundness both of mind and
of body, and by' the glorious inter-
cession of the Blessed Mary, always
a Virgin, may be delivered from
present sadness, and enter into the
joy of Thine eternal gladness.
From the Octave of the Epiphany to
Candlemas, the Antiphon is the same.,
but the rest is as follows :
Verse. After thy delivery thou
still remainest a Virgin undefiled.
Answer. Mother of God, pray
for us.
Let us pray.
r\ GOD, Who, by the fruitful
^-^ virginity of the Blessed
Mary, hast given unto mankind the
rewards of everlasting life ; grant,
we beseech Thee, that we may con-
tinually feel the might of her inter-
cession, through whom we have
worthily received the Author of our
life, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son.
IL Cominemoration of St. Joseph^
Patron of the Universal Church.
{Omitted i7i his Votive Office^
Antiphon.' ^ Jesus Himself began
to be about thirty years of age, being
(as was supposed) the son of Joseph.
Verse. ^ The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom.
Answer. And his tongue talketh
judgment.
Let us pray.
r\ GOD, Who, in Thine un-
^-^ speakable foreknowledge,
didst choose Thy blessed servant
Joseph to be the husband of Thine
Own most holy Mother; mercifully
grant that now that he is in heaven
with Thee, we who on earth do
reverence him for our defender,
may worthily be holpen by the
succour of his prayers to Thee on
our behalf.
III. Comme7noration of the Holy
Apostles.^ Peter and Paul.
{0?nitted in the Votive Offi-ce of the
Apostles.^
These
are glorious
Antiphon.
princes over all the earth, they
loved one another in their lives,
and in their death they were not
divided.
Verse. ^ Their sound is gone out
through all the earth.
Answer. And their words to the
ends of the world.
Let us pray.
r^ GOD, Whose Right Hand
^^ caught the Blessed Peter
when he walked upon the water,
and began to sink,^ and thrice de-
livered his fellow-Apostle Paul from
the deep of the sea, when he suf-
fered shipwreck ; ^ graciously hear
us, and grant, for the sake of them
1 Luke iii. 23.
^ Ps. xviii. 5.
2 Ps. xxxvi. 30.
^ Matth. xiv. 31.
^ 2 Kings (Sam.) i, 23.
^ 2 Cor. xi. 25.
30
THE PSALTER.
both, that we also may attain unto For Peace.
everlasting glory. Antiphon. Give peace in our
^Qi^ 1 time, O Lord, because there is
^ In England in this case, by a special rule, is made
Commemoration of St. George., Patron of England.
Antiphon. * The Saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises.
Verse, t O Lord, Thou hast compassed him.
Answer. With Thy favour as with a shield.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who dost gladden us through the worthy deeds and prayers of
Thy blessed Martyr George ; mercifully grant that all they that seek
Thy favour through him, may effectually obtain the gift of Thy grace.
A7id thus it is said within the Octave.
In the Diocese of Hexham St. George is not commemorated, but instead, the following
commemoration is made of St. Cuthbert :
Antiphon. Holy Cuthbert, our Protector, grace and glory of our father-
land, look down upon us from Heaven, and pray God for us, that He grant
us everlasting joy.
Verse. At the prayers of Blessed Cuthbert and for his sake,
Ansiver. Be merciful unto Thy people, O Lord.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who, through the priceless gift of Thy grace, dost make Thine
holy ones glorious, mercifully grant, that the prayers of Thy Blessed
Confessor and Bishop Cuthbert may help us worthily there to attain, where
are the spirits of just men made perfect.
In the Diocese of Northampton the following commemoration of St. Thomas of Canter-
buiy is made before that of St. George :
Antiphon. +1 am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am
known of Mine, and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Verse. § In your patience
Answer. Possess ye your souls.
Let us pray.
OGOD, in defence of Whose Church the glorious Bishop Thomas fell
by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech Thee, that all that
as'k his help may obtain wholesome fruit of their petition.
In the Diocese of Plymouth the following commemoration of St. Boniface of Maintz is
made before that of St. George :
Antiphon. Many nations, many thousands of men, did Blessed Boniface
* Heb. xi. 33. t Ps. v. 13. J John x. 14, 15. § Luke xxi. 19.
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
31
none other that fighteth for us, but
only Thou, O our God.
Verse. ^ Peace be within thy
walls.
Anstver. And prosperity within
thy palaces.
Let us pray.
r^ GOD, from Whom all holy
^-^ desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed ; give
unto Thy servants that peace which
the world cannot give, that both
our hearts may be set to obey Thy
commandments, and also that by
Thee we being defended from the
fear of our enemies, may pass our
time in rest and quietness. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
From the Monday after Low Sunday
till the Eve of the Ascensio7i^ instead of
the preceding Commemorations^ is said
the following :
gain for Christ, and forasmuch as he made himself like unto an Apostle, he
hath purchased unto himself a great reward in Heaven along with the
Apostles.
Verse. Be strong in the Lord, be strong.
Answer. That ye may live for ever with God.
Let us pray.
r^ GOD, Who wast pleased to make the zeal of Thy Blessed Martyr and
^-^ Bishop Boniface the m.ean whereby Thou didst cause many peoples
to know Thy Name, mercifully grant unto us who honour his memory to be
feelingly holpen by the succour of his protection.
{And so it is said within the Octave.)
In the Diocese of Portsmouth the following commemoration of St. Edmund of Can-
terbury is made after that of St. George :
Antiphon. He loved righteousness and hated iniquity, and therefore he
died in exile.
Verse. Cast out upon a world of woes.
In exile here we roam.
Answer. O Blessed Edmund, by thy prayers.
Gain us the love of home.
Let us pray.
r~\ GOD, Who in the abundance of Thy goodness toward Thy Church
^-^ hast made her bright by the illustrious life of Thy blessed Confessor
and Bishop Edmund, and gladdened her by his glorious and wondrous
works, mercifully grant unto Thy servants that they may be bettered in
following after his ensample, and shielded by his protection from all things
that may rise up against them.
^ Ps. cxxi. 7.
32
THE PSALTER.
Paschal Coin77ieinoration of the
Cross.
{Omitted in the Votive Offices of the
Blessed Sacrament and of the Passion^
Antiphon. He That was cruci-
fied is risen from the dead, and
hath redeemed us. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. ^ Say among the heathen
— Alleluia.
Answer. That the Lord reign-
eth from the tree — Alleluia.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who didst send Thy
Son to suffer death for us
upon the Cross, that Thou might-
est deliver us from the power of
the enemy ; grant unto us Thy
servants to be made partakers of
His Resurrection. Through the
Same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
After the last Prayer is said:
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer, Thanks be to God.
If the Office of the Dead or the Litany
{with or without the P oiitential P salms)
is to follow immediately., it is begun
here. Otherwise
There is said in rather a low voice :
May the souls of the Faithful
through the mercy of God rest in
peace.
Answer. Amen.
If Prime is to follow i7n7nediately., it
is begun here, a7id what follows is 7tot
said till the e7td of the whole service.
Otherwise the Office e7ids thus:
The Lords Prayer is said i7zaudibly :
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into temp-
tation ; but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
The7i aloud :
Verse. The Lord give us His
peace.
A7iswer. And life everlasting.
Amen.
The7i follows one of these Four A7iti-
pho7is of the Blessed Virgi7i Mary, ac-
cordi7ig to the season of the year.
I. Fro77i the First Sunday in Ad-
vent to Ca7idle7?ias, both inclusive.
A7itiphofi. ^ Maiden, Mother of
Him that redeemed us, thou that
abidest
Heaven's open gate, and the Star
of the Sea, come, succour the fallen !
Fallen indeed we are, but fain
would rise by thy succour.
Thou that beyond nature's course,
hast borne in time the Eternal ;
Thou that a Virgin before and
after that childbirth remainest.
^ Ps. xcv. lO, old version.
^ i.e., it is said for the first time after Vespers, if the Antiphon of the B.V. be to be said,
and in any case after CompUne, on the Saturday evening before Advent Sunday, and it is
still similarly said after Vespers on February 2, but not after Compline on that day. It is
ascribed to Hermann the Cripple, a monk of Reichenau, who died A.D. 1052. This trans-
lation is in the same rhymeless measure as the original.
SUNDAY AT LAUDS.
33
From the Archangel's lips the
quickening message receiving,
Mother of Jesus and us, turn
thine eyes of mercy on sinners.
Verse. The Angel of the Lord
announced unto Mary.
Answer. And she conceived by
the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray.
WE beseech Thee, O Lord,
pour Thy grace into our
hearts ; that, as we have known
the Incarnation of Thy Son Christ
by the message of an Angel, so by
His Passion and Cross we may be
brought unto the glory of the
Resurrection. Through the same
Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
In and after the First Vespers of
Christinas Day the Verse and Answer
and Prayer are as follows :
Verse. After thy delivery thou
still remainest a Virgin undefiled.
Answer. Mother of God, pray
for us.
Let us pray.
r\ GOD, Who, by the fruitful
^-^ virginity of the Blessed Mary,
hast given unto mankind the re-
wards of everlasting life ; grant, we
beseech Thee, that we may con-
tinually feel the might of her inter-
cession, through whom we have
worthily received the Author of
our life, even our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son.
Answer. Amen.
II. From Candlemas to Maundy
Thursday^ both exclusive}
Antiphon. Hail, O Mary, Queen
of Heaven,
Queen of Angel worlds on high,
Hail, O Rod to Jesse given,
Blessed Portal of the sky,
Hail, O Lady, bright and glorious.
Clad in beauty pure and true.
Virgin ! o'er sin's stain victorious,
Sinners for thy succour sue.
Verse. Holy Virgin, my praise
by thee accepted be.
Ansiver. Give me strength against
thine enemies.
Let us pray.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
most merciful God, a succour
unto the frailty of our nature, that
as we keep ever alive the memory
of the holy Mother of God, so by
the help of her intercession we may
be raised up from the bondage of
our sins. Through the same Christ
our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
III. From Easter Sunday^ till the
Saturday after Pentecost^ both in-
clusive.
Antiphon. Rejoice! rejoice! thou
Queen of Heaven, Alleluia,
For He That thee for Son was
given. Alleluia,
As He promised is arisen. Alle-
luia.
^ i.e., it is said for the first time after Compline on Feb. 2 (even if the Feast of the
Purification be transferred), and for the last time after Compline on Wednesday in Holy-
Week. The authorship is unknown ; it seems to date from about the eleventh century,
^ i.e., it is said for the first time after Compline on Easter Eve. The date and author^
ship are unknown ; but a legend has become attached to it to the effect that St. Gregory
the Great heard the three first lines uttered hy an angel, and himself added the fourth, on
the same occasion from which was instituted the procession upon St. Mark's Day.
VOL. II. B
34
THE PSALTER.
Mother, pray to Him for us. Alle-
luia.
Verse. Be glad and rejoice, O
Virgin Mary, Alleluia,
A?iswer. For the Lord is risen
indeed. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
f~\ GOD, Who art pleased to
^-^ gladden the whole world by
the resurrection of Thy Son our
Lord Jesus Christ ; grant, we be-
seech Thee, that by the help of
His Mother the Virgin Mary, we
may finally attain unto the glad-
ness of life everlasting. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
Aiiswer. Amen.
IV. From Trinity Sunday ■*■ till the
Saturday before Advent Sunday^
both inclusive.
Antiphon. Hail, O Queen, Mother
of mercy ! hail, our life, our sweet-
ness, and our hope ! To thee we
cry, the banished sons of Eve. To-
ward thee we sigh, weeping and
groaning in this vale of tears. Ah,
then, thou our Advocate, turn on us
those merciful eyes of thine ! And,
after this our ■ exile, show to us
Jesus, the blessed Fruit of thy
womb. O merciful, O gracious, O
sweet Virgin Mary !
Verse. Pray for us, O holy Mother
of God,
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^-^ God, Who, by the co-opera-
tion of the Holy Ghost, didst make
ready both the body and soul of the
glorious Virgin and Mother Mary
worthily to become a meet dwelling
for Thy Son ; grant that as we re-
joice in her memory, so by her piti-
ful intercession we may be delivered
from the evils that continually hang
over us, and finally from everlasting
death. Through the same Christ
our Lord.
Ansiver. Amen.
After each of these Antiphons is said
this Blessing :
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Feasts. The above Offt.ce^ appoiiited
for Sunday, is also said on all Feasts
whatsoever^ even Simples^ and every
day in Paschal time.
^ i.e., it is said for the first time after Vespers, if the Antiphon of the B.V. be to be
said, and in any case after Compline, on the Saturday evening before Trinity Sunday. The
last clause is usually admitted to be an exclamation uttered by St. Bernard of Clairvaux in
the Cathedral of Spires ; but the authorship of the rest is disputed, some ascribing it to
Hermann the Cripple, others to one Peter of Monsoro, Bishop of Compostella, others to
one Adhemar, Bishop of Podium (Puy-en-Velay). It seems to have been well known, at
least in Spain, early in the twelfth century.
35
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
The Lord's Day.
Before Prime is said inaudibly the
Lord's Prayer^ the Angelic Salutation,
and the Apostles'' Creed.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as
we forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into tempta-
tion ; ■ but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
HAIL, Mary, full of grace ; The
Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among w^omen, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
T BELIEVE in God the Father
^ Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth. And in Jesus Christ, His
Only Son, our Lord ; Who was con-
ceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried : He descended into
hell : the third day He rose again
from the dead : He ascended into
heaven, and sitteth on the right
hand of God the Father Almighty :
from thence He shall come to judge
the quick and the dead. I believe
in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic
Church, the Communion of Saints,
the Forgiveness of sins, the Resur-
rection of the body, and the Life
everlasting. Amen.
Then is said aloud :
Verse. >^ Make haste, O God,
to deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
From Septuagesima Sunday to
Maundy Thursday iiistead of "Alle-
luia" is said :
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
^ Prime is the first service of the Church for the day-time, Mattins and Lauds being for
the middle and close of night. Its proper hour is when the sun has fairly risen, and day
begun, which is reckoned to be about 6 A.M., about which time it is generally said in
choirs. Sometimes Mattins, Lauds, and Prime are said together early in the morning,
forming the complete morning service of the Church. It is from this aggregation that the
^' Morning Prayer" of the Anglican Prayer Book is derived.
36
THE PSALTER.
Then is said the folloiving :
Hymn.i
T^HE star of morn to night succeeds,
J- We therefore meekly pray,
May God, in all our words and deeds,
Keep us from harm this day.
May He in love restrain us still
From tones of strife and words of ill.
And wrap around and close our eyes
To earth's absorbing vanities.
May wrath and thoughts that gender
shame
Ne'er in our breasts abide.
And painful abstinences tame
Of wanton flesh the pride ;
So when the weary day is o'er,
And night and stillness come once
more,
Blameless and clean from spot of earth
We may repeat with reverent mirth —
To God the Father glory be,
And to His Only Son,
And to the Spirit, One and Three,
While endless ages run.
Amen.
The last verse is sometimes said thus,
altered in honour of the Incarnation :
JESU, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise be given,
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
Amen.
In Paschal time it is said thus, altered
in honour of the Resurrection :
To Father, Son, and Paraclete,
The slain and risen Son,
Be praise and glory, as is meet.
While endless ages run.
Amen.
// is also occasionally otherwise al-
tered, which occasions are marked in
their places.
Then follow the Psalms. They are
all said under one Antiphon, a?id
when Five Antiphons have been said
at Lauds, the First of these Five
is the Antiphon at Prime, otherwise
that given here is used.
Antiphon. Alleluia.
Psalm LIII.
[The superscription of this Psalm, after
some words which are probably a musical
direction, proceeds "[A Psalm] of David,
when the Ziphim came and said to Saul,
Doth not David hide himself with us ? "
This was during the same period of his life
in the South in which he composed Ps.
Ixii. The Ziphim, or peasantry of the
neighbourhood of Ziph, betrayed him twice
to Saul, and both times, especially the first,
he was in imminent peril. I Kings (Sam.)
xxiii. 19-29, xxvi.]
CAVE me, O God, in Thy Name,
*^ * and judge me in Thy
power.
Hear my prayer, O God : * give
ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers are risen up against
me, and oppressors seek after my
soul : * and have not set God be-
fore them.^
Behold God is mine Helper : *
and the Lord upholdeth my soul.
Reward Thou evil unto mine
enemies : * and cut them off in
Thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice unto Thee :
* and praise Thy Name, O Lord,
for it is good.
For Thou hast delivered me out
of all trouble : * and mine eye
hath seen [my desire] upon mine
enemies.
The following Psalm, " O give thanks
unto the Lord," is said Oftly on Sun-
days, when the Office is of the Sunday,
7ior is it said from Easter to Pentecost,
both inclusive. Moreover it is not said
on or after Septuagesima Sunday till
^ Another Ambrosian hymn. Translation by the late Card. Newman.
2SLH.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
37
Easter^ bid then is substituted for it
Psalm xcii., "The LORD reigneth "
{given at the beginning of Lauds).
Psalm CXVII.
[From some verses it seems as though this
Psalm was written for the Feast of Taber-
nacles, and perhaps as a processional at the
entry of the King (David ?) into the place
of worship. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix the word Alleluia.]
OGIVE thanks unto the Lord,
for He is good : * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say that He is
good : * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say,
* that His mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the Lord
say, * that His mercy endureth for
ever.
I called upon the Lord in dis-
tress : * and the Lord heard me
[and set me] at large.
The Lord is on my side : * I
will not fear what man can do
unto me.
The Lord is on my side : * and
I shall see [my desire upon] them
that hate me.
It is better to put confidence in
the Lord, * than to put confidence
in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord,
* than to trust in princes.
All nations compassed me about :
* but in the Name of the Lord ! ^
I was avenged on them.
They compassed me about, yea,
they compassed me about: * but
in the Name of the Lord ! I was
avenged on them.
They compassed me about like
bees ; they burnt out as the fire
of thorns : * but in the Name
of the Lord ! I was avenged on
them.
They thrust sore at me, that I
might fall : * but the Lord helped
me.
The Lord is my strength and
my song, * and is become my
salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salva-
tion * is in the tabernacles ^ of the
righteous.
The right hand of the Lord hath
done valiantly. The right hand of
the Lord hath exalted me : * the
right hand of the Lord hath done
valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, * and
declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me
sore : * but He hath not given me
over unto death.
Open to me the gates of right-
eousness ; I will go into them and
praise the Lord. * This is the gate
of the Lord, into which the righteous
shall enter.
I will praise Thee, for Thou hast
heard me, * and art become my
salvation.
^ The stone which the builders
refused * is become the head-stone
of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing : * and
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the . Lord
hath made : * let us rejoice and be
glad in it.
Save me now, O Lord ! O Lord,
send Thou prosperity. * Blessed
•^ Probably a war-cry.
2 The allusion is to the ceremonial of the Feast of Tabernacles, Lev. xxiii. 42, "Ye shall
dwell in booths seven days."
^ These two verses were quoted by our Lord. Matth. xxi. 42 ; Mark xii. 10.
38
THE PSALTER.
be he that cometh in the Name of
the Lord ! ^
We have blessed you out of the
house of the Lord. * God is the
Lord and hath showed us Hght :
Keep the solemn feast-day with
leafy boughs, * even unto the horns
of the Altar. 2
Thou art my God, and I will
praise Thee : * Thou art my God,
and I will exalt Thee.
I will give thanks unto Thee, for
Thou hast heard me, * and art be-
come my salvation.
O give thanks unto the Lord,
for He is good : * for His mercy
endureth for ever.
Psalm CXVni.3
T3LESSED are the undefiled in
^~^ the way, * who walk in the
law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that keep His
testimonies : * that seek Him with
the whole heart.
For they that work iniquity, *
walk not in His ways.
Thou hast commanded us * to
keep Thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed *
to keep Thy statutes.
Then shall I not be ashamed, *
when I have respect unto all Thy
commandments.
I will praise Thee with upright-
ness of heart, * when I shall have
learned Thy righteous judgments.
I will keep Thy statutes : * O
forsake me not utterly.
I/ere the Doxology^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
A T^THEREWITHAL shall a young
* * man keep his way ? * By
taking heed unto Thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought
Thee : * O let me not wander from
Thy. commandments !
Thy word have I hid in mine
heart, * that I might not sin against
Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord : * teach
me Thy statutes !
With my lips * have I declared
all the judgments of Thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Thy
testimonies, * as much as in all
riches.
I will meditate on Thy pre-
cepts, * and have respect unto
Thy ways.
I will delight myself in Thy
statutes : * I will not forget Thy
word.
^ Notice that this is the very veise which was sung during the Palm Sunday procession.
The word Hosanna is a corruption of its third and fourth M'ords — viz., " Ho-shy'ah na."
^ Lev. xxiii. 40. "And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees,
branches of palm-trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook ; and ye
shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days." As to the Feast of Tabernacles,
the Jewish tradition understands by "goodly trees" the citron, and by "thick trees" the
myrtle. Branches of willow were fastened to the corners of the altar.
^ This long poem in praise of the Divine Law, which the Church recites every day and
all day, is A B C Darian. Its 176 verses are divided into twenty-two sections, of eight
verses each, in each of which sections all the verses begin with the same letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. The first eight, therefore, begin with Aleph, which somewhat cor-
responds to A.
■* Plere begins the letter Beth, somewhat represented by B.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
39
Co7itinuation of the same Psalm.
DEAL bountifully with Thy ser-
vant, quicken me, * and I
will keep Thy word.
Open Thou mine eyes, * that I
may behold wondrous things out of
Thy law.
I am a stranger in the earth : *
hide not Thy commandments from
me.
My soul is an-hungered for the
longing that it hath unto Thy
judgments * at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud : *
they are cursed that do err from
Thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and
contempt : * for I have kept Thy
testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak
against me : * but Thy servant did
meditate on Thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my de-
light, * and Thy precepts my coun-
sellors.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
1\/TY soul cleaveth unto the
^^ ^ ground : * quicken Thou
me according to Thy word.
I have declared my ways and
Thou heardest me : * teach me Thy
statutes.
Make me to understand the way
of Thy precepts : * so shall I talk
of Thy wondrous works.
My soul sleepeth for heaviness : *
strengthen Thou me according unto
Thy word.
Remove from me the way of lying :
* and grant me Thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth :
* Thy judgments have I not for-
gotten.
I cleave unto Thy testimonies, O
Lord : * put me not to shame !
I have run the way of Thy com-
mandments, * since Thou hast en-
larged mine heart.
The following Creed is only said on
Sundays when the Office is of the Sun-
day, and on Trinity Sujiday. The ex-
ceptions are Easter and Pentecost Sim-
days^ when it is not said., because they
are treated as Festivals.
The Creed of St Athanasius. ^
WHOSOEVER willeth to be
safe, * before all things it
is necessary that he hold the
CathoHc Faith.
Which faith except every one do
keep whole and undefiled, * without
doubt he shall perish eternally.
Now the Cathohc Faith is this, *
that we worship One God in Trinity,
and Trinity in Unity.
Neither confounding the Persons,
* nor dividing the Substance.
For there is one Person of the
Father, another of the Son, * and
another of the Holy Ghost.
But the Godhead of the Father,
^ Here begins the letter Ghimel, answering partly to our G.
^ Here begins the letter Daleth, answering partly to our D.
3 The translation largely follows that in the Rev. A. E. Burn's 'Introduction to the
Creeds.' The origin and date of this hymn have been the subject of much discussion.^
" It is agreed that it was not written by St Athanasius, and that it was written in Latin."
In the opinion of Mr Burn the indications point to the South of Gaul as its place of origin,
and to the decade A.D. 420-430 as the period of its composition.
40
THE PSALTER.
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
is One, * the Glory Equal, the
Majesty Co-Eternal.
Such as the Father is, such is the
Son, * and such is the Holy Ghost.
The Father Uncreated, the Son
Uncreated, * and the Holy Ghost
Uncreated.
The Father Infinite, the Son In-
finite, * and the Holy Ghost In-
finite.
The Father Eternal, the Son Eter-
nal, * and the Holy Ghost Eternal.
And yet They are not Three
Eternals, * but One Eternal.
As also They are not Three Un-
created, nor Three Infinites, * but
One Uncreated, and One Infinite.
So likewise the Father is Almighty,
the Son Almighty, * and the Holy
Ghost Almighty.
And yet They are not Three Al-
mighties, * but One Almighty.
So the Father is God, the Son
God, * and the Holy Ghost God.
And yet They are not Three Gods,
* but One God.
So the Father is Lord, the Son
Lord, * and the Holy Ghost Lord.
And yet They are not Three
Lords, * but One Lord.
For, like as we are compelled by
Christian truth to acknowledge every
Person by Himself to be God and
Lord, * so are we forbidden by the
Catholic Religion to say, there be
Three Gods or Three Lords.
The Father is made of none, *
neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone :
* not made, nor created, but Be-
gotten.
The Holy Ghost is of the Father,
and the Son : * not made, nor
created, nor begotten, but Pro-
ceeding.
So there is One Father, not Three
Fathers ; One Son, not Three Sons ;
* One Holy Ghost, not Three Holy
Ghosts.
And in this Trinity is nothing
afore or after, nothing is greater or
less ; * but the whole Three Per-
sons are Co -Eternal together, and
Co-Equal.
So that in all things, as is afore-
said, * the Unity in Trinity, and
the Trinity in Unity is to be wor-
shipped.
He therefore that willeth to be
safe, * let him thus think of the
Trinity.
But it is necessary to eternal
salvation, * that he also believe
faithfully the Incarnation of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
The right Faith therefore is, that
we believe and confess, * that our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
is God and Man.
God, of the Substance of the
Father, Begotten before the worlds :
* and Man, of the substance of His
mother, born in the world.
Perfect God, Perfect Man, * of
a reasoning Soul and human Flesh
subsisting.
Equal to the Father as touching
His Godhead, * inferior to the
Father as touching His Manhood.
Who, although He be God and
Man, * yet He is not Two, but One
Christ.
One, however, not by conversion
of the Godhead into Flesh, * but by
taking of the Manhood into God.
One altogether, not by confusion
of Substance, * but by Unity of
Person.
For as the reasoning soul and
flesh is one man, * so God and
Man is One Christ.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
41
Who suffered for our salvation,
descended into hell, * rose again
the third day from the dead.
He ascended into heaven, He sit-
teth on the right hand of the Father,
God Almighty, * from whence He
shall come to judge the quick and
the dead.
At Whose coming all men shall
rise again with their bodies, * and
shall give account for their own
works.
And they that have done good
shall go into life eternal, * but
they that have done evil into
eternal fire.
This is the Catholic Faith, * which
except a man believe faithfully and
firmly, he cannot be safe.
Here is said the D 0x0 logy, " Glory
be to the Father, &c."
Antiphon. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
In Paschal time is said a fourth
tiine^ Alleluia.
Theii is said the Chapter.
Chapter, (i Tim. i. 17.)
UNTO the King Eternal, Im-
mortal and Invisible, the
only God, be honour and glory for
ever and ever. Amen.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then follows the Short Responsory.
Christ, Thou Son of the Living
God, have mercy on us.
Answer. Christ, Thou Son of the
Living God, have mercy on us.
Verse. Thou That sittest at the
right hand of the Father.
Answer. Have mercy on us.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Christ, Thou Son of the
Living God, have mercy on us.
Verse. ^ Arise, O Christ, and help
us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
This Responsory is occasionally al-
ter ed, which alterations are given in
their proper places. From Low Sun-
day inclusive till Ascension Day ex-
clusive it is said thus :
Christ, Thou Son of the Living
God, have mercy on us. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
• Answer. Christ, Thou Son of the
Living God, have mercy on us. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Verse. Thou That art arisen
from the dead.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Christ, Thou Son of the
Living God, have mercy on us. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help
us. Alleluia.
Answer, And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake. Alleluia.
From Ascension Day i?iclusive till
Pentecost exclusive it is the same, ex-
cept that instead of "Thou That art
arisen from the dead" is said:
Verse. Thou That art gone up
above the stars.
Ditrijtg the Octave of Pentecost it is
still the same except that this Verse is
said thus : -
Verse. Thou That sittest at the
right hand of the Father. •
^ Ps. xliii. 26.
VOL. II.
B 2
42
THE PSALTER.
After the Short Responsory follow
these prayers called the Preces, except
on Doubles and within Octaves, when
they are omitted down to the mark ■^.
^ Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
OUR Father [inaudibly), Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
I BELIEVE {inaudibly) in God
the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth. And in Jesus
Christ, His only Son, our Lord :
Who was conceived by the Holy
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried : He de-
scended into hell : the third day He
rose again from the dead : He as-
cended into heaven, and sitteth on
the right hand of God the Father
Almighty : from thence He shall
come to judge the quick and the
dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the Holy Catholic Church, the Com-
munion of Saints, the Forgiveness
of sins. {Aloud.)
Verse. The Resurrection of the
body.
Answer. And the Life everlast-
ing. Amen.
Verse. ^ And unto Thee have I
cried, O Lord.
Answer. And in the morning
shall my prayer come betimes be-
fore Thee.
Ve?'se. ^ Let my mouth be filled
with Thy praise.
Answer. That I may sing of Thy
glory, all the day long of Thy great-
ness.
Verse. ^ O Lord, hide Thy face
from my sins.
Answer. And blot out all mine
iniquities.
Verse. Create in me a clean heart,
O God.
Answer. And renew a right spirit
within me.
Verse. Cast me not away from
Thy presence.
Answer. And take not Thine
holy Spirit from me.
Verse. Restore unto me the joy
of Thy salvation.
Answer. And uphold me with
Thy free spirit.
Verse. ^ ►J* Our help is in the
name of the Lord.
Answer. Who made heaven and
earth.
The General Confession.
T CONFESS to God Almighty,
-■- to the Blessed Mary, always
a Virgin, to the Blessed Michael
the Archangel, to the Blessed John
the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, and to all the
Saints, that I have sinned exceed-
ingly in thought, word, and deed,
by my fault, by my fault, by my
most grievous fault. Therefore I
beseech the Blessed Mary, always
1 Greek Litany, signifying " Lord, have mercy — Christ, have mercy — Lord, have mercy."
2 Ps. Ixxxvii. 14. ^ Ps. Ixx, 8. "* Ps. ]. 11-14. ^ Ps. cxxiii. 8.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
43
a Virgin, the Blessed Michael the
Archangel, the Blessed John the
Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter
and Paul, and all the Saints, to
pray to the Lord our God for me.
The Absolution.
ALMIGHTY God have mercy
on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to life everlasting.
Answer. Amen.
>{<l\/rAY the Almighty and mer-
^^ ^ ciful Lord grant us pardon,
absolution, and remission of all our
sins.
Answer. Amen.
Then the Office co7itinues as follows :
Verse. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this
day.
Answer. To keep us without
sin.
Verse. Have mercy upon us, O
Lord.
Answer, Have mercy upon us.
Verse. O Lord, let Thy mercy
lighten upon us.
Answer. As our trust is in Thee.
Here the Office is resuiJied whe?! the
Preces have been oniitted.
* Verse. Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
OLORD God Almighty, Who
hast safely brought us to the
beginning of this day, defend us
in the same with Thy mighty power :
and grant that this day we fall into
no sin, but that all our thoughts, •
words, and works may be ordered
by Thy governance to do always
that is righteous in Thy sight.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world .without end.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
If the Prime of the Little Office of the
Blessed Virgin Mary is to be said^ it is
said now. Then is read the Martyr-
ology of the 7norrow, if it be to be read,
the reader concludijtg with the words :
And in other places many other
holy Martyrs and Confessors and
holy Virgins.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
After which the Office proceeds thus^ : ^
Verse. ^ Precious in the sight of
the Lord.
Answer.
Saints.
Is the death of His
IV/TAY Holy Mary and all the
^^ ^ Saints plead for us with the
Lord, that we may worthily be
holpen and delivered by Him Who
liveth and reigneth for ever and
ever.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Verse. Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
^ Whether the Martyrology has been read or not. The Martyrology is never binding
out of Choir. 2 pg^ ^xv. 6.
44
THE PSALTER.
Verse. Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen.
OUR Father {inaudidly), Who
art in heaven, Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. (^Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer, But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. ^ Look upon Thy ser-
vants, O Lord, and upon the works
of Thine hands, and order the go-
ings of their children.
Anszver. And let the beauty of
the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish Thou the work of
our hands upon us, yea, the work
of our hands, establish Thou it.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. As it was in the be-
ginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
r\ LORD God, King of heaven
^—^ and earth, may it please Thee
this day to order and to hallow, to
rule and to govern our hearts and
our bodies, our thoughts, our words,
and our works, according to Thy
law and in the doing of Thy com-
mandments, that we, being holpen
of Thee, may here, and for ever
and ever, worthily be saved and de-
livered by Thee, O Saviour of the
world, Who livest and reignest for
ever and ever.
Answer. Amen.
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
The Blessing.
The Lord Almighty order our
days and deeds in His peace.
Answer. Amen.
Tke?t is read the Short Lesson. On all
Feasts.^ even Simples^ and some other
days., this is the satne as the Chapter
which is to be read at N one ^ which will
be found in its proper place. On other
days one of the following is read^ ac-
cording to the Season of the year.
I. From the Octave of the Epiphany
till the First Su?iday in Lent, and
from the Octave of Pentecost till
Advent Sunday, all exclusive.
2 Thess. iii. 5.
And the Lord direct your hearts
into the love of God, and into the
patience of Christ.
2. From Advent Sunday inclusive till
Christmas Eve exclusive.
Isa. xxxiii. 2.
O Lord, be gracious unto us :
for we have waited for Thee : be
Thou our arm every morning, our
salvation also in the time of
trouble.
^ Ps. Ixxxix. 16, 17.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
45
3. From the First Sunday i7i Lent in-
clusive till Passiofi Sunday exclusive.
Isa. Iv. 6.
Seek ye the Lord, while He may
be found : call ye upon Him while
He is near.
4. From Passion Sunday inclusive till
Maundy Thursday exclusive.
Isa. 1. 6.
I hid not my face from shame
and spitting. The Lord God ^
will help me, therefore also shall
I not be confounded.
5. From Easter Sunday inclusive till
Ascensio7t Day exclusive.
Col. iii. I.
If ye be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where
Christ sitteth at the right hand of
God : set your affections on things
above, not on things on the earth.
When the Reader has finished the
Short Lesson^ he says :
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. Our help is in the name
of the Lord.
Answer. Who made heaven and
earth.
Verse. Bless ye.
Answer. May God [bless us].
The Blessing.
^ The Lord bless us, and keep
us from all evil, and bring us to life
everlasting; and may the souls of
the Faithful, through the mercy of
God, rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Lastly^ unless some other Hour is to
folloiv ijnmediately^ the Lord^s Prayer
is said inaudibly.
/^~\UR Father, Who art in heaven,
^-^ Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into tempta-
tion ; but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Note. When Office is said in Choir
the Service is ended with the Antiphon
of the Blessed Virgin Mary every time
the Choir is left. Otherwise it is only
said as given in this book., at the end of
Lauds {or the aggregation of which
Lauds forms a part) and Compline.
Feasts. The above Office appointed
for Sundays is also said on all Feasts
whatsoever., even Simples, and every
day in Paschal tiine.
PRIME ON WEEK-DAYS.
All the same as on Sunday^ except as
otherwise given here.
Ordinary Antiphon during the
year. Blessed are they that walk.
In Advent the Antiphon is the First
Antiphon which has been said at Lauds
on Sunday^ unless the day have a set of
its own.
Antiphon in Lent. As I live.
Antiphon for Passiontide. De-
liver me, O Lord.
Psalm cxvii., "O give thanks unto
the Lord," is not said. On Saturday
it is siinply omitted^ and only the three
Feast-Day Psahns {viz. liii. and the two
first sections ^cxviii.) are said, but on
the other days of the week one of the
Psahns following is put in its place.
^ The Divine Name.
46
THE PSALTER.
Psalm XXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the first
day of the week."]
THE earth is the Lord's and
the fulness thereof; * the
world, and they that dwell there-
in.
For He hath founded it upon the
seas, * and established it upon the
floods.
Who shall ascend into the moun-
tain of the Lord? * or who shall
stand in His holy place ?
He that hath clean hands and
a pure heart, * who hath not
lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor
sworn deceitfully unto his neigh-
bour.
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, * and mercy from the
God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them
that seek Him, * that seek the
face of the God of Jacob. ^
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ? *
The Lord strong and mighty, the
Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ? *
The Lord of hosts, He is the
King of glory.^
Euest«ag*
Psalm XXIV.
[Intituled "Of David." This Psalm is
ABC Darian.]
UNTO Thee, O Lord, do I lift
up my soul : * O my God,
I trust in Thee, let me not be
ashamed.
Neither let mine enemies triumph
over me : * for none that wait on
Thee shall be ashamed :
Let them be ashamed that
transgress * without cause.
Show me Thy ways, O Lord, *
and teach me Thy paths.
Lead me in Thy truth and teach
me ; * for Thou art the God of
my salvation : and on Thee do I
wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, Thy tender
mercies, * and Thy loving-kind-
nesses, which have been ever of
old.
Remember not the sins of my
youth, * nor my transgressions :
According to Thy mercy remem-
ber Thou me, * for Thy goodness'
sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord ;
* therefore will He teach sinners
in the way.
The meek will He guide in judg-
ment: * the meek will He teach
His way.
All the paths of the Lord are
mercy and truth, * unto such as
keep His covenant and His testi-
monies.
For Thy Name's sake, O Lord,
pardon mine iniquity ; * for it is
great.
1 SLH.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
47
What man is he that feareth the
Lord ? * him shall He teach in the
way that He shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease : *
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The Lord is a strong rock unto
them that fear Him ; * and His
covenant shall be made known to
them.
Mine eyes are ever toward the
Lord : * for He shall pluck my feet
out of the net.
Turn Thee unto me, and have
mercy upon me, * for I am desolate
and afflicted.
The troubles of mine heart are
enlarged : * O bring me out of my
distresses.
Look upon mine affliction and my
pain : * and forgive all my sins.
Consider mine enemies, for they
are many : * and they hate me with
cruel hatred.
O keep my soul, and deliver me :
* let me not be ashamed, for I put
my trust in Thee.
The undefiled and the upright
cleave to me : * for I wait on Thee.
Redeem Israel, O God, * out of
all his troubles !
Psalm XXV.
[Intituled "Of David."]
JUDGE me, O Lord, for I have
walked in mine innocence : * I
have trusted also in the Lord ; I
shall not slide.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove
me : * try as by fire my reins and
mine heart.
For Thy loving-kindness is before
mine eyes : * and I have walked in
Thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons,
* neither will I go in with wrong-
doers.
I hate the congregation of evil
doers : * and will not sit with the
wicked.
I will wash mine hands in inno-
cency, * and I will compass Thine
Altar, O Lord.
That I may hear the voice of
thanksgiving, * and tell of all Thy
wondrous works.
Lord, I have loved the beauty of
Thine house, * and the place where
Thy glory dwelleth.
Make not my soul to perish with
sinners, O God, * nor my life with
bloody men :
In whose hands is mischief, * and
their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in
mine innocence : * redeem me, and
be merciful unto me.
My foot standeth in uprightness :
* in the congregations will I bless
Thee, O Lord.
SCljurstias.
Psalm XXn.
[Intituled *♦ A Psalm of David."]
THE Lord is my Shepherd, I
shall not want. * He maketh
me to lie down in green pastures :
He leadeth me beside the still
waters. * He restoreth my soul :
He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness, * for His Name's
sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil : * for Thou art with
me :
Thy rod and Thy staff * they
comfort me.
48
THE PSALTER.
Thou preparest a table before me,
* in the presence of mine enemies :
Thou anointest mine head with
oil : * and mine overflowing cup, O
how goodly is it !
Surely Thy mercy shall follow me
* all the days of my life :
And I will dwell in the house of
the Lord * for ever.
Psalm X^XI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
a musical (?) superscription, from part of
which it appears that it was M^ritten for a
tune called "The hind of the morning."]
"|\ /TY God, my God, look upon
■^^^ me-^: why hast Thou for-
saken me ? * the voice of mine of-
fences keepeth Thy deliverance far
from me.
O my God, I cry in the day-time,
and Thou hearest not : * and in the
night season — and still it is not fool-
ishness in me.
But Thou dwellest in holiness, *
O Thou Praise of Israel !
Our fathers trusted in Thee : *
they trusted, and Thou didst deliver
them.
They cried unto Thee, and were
delivered : * they trusted in Thee,
and were not confounded.
But I am a worm and no man : *
a reproach of men, and despised of
the people.
^ All they that see me laugh me to
scorn : * they shoot out the lip, and
shake their head :
He trusted in the Lord, let Him
rescue him : * let Him deliver him,
seeing He delighteth in him.
But Thou art He That took me
out of the womb : * Thou art mine
hope from my mother's breasts. I
was cast upon Thee from the womb :
Thou art my God from my
mother's belly. * Be not far from
me :
For trouble is near : * for there is
none to help.
Many bulls have compassed me:
* strong bulls have beset me round.
They gaped upon me with their
mouths, * as a ravening and a roar-
ing lion.
I am poured out like water, * and
all my bones are out of joint ;
Mine heart is like melting wax *
in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a
potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to
my jaws : * and Thou hast brought
me into the dust of death.
For many dogs have compassed
me : * the assembly of the wicked
have inclosed me.
They pierced mine hands and my
feet : * they have told all my bones :
They look and stare upon me. *
They part my garments among them,
and upon my vesture do they cast
lots.
But let not Thine help be far from
me ; O Lord, * haste Thee to save
me.
0 God, deliver my soul from the
sword : * my darling from the power
of the dog !
Save me from the lion's mouth ; *
and mine affliction from the horns of
the unicorns.
1 will declare Thy name unto my
brethren : * in the midst of the
congregation will I praise Thee.
^ The words "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" were quoted by our
Lord upon the Cross (Matth. xxvii. 46 ; Mark xv. 34).
2 Read Matth. xxvii. 39-44.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR.
49
Ye that fear the Lord, praise
Him : * all ye seed of Jacob, glorify
Him ;
Let all the seed of Israel fear
Him. * For He hath not despised
nor abhorred the prayer of the
poor ;
Neither hath He hid His face
from me : * but when I cried unto
Him, He heard me.
My praise shall be of Thee in the
great congregation : * I will pay my
vows before them that fear Him.
The poor shall eat and be satis-
fied, and they shall praise the Lord
that seek Him : * their heart shall
live for ever.
All the ends of the earth * shall
remember and turn unto the Lord.
And all the kindreds of the na-
tions * shall worship before Him.
For the kingdom is the Lord's :
* and He hath dominion among the
nations.
All they that be fat upon earth
shall eat and worship : * all they
that go down to the dust shall fall
down before Him :
My soul also shall live unto Him ;
* and my seed shall serve Him :
The generation to come shall tell
it unto the Lord : * and the heavens
shall declare His righteousness unto
a people that shall be born, whom
the Lord hath made.
Saturtrag.
Psahn cxvii. is simply oinitted and
no other is substituted for it.
In Advent the Antiphon is the First
Antiphon which has been said at Lauds
071 Sunday^ unless the day have a set of
its 0W71.
Antiphon in Lent. ^ As I live,
saith the Lord, I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked, but
rather that he turn from his way and
live.
Antiphon for Passiontide. '^ De-
liver me, O Lord, and set me be-
side Thee : and any man's hand
may fight against me.
L
Chapter. (Zech. viii. 19.)
OVE peace and truth, saith the
Lord Almighty.
If the Preces have not been said at
Lauds ^ theit the Preces are ?iow said,
as on Sunday J but if the Lauds Preces
have been said, the following longer
form is used, all kneeling:
Kyrie eleison.
Answer, Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
OUR Father (inaudibly), Who
art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Ordinary Antiphon during the T BELIEVE {inaudibly) in God
ir. Blessed are thev that walk -'- the Father Almighty, Maker of
And in Jesus
year. Jjiessed are they
in Thy law, O Lord.
heaven and earth.
^ Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
Job xvii. 3.
50
THE PSALTER.
Christ, His only Son, our Lord :
Who was conceived by the Holy
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried : He
descended into hell : the third day
He rose again from the dead : He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of God the
Father Almighty : from thence He
shall come to judge the quick and
the dead. - I believe in the Holy
Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the For-
giveness of sins. \Aloud.)
Verse. The Resurrection of the
body.
Answer. And the Life everlast-
ing. Amen.
Verse. And unto Thee have I
cried, O Lord.
Answer. And in the morning
shall my prayer come betimes before
Thee.
Verse. Let my mouth be filled
with Thy praise.
Answer. That I may sing of
Thy glory, all the day long of Thy
greatness.
Verse. O Lord, hide Thy face
from my sins.
Answer. And blot out all mine
iniquities.
Verse. Create in me a clean
heart, O God.
Answer. And renew a right spirit
within me.
Verse. Cast me not away from
Thy presence.
Answer. And take not Thine
Holy Spirit from me.
Verse. Restore unto me the joy
of Thy salvation.
Answer. And uphold me with
Thy free spirit.
Verse. ^ Deliver me, O Lord,
from the evil man.
Answer. And preserve me from
the wicked man.
Verse. ^ Deliver me from mine
enemies, O my God.
Answer. And defend me from
them that rise up against me.
Verse. Deliver me from the
workers of iniquity.
Answer. And save me from
bloody men.
Verse. ^ So will I sing unto Thy
Name for ever.
Answer. That I may daily per-
form my vows.
Verse. * Answer us, O God of
our salvation.
Answer. Who art the confidence
of all the ends of the earth, and of
them that are afar off upon the sea.
Verse. Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me.
O Lord.
Verse. ^ Holy God, Holy Mighty,
Holy Immortal.
Answer. Have mercy on us.
Verse. ^ Bless the Lord, O my
soul.
Answer. And all that is within
me, bless His holy Name.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Answer. And forget not all his
benefits.
Verse. Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities.
^ Ps. cxxxix. 2. 2 Ps. Iviii. 2, 3. ^ Ps. Ix. 9. ^ Ps. Ixiv. 6.
■^ Called the " Trisagion " in the Eastern Church. Its legendary origin is that it was
learnt from angels by a boy who was carried up into the air during a tempest at Con-
stantinople in the time of St Proclus (a.d. 434). It is probably much older than his
time. Photius thought it was adapted from Ps. xli. 2. ^ Ps. cii. 1-5.
PRIME, OR THE FIRST HOUR. 5 1
Answer. Who healeth all thy Answer. Thy youth is renewed
diseases. like the eagle's.
Verse. Who redeemeth thy life Verse, ►f* Our help is in the
from destruction, name of the Lord.
Ansiver. Who crowneth thee Answer. Who made heaven and
with loving - kindness and tender earth,
mercies.
Verse. Who satisfieth thy desire" Then is 7tiade the General Confessioti,
with good things. a7id all proceeds as on Simday.
■52
TERCE, OR THE THIRD HOUR.
©ffice for e&erg tiag in t{}e
At the beginnmg of Terce the Lord's
Prayer and the Angelic Salutation are
said inaudibly.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
T T AIL, Mary, full of grace ; The
-■■ -'" Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now, and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
Then is said aloud :
Verse. ►J* Make haste, O God,
to deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
From Septuagesinia Sunday to
Maundy Thursday instead of "Alle-
luia" is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
The?i is said the following :
Hymn.2
/^OME, Holy Ghost, Who ever One,
^ Reignest with Father and with
Son,
^ It is the hour, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.
Let flesh, and heart, and lips, and mind,
Sound forth our witness to mankind ;
And love light up our mortal frame
Till others catch the living flame.
Now to the Father, to the Son,
And to the Spirit, Three in One,
Be praise, and thanks, and glory given.
By men on earth, by Saints in heaven.
Amen.
The last verse is sometimes said thus,
altered in hoitour of the Incarnation :
Jesu, the Virgin-born, to Thee,
To Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Be praise, and thanks, and glory given.
By men on earth, by Saints in heaven.
Amen.
^ The proper hour of Terce is 9 a.m., about which time it is generally said in
communities before the Community Mass.
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian school. Translation by the late Card. Newman.
^ It was at this the third hour that the Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pente-
cost.— Acts ii. 15.
TERCE, OR THE THIRD HOUR.
53
hi Paschal time it is said thus^ al-
tered in honour of the Resurrection :
Jesu, our Risen Lord, to Thee,
To Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Be praise, and thanks, and glory given,
By men on earth, by Saints in heaven.
Amen.
// is also occasionally otherwise al-
tered, which occasions are marked in
their places.
Then follow six sections of Psalm
CX VIII. They a7'e all said under o?ie
Aniiphon, and when Five A?ztiphons
have been said at Lauds, the Second of
these Five is the Antiphon at Terce.
Otherwise those given here are used.
Ordinary Antiphon for Sundays ;
and for every day in Paschal time.
Alleluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-days.
Lead me.
In Advent the Antiphon is the Second
Antiphon which has been said at Lauds
on Sunday^ unless the day have a set of
its own.
Antiphon in Lent. Behold now
is the day.
A7ttiphon in Passiontide. O Lord,
Thou hast judged.
Continuation of Psalm CXVIII.
'T^EACH me, O Lord, the way of
^ Thy statutes : * and I shall
keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I
shall keep Thy law : * yea, I shall
observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of Thy
commandments : * for therein do I
delight.
Incline mine heart unto Thy testi-
monies, * and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from be-
holding vanity : * quicken Thou me
in Thy way.
Stablish Thy word unto Thy ser-
vant, * that he may fear Thee.
Turn away my reproach, which I
dread : * for Thy judgments are
good.
Behold, I have longed after
Thy precepts : * quicken me in
Thy righteousness.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
T ET Thy mercy come also unto
-*— ' me, O Lord : * even Thy sal-
vation, according to Thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to
answer him that reproacheth me :
* for I trust in Thy word.
And take not the word of truth
utterly out of my mouth : * for I
have hoped in Thy judgments.
So shall I keep Thy law contin-
ually, * for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty : * for
I seek Thy precepts.
I will speak of Thy testimonies
also before kings : * and will not be
ashamed.
And I will delight myself in Thy
commandments, * which I have loved.
Mine hands also will I lift up
unto Thy commandments, which I
have loved : * and I will meditate
in Thy statutes.
I.Here begins the letter He, an aspirate, nearly represented by our H.
'^ Here begins the letter Vau, variously attempted to be represented by V, W, U,
O, Oo.
54
THE PSALTER.
Continuation of the same Psalm.
REMEMBER Thy word unto
Thy servant, * upon which
Thou hast caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in mine afflic-
tion, * that Thy word hath quickened
me.
The proud have behaved them-
selves very wickedly : * yet have I
not turned aside from Thy law.
I remembered Thy judgments of
old, O Lord : * and have comforted
myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me,
* because of the wicked that forsake
Thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs
* in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered Thy Name, O
Lord, in the night, * and have kept
Thy law.
This I had, * because I kept Thy
precepts.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
THOU art my portion, O Lord,
* I have said that I would
keep Thy law.
I entreated Thy favour with my
whole heart : * be merciful unto me
according to Thy word.
I thought on my ways, * and
turned my feet unto Thy testi-
monies.
I made haste, and delayed not
* to keep Thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have
compassed me about : * yet have
I not forgotten Thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give
thanks unto Thee, * because of
Thy righteous judgments.
I am the companion of all them
that fear Thee, * and of them that
keep Thy precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of
Thy mercy : * teach me Thy
statutes.
Continuation of the same Psalm.
T^HOU hast dealt well with Thy
-'- servant, O Lord, * according
to Thy word.
Teach me goodness, and judg-
ment, and knowledge : * for I have
believed Thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted, I
astray : * therefore now I
kept Thy word.
Thou art good, * and in Thy
goodness teach me Thy statutes.
The proud have dealt very
wickedly with me : * but I will
keep Thy precepts with my whole
heart.
Their heart is curdled as milk : *
* but I delight in Thy law.
It is good for me that Thou hast
afflicted me : * that I might learn
Thy statutes.
The law of Thy mouth is better
unto me, * than thousands of gold
and silver.
Here the Doxology^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
went
have
^ Here begins the letter Zain, answering to Z.
- Here begins the letter Kheth, a strong guttural, variously represented by Kh and Hh.
^ Here begins the letter Teth, represented by T.
^ " Gross as fat is their heart " (Leeser). The idea conveyed is that of stupidity.
TERCE, OR THE THIRD HOUR.
55
" I "HINE hands have made me and
-■- fashioned me : * give me
understanding, that I may learn
Thy commandments.
They that fear Thee will be glad
when they see me : * because I have
hoped in Thy word.
I know, O Lord, that Thy judg-
ments are right, * and that Thou
in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Let Thy merciful kindness be for
my comfort, * according to Thy
word unto Thy servant.
Let Thy tender mercies come unto
me, that I may live : * for Thy law
is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed, for
they dealt wrongfully with me with-
out a cause : * but I will meditate
in Thy precepts.
Let those that fear Thee turn
unto me, * and those that know
Thy testimonies.
Let mine heart be undefiled in
Thy statutes, * that I be not
ashamed.
Ordinary Antiphon for Sundays.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Antiphon for every day in Paschal
time. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-
days. ^ Lead me in the path of
Thy commandments, O Lord.
I7i Advent the Antiphon is the Second
Antiphon which has been said at Lands
on Su7tday, unless the day have a set of
its own.
Antiphon in Lent. Behold now
is the day of repentance, to redeem
sin, and save the soul.
Antiphon iit Passio7itide. ^ O
Lord, Thou hast judged the cause
of my soul. Thou hast redeemed
my life, O Lord my God.
The7i follows the Chapter and the
Short Responsory. When they are 7iot
give7t specially^ 07te of the followi7ig is
used. After the Chapter is always a7i-
swered, " Thanks be to God."
071 Su7idays^ froni the Third Sim-
day after the Epiphany i7tclusive until
Septuagesi7na Sunday exclusive, a7id
fro77i the Third Sunday after Pe7ttecost
inclusive until Advent Sunday exclusive
are said the followi7ig, a7id the Respo7i-
sory is used 7noreover till the First
Sunday i7i Le7tt exclusive.
Chapter, (i John iv. i6.)
f~~^ CD is love : and he that dwell-
^^ eth in love dwelleth in God,
and God in him.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Resp07isory.
* Incline mine heart unto Thy
testimonies, O God.
Answer. Incline mine heart unto
Thy testimonies, O God.
Verse. Turn away mine eyes from
beholding vanity : quicken Thou me
in Thy way.
Answer. Unto Thy testimonies,
O God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Incline mine heart unto
Thy testimonies, O God.
Verse. ^ I said, Lord, be merci-
ful unto me.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
^ Here begins the letter Jod, variously represented by J, Y, I, Ee.
2 Ps. cxviii. 35. 3 Lam. iii. 58. * Ps. cxviii. 36, 37.
Ps. xl. 5.
56
THE PSALTfiR.
071 ordinary Week-days throughout
the year are said the following :
Chapter. (Jer. xvii. 14.)
HEAL me, O Lord, and I shall
be healed : save me, and I
shall be saved : for Thou art my
praise.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Respojtsojy.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned
against Thee.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
Verse. I said, Lord, be merciful
unto me.
Answer. For I have sinned against
Thee.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
Verse. ^ Be Thou mine Helper,
neither leave me.
Answer. Nor forsake me, O God
of my salvation.
In Advent are said the following {but
the Chapter on Week-days ojtly) :
Chapter. (Jer. xxiii. 5.)
BEHOLD, the days come, saith
the Lord, that I will raise
unto David a righteous branch : and
a King shall reign in wisdom, and
shall execute judgment and justice
in the earth.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
Come and save us, O Lord God
of hosts.
Answer. Come and save us, O
Lord God of hosts.
Verse. ^ Cause Thy face to shine,
and we shall be saved.
Anszver. O Lord God of hosts.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Come and save us, O
Lord God of hosts.
Verse. ^ The heathen shall fear
Thy Name, O Lord.
Answer. And all the kings of
the earth Thy glory.
I/i Le7it are said the following {but the
Chapter on Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Joel ii. 12, 13.)
^URN ye to Me with all your
■^ heart, with fasting, and with
weeping, and with mourning. And
rend your heart and not your gar-
ments, saith the Lord Almighty.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
* He hath delivered me from the
snare of the fowler.
Answer. \ He hath delivered me
from the snare of the fowler.
Verse. And from the noisome
pestilence.
Answer. From the snare of the
fowler.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. He hath delivered me
from the snare of the fowler.
Verse. He shall cover thee with
His wings.
Answer. And under His feathers
shalt thou trust.
^ Ps. xxvi. 9.
Ps. Ixxix. 4.
^ Ps. ci. 16.
4 Ps. xc. 3.
TERCE, OR THE THIRD HOUR.
57
In Passiontide are said the followmg
{but the Chapter 07i Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Jer. xvii. 13.)
OLORD, all that forsake Thee
shall be ashamed : they that
depart from Thee shall be written
in the earth : because they have
forsaken the Lord, the fountain of
living waters.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ O God, deliver my soul from
the sword.
Answer. O God, deliver my soul
from the sword.
Verse. And my darling from
the power of the dog.
Answer. My soul from the sword.
O God, deliver my soul from the
sword.
Verse. O Lord, save me from
the lion's mouth.
Answer. And mine affliction
from the horns of the unicorns.
In Paschal time are said the following
{but the Chapter on Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Rom. vi. 9.)
CHRIST, being raised from the
dead, dieth no more, death
hath no more dominion over Him.
For in that He died, He died unto
sin once ; but in that He liveth. He
liveth unto God.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Resp07tsory.
The Lord is risen from the grave,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord is risen from
the grave, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Who hung for us upon
the tree.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord is risen from
the grave. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ The Lord is risen in-
deed, Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared to
Simon, Alleluia.
After the Short Respojtsory^ if the
Preces have been said at Lauds ^ all kjieel
down and the following are said; but
if the Preces have been omitted at Lauds ^
theii these are also om,itted down to the
7nark '^.
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
OUR Father {inaudibly), Who
art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Verse. ^ Turn us again, O Lord
God of hosts.
Answer. And cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help
us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
Here the Office is continued whe7i the
above has beeii oi7iitted.
^ Ps. xxi. 21,
Luke xxiv. 34.
^ Ps. Ixxix. 8.
58
THE PSALTER.
* Verse. Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Here is said the Prayer for the day,
after which :
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
If the Little Office of the Blessed
Virgin Mary is to follow immediately.^
it is begun here^ and what follows is not
said. Otherwise the Office ends thus :
Verse {said iii a somewhat lower
voice). May the souls of the Faith-
ful, through the mercy of God, rest
in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Lastly, unless Sext follow, the Lord^s
Prayer is said inaudibly.
/'^UR Father, Who art in heaven,
^~^ Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Note. When Office is said in Choir
the Service is ended with the Aittiphon
of the Blessed Virgin Mary every time
the Choir is left. Otherwise it is o?ily
said as given i7t this book, at the end
of Lauds {or the aggregation of which
Lauds forms a part) and Compli7te.
Feasts. The above Office, appointed
for all Sundays and Week-days through-
out the year, is likewise said o?t all
Feasts.
59
SEXT, OR THE SIXTH HOUR/
©fiKce for ^faerg tiag in tlje
At the beginni7ig of Sext, the Lord's
Prayer and the Angelic Salutatiojt are
said inaudibly,
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as wx for-
give them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
TTAIL, Mary, full of grace; The
-■■ -■- Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now, and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
Then is said alo7id :
Verse. ^ Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen. Alleluia.
From Septuagesiina Sunday to
Maimdy Thursday^ itistead of "Alle-
luia" is said :
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of Heaven.
Then is said the following :
Hymn.2
O
GOD, Who canst not change nor
fail,
Guiding the hours, as they roll by.
Brightening with beams the morning
pale,
And burning in the mid-day sky ;
Quench Thou the fires of hate and
strife,
The wasting fever of the heart ;
From perils guard our feeble life,
And to our souls Thy peace impart.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Holy Spirit, God of grace,
To Whom all glory, Three in One,
Be given in every time and place.
Amen.
The last verse is sojnetimes said thus,
altered in honour of the Incarnation :
Hear, Jesu, Virgin-born, our cry,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
To Whom be praise, here as on high,
On earth as 'mid the Angelic Host.
Amen.
^ The proper hour for Sext is 12 noon. In Choirs it is generally said after the Com-
munity Mass.
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian school, with one word altered. Translation by the
late Card. Newman.
6o
THE PSALTER.
I71 Paschal time it is said thics^ altered
in honour of the Resurrection :
To Thee, our Risen Lord, we cry,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
To Whom be praise, here as on high,
On earth as 'mid the AngeHc Host.
Amen.
// is also occasionally otherwise al-
tered^ which occasions are marked in
their places.
Then follow six sections of Psalm
CX VIII. They are all said under one
Ajttiphon, a?id whe?i Five Antiphojts
have been said at Lauds the third of
these Five is the Antiphon at Sext.
Otherwise those given here are used.
Ordinary Antiphon for Sundays
and for every day in Paschal tifne.
Alleluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-days.
Hold Thou me up.
In Advent the Antiphon is the Third
Antiphon which has been said at Lauds
071 Sunday^ tmless the day have a set of
its own.
A?ttipho?t in Lent. Let us ap-
prove ourselves.
Antiphon in Passiontide. O My
people.
Continuation of Psalm CXVIII.
1\ /TY soul fainteth for Thy salva-
^^ tion : * but I hope in Thy
word.
Mine eyes fail for Thy word, *
saying : When wilt Thou comfort
me?
For I am become like a wine-
skin in time of frost : * yet do I
not forget Thy statutes.
How many are the days of Thy
servant? * when wilt Thou execute
judgment on them that persecute
me?
The wicked have spoken lies
unto me, * which are not after Thy
law.
All Thy commandments are faith-
ful : * they persecute me wrongfully,
help Thou me.
They had almost consumed me
upon earth : * but I forsook not
Thy precepts.
Quicken me after Thy loving-
kindness : * so shall I keep the
testimony of Thy mouth.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
"POR ever, O Lord, * Thy word
-'■ is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all genera-
tions : * Thou hast established the
earth, and it abideth.
The day continueth by Thine
ordinance : * for all things serve
Thee.
Unless Thy law had been my
delight, * then perchance I should
have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget Thy precepts :
* for with them Thou hast quick-
ened me.
I am Thine, save me : * for I
have sought Thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me,
to destroy me : * but I considered
Thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfec-
tion : * but Thy commandment is
exceeding broad.
^ Here begins the letter Caph, a guttural variously represented by C, Q, Ch, &c.
- Here begins the letter Lamed, answering to L.
SEXT, OR THE SIXTH HOUR.
6l
Continuation of the same Psalm.
HOW I love Thy law, O Lord !
* it is my meditation all the
o
day.
Thou, through Thy command-
ments, hast made me wiser than
mine enemies : * for they are ever
with me.
I have more understanding than
all my teachers : * for Thy testi-
monies are my meditation.
I understand more than the an-
cients, * because I keep Thy pre-
cepts.
I have refrained my feet from
every evil way ; * that I might keep
Thy word.
I have not departed from Thy
judgments : * for Thou hast taught
me.
How sweet are Thy words unto
my taste ! * yea, sweeter than honey
to my mouth.
Through Thy precepts I get un-
derstanding : * therefore I hate every
false way.
Here the Doxology^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is ?tot said.
" I ^HY word is a lamp unto my feet,
-^ * and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and am stedfastly
purposed, * to keep Thy righteous
judgments.
I am afflicted very much, O
Lord : * quicken me according to
Thy word.
Accept, I beseech Thee, the free-
will offerings of my mouth, O Lord :
* and teach me Thy judgments.
My soul is continually in mine
hand : * yet do I not forget Thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for
me : * yet I erred not from Thy
precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as
an heritage for ever : * for they are
the rejoicing of mine heart.
I have inclined mine heart to
perform Thy statutes always, * be-
cause of the reward.
Continuation of the same Psalm.
T HATE the unrighteous : * but
-■- Thy law do I love.
Thou art mine Helper and my
Protector : * and in Thy word do
I hope.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers;
* for I will keep the commandments
of my God.
Uphold me according to Thy
word, and I shall live : * and let me
not be ashamed of mine hope.
Hold Thou me up and I shall be
safe : * and I will have respect unto
Thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them
that err from Thy statutes : * for
their thought is falsehood.
I hold all the wicked of the earth
as liars : * therefore I love Thy
testimonies.
Make Thou my flesh to tremble
for fear of Thee : * for I am afraid
of Thy judgments.
Here the Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is ?zot said.
■^ Here begins the letter Mem, answering to M.
^ Here begins the letter Nun, answering to N.
^ Here begins the letter Samech, somewhat represented by S.
62
THE PSALTER.
I
HAVE done judgment and jus-
tice : * leave me not to mine
oppressors.
Be surety for Thy servant for
good : * let not the proud oppress
me.
Mine eyes fail for Thy salva-
tion, * and for the word of Thy
righteousness.
Deal with' Thy servant according
unto Thy mercy : * and teach me
Thy statutes.
I am Thy servant : * give me un-
derstanding, that I may know Thy
testimonies.
It is time for Thee, Lord, to work :
* they have made void Thy law.
Therefore I love Thy command-
ments * above gold and the topaz
stone.
Therefore did I turn to all Thy
commandments : * I hate every
false way.
Ordinary Antiphon for Sunday.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Antiphon for every day tJi Paschal
time. Alleluia, iVlleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-days.
^ Hold Thou me up, O Lord, and I
shall be safe.
In Advent the Antiphon is the Third
Antiphon which has been said at Lauds
071 Sunday^ unless the day have a set of
its own.
Antiphon in Lent. Let us ap-
prove ourselves in much patience, in
much fasting, by the armour of
righteousness.
Antiphon in Passiontide. ^ O My
people, what have I done unto thee,
and wherein have I wearied thee?
Testify against Me.
The?t follows the Chapter and the
Short Respojisory. Wheii they are not
given specially., one of the following is
used. After the Chapter is always a?i-
swered, " Thanks be to God."
071 Sti7idays,fro77t the Third Su7iday
after the Epipha7iy i7iclusive U7itil Sep-
tuagesi77ia Sunday exclusive., a7id fro7n
the Fourth Simday after Pe7itecost iti-
clusive U7ttil Adve7it Su7iday exclusive,
are said the followi7ig., a7id the Re-
spo7isory is used 77ior cover U7itil the
First Su7iday i7L Le7it^ exclusive.
Chapter. (Gal. vi. 2.)
"DEAR ye one another's burdens,
^-^ and so shall ye fulfil the law
of Christ.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Respo7isory.
* For ever, O Lord, Thy word is
settled [in heaven].
Answer. For ever, O Lord, Thy
word is settled [in heaven].
Verse. Thy faithfulness is unto
all generations.
A7iswer. Thy word is settled [in
heaven].
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Aitswer. For ever, O Lord, Thy
word is settled [in heaven].
Verse. ^The Lord is my Shep-
herd, I shall not want.
Answer. He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures.
^ Here begins the letter Ayin, or Ghain, as to the sound of which the learned are not
agreed.
- Ps. cxviii. 117.
^ Micah vi.
^ Ps. cxviii. 89.
^ Ps. xxii. I, 2.
SEXT, OR THE SIXTH HOUR.
63
On ordiiiary Week-days throughout
the year are said the following :
Chapter. (Gal. vi. 2.)
BEAR ye one another's burdens,
and so shall ye fulfil the law
of Christ.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ I will bless the Lord at all
times.
Answer. I will bless the Lord
at all times.
Ve7'se. His praise shall continu-
ally be in my mouth.
Answer. At all times.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. I will bless the Lord
at all times.
Verse. The Lord is my Shep-
herd, I shall not want.
Answer. He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures.
In Advent are said the followiiig {bict
the Chapter on Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Jerem. xxxiii. 16.)
T N those days shall Judah be
■^ saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely : and this is the name where-
by she shall be called, The Lord
our Righteousness.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Resp07iso7y.
^ Show us Thy mercy, O Lord.
Ansiver. Show us Thy mercy, O
Lord.
Ver^e. And grant us Thy sal-
vation.
Answer. Thy mercy, O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Show us Thy mercy, O
Lord,
Verse. ^ Remember us, O Lord,
with the favour that Thou bearest
unto Thy people.
Ansiver. O visit us with Thy
salvation.
In Lent are said the following {but
the Chapter on Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Isa. Iv. 7.)
T ET the wicked forsake his way,
-L-' and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and let him return unto
the Lord, and He will have mercy
upon him ; and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsoiy.
* He shall cover thee with His
wings.
Answer. He shall cover thee
with His wings.
Verse. And under His feathers
shalt thou trust.
Answer. With His wings.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He shall cover thee
with His wings.
Verse. His truth shall be thy
shield.
Answer. Thou shalt not be
afraid for the terror by night.
In Passiontide are said the following
{but the Chapter 07i Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Jerem. xvii. 18.)
T ET them be confounded that per-
-'— ' secute me, but let not me be
Confounded ; let them be dismayed,
^ Ps. xxxiii. 2.
"^ Ps. Ixxxiv. 8.
'^ Ps. cv. 4.
Ps. xc. 4.
64
THE PSALTER.
but let not me be dismayed ; bring
upon them the day of evil, and de-
stroy them with double destruction,
O Lord our God.
Anszver. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ O Lord, save me from the lion's
mouth.
Answer. O Lord, save me from
the lion's mouth.
Verse. And mine affliction from
the horns of the unicorns.
Answer. From the lion's mouth,
O Lord, save me from the lion's
mouth.
Verse. ^ Make not my soul to
perish with sinners, O God.
Answer. Nor my life with bloody
men.
In Paschal tiine are said the follow-
ing {but the Chapter 07i Week-days
ojtly) :
Chapter, (i Cor. xv. 20.)
'NT OW is Christ risen from the
^ ^ dead, the first-fruits of them
that sleep ; for since by man came
death, by man came also the res-
urrection of the dead. For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Sho7't Responsory.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord is risen in-
deed, Alleluia.
Verse. And hath appeared to
Simon.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord is risen in-
deed. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ The disciples were glad,
Alleluia.
Answer. When they saw the
Lord, Alleluia.
After the Short Responsory, if the
Preces have been said at Lauds all kneel
down and the following are said, but if
the Preces have been omitted at Lauds
then these are also omitted, down to the
mark *.
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
OUR Father (ijtaudibly), Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in^
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation. ,
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. Turn us again, O Lord
God of hosts !
Answer. And cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
: Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help
us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
Here the Office is continued when the
above has been omitted.
* Verse. Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
^ Ps. xxi. 22.
^ Ps. XXV. 9.
^ John XX. 20.
SEXT, OR THE SIXTH HOUR.
65
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Here is said the Prayer for the day.,
after which :
Verse, Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Ansiver. Thanks be to God.
If the Little Office of the Blessed Vir-
gin Mary is to follow immediately^ it
is begun here^ and what follows is not
said. Otherwise the Office ends thus :
Verse {said in a soinewhat lower
tone). May the souls of the Faithful,
through the mercy of God, rest in
peace.
Answer. Amen.
Lastly, imless Noiie follow, the Lord^s
Prayer is said inaiidibly.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Note. When Office is said in Choir
the Service is ended with the Antiphon
of the Blessed Virgin Mary every time
the Choir is left. Otherwise it is only
said as given iit this book., at the end of
Lauds {or the aggregation of which
Lauds forms a part) and Compline.
Feasts. The above Office., appointed
for all Su7idays and Week-days through-
out the year., is likewise said on all
Feasts.
VOL. II.
66
NONE, OR THE NINTH HOUR.i
©ffice for e&erg tiag in tlje
At the begin7iing of None the Lord's
Prayer and the Angelic Salutation are
said inatidibly.
/^^UR Father, Who art in heaven,
^-^ Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
bujt deliver us from evil. Amen.
TT AIL, Mary, full of grace ; The
-'- -■- Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now, and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
Then is said aloud :
Verse. ►J^ Make haste, O God,
to deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
From Septuagesima Sunday to
Maundy Thursday instead of "Alle-
luia" is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
Hymn.2
OGOD, Unchangeable and True,
Of all the Light and Power,
Dispensing light in silence through
Every successive hour ;
Lord, brighten our declining day,
That it may never wane.
Till death, when all things round decay.
Brings back the morn again.
This grace on Thy redeemed confer.
Father, Co-equal Son,
And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
Eternal Three in One.
Amen.
The last verse is sometimes said thus^
altered in honour of the Incarnatio7i :
Jesu, the Virgin-born, to Thee,
Eternal praise be given,
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
Amen.
^ The proper hour for None is 3 P. M. , but in Choirs it varies.
'■^ Another hymn of the Anibrosian school, with one word altered,
late Card. Newman.
Translation by the
NONE, OR THE NINTH HOUR.
67
hi Paschal time it is said thus, al-
tered in honour of the Resui'rection :
To Father, Son, and Paraclete,
The slain and risen Son,
Be praise and glory, as is meet,
While endless ages run.
Amen.
// is also occasionally otherwise al-
tered, which occasions are marked in
their places.
Then follow six sections of Psalm
CX VIII . They are all said under 07te
A?ttiphon, and when Five Ajitiphojis
have been said at Lauds., the Fifth of
these Five is the Antiphon at None.
Otherwise those given here are used.
Ordinary Antiphon for Sundays
and for every day in Paschal time.
Alleluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-days.
Look Thou upon me.
In Advent the A7itipho7i is the Fifth
Antiphon which has bee7i said at Lauds
071 Simday^ imless the day have a set of
its 0W71.
A7ttiphon for Week-days in Lent.
Let us approve ourselves.
Antiphon for Week-days in Pas-
siontide. Did not they reward me
evil for good?
Co7iti7iuatio7i of Psahn C XVI II.
nPHY testimonies are wonderful :
^ * therefore doth my soul keep
them.
The unfolding of Thy words
giveth light : * yea, it giveth under-
standing unto the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted :
* for I longed for Thy command-
ments.
Look Thou upon me, and be
merciful unto me, * as Thou usest
to do unto those that love Thy
Name.
Order my steps in Thy word : *
and let not any iniquity have do-
minion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression
of man : * and I will keep Thy
precepts.
Make Thy face to shine upon
Thy servant : * and teach me Thy
statutes.
Rivers of water run down mine
eyes : * because they keep not Thy
law.
The Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is 7iot said.
]3 IGHTEOUS art Thou, O
-■-^ Lord : * and upright are
Thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that Thou hast
commanded are righteous, * and
very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, *
because mine enemies have for-
gotten Thy words.
Thy word is tried to the utter-
most : * and Thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised : * yet
do I not forget Thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an ever-
lasting righteousness : * and Thy
law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken
hold upon me : * Thy command-
ments are my delight.
The righteousness of Thy testi-
monies is everlasting : * give me
understanding, and I shall live.
^ Here begins the letter Pe, represented by P, Ph. F.
- Here begins the letter Tzade, represented by Tz or Ts.
68
THE PSALTER.
Contimiation of the same Psalm-
P'
T CRIED with my whole heart,
^ hear me, O Lord : * I will
keep Thy statutes.
I cried unto Thee, save me : *
and I will keep Thy command-
ments.
Before the dawning of the morn-
ing, I cried : * for I hoped in Thy
word.
Mine eyes look up to Thee
early : * that I may meditate in
Thy word.
Hear my voice according unto
Thy loving-kindness, O Lord : *
and quicken me according to Thy
judgment.
They that persecute me draw nigh
to sin : * but are far from Thy
law.
Thou art near, O Lord : * and
all Thy ways are truth.
Concerning Thy testimonies I
have known of old : * that Thou
hast founded them for ever.
The Doxology^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
/^ONSIDER mine affliction, and
^-^ deliver me : * for I do not
forget Thy law.
Give judgment concerning me,
and deliver me : * quicken me for
the sake of Thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked :
* for they seek not Thy statutes.
Great are Thy tender mercies, O
Lord : * quicken me according to
Thy judgments.
Many are my persecutors, and
mine enemies : * yet do I not turn
aside from Thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and
was grieved : * because they kept
not Thy word.
Consider how I love Thy pre-
cepts, O Lord : * quicken me
according to Thy loving-kindness.
Thy word is true from the be-
ginning : * and every one of Thy
righteous judgments endureth for
ever.
Co7iti7iuation of the same Psalm.
TDRINCES have persecuted me
^ without a cause : * but mine
heart standeth in awe of Thy word.
I will rejoice at Thy word, * as
one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor wickedness : *
but Thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise
Thee, * because of Thy righteous
judgments.
Great peace have they that love
Thy law : * and for them there are
no stumbling-blocks.
Lord, I hope for Thy salvation :
* and I love Thy commandments.
My soul hath kept Thy testimonies,
* and loved them exceedingly.
I have kept Thy precepts and
Thy testimonies ; * for all my ways
are before Thee.
The Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is not said.
1 Here begins the letter Koph, generally represented by Ch or Q.
2 Here begins the letter Resh, analogous to R, but concerning the precise sound of
which the learned are not agreed.
^ Here begins the letter Shin, somewhat represented by S and Sh.
NONE, OR THE NINTH HOUR.
6g
LET my cry come near before
Thee, O Lord : * give me
understanding according to Thy
word.
Let my supplication come before
Thee; * deliver me according to
Thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, *
when Thou hast taught me Thy
statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Thy
word : * for all Thy commandments
are righteousness.
Let Thine hand help me : * for I
have chosen Thy precepts.
I have longed for Thy salvation,
0 Lord : * and Thy law is my de-
light.
My soul shall live, and it shall
praise Thee : * and Thy judgments
shall help me.
I have gone astray like a lost
sheep : * seek Thy servant : for
1 do not forget Thy command-
ments.
Ordinary Antiphoit for Sundays,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Antiphon for every day in Paschal
time. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Ordinary Antiphon for Week-days.
^ Look Thou upon me, O Lord, and
be merciful unto me.
In Advent the Antiphon is the Fifth
Antiphon which has been said at Lands
on Sunday.^ U7tless the day have a set of
its own.
Antiphon for Week-days in Lent.
^ Let us approve ourselves in much
patience, by the armour of righteous-
ness, by the power of God.
Antiphon for Week-days in Pas-
siontide. ^ Did not they reward me
evil for good ? for they digged a pit
for my soul.
Then follows the Chapter and the
Short Responsory. When they are 7iot
given specially., one of the following is
used. After the Chcipter is always an-
swered: " Thanks be to God."
Oil Sundays., fro7n the Third Sunday
after the Epiphany inclusive until Sep-
tuagesima Sunday exclusive, and from
the Third Sunday after Pentecost in-
clusive till Advent Sunday exclusive.,
are said the following, and the Respon-
sory is used inoreover till the First
Sunday in Lent exclusive.
Chapter, (i Cor. vi. 20.)
P'OR ye are bought with a great
J- price. Glorify God, and bear
Him in your body.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ I cried with my whole heart,
hear me, O Lord.
Answer. I cried with my whole
heart, hear me, O Lord.
Verse. I will keep Thy statutes.
Answer. Hear me, O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. I cried with my whole
heart, hear me, O Lord.
Verse. ^ Cleanse Thou me from
secret faults, O Lord.
Answer. Preserve Thy servant
also from the sins of others.
^ Here begins the letter Tau, corresponding^soniewhat to T or Th.
2 Ps. cxviii. 132. "^ 2 Cor. vi. 4, 7.
^ Ps. cxviii. 145. ^ Ps. xviii. 13, 14.
Jer. xviii. 20.
70
THE PSALTER.
Oil ordinary Week-days throughout
the year are said the follo-iuing :
Chapter, (i Cor. vi. 20.)
"POR ye are bought with a great
■*• price. Glorify God, and bear
Him in your body.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ Redeem me, O Lord, and be
merciful unto me.
Answer. Redeem me, O Lord,
and be merciful unto me.
Verse. For my foot standeth in
uprightness.
Ansiver. And be merciful unto
me.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Redeem me, O Lord,
and be merciful unto me.
Verse. Cleanse Thou me from
secret faults, O Lord.
Answer. Preserve Thy servant
also from the sins of others.
In Advent are said the following {but
the Chapter on Week-days ojtly) :
Chapter. (Isa. xiv. i.)
TTER time is near to come, and
^ ^ her days shall not be pro-
longed. For the Lord will have
mercy on Jacob, and Israel shall be
saved.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^ The Lord shall arise upon thee,
O Jerusalem.
Answer. The Lord shall arise
upon thee, O Jerusalem.
Verse. And His glory shall be
seen upon thee.
Answer. Upon thee, O Jerusalem.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord shall arise
upon thee, O Jerusalem.
Verse. Come, O Lord, and make
no tarrying.
Answer. Pardon the sins of Thy
people.
In Lent are said the following {but
the Chapter on Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Isa. Iviii. 7.)
T^EAL thy bread to the hungry,
^^ and bring the poor that are
cast out to thine house : when thou
seest the naked, cover him, and
hide not thyself from thine own
flesh.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
His truth shall be thy shield.
Answer. His truth shall be thy
shield.
Verse. Thou shalt not be afraid
for the terror by night.
Ajtswer. Thy shield.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A?zsiver. His truth shall be thy
shield.
Verse. ^ God hath given His
angels charge over thee.
Answer. To keep thee in all thy
ways.
1 Ps. XXV. II, 12.
^ Isa. Ix. 2.
Ps. XC. II.
NONE, OR THE NINTH HOUR.
71
In Passiontide are said the followi7tg
{but the Chapter o?i Week-days only) :
Chapter. (Jer. xviii. 20.)
REMEMBER that I stood before
Thee, to speak good for them,
and to turn away Thy wrath from
them.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responso7y.
^ Make not my soul to perish with
sinners, O God.
Answer. Make not my soul to
perish with sinners, O God.
Verse. Nor my life with bloody
men.
Answer. With sinners, O God.
Make not my soul to perish with
sinners, O God.
Verse. ^ Deliver me, O Lord,
from the evil man.
Answer. Preserve me from the
wicked man.
hi Paschal ti?ne are said the follow-
ing {but the Chapter on Week-days o?tly):
Chapter, (i Pet. iii. 18.)
CHRIST hath once suffered for
our sins, the Just for the un-
just, that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
^The disciples were glad. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The disciples were glad.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When they saw the Lord.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The disciples were glad.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ■* Abide with us. Lord.
Alleluia.
Answer. For it is toward even-
ing. Alleluia.
After the Short Responsory^ if the
Preces have been said at Lauds, all
kneel down., and the following are said.
But if the Preces have beeii omitted at
Lauds, the7t these are also omitted down
to the mark ■^.
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
OUR Father (inaudibly), Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Verse. Turn us again, O Lord
God of hosts.
Answer. And cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help
us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
Here the Office is continued when the
above has been omitted.
* Verse. Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
^ Ps. XXV. Q.
'■^ Ps. cxxxix. 2.
^ John XV. 20.
^ I.uke xxiv. 29.
72
THE PSALTER.
Let us pray.
Here is said the Prayer for the day,
after which :
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
If the Little Office of the Blessed Vir-
gin Mary is to follow iminediately, it
is begun here, and what follows is not
said. Otherwise the Office ends thus :
Verse {said in a somewhat lower
voice). May the souls of the Faithful,
through the mercy of God, rest in
peace.
Answer. Amen.
Lastly, unless Vespers follow, the
Lord's Prayer is said inaudibly.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into temp-
tation ; but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Note. When Office is said in Choir,
the service is ended with the Antiphon
of the Blessed Virgin Mary every time
the Choir is left. Otherwise it is only
said as giveii in this book, after Lauds
{or the aggregation of which L^auds
forms a part) and Co^npline.
Feasts. The above Office, appointed
for all Sundays and Week-days through-
out the year, is likewise said 07i all
Feasts.
71
U L
BOSTON PU
BRIGHTON b»Ai\.
JD A D>
Jftcnbap at Jttattins,
THE SECOND DAY OF THE WEEK.
Al/ as on Sundays, except as other-
wise given here.
Invitatory. O come, * let us sing
unto the Lord.
When this Invitatory is used the
Psalm begins with the words ^ " Let us
make a joyful noise.''
Invitatory in Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, * Alleluia.
On Siinple Feasts the Invitatory is
special.
On Simple Feasts the Hymn is special^
but on Week-days kept as such the fol-
lowing is said from the Octave of the
Epipha7iy till the first Monday in Leiit.,
andfroin the Octave of Pentecost to Ad-
vent. The Hymns for the other seasons
are given i?t the proper office of the
Seasons.
Hymn.i
OLEEP has refreshed our limbs, we
*^ spring
From off our bed, and rise ;
Lord, on Thy suppliants while they
sing.
Look with a Father's eyes.
Be Thou the first on every tongue.
The first in every heart ;
That all our doings all day long.
Holiest ! from Thee may start.
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian scliool,
late Card. Newman.
VOL. IL
Cleanse Thou the gloom, and bid the
light
Its healing beams renew ;
The sins, which have crept in with
night.
With night shall vanish too.
Our bosoms, Lord, unburthen Thou,
Let nothing there offend ;
That those who hymn Thy praises now
May hymn them to the end.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Only one Nocticrn is said.
Antiphon. The Lord is the de-
fence.
In Paschal time there is only one
Antipho7i to the whole Noctui'ti., Al-
leluia.
Psalm XXVI.
[Intituled ' ' Of David. " The Vulgate and
the LXX. add "before his anointing." See
2 Kings (Sam.) ii. 4. Monday, fifth week
after Pentecost.]
" I ^HE Lord is my light and my
^ salvation ; * whom shall I
fear?
The Lord is the defence of my
life : * of whom shall I be afraid ?
with two words altered. Translation by the
C 2
74
THE PSALTER.
When the evil-doers come upon
me, * to eat up my flesh,
Mine enemies that trouble me, *
they stumble and fall.
Though an host should encamp
against me, * mine heart shall not
fear.
Though war should rise against
me, * in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the
Lord, that will I seek after, * that
I may dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the
Lord, * and to visit His temple.
For He hath hidden me in His
pavilion : * in the secret of His
tabernacle hath He hidden me in
the day of trouble.
He hath set me up upon a rock :
* and now hath He lifted up mine
head above mine enemies.
I will offer in His tabernacle
the sacrifice of joy : * I will sing,
yea, I will sing praises unto the
Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with
my voice : * have mercy on me and
answer me.
My heart said unto Thee, My
face hath sought Thee : * Thy face.
Lord, will I seek.
Hide not Thy face far from
me : * turn not away in anger from
Thy servant.
Be Thou mine Helper, * neither
leave me, nor forsake me, O God of
my salvation.
When my father and my mother
forsake me, * then the Lord taketh
me up.
Teach me Thy way, O Lord : *
and lead me in a plain path, because
of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will
of mine enemies : * for false wit-
nesses are risen up against me, and
iniquity hath belied itself.
I believe that I shall yet see the
goodness of the Lord * in the land
of the living.
Wait on the Lord, be of good
courage : * and thine heart shall be
strengthened, wait, I say, on the
Lord.
Psalm XXVII.
[Also intituled " Of David."]
UNTO Thee will I cry, O Lord;
my God, be not silent to me :
* lest, if Thou be silent to me, I be-
come like them that go down into
the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplica-
tion, O Lord, when I cry unto Thee,
* when I lift up mine hands toward
Thine holy temple.
Draw me not away with the wick-
ed : * and destroy me not with the
workers of iniquity.
Who speak peace with their
neighbour : * but mischief is in
their hearts.
Give them according to their
deeds, * and according to the wick-
edness of their inventions.
Give them after the works of their
hands : * render to them their desert.
Because they regard not the works
of the Lord, or the operation of His
hands, * Thou shalt destroy them,
and not build them up.
Blessed be the Lord : * because
He hath heard the voice of my
supplication.
The Lord is my strength and my
shield : * mine heart trusted in Him
and I am holpen.
And my flesh greatly rejoiceth : *
and with my whole heart I will
praise Him.
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
75
The Lord is the strength of His
people : * and He is the saving
strength of His Anointed.
O Lord, save Thy people, and
bless Thine inheritance : * and gov-
ern them, and lift them up for ever.
Antipho7i. ^ The Lord is the de-
fence of my life.
Second Antiphon. Worship.
Psalm XXVHL
[Intituled ''A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the going
forth from the tabernacle, or ending of the
tabernacle," apparently meaning the con-
clusion of the Feast of Tabernacles.]
GIVE unto the Lord, O ye sons
of God : * give unto the
Lord young rams.
Give unto the Lord glory and
honour, give unto the Lord the
glory due unto His Name : * wor-
ship the Lord in His holy courts.
The voice of the Lord is upon
the waters, the God of glory thun-
dereth : * the Lord is upon many
waters.
The voice of the Lord is power-
ful : * the voice of the Lord is full
of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaketh
the cedars : * yea, the Lord break-
eth the cedars of Lebanon.
He srniteth them down as though
it were a calf in Lebanon, * and the
beloved [forest is felled] like a young
wild bull.2
The voice of the Lord forketh
the flames of fire : * the voice of
the Lord shaketh the wilderness,
yea, the Lord also shaketh the
^wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord maketh
the hinds to calve, and discovereth
the thickets : * and in His temple,
every one uttereth His glory.
The Lord fixeth the flood : * yea,
the Lord sitteth King for ever.
The Lord will give strength unto
His people : * the Lord will bless
His people with peace.
Psalm XXIX.
[Intituled "A song of rejoicing at the
opening of the house of David." The pal-
ace, for the inauguration of which this song
was written, is thus mentioned in 2 Kings
(Sam.) V. 9-1 1. "So David dwelt in the
fort" (on Sion) "and called it the city of
David. And David built round about from
Millo and inward. And David went on,
and grew great ; and the Lord God of
Hosts was with him. And Hiram, King of
Tyre, sent messengers to David, and cedar-
trees, and carpenters, and masons ; and they,
built David an house."]
T WILL extol Thee, O Lord, for
^ Thou hast lifted me up, * and
hast not made my foes to rejoice
over me.
O Lord my God, I cried unto
Thee, * and Thou hast healed me.
O Lord, Thou hast brought up
my soul from the grave : * Thou
hast saved me from being one of
them that go down into the pit.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye Saints
of His ! * and give thanks to the
memorial of His holiness.
For there is terror in His anger :
* and in His favour is life.
Weeping may endure for a night :
* but joy cometh in the morning.
^ Ps. xxvi. I.
^ The Hebrew is, "He also maketh them to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Shiryon"
(oftener called Hermon) "like young wild cattle."
^ That is, the deserts to the south of Palestine, amid which is found the town of
Kadesh- Barnea.
76
THE PSALTER.
And I, in my prosperity I said :
I shall never be moved.
Lord, in Thy favour, * Thou hast
made my glory to stand so fast.
Thou didst hide Thy face from
me, * and I was troubled.
I cried unto Thee, O Lord : *
and unto my God I made supplica-
tion :
What profit is there in my blood,
* when I go down to corruption?
Shall the dust praise Thee, * or
shall it declare Thy truth?
The Lord heard me, and had
mercy upon me : * the Lord be-
came mine Helper.
Thou hast turned for me my
mourning into rejoicing : * Thou
hast put off my sackcloth, and
girded me with gladness.
To the end that my glory may
sing praise unto Thee, and may not
be silent : * O Lord my God, I will
give thanks unto Thee for ever.
Antiphon. ^ Worship the Lord
in His holy courts.
Third Antiphon. Deliver me.
Psalm XXX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David" with the
same farther superscription as Pss. xii. xiii.
The Vulgate and the LXX. add " of haste "
or " distraction," meaning apparently that
David wrote it, on recovering from the
mental condition in which he had exclaimed
(v. 23), " I am cut off from before Thine
eyes."]
TN Thee, O Lord, do I put my
•^ trust, let me never be ashamed :
* deliver me in Thy righteousness.
Bow down Thine ear unto me : *
deliver me speedily.
Be Thou to me a God, a Pre-
server, and an house of defence, *
to save me.
For Thou art my strength and
my refuge : * and for Thy Name's
sake Thou wilt lead me and nourish
me.
Thou wilt pull me out of the net,
that they have laid privily for me : *
for Thou art my Preserver.
^ Into Thine hands I commend my
spirit : * Thou hast redeemed me,
0 Lord God of truth !
I have hated them that regard *
lying vanities.
But I trust in the Lord : * I will
be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy.
For Thou hast considered my
trouble : * Thou hast saved my soul
in adversity;
And hast not shut me up into the
hand of the enemy : * Thou hast
set my feet in a wide place.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord,
for I am in trouble : * mine eye is
consumed with grief, my soul, and
my belly.
For my life is spent with grief, *
and my years with sighing.
My strength faileth because of
mine affliction, * and my bones are
consumed.
I was a reproach among all mine
enemies, and among my neighbours
specially, * and a fear to mine ac-
quaintance.
They that did see me without fled
from me : * I am forgotten as a
dead man out of mind.
I am like a broken vessel : * for
1 have heard the slander of many
on every side :
When they took counsel together
against me, * they devised to take
away my life.
^ Ps. xxviii. 2.
2 This verse was quoted by our Lord on the Cross, Luke xxiii. 46.
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
77
But I trusted in Thee, O Lord :
* I said : Thou art my God, my
lot is in Thine hand.
Deliver me from the hand of
mine enemies, * and from them that
persecute me.
Make Thy face to shine upon Thy
servant, save me in Thy mercy : *
let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for
I have called upon Thee.
Let the wicked be ashamed and
let them go down into the grave : *
let the lying lips be put to silence ;
Which speak grievous things
proudly and contemptuously *
against the righteous.
O how great is Thy goodness,
0 Lord, * which Thou hast laid up
for them that fear Thee !
Which Thou hast wrought for
them that trust in Thee, * before
the sons of men !
Thou shalt hide them in the
covert of Thy presence * from the
troubling of men.
Thou shalt keep them secretly in
Thy pavilion * from the strife of
tongues.
Blessed be the Lord : * for He
hath showed me His marvellous
kindness in a strong city.
For I said in mine haste : * I
am cut off from before Thine
eyes.
Nevertheless Thou heardest the
voice of my supplication, * when
1 cried unto Thee.
O love the Lord, all ye His
Saints : * for the Lord loveth truth-
fulness, and will plentifully reward
the proud doers.
Be of good courage and let your
heart be strengthened, * all ye that
hope in the Lord.
Psalm XXXI.
[Intituled "A didactic (?) poem of David,"]
T3LESSED are they whose trans-
^--^ gressions are forgiven, * and
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom
the Lord imputeth not iniquity, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Because I kept silence, my bones
waxed old, * while I groaned all the
day long.
For day and night Thine hand was
heavy upon me : * I turned in mine
anguish while the thorn was fastened
in me.-^
I acknowledged my sin unto
Thee : * and mine iniquity I hid
not.
I said : I will confess against
myself my transgression, unto the
Lord : * and Thou forgavest the
iniquity of my sin.-"-
For this shall every one that is
godly pray unto Thee, * in a season-
able time.
Surely in the floods of great
waters, * they shall not come nigh
unto him.
Thou art mine hiding-place from
the trouble that compasseth me : *
O Thou That art my joy ! deliver
me from them that compass me
round about.^
I will give thee understanding,
and teach thee in the way which
thou shalt go : * I will keep Mine
eyes upon thee.
Be ye not as the horse and as
the mule, * which have no under-
standing.
Whose mouths thou boldest fast
with bit and bridle, * else they will
not come unto thee.
1 SLH.
78
THE PSALTER.
Many sorrows shall be to the
wicked : * but he that trusteth in
the Lord, mercy shall compass him
about.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
ye righteous, * and shout for joy,
all ye that are upright in heart.
Antipho7t. ^ Deliver me in Thy
righteousness.
Fourth Antiphon. Praise is comely.
Psalm XXXII.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
psalm "to David."]
REJOICE in the Lord, O ye
righteous : * praise is comely
for the upright.
Praise the Lord with harp : *
sing unto Him with the psaltery
of ten strings.
Sing unto Him a new song : *
play skilfully unto Him with a loud
noise.
For the word of the Lord is
right : * and all His works are done
in truth.
He loveth mercy and judgment : *
the earth is full of the goodness of
the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were
the heavens made, * and all the
host of them by the breath of His
mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the
sea together as an heap : * He lay-
eth up the depths in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord :
* let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of Him.
For He spake, and it was done :
* He commanded, and it was made.
The Lord bringeth the counsel
of the heathen to nought : * He
maketh the devices of the people of
none effect, and setteth aside the
counsel of princes.
But the counsel of the Lord
standeth for ever, * the thoughts of
His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God
is the Lord, * the people He hath
chosen for His own inheritance.
The Lord looketh from heaven :
* He beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the set place of His habi-
tation * He looketh upon all the
inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth the heart of every
one of them : * He considereth all
their works.
There is no king saved by the mul-
titude of an host : * a mighty man is
not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety :
* by his great strength he shall not
escape.
Behold, the eyes of the Lord are
upon them that fear Him, * and
upon them that hope in His mercy.
To deliver their soul from death,
* and to feed them in time of famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord : *
for He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him :
* because we have trusted in His
holy Name.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon
us, * according as we hope in Thee.
Psalm XXXIII.
[Intituled "Of David, when he changed
his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove
him av^'ay and he departed." This incident
is thus described in i Kings (Sam.) xxi. lo.
" And David arose and fled that day for fear
of Saul, and went to Achish" (otherwise
called Abimelech) ' ' the King of Gath. And
^ Ps. XXX. 2.
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
79
the servants of Achish said unto him : Is
not this David the King of the land ? Did
they not sing one to another of him in
dances saying, ' Saul hath slain his thou-
sands, and David his ten thousands ' ? And
David laid up these words in his heart, and
^N2A sore afraid of Achish the King of Gath.
And he changed his behaviour before them,
and feigned himself mad in their hands,
and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and
let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
Then said Achish to his servants : Lo, ye
see the man is mad ; wherefore have you
brought him to me ? Have I need of mad-
men, that ye have brought this fellow to
play the madman in my presence? Shall
this fellow come into mine house ? xxii.
David therefore departed thence, and es-
caped to the cave of Adullam." This Psalm
is A B C Darian.]
T WILL bless the Lord at all
-^ times : * His praise shall con-
tinually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in
the Lord : * the humble shall hear
thereof, and be glad.
0 magnify the Lord with me : *
and let us exalt His Name together.
1 sought the Lord, and He heard
me, * and delivered me from all my
distress.
Draw near unto Him, and be light-
ened, * and your faces shall not be
ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the
Lord heard him, * and saved him
out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him, *
and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is
good : * blessed is the man that
trusteth in Him.
O fear the Lord, all ye His Saints :
* for there is no want to them that
fear Him.
The mighty lack and suffer hunger :
* but they that seek the Lord shall
not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto
me : * I will teach you the fear of
the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life,
* that loveth to see good days ?
Keep thy tongue from evil, * and
thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil and do good : *
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon
the righteous : * and His ears are
open unto their cry.
But the face of the Lord is against
them that do evil, * to cut off the
remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry and the Lord
heareth, * and delivereth them out
of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that
are of a broken heart, * and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the
righteous : * but the Lord will de-
liver them out of all.
The Lord keepeth all their bones :
* not one of them shall be broken.
The death of sinners is grievous :
* and they that hate the righteous
shall be guilty.
The Lord redeemeth the souls of
His servants : * and none of them
that trust in Him shall be guilty.
Antiphon
the upright.
Fifth Antiphon
them.
^ Praise is comely for
Fight against
Psalm XXXIV.
[Intituled "Of David."]
T~\0 me right, O Lord, against
^-^ them that strive with me : *
fight against them that fight against
me.
^ Ps. xxxii. I.
8o
THE PSALTER.
Take hold of arms and buckler : *
and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop
the way against them that persecute
me : * say unto my soul : I am thy
salvation.
Let them be confounded and put
to shame, * that seek after my soul.
Let them be turned backward and
brought to confusion, * that devise
mine hurt. -
Let them be as dust before the
wind : * and let the Angel of the
Lord drive them.
Let their way be dark and slip-
pery : * and let the Angel of the
Lord chase them.
For without cause have they hid-
den for me the deadly trap of their
net : * without cause have they
digged a pit for my soul.
Let the snare come upon him at
unawares, and let his net, that he
hath hid, catch himself: * and into
that very snare let him fall.
And my soul shall be joyful in
the Lord : * it shall rejoice in His
salvation.
All my bones shall say : * Lord,
who is like unto Thee ?
Who deliverest the poor from
them that are too strong for him, *
the poor and the needy from them
that spoil him ?
False witnesses did rise up, * they
laid to my charge things that I knew
not.
They rewarded me evil for good,
* to put all men far off from me.
But as for me, when they were
sick, * my clothing was sackcloth.
I humbled my soul with fasting :
* and my prayer shall return into
mine own bosom.
I behaved myself as though he
1 (Literally,) "
had been my friend or brother : * I
bowed down as one that mourneth
and is heavy.
But against me they rejoiced and
gathered themselves together : *
slanders were collected against me,
and I knew it not.
They disappeared, yet they ceased
not ; they assailed me, they laughed
me bitterly to scorn : * they gnashed
upon me with their teeth.
Lord, how long wilt Thou look
on ? * Rescue my soul from their
destruction, my darling^ from the
lions.
I will give Thee thanks in the
great congregation : * I will praise
Thee among much people.
Let not them that are mine ene-
mies wrongfully rejoice over me, *
they that hate me without a cause
and wink with the eye.
For they spoke to me peaceably :
* but by their leasing they stirred
up the land to anger against me, yea,
they plotted against me.
Yea, they opened their mouth
wide against me : * they said, Aha,
Aha, our eyes have seen it.
This Thou hast seen, O Lord,
keep not silence : * O Lord, be not
far from me.
Stir up Thyself, and awake to my
judgment, * unto my cause, my God
and my Lord.
Judge me, O Lord my God,
according to Thy righteousness, *
and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts :
Aha, Aha, so would we have it ; *
neither let them say : We have
swallowed him up.
Let them be ashamed and brought
to confusion together, * that rejoice
at mine hurt,
mine only one."
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
8l
Let them be clothed with shame
and dishonour, * that magnify them-
selves against me.
Let them shout for joy and be
glad, that favour my righteous cause :
* and let them that have pleasure
in the prosperity of His servant
say continually, Let the Lord be
magnified.
And my tongue shall speak of
Thy righteousness ; * of Thy praise,
all the day long.
Psalm XXXV.
[Intituled " Of David, the servant of the
Lord," — and a farther superscription not
now understood.]
'' I ^HE wicked saith plainly in his
^ own heart, that he will go on
still in sin : * there is no fear of
God before his eyes.
For he flattereth himself in his
own eyes, * until his iniquity be
found hateful.
The words of his mouth are ini-
quity and deceit : * he willeth not
to understand, that he may do
good.
He deviseth mischief upon his
bed : * he setteth himself in every
way that is not good, but he ab-
horreth not evil.
Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the
heavens : * and Thy faithfulness
reacheth unto the clouds.
Thy righteousness is like the
mountains of God : * Thy judg-
ments are a great deep.
O Lord, Thou preservest man
and beast : * How excellent is Thy
loving-kindness, O God !
And the children of men * shall
put their trust under the shadow of
Thy wings.
They shall be abundantly satisfied
with the fatness of Thine house, * and
Thou shalt make them drink of the
river of Thy pleasures.
For with Thee is the fountain of
life : * and in Thy light shall we see
light.
O continue Thy loving-kindness
unto them that know Thee, * and
Thy righteousness to the upright in
heart.
Let not the foot of pride come
against me : * and let not the hand
of the wicked remove me.
There are the workers of iniquity
fallen : * they are cast out, neither
are they able to stand.
Antiphon. ^ Fight against them
that fight against me.
Sixth Antiphon. Show.
Psalm XXXVI.
[Intituled "Of David." It is A B C
Darian ; the first, third, and fifth verses, and
so on, begin with the corresponding letters
of the alphabet.]
FRET not thyself because of the
evil-doers : * neither be thou
envious against the workers of
iniquity.
For they shall soon dry up like
the grass, * and wither quickly as
the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good :
* and dwell in the land, and thou
shalt be fed with the riches thereof.
Delight thyself in the Lord : *
and He shall give thee the desires
of thine heart.
Show thy way unto the Lord,
trust also in Him : * and He shall
.bring it to pass.
And He shall bring forth thy
^ Ps. xxxiv. I.
82
THE PSALTER.
righteousness as the hght, and thy
judgment as the noon-day : * rest in
the Lord, and make thy prayer unto
Him.
Fret not thyself because of him
that prospereth in his way, * be-
cause of the man that bringeth
wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger and forsake
wrath : * fret not thyself to do evil.
For evil-doers shall be cut off: *
but those that wait upon the Lord,
they shall inherit the earth.
For yet a little while, and the
wicked shall not be : * yea, thou
shalt search for his place, and thou
shalt not find it.
^ But the meek shall inherit the
earth : * and shall delight themselves
in the abundance of peace.
The wicked plotteth against the
just, * and gnasheth upon him with
his teeth.
But the Lord shall laugh at him :
* for He seeth that his day is
coming.
The wicked have drawn out the
sword, * they have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and the
needy, * to slay such as be upright
of heart.
Their sword shall enter into their
own hearts : * and their bow shall be
broken.
A little that a righteous man hath
* is better than great riches of the
wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall
be broken; * but the Lord up-
holdeth the righteous.
The Lord knoweth the days of
the undefiled : * and their inheri-
tance shall be for ever.
They shall not be ashamed in the
evil time, and in the days of famine
^ Matth. V. 4 seems
they shall be satisfied : * for the
wicked shall perish.
Yea, the enemies of the Lord,
no sooner than they be honourable
and exalted, * shall pass away, yea,
pass away like smoke.
The wicked borroweth and pay-
eth not again : * but the righteous
showeth mercy and giveth.
For such as bless him shall in-
herit the earth : * but they that
curse him shall be cut off.
The steps of a [good] man are
ordered by the Lord : * and He de-
lighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be
utterly cast down : * for the Lord
upholdeth him with His hand.
I have been young, and now am
old : * yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed
begging bread. n^
He is ever merciful and lendeth :
* and his seed shall be blessed.
Depart from evil and do good : *
and dwell for evermore.
For the Lord loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not His saints : * they
shall be preserved for ever.
The unrighteous shall be pun-
ished : * and the seed of the wicked
shall be cut off.
But the righteous shall inherit the
land : * and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speak-
eth wisdom, * and his tongue talketh
judgment.
The law of his God is in his
heart, * none of his steps shall
slide.
The wicked watcheth the right-
eous, * and seeketh to slay him.
But the Lord will not leave him
in his hands, * nor condemn him
when he is judged.
to be quoted from this.
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
83
Wait on the Lord and keep His
way, and He shall exalt thee, to in-
herit the land : * when the wicked
are cut off thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great
power, * and exalted like a cedar in
Lebanon.
And I passed by, and, lo, he was
not : * and I sought him, and his
place was not found.
Keep innocency, and look to the
thing that is right : * for the peace-
maker shall have a reward here-
after.
But the transgressors shall be cut
off together : * the end of the wicked
is destruction.
But the salvation of the righteous
is of the Lord : * and He is their
strength in the time of trouble.
And the Lord shall help them,
and deliver them : * He shall de-
liver them from the wicked, and
save them, because they trust in
Him.
Psalm XXXVII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
a further superscription of (now) unknown
meaning. The Vulgate and the LXX. con-
nect it with the Sabbath.]
OLORD, rebuke me not in Thy
wrath, * neither chasten me
in Thine hot displeasure.
For Thine arrows stick fast in
me : * and Thou hast laid Thine
hand heavily upon me.
There is no soundness in my
flesh, because of Thine anger : *
neither is there any rest in my bones
because of my sins.
For mine iniquities are gone over
mine head : * and as an heavy bur-
then they are too heavy for me.
My wounds stink and are cor-
rupt, * because of my foolishness.
I am troubled and bowed down
exceedingly : * I go mourning all
the day long.
For my loins are filled with a
loathsome disease : * and there is
no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and sore broken : *
I groan aloud by reason of the dis-
quietness of mine heart.
Lord, all my desire is before
Thee : * and my groaning is not hid
from Thee.
Mine heart panteth, my strength
faileth me : * as for the light of
mine eyes, it also is gone from
me.
My friends and my neighbours *
draw near, and stand over against
me.
And they that are nearest to me
stand afar off: * they also that
sought after my life have used
violence against me.
And they that seek mine hurt have
spoken mischievous things, * and
imagined falsehoods all the day
long.
But I, as a deaf man, hear not, *
and as a dumb man that openeth
not his mouth.
Thus I was as a man that heareth
not, * and in whose mouth are no
reproofs.
For in Thee, O Lord, do I
hope : * Thou wilt hear me, O Lord
my God !
For I said : Let not mine ene-
mies rejoice over me : * when my
feet slip they magnify themselves
against me.
For I am ready for the scourges :
* and my sorrow is continually be-
fore me.
For I will declare mine iniquity,
* and think upon my sin.
But mine enemies are lively, and
84
THE PSALTER.
they are strengthened against me : *
and they that hate me wrongfully
are many.
They that render evil for good
speak against me, * because I have
followed goodness.
Forsake me not, O Lord my
God : * be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, * O
Lord God of my salvation !
Antipho7i. ^ Show thy way unto
the Lord.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
The7i is said a Verse aitd A7tswer.
In Advent.
Verse. ^ Out of Zion, the Perfec-
tion of beauty,
Answer. Our God shall come
manifestly.
Durifig the rest of the year.
Verse. ^ Thy mercy, O Lord, is
in the heavens.
Answer. And thy faithfulness
reacheth unto the clouds.
In Lent.
Verse. * He hath dehvered me
from the snare of the fowler.
Answer. And from the noisome
pestilence.
In Pas si 071 ti77te.
Verse. ^ O God, deliver my soul
from the sword.
Ansiver. And my darling from
the power of the dog.
In Paschal tii7ie.
Verse. The Lord is risen from
the grave. Alleluia.
Answer. Who hung for us upon
the tree, Alleluia.
The rest is the sa7ne as the First Noc-
tur7i of the preceding Sunday, 07tly the
Lesso7ts and so7neti7nes the Responsories
are those of the day.
Si77iple Feasts. It is to be re77ie77i-
bered that 'whe7i a Si77iple Feast is kept
071 Monday, the Invitatory and Hy77i7i
are of the Feast., being taken fro77t the
Co77t77io7i of Saints of the class, unless
specially give7t. The7i the Psal77is and
A7ttipho7ts of the week- day, as give7t
above. Then is said a Verse and
A7iswer as follow :
In the Si7nple Office for one or 7nany
Martyrs i7i Paschal ti77te.
Verse. O ye saints and right-
eous, rejoice in the Lord, Alleluia.
Answer. ^God hath chosen you
for His own inheritance. Alleluia.
I7t the Si77iple Office for one Martyr
{put of Paschal ti7ne\
Verse. '^ Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest him to
have dominion over the works of
Thine hands.
In the Si7nple Office for 77ia7iy Martyrs
{put of Paschal ti77ie).
Verse. ^ Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous.
Answer. And shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
I7i the Si77iple Office for Confessors
{whether Bishops or 7toi).
Verse. ^ The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
[/« Paschal ti7ne, add Alleluia.]
^ Ps. xxxvi. 5.
"* Ps. xc. 3.
"^ Ps. viii. 6, 7.
^ Ps. xlix.
^ Ps. xxi.
^ Ps. xxxi,
21.
, II.
^ Ps. XXXV. 6.
^ Ps, xxxii. 12.
^ Ecclus. xlv. 9.
MONDAY AT MATTINS.
85
Answer. And clothed him with
a robe of glory.
\I?t Paschal tiine, add Alleluia.]
In the Simple Office for 07ie Holy
Woman, of any class.
Verse. ^ In thy comeliness and
thy beauty.
\l7i Paschal fhne^ add Alleluia.]
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously and reign.
\I?i Paschal ti?ne, add Alleluia.]
The others, as well as what follows,
to the end of the service, are taketi from
the First Nocturn of the Office Common
to Saiftts of the class, uiiless something
special be appointed. The Lessons are
a7 ranged accordijtg to the rules in
Chapter XKv'x. 4, of the general Rubrics.
The Hymn, "We praise Thee, O God,"
is said at the end, instead of a third
Responsory. The Responsories are
arranged according to the rules in
Chapter xxvii. 4, of the general Rubrics.
Thus : —
The Lord^s Prayer is said :
OUR Father (Jnaudibly), Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Then this Absolution :
GRACIOUSLY hear, O Lord
Jesus Christ, the prayers of
Thy servants, and have mercy
upon us : Who livest and reignest
with the Father, and the Holy
Ghost, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
First Blessings if the Lesso7i be fro7n
Scripture.
May the Eternal Father bless us
With an everlasting blessing.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessi7ig, if the Lesso7i be of an
Ho77iily.
May the Gospel's saving Lord
Bless the reading of His Word.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessing on a Si77iple Feast.
May His blessing be upon us
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Answer. Amen.
The7t is read the First Lesso7i fro77i
Scripture or fro77i the Ho77iily, or oti a
Si77iple Feast either the First fro7n
Scripture., or., if the Sai7it or Sai7its
have two Lesso7is, the whole three fro77i
Scripture read together as 07ie.
The7i the First Respo7tsory, unless
otherwise directed. 07i a week-day kept
as such, this is the First Respo7isory of
the preceding Su7tday. On a Si77iple
Feast., the first Respo7isory i7i the C0771-
77ion Office for the class to which the
Sai7it belo7tgs.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Seco7id Blessing., if the Lesson be of
Scripture.
May the Son the Sole-begotten
In His mercy bless and help us.
Answer. Amen.
1 Ps. xliv. 5.
m
THE PSALTER.
Seco7id Blessing, if the Lesson be front
an Homily.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Seco7id Blessing, for a Simple Feast.
He {or she or they) whose feast-day
we are keeping
Plead for us before the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
TheJt is read the Secoftd Lesso?t, either
fro77i Scripture or fro77i a7i IIo77iily, or
071 a Si77iple Feast either the Seco7id
a7id Third Lessons fro77i Scripture
read together as 07te, or if the Sai7it
or Sai7its have two Lessons., the first
of these.
Then the Seco7id Respo7isory, unless
otherwise directed. O71 a week-day kept
as such^ this is the Seco7id Respo7tsory
of the preceding Su7tday, but in Paschal
ti77te there is added to it :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
And the Answer of the Respo7isory is
repeated agai7t.
O71 a Si7nple Feast the Seco7id Res-
p07isory i7i the Co77i77io7i Office for the
class to which the Sai7it belo7tgs^ with
the additio7i of " Glory be to the
Father," &^c..^ a7id the repetitio7i of
the Answer.
The7t the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Third Blessings if the Lesso7t be of
Scripture.
May the grace of God the Spirit
All our heart and mind enlighten.
Answer. Amen.
Third Blessi7ig, for a Si77iple Feast., or
if the Lesson be fr 0771 a7i Ho77iily.
May He That is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring.
A7iswer. Amen.
The7t is read the Third Lesso7i either
fro77i Scripture., or of the Ho77tily, or on
Si77iple Feasts the Seco7id or only Lesso7i
of the Sai7it.
The7i, 071 Si77iple Feasts and on any
day i7i Paschal ti77te is said the Hy77tn,
"We praise Thee, O God." But 07i
week-days kept as such out of Paschal
ti77ie the Third Resp07isory of the pre-
ceding Su7tday.
87
THE SECOND DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as on Sunday, except as other-
ivise given here.
The Psalms are as follo'ws :
Antiphon. Have mercy.
If this Antiphon be used., the Psalm
begi?ts with the words .^ " Upon me, O
God."
Psalm L.
[This Psalm has a musical (?) superscrip-
tion, and the title then proceeds, "A Psalm
of David, when Nathan the Prophet came
unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-
sheba," The whole history is in 2 Kings
(Sam.) xi. xii. (Saturday, 5th week after
Pentecost, and 6th Sunday.)]
HAVE mercy upon me, O God,
* after Thy great mercy :
And according to the multitude
of Thy tender mercies * blot out my
transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity : * and cleanse me from my
sin.
For I acknowledge my trans-
gression : * and my sin is ever
before me.
Against Thee, Thee only, have I
sinned, and done evil in Thy sight :
* that Thou mightest be justified
when Thou speakest, and be clear
when Thou art judged.
For behold, I was shapen in in-
iquity : * and in sin did my mother
conceive me.
For behold Thou desirest truth :
* the hidden secrets of Thy wisdom
Thou hast made manifest unto me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I
shall be clean : * wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and glad-
ness : * that the bones which Thou
hast broken may rejoice.
Hide Thy face from my sins : *
and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O
God : * and renew a right spirit
within me.
Cast me not away from Thy
presence : * and take not Thine
holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy
salvation : * and uphold me with
Thy free Spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors
Thy ways : * and sinners shall be
converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness,
O God, Thou God of my salvation :
* and my tongue shall sing aloud ^
of Thy righteousness.
O Lord, open Thou my hps, *
^ So the Hebrew, the LXX., and all the versions, including Doway, but the Latin
text has the curious mistake of exultabit for exaltahit.
S8
THE PSALTER.
and my mouth shall show forth Thy
praise.
For Thou desirest not sacrifice,
else would I give it : * Thou de-
lightest not in burnt-offering.
The sacrifice of God is a broken
spirit : * a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Do good in Thy good pleasure
unto Zion : * to build the walls of
Jerusalem.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with
the sacrifices of righteousness, with
burnt-offering and whole burnt-offer-
ing : * then shall they offer bullocks
upon Thine altar.
Antiphon. Have mercy upon me,
O God.
Second Antiphon. Consider.
Psalm V.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) superscription.]
GIVE ear unto my words, O
Lord, * consider my suppli-
cation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
* my King and my God !
For unto Thee will I pray. * O
Lord, in the morning Thou shalt
hear my voice :
In the morning will I stand before
Thee and look up. * For Thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness :
Neither shall the evil dwell with
Thee, * nor the unrighteous stand
in Thy sight :
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
* Thou shalt destroy all them that
speak leasing :
The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man. * But as for me,
in the multitude of Thy mercy
I will come into Thine house : *
I will worship toward Thine holy
temple in Thy fear.
Lead me, O Lord, in Thy
righteousness, * because of mine
enemies ; make my way straight
before Thy face.
For there is no faithfulness in
their mouth : * their inward part
is very wickedness.
Their throat is an open sepulchre ;
they flatter with their tongue. *
Judge Thou them, O God !
Let them fall by their own coun-
sels ; cast them out in the multi-
tude of their transgressions, * for
they have rebelled against Thee, O
Lord!
And let all those that put their
trust in Thee, rejoice : * let them
ever shout for joy, because Thou
dwellest in them :
Let them also that love Thy Name
be joyful in Thee. * For Thou wilt
bless the righteous.
O Lord, Thou hast compassed
us * with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Antiphon. Consider my suppli-
cation, O Lord.
Third Antiphon. O God, Thou
art my God.
If this Antiphon is used, the Psalm,
begijis with the words^ " Early will I
seek Thee."
Psalms LXIL, LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c.
(/• 23)-
Antiphon. O God, Thou art my
God, early will I seek Thee.
Fourth Antiphon. Thine anger
is turned away.
MONDAY AT LAUDS.
89
The Song of Isaiah the Prophet.
[Isa. xii. 1. The description of tlie res-
toration of Israel in Isa. xi. (Second Sun-
day in Advent) is continued to the end
of that Chapter, and this Song is then
introduced by the words, "And in that
day thou shalt say : — "]
OLORD, I will praise Thee,
though Thou wast angry with
me, * Thine anger is turned away,
and Thou comfortest me.
Behold, God is my salvation : *
I will trust and not be afraid :
For the Lord is my strength
and my song : * He also is become
my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw
water out of the wells of the Saviour :
* and in that day shall ye say :
Praise the Lord and call upon His
Name !
Declare His doings among the
people, * tell them that His Name
is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord, for He hath
done glorious things : * make ye
this known in all the earth.
Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabi-
tant of Zion : * for great is the
Holy One of Israel in the midst of
thee!
Antiphon. Thine anger is turned
away, and Thou comfortest me.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise ye.
If this Antiphon be used, the Psalm
begins with the words "the LORD
from the heavens."
Psalms CXLVIII., CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord from the
heavens, &c. {pp. 25, 26).
Antiphon. Praise ye the Lord
from the heavens.
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian school,
Card. Newman.
From Advent Sunday till the Octave
of the Epiphany and from the First
Sunday in I^ent till the Octave of Petite-
cost special Chapters are given. At
other times the followitig is said on all
week-days observed as such.
Chapter. (Rom. xiii. 12.)
THE night is far spent, the day
is at hand : let us therefore
cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armour of light :
let us walk honestly as in the day.
Hymn.^
OF the Father Effluence bright,
Out of Light evolving light,
Light from Light, unfailing Ray,
Day creative of the day.
Truest Sun, upon us stream
With Thy calm perpetual beam,
In the Spirit's still sunshine
Making sense and thought divine.
Seek we too the Father's face,
Father of almighty grace,
And of majesty excelling,
Who can purge our tainted dwelling ;
Who can aid us, who can break
Teeth of envious foes, and make
Hours of loss and pain succeed,
Guiding safe each duteous deed.
And, infusing self-control,
Fragrant chastity of soul,
Faith's keen flame to soar on high,
Incorrupt simplicity.
Christ Himself for food be given.
Faith become the cup of heaven,
Out of which the joy is quafif'd
Of the Spirit's sobering draught.
With that joy replenished
Morn shall glow with modest red,
Noon with beaming face be bright,
Eve be soft without twilight.
It has dawned : — upon our way,
Father, in Thy Word, this day.
In Thy Father, Word Divine,
From Thy cloudy pillar shine.
slightly altered. Translation by the late
90
THE PSALTER.
To the Father and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three and One,
As of old, and as in heaven,
Now and here be glory given.
Amen.
Verse. ^ Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Answer, We rejoice and are
glad.
Antiphonfor the Song of Zacharias.
Blessed * be the Lord God of Israel.
After the repetition of the Antipho7i
after the Sotig of Zacharias^ on the
week-days of Advent and Le7it, the
Ember Days, a?td all Vigils which are
fasts except Christinas Eve and the
Eve and Eniber Days of Pentecost., all
k7ieel down., and the following prayers
called the Preces are said:
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
The7i the Lords Prayer is said aloud.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Verse. ^ I said : Lord, be mer-
ciful unto me.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
Verse. ^ Return, O Lord, how
long?
Answer. And let it repent Thee
concerning Thy servants.
Verse. * Let Thy mercy, O Lord,
be upon us.
Aitswer. According as we hope
in Thee.
Verse. ^ Let Thy priests be
clothed with righteousness.
Answer. And let Thy saints
shout for joy.
Verse. ^ O Lord, save the King,
A7iswer. And hear us in the day
when we call upon Thee.
Verse. ^ O Lord, save Thy peo-
ple, and bless Thine inheritance.
Aiiswer. And govern them, and
lift them up for ever.
Verse. ^ Remember Thy congre-
gation.
Answer. Which Thou hast pur-
chased of old.
Verse. ^ Peace be within thy
walls.
Answer. And prosperity within
thy palaces.
Verse. Let us pray for the faith-
ful departed.
Answer. O Lord, grant them
eternal rest, and let the everlasting
Hght shine upon them !
Verse. May they rest in peace.
A7isiver. Amen.
Verse. Let us pray for our ab-
sent brethren.
Answer. ^^ O Thou my God,
save Thy servants that trust in
Thee.
Verse. Let us pray for the sor-
rowful and the captives.
Answer. ^^ Redeem them, O God
of Israel, out of all their troubles.
Verse. ^^ O Lord, send them help
from the sanctuary.
^ Ps. Ixxxix. 13.
^ Ps. Ixxxix. 14. 2 pg y\ ^_
■* Ps. xxxii. 22. , 5 Ps. cxxxi. 9.
6 Ps. xix. 10. This verse never varies, whatever the form of government.
'^ Ps. xxvii. 9. 8 Ps, Ixxiii. 2. ^ Ps. cxxi. 7,
^'' Ps. Ixxxv. 2. 11 Ps. xxiv. 22. 12 Ps. xix. 3.
MONDAY AT LAUDS.
91
Ansiver. And strengthen them
out of Zion.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
' Psalm CXXIX.
[Intituled '-'A Song of Degrees." The
meaning of this title is not certain. The
Psalms so called may perhaps, like the
" Graduals " of the Roman Liturgy, be
"step-songs," intended to be sung during
processions. Liturgical or of pilgrims.]
/^UT of the depths have I cried
^^ unto Thee, O Lord ! * Lord,
hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive * to
the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark
iniquities, * O Lord, who shall
stand ?
But there is forgiveness with
Thee : * because of Thy law, I wait
for Thee, O Lord !
My soul waiteth on His word : *
my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even
until night * let Israel hope in the
Lord :
For with the Lord there is mercy,
* and with Him is plenteous re-
demption.
And He shall redeem Israel, *
from all his iniquities.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen.
Verse. ^ Turn us again, O Lord
God of hosts !
Answer. And cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
Verse. ^ Arise, O Christ, and
help us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Then follows the Prayer of the Day.
All proceeds to the end of the service
as on Sunday^ except that when Suf-
frages are said^ the following is said
before the Cominemoratiofi of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
Commemoration of the Cross.
Antiphon. Through Thy Cross's
holy sign, Jesus, guard this soul of
mine, from my ghostly enemy.
Verse. ^ Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee.
Answer. Let them sing praises
unto Thy Name, O Lord !
Let us pray.
OLORD, we beseech Thee, keep
us in continual peace, whom
it hath pleased Thee to redeem by
the tree of the Holy Cross.
^ Ps. Ixxix. 20,
2 Ps. xliii. 26.
^ Ps. Ixv. 4.
92
^nzsh^'Q nt |Eattxn0»
THE THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as on Stmday, except as other-
wise given here.
Invitatory. Let us make a joyful
noise to * the God of our salvation.
Invitatory in Paschal time.
luia, Alleluia, * Alleluia.
Alle-
On Simple Feasts the Invitatory is
special.
On Simple Feasts the Hymn is
special., but on Week-days kept as such
the following is said from the Octave
of the Epiphany till the first Tuesday
in Lent, and froi7t the Octave of Pente-
cost till Advent. The Hymns for the
other Seasons are given iii the proper
Office of the Seasons.
Hymn.i
OGOD from God, and Light from
Light,
Who art Thyself the Day,
Our chants shall break the clouds of
night ;
Be with us while we pray.
Chase Thou the gloom that haunts the
mind.
The thronging shades of hell.
The sloth and drowsiness that bind
The senses with a spell.
Lord, to their sins indulgent be,
Who, in this hour forlorn.
By faith in what they do not see.
With songs prevent the morn.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To Whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Oiily one Nocturn is said.
Antiphon. That I sin not.
In Paschal time there is only one An-
tiphon to the whole Nocturn., Alleluia.
Psalm XXXVIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
farther notice of meaning now uncertain.
It is addressed to Jeduthun, concerning
whom it is said, in I Par. (Chron.) xvi. 42,
that David appointed, along with the Priests
who officiated before the Ark, " Heman
and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen,
who are expressed by name, to give thanks
to the Lord, because His mercy endureth
for ever. And with them Heman and
Jeduthun, with trumpets and cymbals, for
those that should make a sound, and with
musical instruments of God." The Targum
says that it was to be used by Jeduthun for,
his watch in the Sanctuary.]
will take heed unto
* that I sin not with
T SAID: I
-■- my ways,
my tongue.
I kept a watch upon my mouth, *
while the wicked stood up against
me.
I was dumb, and humbled myself,
I held my peace even from good :
1 Another hymn of the Ambrosian school. Translation by the late Card, Newman.
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
93
* and my sorrow was stirred up
afresh.
Mine heart was hot within me :
* and while I was musing the fire
kindled.
I spake with my tongue : * Lord,
make me to know mine end ;
And the measure of my days
what it is ; * that I may know how
frail I am.
Behold, Thou hast made my days
as a span : * and mine age is as
nothing before Thee.
Verily every man living * is
altogether vanity.-^
Surely every man flitteth by like
a shade : * he is disquieted also in
vain.
He heapeth up riches, * and
knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now for what wait I ? Is it
not for the Lord ? * and mine hope
is with Thee.
Deliver me from all my transgres-
sions : * Thou hast given me for a
reproach unto the foolish.
I was dumb and opened not my
mouth, because Thou didst it : *
remove Thy strokes away from me.
I am consumed by the blow of
Thine hand : * Thou, with rebukes
dost correct man for iniquity.
And Thou makest his beauty to
consume away like a spider's web :
* surely every man is disquieted in
vain.^
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my
cry : * give ear unto my tears.
Hold not Thy peace : for I am a
stranger with Thee, and a sojourner,
* as all my fathers were.
O spare me, that I may recover
strength, before I go hence, * and
be no more.
Psalm XXXIX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David " and with
the same (now) uncertain superscription as
Ps. xii.]
I
WAITED patiently for the
Lord, * and He inchned unto
me,
And heard my cry : * He brought
me up also out of an horrible pit,
and out of the miry clay.
And set my feet upon a rock ; *
and ordered my goings.
And He hath put a new song in
my mouth, * even praise unto our
God.
Many shall see it, and fear, * and
shall trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man whose trust
is the Name of the Lord : * and
who respecteth not pride and lying
vanities.
Many, O Lord my God, are Thy
wonderful works which Thou hast
done : * and in Thy thoughts therfe
is none like unto Thee.
If I would declare and speak of
them, * they are more than can be
numbered.
Sacrifice and offering Thou hast
not desired ; * but mine ears hast
Thou opened.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast
Thou not required : * then said I :
Lo, I come.
In the beginning of the book it is
written of me that I should fulfil
Thy will: * O my God, I delight
to do it, yea, Thy law is within mine
heart.
I have preached Thy righteous-
ness in the great congregation : * lo,
I have not refrained my lips : O
Lord, Thou knowest.
SLH.
94
THE PSALTER.
I have not hidden Thy righteous-
ness within mine heart : * I have
declared Thy faithfulness and Thy
salvation.
I have not concealed Thy loving-
kindness, and Thy truth * from the
great congregation.
Withhold not Thou Thy tender
mercies from me, O Lord : * let
Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth
continually preserve me.
For countless evils have com-
passed me about : * mine iniquities
have taken hold upon me, and I am
not able to look up.
They are more in number than
the hairs of mine head : * and mine
heart faileth me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver
me : * O Lord, look upon me to
help me.
Let them be ashamed and con-
founded together that seek after my
soul, * to destroy it.
Let them be driven backward,
and put to shame, * that wish me
evil.
Let them quickly bear their
shame, * that say unto me : Aha,
Aha.
Let all those that seek Thee re-
joice and be glad in Thee : * and
let such as love Thy salvation say
continually : The Lord be mag-
nified.
But I am poor and needy : * the
Lord thinketh upon me.
Thou art mine Helper and my
Deliverer : * make no tarrying, O
God.
^ That I sin not with
Antiphon
my tongue.
Second Antiphon.
Heal.
Psalm XL.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David," with
some other words, of meaning now un-
certain, as in some other Psalms.]
13LESSED is he that considereth
^-^ the poor and needy : * the
Lord will deliver him in time of
trouble.
The Lord preserve him, and
quicken him, and make him to be
blessed upon the earth : * and de-
liver him not unto the will of his
enemies !
The Lord strengthen him upon
his bed of suffering ! * Thou hast
made all his bed in his sickness.
As for me, I said : Lord, be
merciful unto me : * heal my soul,
for I have sinned against Thee.
Mine enemies speak evil of me:,
* When shall he die, and his name
perish ?
If he came to see me he spake
vanity : * his heart gathereth iniquity
to itself.
He went out, * and told it.
All they that hate me whispered
together against me : * against me
did they devise mine hurt.
They plotted together to do me
evil : * Now that he lieth, surely he
shall rise up no more.
Yea, mine own familiar friend in
whom I trusted, * who did eat of
my bread, hath lifted up his heel
against me.^
But Thou, O Lord, be merciful
unto me, and raise me up : * and I
will requite them.
By this I know that Thou de-
lightest in me : * because mine
enemy cannot triumph over me.
But as for me. Thou upholdest
^ Ps. xxxviii. 2.
^ Quoted by our Lord. John xiii. i8.
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
95
me, because of mine innocence : *
and settest me before Thy face for
ever.
Blessed be the Lord God of
Israel from everlasting, and to
everlasting. *. Amen, Amen.^
Psalm XLI.
[This Psalm has a superscription, the
meaning of which is not now certain, but
which seems in- part to imply that it was a
didactic poem written to be sung by the
choir of the Korahites, a family of Levites
and singers in the time of David.]
AS the hart panteth after the
water -brooks : * so panteth
my soul after Thee, O God !
My soul is athirst for God, for
the mighty God, for the living God :
* when shall I come and appear
before God ?
My tears have been my meat day
and night, * while they daily say
unto me : Where is thy God ?
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul in me : * for
I will go unto the place of the
wondrous Tabernacle, even unto
the house of God.
With the voice of joy and praise,
* the noise of a multitude that keep
holiday.
Why art thou cast down, O my
soul, * and why art thou disquieted
in me?
Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise Him, * the Health of my
countenance and my God.
My soul is cast down within me :
* therefore will I remember Thee
from the land of Jordan, and from
the mountains of Hermon,^ from the
Little Hill.3
Deep calleth unto deep, * at the
noise of Thy waterspouts.
All Thy waves and Thy billows *
are gone over me.
The Lord hath commanded [the
praise of] His loving-kindness in
the day-time, * and in the night
His song.
Mine shall it be to pray unto the
God of my Hfe. * I will say unto
God : Thou art my refuge.
Why hast Thou forgotten me ? *
and why go I mourning, while the
enemy oppresseth me?
While my bones are broken, *
they that trouble me, even mine
enemies, reproach me ;
While they say daily unto me :
Where is thy God ? * Why art thou
cast down, O my soul, and why art
thou disquieted within me ?
Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise Him : * the Health of my
countenance and my God.
Antiphon. * Heal my soul, O
Lord, for I have sinned against Thee.
Third Antiphon. Mine heart.
Psalm XLIII.
[This Psalm has the same uncertain
[? musical] superscription as some others,
and the Targum farther ascribes its author-
ship to David.]
A "\ /"E have heard with our ears,
* '^ O God : * our fathers have
told us.
What work Thou didst in their
days, * and in the times of old.
"^ With this Psalm ends the first of the five books into which the Psalter is divided.
'^ A chain of mountains in the north-east of Palestine, stretching down on the eastern
side of Jordan.
^ Or rather, the hill Mizar (viz. the Little), .proper name of a mountain on the eastern
ridge of Lebanon. May it not be that the Korahites were among the Levitical families
which had cities in the north and north-east districts ? "* Ps. xl. s.
96
THE PSALTER.
Thine hand scattered the heathen,
and planted them : * Thou didst
afflict the people and cast them out.
For they got not the land in pos-
session by their own sword : * neither
did their own arm save them.
But Thy right hand, and Thine
arm, and the light of Thy counten-
ance : * because Thou hadst a favour
unto them.
Thou art my King and my God :
* Who commandest victories for
Jacob !
Through Thee shall our horn toss
our enemies : * through Thy Name
will we tread them under that rise
up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow : *
neither shall my sword save me.
For Thou hast saved us from them
that afflicted us, * and hast put to
shame them that hated us.
In God will we glory all the day
long, * and will praise Thy Name
for ever.^
But now Thou hast cast off and
put us to shame : * and Thou, O
God, wilt not go forth with our
armies.
Thou hast turned us back behind
our enemies : * and they that hate
us take spoil for themselves.
Thou hast given us like sheep ap-
pointed for meat, * and hast scat-
tered us among the heathen.
Thou hast sold Thy people for
nought, * and hast not increased
Thy wealth by their price.
Thou makest us a reproach to our
neighbours, * a scorn and a derision
to them that are round about us.
Thou makest us a by-word among
the heathen, * a shaking of the head
among the peoples.
My confusion is all day long be-
fore me, * and the shame of my face
hath covered me,
For the voice of him that reproach-
eth and blasphemeth, * by reason of
the enemy and avenger.
All this is come upon us, yet have
we not forgotten Thee : * neither
have we dealt falsely in Thy covenant.
Our heart also is not turned back :
* neither have our steps strayed
from Thy way ;
Though Thou hast sore broken us
in the place of affliction, * and the
shadow of death hath covered us.
If we have forgotten the Name of
our God, * or stretched out our
hands to a strange god ;
Shall not God search this out ? *
for He knoweth the secrets of the
heart.
Yea, for Thy sake are we killed all
the day long : * we are counted as
sheep for the slaughter.
Awake, why sleepest Thou, O
Lord? * arise, and cast us not off
for ever.
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face,
* and forgettest our affliction and
our oppression ?
For our soul is bowed down to
the dust : * our belly cleaveth unto
the earth.
Arise, O Lord, help us : * and
redeem us for Thy Name's sake.
Psalm XLIV.
[This Psalm has a long superscription, the
exact meaning of which is not now certain.
It seems to have been a marriage-song writ-
ten to be sung by the Korahites. The Tar-
gum ascribes it to the time of Moses, but it
seems rather to belong to that of the Jewish
Monarchy.]
MINE heart is overflowing with
a good matter : * I speak of
my works unto the king.
1 SLH.
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
97
My tongue is the pen * of a ready
writer.
Thou art fairer than the children
of men, grace is poured into thy lips :
* therefore God hath blessed thee
for ever.
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, *
O most mighty !
In thy comeliness, and thy beauty,
* go forward, fare prosperously, and
reign.
Because of truth, and meekness,
and righteousness : * and thy right
hand shall lead thee wonderfully.
Thine arrows are sharp — (the
people shall fall under thee) — * into
the heart of the King's enemies.
^Thy throne, O God, is for ever
and ever : * the sceptre of Thy
kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity : * therefore,
God, thy God, hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows.
Thy garments smell of myrrh, and
aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory
palaces, * whereby kings' daughters
among thine honourable women have
made thee glad.
Upon thy right hand did stand
the queen in a vesture of gold, *
bedecked with divers colours.
Hearken, O daughter, and con-
sider, and incline thine ear : * for-
get also thine own people, and thy
father's house :
And the King shall greatly de-
sire thy beauty : * for He is the
Lord thy God,^ and Him shall they
worship.
And the daughters of Tyre shall
entreat thy favour * with gifts, even
all the rich among the people.
The King's daughter is all glo-
rious within, * in a vesture of gold,
clad in divers colours.
After her shall virgins be brought
unto the king : * her fellows shall
be brought unto thee.
With gladness and rejoicing shall
they be brought : * they shall enter
into the King's palace.
Instead of thy fathers shall be
thy children : * thou shalt make
them princes over all the earth.
They shall be mindful of thy
name, * unto all generations;
Therefore shall the people praise
thee for ever, * yea, for ever and
ever.
Antiphon. ^Mine heart is over-
flowing with a good matter.
Fourth Antiphon. Our help.
Psalm XLV.
[This Psalm has a superscription of un-
certain meaning, but of which part seems
to imply that it was to be sung by treble
voices, from the choir of the Korahite
family. And the Targum ascribes it, but
apparently by a mere guess, to the time when
Korah and his fellow-rebels were destroyed
by an earthquake in the wilderness, but
"the children of Korah died not" (Num.
xxvi. lo, ii).]
GOD is our refuge and strength,
* our help in trouble, which
is come upon us exceedingly.
Therefore will we not fear, though
the earth be removed, * and though
the mountains be carried into the
midst of the sea ;
Though the waters thereof roar
^ So are these words translated in Heb. i. 8, 9.
^ The word "God" is not in the Hebrewj and the original meaning, addressed to the
bride, is, "He is thy lord, and bow thou to him." So also St Jerome.
^ Ps. xliv. 2.
VOL. II.
D
98
THE PSALTER.
and be troubled ; * though the
mountains shake with the swelling
thereof.^
[There is] a river, the streams
whereof make glad the city of God :
* the Most High hath hallowed His
Tabernacle.
God is in the midst of her, she
shall not be moved : * God shall
help her right early.
The heathen raged, and the king-
doms were moved : * He uttered
His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us : *
the God of Jacob is our refuge.^
Come and behold the works of
the Lord, what wonders He hath
wrought in the earth ; * He maketh
wars to cease unto the end of the
earth.
He breaketh the bow and cut-
teth the weapons in sunder : * and
burneth the shields in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am
God : * I will be exalted among
the heathen, and I will be exalted
in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us : *
the God of Jacob is our refuge.^
Psalm XLVI.
[Intituled " A Psalm of the sons of
Korah," with another (now uncertain) direc-
tion. ]
OCLAP your hands, all ye
people : * shout unto God
with the voice of triumph.
For the Lord Most High is ter-
rible : * He is a great King over all
the earth.
He hath subdued the people
under us, * and the nations under
cur feet.
He hath chosen His own inheri-
tance for us, * the excellency of
Jacob, whom He loved.^
God is gone up with a shout, *
and the Lord with the sound of a
trumpet.
Sing praises to our God, sing
praises : * sing praises unto our
King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the
earth : * sing ye praises with under-
standing.
God reigneth over the heathen :
* God sitteth upon the throne of
His holiness.
The princes of the people are
gathered together with the God of
Abraham : * for the mighty ones
of the earth are greatly exalted.
Antiphon. ^ Our help in trouble.
Mf^/i Antiphoit. Great is the
Lord.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
begi7is with the words, " And greatly to
be praised."
Psalm XLVII.
[Intituled "A Song. A Psalm of the
sons of Korah." The Vulgate and the
LXX. assign it to the second day of the
week.]
GREAT is the Lord, and greatly
to be praised * in the city of
our God, in the mountain of His
holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of
the whole earth, is mount Zion, *
on the sides of the north, the city
of the great King.
God is known in her palaces *
for a refuge.
For, lo, the kings were assembled :
* they passed by together.
They saw, and so they marvelled;
1 SLPI.
"^ Ps. xlv. 2.
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
99
they were troubled, they hasted
away : * fear took hold upon them
There, pain, as of a woman in
travail. * Thou -shalt break the
ships of Tarshish ^ with a mighty
wind.
As we have heard, so have we
seen in the city of the Lord of
hosts, in the city of our God : *
God hath established her for ever.^
We have received Thy loving-
kindness, O God, * in the midst
of Thy temple.
According to Thy Name, O God,
so is Thy praise unto the ends of
the earth : * Thy right hand is full
of righteousness.
Let mount Zion rejoice, and let
the daughters of Judah be glad, *
because of Thy judgments, O Lord.
Walk about Zion, and go round
about her : * tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks : *
and consider her palaces ; that
ye may tell it to the generation
following.
For this God is our God for ever
and ever : * He shall be our guide
for ever.
Psalm XLVI II.
[This Psalm has the same title as Ps.
xlvi.]
T T EAR this, all ye people : *
^ ^ give ear, all ye inhabitants
of the world ;
Both low and high : * rich and
poor together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom :
* and the meditation of my heart
shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a par-
able : * I will open my saying
upon the harp.
^ A very flourishing colony and emporium
Wherefore should I fear in the
day of evil ? * The iniquity of them
that dog mine heels shall compass
me about, —
They that trust in their own
strength, * and boast themselves
in the multitude of their riches.
Can a man redeem, redeem his
brother ? * He cannot give to God
a ransom for himself —
Nor yet a redemption for his own
soul, * if he should work for ever,
and live even unto the end.
Nay, though he should not see
destruction, when he beholdeth
wise men die — * likewise the
fool and the brutish person perish.
And leave their wealth to others :
* and their grave shall be their
house for ever —
Even their dwelling-place to all
generations : * they called their
lands after their own names.
For man, having been created
in honour, hath had no understand-
ing : * he hath made himself like
unto the beasts that understand
not, and is become like unto
them.
This their way is a stumbling-
block for themselves : * yet their
posterity will approve their sayings.^
Like sheep they are laid in 'the
grave : * death will pasture them.
And the upright shall have do-
minion over them in the morning:
* and the beauty of their strength
shall waste away in the grave.
But God will redeem my soul
from the power of the grave, *
when He shall receive me.^
Be not thou afraid when one is
made rich, * and when the glory
of his house is increased.
For when he dieth he shall carry
of the Phoenicians in Spain. ^ SLH.
100
THE PSALTER.
nothing away, * his glory shall not
descend with him.
Though while he lived he blessed
his soul ; * and praised thee when
thou didst well to him.
He shall go to the generation of
his fathers : * and shall never see
light.
Man, having been created in
honour, hath had no understand-
ing : * he hath made himself like
unto the' beasts that understand
not, and is become like unto them.
Afttiphon. ^ Great is the Lord,
and greatly to be praised.
Sixth Antiphon. The God of
gods.
If this A7itiph07t be used^ the Psalm
begins with the words, " Even the
Lord."
Psalm XLIX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of Asaph." This
Asaph was a Levite, chief of the singers
appointed by David, i Par. (Chron.) xvi.
4. "And he (David) appointed certain of
the Levites to minister before the Ark of
the Lord, and to record, and to thank
and praise the Lord God of Israel. Asaph
the chief, and next to him Zachariah, Jeiel,
Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah,
and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom ;
and JeieL with psalteries and with harps;
but Asaph made a sound with cymbals."]
T^HE God of gods, even the
^ Lord, hath spoken, * and
called the earth.
From the rising of the sun unto
the going down thereof. * Out of
Zion, the Perfection of beauty,
God shall come manifestly, *
even our God, and shall not keep
silence.
A fire shall devour before Him :
* and it shall be very tempestuous
round about Him.
•^ Ps. xlvii. 2.
He shall call to the heavens from
above, * and to the earth, that
He may judge His people.
Gather His saints together unto
Him, * those that have made a
covenant with Him by sacrifice.
And the heavens shall declare
His righteousness : * for God is
Judge Himself,^
Hear, O My people, and I will
speak ; O Israel, and I will testify
against thee ; * I am God, even
thy God.
I will not reprove thee for thy
sacrifices : * for thy burnt- offerings
are continually before Me.
I will take no bullock out of thine
house, * nor he -goats out of thy
folds.
For every beast of the forest is
Mine, * the cattle and the bulls
upon the mountains.
I know all the birds of the sky :
* and the beauty of the field is
Mine.
If I were hungry, I would not
tell thee : * for the earth is Mine,
and the fulness thereof. .
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, *
or drink the blood of goats ?
Offer unto God the sacrifice of
praise : * and pay thy vows unto the
Most High :
And call upon Me in the day of
trouble : * I will deliver thee, and
thou shalt glorify Me.
But unto the wicked, God saith :
* What hast thou to do to declare
My statutes, that thou shouldest take
My covenant in thy mouth ?
Seeing thou hatest instruction, *
and castest My words behind thee ?
When thou sawest a thief then
thou tookest pleasure in him : * and
hast been partaker with adulterers. .
2 SLH.
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
lOI
Thy mouth aboundeth with evil :
* and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Thou satest and spakest against
thy brother, and slanderedst thine
own mother's son : * these things
hast thou done, and I kept silence.
Thou thoughtest wickedly that I
was such an one as thyself: * I will
reprove thee, and set them in order
before thine eyes.
Consider ye this, ye that forget
God : * lest He tear you in pieces,
and there be none to deliver.
The sacrifice of praise shall honour
Me : * and there is the path where-
in I will show unto him the salvation
of God.
Psalm LI.
[After another uncertain superscription,
the title of this Psalm proceeds: — "[A
Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite
came and told Saul, and said unto him :
David is come to the house of Ahimelech."
The circumstances may be read in i Kings
(Sam;) xxii. (Saturday, fourth week after
Pentecost). After Doeg told Saul, the
latter sent for Ahimelech and the other
Priests, and ordered them to execution.
" But the servants of the king would not
put forth their hand to fall upon the Priests
of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg :
Turn thou, and fall upon the Priests. And
Doeg the Edomite turned and fell upon the
Priests, and slew on that day four-score and
five persons that did wear a linen ephod. "
The inhabitants of the Priestly city of Nob
were also brutally massacred. One of the
sons of Ahimelech escaped and told David.]
'\1 rHY boastest thou thyself in
* * mischief, * O thou that art
mighty in iniquity ?
Thy tongue deviseth unrighteous-
ness all the day long : * like a sharp
razor hast thou wrought treachery.
Thou lovest evil more than good ;
* iniquity rather than to speak of
uprightness.^
Thou lovest all deadly words, *
O thou deceitful tongue !
Therefore God shall destroy thee
for ever : * He shall take thee away,
and pluck thee out of thy dwelHng-
place, and root thee out of the land
of the living.^
The righteous shall see it, and
fear, and shall laugh at him, and
say : * Lo, this is the man that
made not God his strength;
But trusted in the abundance of
his riches : * and hardened himself
in his wickedness.
But I am like a fruitful olive-
tree in the house of God, * I trust
in the mercy of God for ever and
ever.
I will praise Thee for ever, be-
cause Thou hast done it : * and I
will wait on Thy name, for it is
good before Thy saints.
Antiphon. ^The God of gods,
even the Lord, hath spoken.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said a Verse and Ajtswe.r,
hi Advent.
Verse. Send forth the Lamb, O
Lord, the ruler of the land.
Answer. From the " Rock " of
the wilderness unto the mount of
the daughter of Zion.
Durijtg the rest of the year.
Verse, ^ Offer unto God the sac-
rifice of praise.
Answer. And pay thy vows un-
to the Most High.
In Lent.
Verse. He shall cover thee with
His wings.
1 SLH.
2 Ps. xlix. I..
^ Ps. xlix. 14.
I02
THE PSALTER.
Answer. And under His feath-
ers shalt thou trust.
In Passion time.
Verse. O Lord, save me from
the lion's mouth.
Answer. And mine affliction
from the horns of the unicorns.
Lt Paschal time.
Ve?'se. The Lord is risen in-
deed, Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared un-
to Simon, Alleluia.
The rest is the same as the Seco7id
Nocturn on the precedi?ig Sunday., only
the Lessons^ and sometimes the Respon-
sories, are those of the day.
Simple Feasts. It is to be remembered
that when a Simple Feast is kept 07i
Tuesday, the Invitatory and Hymn are
of the Feast .^ being take7i from the Com-
mon of Saiitts of the class, U7tless speci-
ally give7i.
Then the Psahns and Antipho7is of
the Week-day, as give7i above. The7i is
said a Verse a7id A7iswer as follows :
I 71 the Si77iple Office for 07te or 7na7iy
Martyrs i7i Paschal ti77te.
Verse. The everlasting light
shall shine upon Thy Saints, O
Lord. Alleluia.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia.
I7i the Si7nple Office for 07ie Martyr
{out of Paschal ti77ie),
Verse. ^Thou hast set a crown,
O Lord, of precious stones.
Answer. Upon his head.
I7t the Sii7iple Office for 77ia7iy Martyrs
{out of Paschal ti77te).
Verse. ^ Let the righteous re-
joice before God.
1 Ps. XX. 4.
^ Ps. xxxvi, 30.
Afiswer. Yea, let them exceed-
ingly rejoice.
I7i the Si77iple Office for a Bishop a7id
Co7ifessor.
Verse. ^ The Lord chose him for
a priest unto Himself.
\l7i Paschal ti7ne, add Alleluia.]
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise.
[/;? Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
I 71 the Si77tple Office for a Co7tfessor
7iot a Bishop.
Verse. * The mouth of the right-
eous shall speak wisdom.
\l7i Paschal ti7ne, add Alleluia.]
Answer. And his tongue talk of
judgment.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.] /
For 07ie Holy Wo77ia7i, of whatever ki7id.
Verse. ^ God shall give her the
help of His countenance.
\l7i Paschal ti77ie, add Alleluia.]
Ansiver. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
[/?? Paschal ti77ie, add Alleluia.]
The others, as well as what follows,
to the e7id of the SeT^ice, are take7i fro77i
the Seco7id Noctur7i of the Office co77i77io7i
to Sai7its of the class, unless so7nethi7ig
special be appoi7ited. The Lesso7is are
arra7iged accordi7ig to the rules i7i Chap-
ter xxvi. 4 of the ge7ieral Rubrics.
The By7n7i, "We praise Thee, O God,"
is said at the e7id, i7tstead of a Third
Resp07isory. The Respo7Jsories are ar-
ra7iged according to the rules i7i Chapter
xxvii. 4 of the ge7ieral Rubrics. Thus: —
The Lords Prayer is said :
OUR Father {inaudibly), Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
3 Cf. Ecclus. xlv. 16, 27.
^ Ps. Ixvii. 4.
^ Ps. xlv. 6 (Alexandrian version).
TUESDAY AT MATTINS.
103
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day^our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
A?tswer. But deliver us from
evil.
Tke?i this Absolutioji :
j\ /[ AY His loving kindness and
-^ -*■ mercy help us, Who liveth
and reigneth with the Father, and
the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
First Blessi?tg, if the Lesson be from
Scripture.
God the Father the Almighty
Show on us His grace and mercy.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessings if the Lesson be of an
JLoinily.
May the Gospel's saving Lord
Bless the reading of His Word.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessing o?t a Simple Feast.
May His blessing be upon us,
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the First Lesson from
Scripture or fro7n the Homily^ or., on a
Siniple Feast., either the First from
Scripture^ or, if the Saint or Saints
have two Lessojts, the whole three Scrip-
ture Lessons read together as one.
Then the First Responsory, unless
otherwise directed. Oji a week-day kept
as such, this is the First Responsory of
the Second Nocturn of the precedijig
Sunday. 0?t a Simple Feast., it is the
first Respo?isory i?t the Common Office
for the class to ivhich the Saint belongs.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Second Blessiiig^ if the Lesson be of
Scripture.
May Christ to all His people give
For ever in His sight to live.
Answer. Amen.
Second Blessing, if the Lesson be from
an Homily.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Second Blessing., for a Simple Feast.
He {or She or They) whose feast-day
we are keeping
Plead for us before the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
The7i is read the Second Lesson., either
from the Scripture or front an Homily.,
or., on a Simple Feast., either the Second
and Third Lessons from Scripture read
together as one., or., If the Saint or Saiftts
have two Lessons., the first of these.
Then the Second Responsory., unless
otherwise directed. On a week-day kept
as such., this is the Second Responsory
of the precedi?tg Simday, but in Paschal
time there is added to it :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
And the A7iswer of the Responsory is
repeated again.
On a Simple Feast the Seco7id Re-
spo7isory in the Co77i77ion Office for the
. class to which the Sai7tt belongs., with the
addition of " Glory be to the Father,"
&^c., a7id the repetitio7t of the A7iswer.
104
THE PSALTER.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Third Blessings if the Lesson be of
Scripture.
May the Spirit's fire divine
In our inmost being shine.
Answer. Amen.
Third Blessing., for a Simple Feast, or
if the Less Oft be from an Homily.
May He that is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring.
Answer, Amen.
Then is read the Third Lesson either
from Scripture, or of the Homily, or.,
on Simple Feasts, the Second or only
Lesson of the Saint.
Then, o?i Simple Feasts and on any
day in Paschal time save Rogation
Monday is said the Hymn., " We praise
Thee, O God." But on week-days kept
as such out of Paschal time the Third
Respo7isory of the precedittg Su?iday.
105
^xusbiij) lit |lExiii0.
THE THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as 071 Sunday^ except as otherwise
^iven here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon. O Lord.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c. {p.
87).
Antiphon. O Lord, blot out my
transgressions.
Second Antiphon. The health.
Psalm XLH.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
Psalm "to David."]
JUDGE me, O God, and plead
my cause against an ungodly
nation : * O deliver me from the
unjust and deceitful man.
For Thou, O God, art my strength :
* why dost Thou cast me off? and
why go I mourning, because of the
oppression of the enemy ?
O send out Thy light and Thy
truth : * let them lead me and bring
me unto Thine holy hill, and unto
Thy tabernacles !
Then will I go unto the Altar
of God, * unto God, the Gladdener
of my youth !
VOL. II.
Upon the harp will I praise
Thee, O God, my God ! * why art
thou cast down, O my soul? and
why dost thou disquiet me ?
Hope thou in God : for I will still
praise Him, * Who is the health of
my countenance, and my God.
Antiphon. The health of my
countenance, and my God.
Third Antiphon. Early.
Psalms LXH., LXVI.
0 God, Thou art my God, &c.
(/• 23)-
Antiphon. Early will I seek Thee,
O God.
Fourth Antiphon. Save us.
The Song of Hezekiah, King of
JUDAH. (Isa. xxxviii. 10.)
[Intituled ' ' The writing of Hezekiah,
King of Judah, when he had been sick, and
was recovered of his sickness." The Jiis-
tory will be found in 4 {2) Kings xx. (nth
Sunday after Pentecost).]
I SAID, In the midst of my days,
* I shall go to the gates of the
grave :
1 looked for the rest of my
years. * I said, I shall not see the
D 2
io6
THE PSALTER.
Lord m)^ God ^ in the land of the
hving :
I shall behold man no more, *
with the dwellers in the land of
rest.
Mine age is departed, and is
rolled up from me, * as a shepherd's
tent :
My. life is cut off as by a weaver :
my web was scarce begun when He
cut me off: * from day even to
night wilt Thou make an end of
me.
I thought I might live till morn-
ing : * as a lion, so doth He break
all my bones :
From day even to night wilt Thou
make an end of me. * Like a
swallow's fledgling so did I twitter,
I did coo as a dove :
Mine eyes fail, * with looking
upward.
0 Lord, I am seized, undertake
for me. * What shall I say, or what
will He answer me, seeing that He
Himself hath done it ?
1 will call to remembrance before
Thee all my years * in the bitter-
ness of my soul.
O Lord, if by these things men
live, and in such things is the life
of my spirit, so mayest Thou chasten
me, and make me to live. * Be-
hold, mine anguish is [turned] into
peace :
But Thou hast delivered my soul
from destruction : * Thou hast cast
all my sins behind Thy back.
For the grave cannot praise Thee,
death cannot celebrate Thee : * they
that go down into the pit cannot
hope for Thy truth.
The living, the living, he shall
praise Thee, as I do this day : *
the father to the children shall make
known Thy truth.
O Lord, save me : * and we will
sing our songs all the days of our
life in the house of the Lord.
Antiphon. Save us all the days of
our life, O Lord.
Fifth Antiphoji. Praise ye the
Lord.
Psalms CXLVIII., CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord from the
heavens, &c. {pp. 25, 26).
Antiphon. Praise ye the Lord
from the heavens, all His Angels. ,
Chapter. (Rom. xiii. 12.)
The night is far spent, &c. {as on
Monday, p. 89).
Hymn.2
DAY'S herald bird
At length is heard,
Telling its morning torch is lit.
And small and still
Christ's accents thrill
Within the heart, rekindling it.
Away, He cries,
With languid eyes,
And sickly slumbers profitless !
I am at hand,
As watchers stand.
In awe, and truth, and holiness.
He will appear,
The hearts to cheer
Of suppliants pale and abstinent ;
Who cannot sleep
Because they weep
With holy grief and violent.
^ "My God" is not in the Hebrew, but the Divine Name is repeated.
2 Author of original, Aurelius Prudentius Clemens: b. 348 A.D., d. after 405 A.D.
Translation by the late Card. Newman.
TUESDAY AT LAUDS.
107
Keep us awake,
The fetters break,
Jesu ! which night has forged for us ;
Yea, melt the night
To sinless light,
Till all is bright and glorious.
To Father, Son,
And Spirit, one,
To the Most Holy Trinity,
All praise be given
In earth and heaven,
Now, as of old, and endlessly. Amen.
Verse. ^ Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Aiisiver. We rejoice and are glad.
Antiphojifoi' the Song of Zachaj-ias.
The Lord hath raised up * an horn
of salvation for us, in the house of
His servant David.
Conimemoration of the Cross before
the other general Conuneniorations^ and
Long Preces i7i Advent and Lent, a?id
on Fast-days^ as on Monday.
^ Ps. Ixxxix. 14.
io8
eiitt^sl)^}) nt ^^attxn^.
THE FOURTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as on Sunday except as otherwise
given here.
hivitatory. In Thy hand, O
Lord, * are the inmost depths of
the earth.
Hymn.i
"\1 7H0 madest all and dost control,
^* Lord, with Thy touch divine,
Cast out the slumbers of the soul,
The rest that is not Thine.
Look down, Eternal Holiness,
And wash the sins away
Of those, who, rising to confess,
Outstrip the lingering day.
Our hearts and hands by night, O Lord,
We lift them in our need ;
As holy Psalmists give the word.
And holy Paul the deed.
Each sin to Thee of years gone by,
Each hidden stain lies bare ;
We shrink not from Thine awful eye.
But pray that Thou wouldst spare.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace.
To Whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place. Amen.
Only 07ie Nocturji is said.
Antiphon. God bringeth back.
Li Paschal time only one Antiphon
is said to the whole Nocturn. Alleluia.
Psalm LIL
[Intituled "of David," with a further
superscription, perhaps musical, but of a
(now) uncertain meaning. The Targum
gives it the additional superscription, "to
render praise, for the reward of the impious
who blasphemed the Name of the Lord."
It is a repetition of Ps. xiii.]
nPHE fool hath said in his heart :
^ * There is no God.
Corrupt are they and have done
abominable iniquity : * there is
none that doeth good.
God looketh down from heaven
upon the children of men, * to see
if there be any that will understand,
or that will seek God.
Every one of them is gone back,
they are altogether become unprofit-
able : * there is none that doeth
good, no, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no
knowledge, * who eat up my people
as they eat bread ?
They have not called upon God :
* there were they in great fear,
where no fear was.
For God hath scattered the bones
of them that work that which is
pleasing in the sight of men : *
they are put to shame, because God
hath despised them.
O that the salvation of Israel
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian school. Translation by the late Card. Newman,
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
109
were come out of Zion ! * when
God bringeth back the captivity of
His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and
Israel shall be glad.
Psalm LIV.
[This Psalm has a superscription of which
nothing can now be certainly interpreted,
except the ascription of authorship "To
David."]
GIVE ear to my prayer, O God,
and despise not my suppli-
cation : * attend unto me and hear
me.
I mourn in my exercise ; * and
am troubled, because of the voice
of the enemy, and because of the
oppression of the wicked.
For they cast iniquity upon me :
* and in wrath they hate me.
My heart is sore pained within
me : * and the terrors of death are
fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling are
come upon me : * and darkness
hath overwhelmed me.
And I said : O that I had wings
like a dove, * for then would I fly
away and be at rest !
Lo, then would I wander far off,
* and remain in the wilderness. -"■
I waited for Him Who hath de-
livered me * from distress of spirit
and from tempest.
Destroy, O Lord ! divide their
tongues : * for I have seen iniquity
and strife in the city.
Day and night iniquity goeth
round about upon her walls : *
trouble also and unrighteousness are
in the midst of her.
Usury and guile * depart not
from her streets.
For if mine enemy had reproached
me, * then I could have borne it.
If he also that hated me had
magnified himself against me, *
then haply I would have hidden
myself from him.
But it was thou, a man like-
minded, * my guide and mine ac-
quaintance :
We took pleasant meats together :
* we walked unto the house of God
in company.
Let death come upon them : *
and let them go down quick into
hell;
For wickedness is in their dwell-
ings, * among them.
But as for me I have called upon
God : * and the Lord shall save
me.
Evening, and morning, and at
noon will I complain and cry aloud,
* and He shall hear my voice.
He shall deliver my soul in
peace from them that draw nigh
against me : * for there were many
against me.
God shall hear and afllict them,
* even He That abideth of old.^
Because they have no changes,
therefore they fear not God. * He
hath stretched forth His hand to
requite them.
They have broken His covenant :
the anger of His countenance hath
put them to flight, * and His wrath
pursueth them.
His words were softer than oil,
* yet were they drawn swords.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
and He shall sustain thee : * He
shall never suffer the righteous to
be moved.
But Thou, O God, shalt bring
them down * into the pit of destruc-
tion.
Bloody and deceitful men shall
SLH.
no
THE PSALTER.
not live out half their days : * but
I will trust in Thee, O Lord.
Antiphon. ^ God bringeth back
the captivity of His people.
Second Antiphon. For my soul.
Psalm LV.
[This Psalm has a long and very obscure
superscription. From part of this it seems
that it was _written to be sung to a tune
called "The dumb dove among foreigners."
The authorship is ascribed " To David,
when the Philistines took him in Gath."
This may either be the occasion described
in the note on Ps. xxxiii. (p. 78), or that
narrated thus in I Kings (Sam.) xxvii.
" And David said in his heart : I shall now
perish one day by the hand of Saul ; there
is nothing better for me than that I should
speedily escape into the land of the Philis-
tines ; and Saul shall despair of me, to
seek me any more in any coast of Israel ;
so shall I escape out of his hand. And
David arose, and he passed over, with the
six hundred men that were with him, unto
Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
. . . And it was told Saul that David was
fled to Gath, and he sought no more again
for him."]
13 E merciful unto me, O God, for
^-^ man treadeth me down : * he
fighteth all the day long, and op-
presseth me.
Mine enemies tread me down all
the day long : * for they be many
that fight against me.
The height of the morning makes
me afraid, * but I will trust in
Thee.
In God I will praise His word,
in God I have put my trust : * I
will not fear what flesh can do unto
me.
All the day long they wrest my
words : * all their thoughts are
against me for evil.
They gather themselves together
and hide themselves : * they mark
my steps.
When they wait for my soul,
for nothing . shalt Thou deliver
them : * in Thine anger Thou
shalt cast down the people.
0 God, I have declared my life
unto Thee, * Thou hast put my
tears in Thy sight,
Even as Thou hast promised. *
Then shall mine enemies turn back,
In whatsoever day I cry unto
Thee : * behold, I know that Thou
art my God.
In God will I praise His word,
in the Lord will I praise His
word : * in God have I put my
trust, I will not be afraid what
man can do unto me.
Thy vows are upon me, O God,
* I will pay them, even praises
unto Thee.
For Thou hast delivered my
soul from death, and my feet from
falling ; * that I may walk before
God in the light of the living.
Psalm LVI.
[Another long title of uncertain meaning.
The Psalm seems to have been written for
a tune called "Destroy not," "by David,
when he fled from Saul in the cave" — i
Kings (Sam.) xxii. i — "David therefore
departed thence" (viz. from Gath) "and
escaped to the cave Adullam." See the
note on Ps. xxxiii., p. 78.]
"DE merciful unto me, O God,
^-^ be merciful unto me : * for
my soul trusteth in Thee.
Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings
will I make my refuge, * until this
iniquity be overpast.
1 will cry unto God Most High :
* unto God, That performeth all
things for me.
Ps. lii. 7.
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
Ill
He hath sent from heaven, and
saved me : * He hath given for a
reproach them that trod me down.^
God hath sent forth His mercy
and His truth ; * and dehvered my
soul from among the Hons' whelps ;
I was troubled in my sleep.
i\s for the sons of men, their
teeth are spears and arrows, * and
their tongue a sharp sword.
Be Thou exalted, O God, above
the heavens : * and let Thy glory
be over all the earth.
They prepared a net for my
steps ; * and bowed down my soul.
They digged a pit before me : *
into the midst whereof they are
fallen themselves.-^
Mine heart is ready, O God,
mine heart is ready : * I will sing,
and give praise.
Awake up, my glory ; awake,
psaltery and harp : * I will awake
early.
I will praise Thee, O Lord, among
the people ; * and sing unto Thee
among the nations.
For Thy mercy is great unto the
heavens, * and Thy truth unto the
clouds.
Be Thou exalted, O God, above
the heavens : * and let Thy glory
be above all the earth.
Antipho7i. ^ For my soul trusteth
in Thee. ■
Third Antiphon. Judge uprightly.
Psalm LVII.
[This Psalm has the same title as the last,
except the historical reference.]
TF ye indeed speak righteousness,
-'- * judge uprightly, O ye sons of
men.
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness :
* your hands weigh out violence in
the earth.
The wicked are estranged from
the womb, they go astray from the
belly, * speaking lies.
Their poison is like the poison of
a serpent : * they are like the deaf
adder, that stoppeth her ears ;
That will not hearken to the
voice of charmers, * nor of the
sorcerer charming never so wisely.
God shall break their teeth in
their mouth : * the Lord shall
break off the great teeth of the
lions.
They shall melt away as waters
which run down : * He bendeth
His bow until they be shattered.
They shall melt away like melting
wax : * fire taketh hold upon them
and they see not the sun.
As thorns that are plucked up
before ever they be grown into a
bush : * so even in their greenness',
shall He root them up in His
anger.
The righteous shall rejoice when
he seeth the vengeance : * he shall
wash his hands in the blood of the
wicked.
And man shall say : Verily, there
is a reward for the righteous, *
verily there is a God That judgeth
the earth.
Psalm LVIIl.
[This Psahn has the same title as the two
last, with the addition : — " when Saul sent,
and they watched the house, to kill him."
The occasion is thus described in i Kings
(Sam, ) xix. 1 1 . " Saul also sent messengers
unto David's house, to watch him, to slay
him in the morning ; and Michal, David's
wife, told him, saying : If thou save not thy
SLH.
2 Ps. Ivi. 2.
112
THE PSALTER.
life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.
So Michal let David down through a
window, and he went, and fled, and
escaped."]
"T^ELIVER me from mine ene-
^-^ mies, O my God : * and
defend me from them that rise up
against me.
Deliver me from the workers of
iniquity : * and save me from bloody
men.
For, lo, they lie in wait for my
life : * the mighty have fallen upon
me.
Not for my transgression, not for
my sin, O Lord ; * I ran and
ordered myself without fault.
Awake to meet me, and behold :
* O Thou, the Lord God of hosts,
the God of Israel !
Awake to visit all the heathen :
* be not merciful to any wicked
transgressors.-^
They come at evening and hunger
like dogs ; * and go round about
the city.
Behold, they yelp with their
mouth, and a sword is in their lips :
* for who, say they, doth hear ?
But Thou, O Lord, shalt laugh
at them : * Thou shalt bring all
the heathen to nought.
O my strength, I will wait upon
Thee, for Thou, O God, art my
defence : * the mercy of my God
shall receive me.
God shall let me see all my
desire upon mine enemies : slay
them not ; * lest my people forget.
Scatter them by Thy power : *
and bring them down, O Lord our
shield !
For the sin of their mouth, and
the words of their lips : * let them
even be taken in their pride ;
1 SLH.
And at the end they shall be
spoken of for cursing and lying :
* and in the wrath at the end they
shall perish.
And they shall know that God
ruleth in Jacob, * and unto the
ends of the earth. ^
They shall return at evening,
and hunger like dogs : * and go
round about the city.
They shall wander up and down
for meat; * and grudge if they be
not satisfied.
But I will sing of Thy power :
* yea, I will sing aloud of Thy
mercy in the morning.
For Thou hast been my defence,
* and refuge in the day of my
trouble.
Unto Thee, O my strength, will
I sing, for God is my defence, *
the God of my mercy.
Antiphon. ^ Judge uprightly, O
ye sons of men.
Fourth Antipho7i. Give us.
Psalm LIX.
[This Psalm has a superscription, prob-
ably musical, but the meaning of which is
now uncertain. It then proceeds : — " Of
David, w^hen he strove with Mesopotamia,
and with Western Syria, when joab re-
turned and smote of Edom in the valley
of Salt " (viz. the Jordan valley near the
Dead Sea) "twelve thousand." The oc-
casion was some very successful wars which
David carried on against several neighbour-
ing kings, and which are described in 2
Kings (Sam.) viii. and i Par. (Chron.)
xviii. The Psalm seems to have been
written under some temporary reverses
during the campaign.]
(^\ GOD, Thou hast cast us off,
^-^ and scattered us : * Thou
hast been displeased, and hast had
mercy upon us.
2 Ps. Ivii, 2.
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
113
Thou hast made the earth to
tremble, and hast broken it : *
heal the breaches thereof, for it
shaketh.
Thou hast showed Thy people
hard things : * Thou hast made
us to drink the wine of astonish-
ment.
Thou hast given a warning to
them that fear Thee, * that they
may fly from before the bow.^
That Thy beloved may be deliv-
ered : * save with Thy right hand,
and hear me.
God hath spoken in His holi-
ness : * I will rejoice and divide
Shechem, and mete out the valley
of booths.^
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh
is mine : * Ephraim also is the
strength of mine head.^
Judah is my King : * Moab is
the vessel [of the triumph] of mine
hope.^
Over Edom will I cast out my
shoe : * over the " Strangers " ^
have I triumphed.
Who will bring me into the
strong city ? * who will lead me
into Edom?
Wilt not Thou, O God, Who
hast cast us off? * and wilt not
Thou go out with our armies, O
God?
Give us help from trouble : *
for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do vali-
antly : * for He it is That shall
tread down our enemies.
Psalm LX.
[Intituled "of David." It has also a
musical (?) superscription now of uncertain
meaning.]
T T EAR my cry, O God : * attend
^ ^ unto my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I
cried unto Thee : * when mine
heart was overwhelmed. Thou didst
lift me up upon a rock.
Thou didst lead me, for Thou
hast been a shelter for me, * a
strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Thy tabernacle
for ever : * I will make my
refuge in the covert of Thy
wings. ^
For Thou, O God, hast heard
my vows : * Thou hast given the
heritage to those that fear Thy
name.
Thou wilt prolong the King's
life : * and his years to many
generations.
He shall abide before God for
ever : * who will seek for His
mercy and truth ?
So will I sing praise unto Thy
name for ever : * that I may daily
perform my vows.
Antiphon. ^ Give us help from
trouble, O Lord.
Fifth Afitiphon. Doth not my
soul.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
comuiences with the words " Wait upon
God."
1 SLH.
2 Shechem, now Nabltis, in the valley between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, called the
"valley of booths" from those which Jacob erected there for his cattle. Gen. xxxiii. 17.
^ These three form the central district of the Land of Promise.
4 The Hebrew is—" Moab is my wash-pot," that is, a receptacle for off-scourings. The
comparison is with the Divinely appointed sovereignty of Judah, respecting whom see
Gen. xlix. ID.
^ That is, the Philistines. ^ Ps. lix. 13.
114
THE PSALTER.
Psalm LXI.
[This Psalm has exactly the same super-
scription as Ps. xxxviii.]
T^OTH not my soul wait upon
^^ God ? * for from Him com-
eth my salvation.
He only is my God and my
salvation : * He is my defence, I
shall not be greatly moved.
How long will ye run together
against a man ? * Do ye slay, all
of you [one that is] as a bowing
wall and as a tottering fence?
Truly they imagined to cast me
down from mine honour, when I
ran in my thirst : * they blessed
with their mouth and cursed in
their heart.^
But wait thou on God, O my
soul : * for mine expectation is
from Him.
For He only is my God and my
salvation : * He is mine helper, I
shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my
glory : * He is the God of my
strength, and my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him, ye congregation
of the people, pour out your heart
before him : * God is our help for
ever.^
Surely the sons of men are vanity,
the sons of men are a lie in the
balance : * they are a deceit, alto-
gether hghter than vanity.
Trust not in iniquity, and desire
not robbery : * if riches increase,
set not your heart upon them.
God hath spoken once, these two
things have I heard ; that power be-
longeth unto God : also unto Thee, O
Lord, belongeth mercy : * for Thou
shalt render to every man according
to his works.
Psalm LXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David" with a
farther superscription of meaning now
uncertain.]
T_T EAR my voice, O God, in my
^ ^ prayer : * preserve my life
from fear of the enemy.
Thou hast hidden me from the
secret counsel of the wicked, * from
the insurrection of the workers of
iniquity.
For they whet their tongue like
a sword : * they bend their
bow, even bitter words, that they
may shoot in secret at the per-
fect.
Suddenly do they shoot at him
and fear not : * they encourage
themselves in evil purpose.
They commune of laying snares
privily : * they say : Who shall see
them?
They search out iniquities : *
they accomplish a diligent search.
Man shall attain to thoughts that
are very deep : * but God shall
[still] be exalted.
The arrows of babes have pierced
them : * and their tongues are
weakened against them.
All that saw them were moved :
* and all men feared.
And declared the work of
God, * and understood His
doings.
The righteous shall be glad in
the Lord, and shall trust in Him :
* and all the upright in heart shall
glory.
Antiphon. ^ Doth not my soul
wait upon God ?
Sixth Antiphon. O bless our
God.
SLH.
Ps. Ixi. 2.
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
115
Psalm LXV.
[Except the words " Psalm or Song" the
title of this Psalm is not now certainly
understood. The Vulgate and the LXX,
add "for the uprising."]
A/T AKE a joyful noise unto God,
^^ ^ all ye lands, sing forth the
honour of His name : * make His
praise glorious.
Say unto God : How terrible art
Thou in Thy works, O Lord ! *
through the greatness of Thy power
shall Thine enemies feign to submit
themselves unto Thee.
Let all the earth worship Thee,
and sing unto Thee : * let them
sing praises to Thy Name.-^
Come and see the works of God ;
* He is terrible in His counsels
toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land,
they went through the flood on foot :
* there did we rejoice in Him.
He ruleth by His power for ever,
His eyes behold the nations : * let
not the rebellious exalt themselves.^
0 bless our God, ye people : *
and make the voice of His praise to
be heard.
Who holdeth my soul in life :
* and suffereth not my feet to be
moved.
For Thou, O God, hast proved
us : * Thou hast tried us with fire,
as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net.
Thou laidst affliction upon our
back : * Thou hast caused men to
ride over our heads.
We went through fire and through
water : * and Thou broughtest us
out into a place of refreshment.
1 will go into Thine house with
burnt-offerings : * I will pay Thee
my vows, which my lips have uttered.
And my mouth hath spoken, *
when I was in trouble.
I will offer unto Thee burnt-
sacrifices of fatlings, with the in-
cense of rams : * I will offer unto
Thee bullocks with goats. ^
Come, hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare * what He hath
done for my soul.
I cried unto Him with my mouth,
* and extolled Him with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in mine heart,
* the Lord will not hear me.
Therefore God hath heard me,
* and attended to the voice of my
prayer.
Blessed be God, * Who hath not
turned away my prayer, nor His
mercy from me.
Psalm LXVn.
[The meaning of the title of this Psalni,
except the ascription of authorship " To
David," is now uncertain.]
T ET God arise, and let His
-*— ' enemies be scattered : * let
them also that hate Him flee before
Him.
As smoke is driven away, so let
them be driven away : * as wax
melteth before the fire, so let the
wicked perish at the presence of
God.
But let the righteous be glad, and
rejoice before God : * yea, let them
exceedingly rejoice.
Sing unto God, sing praises to
His name : * spread a path before
Him That rideth upon the heavens :
The Lord - is His name.
1 SLH.
'^ "The Lord " is here, as elsewhere, substituted out of profound reverence for the real
name of God, the Unspeakable Word, called the "Tetragrammaton," from its four letters.
ii6
THE PSALTER.
Rejoice before Him : * fear shall
go before the face of Him That is
the Father of the fatherless, and the
Judge of the widows :
Even God in His holy habitation :
* God, That maketh men to be of
one mind in an house.
He bringeth out those which are
bound with chains, * but they that
provoke Him dwell among the
graves.
O God, when Thou wentest
forth before Thy people, * when
Thou didst march through the
wilderness — ^
The earth shook ; the heavens
also dropped at the presence of the
God of Sinai, * at the presence of
the God of Israel.
Thou, O God, didst send a plen-
tiful rain ^ upon Thine inheritance :
* Thou didst refresh Thine inheri-
tance when it was weary.
Thy flock dwelt therein : * Thou,
O God, didst provide in Thy good-
ness for the poor.
The Lord gave the word * to
the great company that published
it.
^ The king of the hosts is [fallen
into the hands] of the Well-beloved :
* and the fair ones that tarried at
home have divided the spoils.
Though ye have lien among the
sheep-folds,* yet shall ye be as the
wings of a dove, covered with silver,
* and her tail-feathers with yellow
gold.
When the [God] of heaven had
scattered kings in it, then white as
with snow was Salmon,^ * that hill
of God, that fruitful hill.
An hill of many peaks, a fruitful
hill : * why look ye enviously upon
the high hills ?
This ^ is the hill which God de-
sireth to dwell in : * yea, the Lord
will dwell in it unto the end.
The chariots of God are many
times ten thousand, even thousands
of the blessed : * the Lord is among
them j [as] in Sinai, [so] in the
Holy place.
Thou hast ascended on high,
Thou hast led captivity captive : *"
Thou hast received gifts among
men,
Even them that believe not *
that the Lord God dwelleth among
them.
Blessed be the Lord daily : * the
God of our salvation maketh our
way prosperous.''
He That is our God is the God
of salvation : * and unto the Lord,
even the Lord, belong the issues
from death.
But God shall wound the head
of His enemies : * the hairy scalp
of such an one as goeth on still
in his trespasses.
The Lord said : I will bring
^ SLH. '^ Perhaps the manna is meant.
^ It need not be remarked that the sense of this verse is very obscure. In the view of
the Greek translators there seems to be a play upon the name of David, which signifies
" Beloved." ^ Perhaps an allusion to an army camping out in the fields.
^ A mountain in Samaria, near Shechem, where David won great victories over some
neighbouring kings. See Ps. lix., p. 6;^. Gesenius thinks that "white as with snow" is
to be understood "white with the bleached bones of the slain." But a modern writer,
describing a battle in the Soudan, and the defeat and flight of the Dervishes, says, " they
broke, and fled, leaving the field white with jibbah-clad corpses, like a meadow dotted
with snowdrifts."
^ Namely, perhaps, the group of hills orf which Jerusalem stands, as opposed to the
higher and more picturesque mountains at Shechem. '' SLH.
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
117
them again from Bashan ^ : * I will
bring them back from the depths
of the sea.
That thy foot may be dipped in
the blood of thine enemies, * the
tongue of thy dogs in the same.
They have seen Thy goings, O
God, * even the goings of my God,
my King, Which dwelleth in the
sanctuary.
The singers went before, the
players on instruments followed
after, * among the damsels playing
with timbrels.
Bless ye God in the congrega-
tions, even the Lord, * ye that are
of the fountains of Israel !
There is little Benjamin, * in the
joy of his heart,
The princes of Judah, their
leaders, * the princes of Zabulon,
the princes of Nephthali.
Command it, O God, in Thy
strength : * strengthen, O God, that
which Thou hast wrought for us.
Because of thy temple at Jeru-
salem, * shall kings bring presents
unto Thee.
Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,^
the multitude of the bulls with the
cows of the people, * [who watch]
that they may cut off them that are
tried like silver.^
Scatter Thou the people that de-
light in war : ambassadors shall come
out of Egypt : * Ethiopia shall soon
stretch out her hands unto God.
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of
the earth : * O sing praises unto
the Lord.*
O sing praises unto God, even
unto Him that rideth upon the
heaven of heavens * from the day-
spring.
Lo, He shall send out His voice,
and that a mighty voice. Ascribe
ye strength unto God ; * over Israel
is His excellency, and His strength
is in the clouds.
God is wonderful in His holy
places : the God of Israel is He
That shall give strength and power
unto his people : * blessed be God.
Antiphojt,^ O bless our God, ye
people.
Antiphon for Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Tke7t is said a Verse and Answer,
In Advetit.
Verse. The Lord cometh out of
His holy place.
Answer. He will come and save
His people.
During the rest of the year.
Verse. ^O God, I have declared
my life unto Thee.
Answer. Thou hast put my tears
in Thy sight.
/;/ Lent.
Verse. His truth shall be thy
shield.
Answer. Thou shalt not be
afraid for the terror by night.
In Passion time.
Verse. Take not away my soul
with sinners, O God.
^ The campaign of David related in 2 Kings (Sam.) viii. and i Par. (Chron.) xviii.
extended to this neighbourhood.
2 Perhaps meaning wild buffaloes. As to the comparison of the enemy to wild cattle,
compare Ps. xxi. 13, " Many bulls have compassed me, strong bulls have beset me round."
^ If the words are to be taken thus, the reference is perhaps to David's veterans, but the
meaning seems more likely to be " those that submissively offer in tribute pieces of silver."
4 SLH, 5 ps_ ixv. 8. « Ps. Iv. 9.
iiS
THE PSALTER.
Answer. Nor my life with bloody
men.
In Paschal time.
Verse. The disciples were glad,
Alleluia.
Answer. When they saw the Lord,
Alleluia.
The rest is the sa?ne as the Third
Nocturn of the precediitg Sunday, ex-
cept necessary differences. The Lesso7is
are those of the day. The Responsories
are arranged accordi7tg to the rules i7t
Chapter xxvii. 4, 5, <?/" the General
Rubrics.
Simple Feasts. It is to be remem-
bered that zuhen a Simple Feast is kept
on Wed?zesday, the Invitatory and Hynm
are of the Feast., being taken from the
Common of Saints of the class, unless
specially giveji. Then the Psalms and
Antiphons of the week-day., as given
above. Then is said a Verse and A?i-
swer as follows :
For ofte or many Martyrs in Paschal
time.
Verse. ^ Everlasting joy upon
their heads, Alleluia.
Answer. They shall obtain joy
and gladness. Alleluia.
For oite Martyr., {out of Paschal time.)
Verse. ^ His glory is great in
Thy salvation.
Answer. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
For inaity Martyrs., {out of Paschal
time!)
Verse. ^ The righteous shall live
for evermore.
Answer. Their reward also is
with the Lord.
For a Bishop and Confessor.
Verse. ^Thou art a Priest for
ever.
[/« Paschal time., add Alleluia.]
^ Isa. XXXV. 10. " Ps. XX. 6. ^ Wisd.
Answer. After the order of Mel-
chisedeck.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
For a Cojtfessor not a Bishop.
Verse. ^The law of his God is
in his heart.
S^In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
Anszver. And his steps shall not
slide.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia,]
For one Holy Woman of any kind.
Verse. God hath chosen her, and
fore-chosen her.
\I7Z Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
Ajtswer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
The others, as well as what follows,
to the end of the Service, are taken from
the Third Nocturn of the Office Cofnmon
to Saints of the class, tuiless something
special be appointed, except necessary
differences. The lessons are ar^'anged
according to the rules in Chapter xxvi.
4, of the general Rubrics. The Hymn
" We praise Thee, O God," is said at
the end, instead of a Third Responsory.
The Responsories are arranged accord-
ing to the Rules in Chapter xxvii. 4, 5, of
the General Rubrics. Thus : —
The Lord's Prayer is said :
OUR Father (inaudibiy). Who art
in heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. {Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
16.
^ Ps. cix. 4.
Ps. xxxvi. 31.
WEDNESDAY AT MATTINS.
119
Then this Absolution :
1\ /FAY the Almighty and merciful
^^ ^ Lord loose us from the bonds
of our sins.
Answer. Amen.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
First Blessing, if the Lesson be from
Scripture.
May His blessing be upon us,
ho doth live and 1
Answer. Amen.
Who doth live and reign for ever.
First Blessifig, if the Lesson be of an
flomily.
May the Gospel's saving Lord
Bless the reading of His Word.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessijig on a Simple Feast.
May His blessing be upon us
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Answer. Amen.
The7i is read the First Lesson from
Scripture or from the Homily, or 07i a
Sijuple Feast either the First from
Scripture, or, if the Sai7tt or Sai?tts
have two Lessons, the whole three from
Scripttcre read together as one.
Then the First Responsory, unless
otherwise directed. 0?t a week-day kept
as such, this is the First Responsory of
the preceding Sunday. 0?2 a Si?nple
Feast, the First Respofisory in the Com-
mo7i Office for the class to which the
Saint belongs.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Seco7td Blessing, if the Lesson be of
Scripture or fro7n aii Ho7nily.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Second Blessing, for a ^i7uple Feast.
He {or She or They) whose feast-day
we are keeping
Plead for us before the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
The7i is read the Seco7id Lesso7i, either
fro77i Scripture or fro77i a7t Ho7nily, or
071 a Si77iple Feast either the Seco7id
and Third Lesso7is fro77i Scripture
read together as one, or if the Saint
or Sai7its have two Lesso7is, the first
of these.
The7i the Seco7id Resp07tsory, U7iless
otherwise directed. O71 a week-day kept
as such, this is the Seco7id Respo7iso7y
of the precedi7ig Stmday, but i7i Paschal
ti77ie there is added to it :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7id the Answer of the Respo7isory is
7^epeated agai7i.
O71 a Si77iple Feast the Seco72d Re-
sp07tsory i7i the Co77i77i07i Office for the
class to which the Sai7tt belo7igs, with
the additio7i of "Glory be to the
Father," &^c., a7id the repetitio7i of
the A7tswer.
The7i the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Third Lesso7t either
fro7n Scripture, or of the Ho77iily, or 07t
Si77iple Feasts the Second or 07ily Lesso7i
of the Sai7it.
The7i, 071 Si7nple Feasts a7td 07i any
day in Paschal ti77ie is said the Hy77in,
" We praise Thee, O God." But 07i
week-days kept as such out of Paschal
ti77ie the Third Respoiisory of the pre-
cedi7tg Sunday.
120
THE FOURTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as oji Sundays, except as other-
wise given here.
The Psahns are as follows :
Antiphon. Wash me.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., (/.
87).
Antiphon. Wash me throughly
from mine iniquity, O Lord.
Second A?itiphon. Praise be-
cometh Thee.
If this Antiphoji be used the Psalm
begins with the words, " O God, in
Zion."
Psalm LXIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm. A Song of
David," with a musical (?) superscription.
The Vulgate adds that its use was pre-
scribed by Jeremiah and Ezekiel to the
exiles when they began to return from
the Captivity.]
pRAISE becometh Thee, O God,
^ in Zion : * and unto Thee
shall the vow be performed in Jeru-
salem.
Hear my prayer : * unto Thee
shall all flesh come.
Iniquities prevail against us : *
but as for our transgressions. Thou
shalt purge them away.
Blessed is the man whom Thou
choosest, and causest to come near
unto Thee : * he shall dwell in
Thy courts :
AVe shall be satisfied with the
goodness of Thine house : * Thy
temple is holy, terrible in right-
eousness.
Answer us, O God of our salva-
tion : * Thou that art the confidence
of all the ends of the earth, and
of the uttermost parts of the sea !
Thou that by Thy strength settest
fast the mountains, being girded
with power : * Thou that stirrest
up the depth of the sea, and the
noise of his waves !
The heathen shall be troubled.
They that dwell in the uttermost
parts shall be afraid at Thy tokens :
* Thou makest the outgoings of the
morning and evening to rejoice.
Thou visitest the earth and water-
est it : * Thou greatly enrichest it :
The river of God is full of water :
Thou makest ready their corn, * for
Thou hast so prepared it.
Drench her furrows, increase the
fruits thereof : * the springing there-
of shall rejoice at her showers.
Thou crownest the year with Thy
goodness : * and Thy fields teem
with fruitfulness.
The green places of the wilder-
WEDNESDAY AT LAUDS.
121
ness wax fruitful : * and the little
hills are girded with joy.
The pastures are clothed with
flocks ; the valleys also overflow
with corn : * they shout for joy,
yea, they sing.
Antiphon. Praise becometh Thee,
O God, in Zion,
Third Antiphon. O my God.
Psalms LXII., LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(/• 23).
Antiphon. O my God, my lips
shall praise Thee while I live.
Fourth Antiphon. The Lord
shall judge.
The Song of Hannah, (i Kings
(Sam.) ii.)
[Composed by her when she brought her
son Samuel and presented him to the Lord.
See I Kings (Sam.) i. ii., (Monday and
Tuesday after Trinity Sunday.)]
1\ /f INE heart rejoiceth in the
^^ ^ Lord, * and mine horn is
exalted in my God : ^
My mouth is enlarged over mine
enemies : * because I rejoice in Thy
salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord ;
for there is none beside Thee : *
neither is there any mighty like our
God.
Talk no more * so exceeding
proudly.
Let your old arrogancy depart out
of your mouth : for the Lord is a
God of knowledge, * and by Him
thoughts are judged.
The bows of the mighty men are
broken, * and they that stumbled
are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired
out themselves for bread : * and
they that were hungry are filled.
So that the barren hath borne
fruitfully : * and she that had many
children is waxed feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh
alive : * He bringeth down to the
grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor, and
maketh rich : * He bringeth low,
and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the
dust, * and lifteth up the beggar
from the dunghill.
To set them among princes, * and
to make them inherit the throne of
glory :
For the pillars of the earth are
the Lord's, * and He hath set the
world upon them.
He will keep the feet of His
saints, and the wicked shall be silent
in darkness : * for by his strength
shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall
be made to fear Him : * out of
heaven also shall He thunder upon
them.
The Lord shall judge the ends
of the earth : and He shall give
strength unto His King, * and exalt
the horn of His Anointed.
Antiphon. The Lord shall judge
the ends of the earth.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise God.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord from the
heavens, &c., {pp. 25, 26).
Antiphon. Praise God, ye heavens
of heavens.
^ The Divine Name.
122
THE PSALTER.
Chapter. (Rom. xiii. 12.)
The night is far spent, &c., {as on
Monday^ p. 89).
Hymn.i
TJAUNTING gloom and flitting
-*■ -*■ shades,
Ghastly shapes, away !
Christ is rising, and pervades
Highest Heaven with day.
He with His bright spear the night
Dazzles and pursues ;
Earth wakes up, and glows with light
Of a thousand hues.
Thee, O Christ, and Thee alone,
With a single mind,
We with chant and plaint would own ;
To thy flock be kind.
Much it needs Thy light divine,
Spot and stain to clean ;
Light of Angels, on us shine
With Thy face serene.
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Holy Ghost,
Here be glory, as is done
By the angelic host. Amen.
Verse. Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Answer. We rejoice and are glad.
Antiphon for the Song of Zacharias.
O Lord, save us * from the hand of
all that hate us.
Coin7ne'moratioit of the Cross before the
other Commemorations^ a?id Long Preces
in Advent and Lent., on the Ember
Wed?zesdays {except that of Pentecost)
and on Fast-days, as on Mo?tday.
^ Hymn founded on hymn in the Cathemerinon of Prudentius ; translation by the late
Card. Newman.
123
^kursbap at l^tattxns.
THE FIFTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as on Sunday, except as other-
wise giveji here.
Livitatory. It is the Lord That
hath made us : * O come, let us
worship Him.
Psalm LXVIII.
[Intituled "Of David," with a (now un-
certain) musical (?) direction.]
SAVE me, O God; * for the
waters are come in unto my
soul.
I sink in deep mire, * where
there is no standing.
I am come into the depth of the
sea, * and the flood overfloweth me.
I am weary of my crying, my
throat is dried : * mine eyes fail,
while I wait for my God.
They that hate me without a
cause, * are more than the hairs of
mine head.
They that would destroy me,
being mine enemies wrongfully, are
mighty : * then I restored that
which I took not away.
O God, Thou knowest my fool-
ishness : * and my faults are not
hid from Thee.
Let not them that wait on Thee,
O Lord, be ashamed for my sake, *
Thou Lord of hosts.
Let not those that seek Thee *
be confounded for my sake, O God
of Israel.
Because for Thy sake I have
borne reproach : * shame hath
covered my face.
•^ Ambrosian hymn ; translation by the late Card. Newman.
Hymn.i
A LL tender lights, all hues divine,
■^"^ The night has swept away ;
Shine on us. Lord, and we shall shine
Bright in an inward day.
The spots of guilt, sin's wages base.
Searcher of hearts, we own ;
Wash us and robe us in Thy grace,
Who didst for sins atone.
The sluggard soul, that bears their
mark.
Shrinks in its silent lair.
Or gropes amid its chambers dark
For Thee, Who art not there.
Redeemer ! send Thy piercing rays,
That we may bear to be
Set in the light of Thy pure gaze.
And yet rejoice in Thee.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Only one Nocturn is said.
Antiphon. Make haste.
In Paschal time only ofte Antiphon
is said to the whole Nocturn. Alleluia.
124
THE PSALTER.
I am become a stranger unto my
brethren, * and an alien unto my
mother's children.
For the zeal of Thine house hath
eaten me up : * and the reproaches
of them that reproached Thee are
fallen upon me.
And I chastened my soul with
fasting : * and that was to my re-
proach.
I made sackcloth also my gar-
ment, * and I became a proverb to
them.
They that sat in the gate spake
against me, * and I was the song of
the drunkards.
But as for me, my prayer is unto
Thee, O Lord : * in an acceptable
time, O God !
In the multitude of Thy mercy
hear me, * in the truth of Thy
salvation !
Deliver me out of the mire, that
I sink not : * deliver me from them
that hate me, and out of the deep
waters.
Let not the waterflood overflow
me, neither let the deep swallow me
up, * and let not the pit shut her
mouth upon me.
Hear me, O Lord, for Thy
loving - kindness is good: * turn
unto me according to the multitude
of Thy tender mercies.
And hide not Thy face from Thy
servant, * for I am in trouble ; hear
me speedily.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and re-
deem it : * deliver me because of
mine enemies.
Thou knowest my reproach, and
my shame, * and my dishonour.
Mine adversaries are all before
Thee : * mine heart hath looked for
reproach and bitterness.
And I looked for some to take
pity on me, and there was none : *
and for comforters, and I found
none.
They gave me also gall for meat :
* and in my thirst they gave me
vinegar to drink.
Let their table be made a snare
before them, * and a recompense,
and a stumbling-block.
Let their eyes be darkened, that
they see not : * and ever bow Thou
down their back.
Pour out Thine indignation upon
them, * and let Thy wrathful anger
take hold of them.
Let their habitation be desolate :
* and let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute him whom
Thou hast smitten : * and they
embitter the pain of my wounds.
Add iniquity unto their iniquity:
* and let them not come into Thy
righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the
book of the living : * and not be
written with the righteous.
But I am poor and sorrowful : *
Thy salvation, O God, hath set me
up on high.
I will praise the name of God
with a psalm, * and will magnify
Him with thanksgiving.
And it shall please God better
than a young bullock, * that hath
horns and hoofs.
Let the humble see this and be
glad, * seek God, and your soul
shall live.
For the Lord heareth the poor :
* and despiseth not His prisoners.
Let the heaven and earth praise
Him, * the sea, and everything
that moveth therein.
For God will save Zion, * and
the cities of Judah shall be built
up.
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
125
And they shall dwell there, *
and have it in possession.
The seed also of His servants
shall inherit it, * and they that
love His name shall dwell therein.
Psalm LXIX.
[Intituled "Of David, to bring to re-
membrance " with another (now uncertain)
musical (?) superscription. The Vulgate
and the LXX. add to remembrance ' ' how
the Lord had saved him " ; the Targum
associates the Psalm with the offering of
the incense. This Psalm is a repetition
of the last four verses of Ps. xxxix.]
IV/TAKE haste, O God, to de-
■^^■*- liver me : * make haste to
help me, O Lord,
Let them be ashamed and con-
founded, * that seek after my
soul.
Let them be turned backward
and put to confusion, * that de-
sire mine hurt.
Let them be turned back with
shame, * that say unto me, Aha,
Aha.
Let all those that seek Thee be
joyful and glad in Thee, * and let
such as love Thy salvation say con-
tinually : Let the Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy : *
help me, O God.
Thou art mine help and my
deliverer : * O Lord, make no
tarrying.
Antiphon. ^ Make haste, O Lord
God, to deliver me.
Second Antiphon. Be Thou my
God.
Psalm LXX.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. give the
heading, "A Psalm of David ; of the Sons
of Jonadab, and the first Captives." The
sons of Jonadab are the descendants of
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, of whose
faithfulness to observe a nomadic life,
and to abstain from wine, it is written
in Jer. xxxv. 19: "Therefore thus saith
the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel :
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall not
want a man to stand before me for
ever." They had taken refuge at Jeru-
salem to escape the incursions of Nebu-
chadnezzar, and the meaning seems to
be that when they and others were carried
away as captives, they made special use
of this Psalm.]
TN Thee, O Lord, have I put
^ my trust, let me never be put
to confusion : * deliver me in Thy
righteousness, and cause me to es-
cape.
Incline Thine ear unto me, *
and save me.
Be Thou my God, my Pro-
tector, and my strong habitation,
* to save me.
For Thou art my rock, * and
my fortress.
Deliver me, O my God, out of
the hand of the wicked, * and out
of the hand of the unrighteous and
cruel man. •
For Thou art mine hope, O Lord :
* O Lord, Thou art my trust from
my youth.
By Thee have I been holden up
from the womb : * Thou art my
defence from my mother's bowels.
My praise shall be continually
of Thee : * I am a wonder unto
many : but Thou art my strong
refuge.
Let my mouth be filled with
Thy praise, that I may sing of
Thy glory, * all the day long of
Thy greatness.
Cast me not off in the time of
old age: * forsake me not when
my strength faileth.
1 Ps. Ixix. I.
126
THE PSALTER.
For mine enemies speak against
me, * and they that lay wait for
my soul take counsel together,
Saying : God hath forsaken him :
persecute and take him, * for there
is none to deliver him.
O God, be not far from me : *
O my God, make haste for mine
help.
Let them be confounded and
consumed that are adversaries to
my soul : - * let them be covered
with reproach and dishonour, that
seek mine hurt.
But I will hope continually, *
and will yet praise Thee more and
more.
My mouth shall show forth Thy
righteousness, * Thy salvation all
the day.
And because I know not the tale
thereof, I will go in the strength of
the Lord : * O Lord, I will make
mention of Thy righteousness, even
of Thine only.
0 God, Thou hast taught me
from my youth : * and hitherto
have I declared Thy wondrous
works.
Now also when I am old and
grey-headed, * O God, forsake me
not.
Until I have showed Thy strength
* unto all generations, that are to
come.
Thy power and Thy righteous-
ness, O God, are in the highest.
Who hast done great things : * O
God, who is like unto Thee ?
Thou Who hast showed me great
and sore troubles, shalt quicken me
again : * and bring me up again
from the depths of the earth.
Thou hast increased Thy great-
ness : * and again comforted me.
1 will also praise Thee on . the
psaltery, even Thy truth : * O
God, unto Thee will I sing with
the harp, O Thou Holy One of
Israel !
My lips shall be fain when I sing
unto Thee, * and my soul which
Thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of Thy
righteousness all the day long : * for
they are confounded and brought
unto shame that seek mine hurt.
PSALM LXXI.
[Intituled " Of Solomon," that is, written
concerning him.]
/^~^IVE the king Thy judgment, O
^-^ God, * and Thy righteousness
unto the king's son.
To judge Thy people with right-
eousness, * and Thy poor with
judgment.
The mountains shall receive peace
with the people, * and the little hills
righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the
people, and save the children of the
needy, * and shall break in pieces
the false accuser.
And he shall endure with the sun,
and before the moon, * throughout
all generations.
He shall come down like rain
upon a fleece, * and as showers that
water the earth.
In his days shall righteousness
flourish, and abundance of peace,
* so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from
sea to sea : * and from the river
unto the ends of the earth.
The Ethiopians shall fall before
him : * and his enemies shall lick
the dust.
The kings of Tarshish, and of the
isles shall bring presents : * the
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
127
kings of Arabia and Saba ^ shall
offer gifts.
Yea, all the kings of the earih
shall fall down before him : all
nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy
from the strong, * the poor also that
hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and
needy, * and shall save the souls of
the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from
fraud and violence : * and precious
shall their name be in his sight.
And he shall live, and to him
shall be given of the gold of Arabia ;
prayer also shall be made for him
continually ; * all the day long shall
he be blessed.
And there shall be a staff of
bread in the land, upon the top of
the mountains ; the fruit thereof
shall be higher than Lebanon : *
and they of the city shall flourish
like grass of the earth.
Blessed be his name for ever : *
his name endureth as long as the sun.
And in him shall all the kindreds
of the earth be blessed : * all nations
shall call him blessed.
Blessed be the Lord God of Is-
rael, * Who only doth wondrous
things.
And blessed be His glorious
Name for ever : * and let the whole
earth be filled with his glory : Amen,
Amen.^
Antiphon. ^ Be Thou my God,
my protector.
Third Antiphon. Thou hast re-
deemed the rod.
Psalm LXXII.
[Intituled " A Psalm of Asaph."]
n^RULY God is good to Israel, *
^ to such as are upright in
heart.
But as for me, my feet were al-
most gone : * my steps had well
nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the un-
righteous, * when I saw the pros-
perity of the wicked.
For they have no thought of
death : * and they are uncon-
cerned in trial.
They are not in trouble as other
men, * neither are they plagued like
other men.
Therefore pride compasseth them
about, * violence and ungodliness
cover them as a garment.
Their iniquity ariseth as it were
from fatness : * they have more
than heart could wish.
They think and speak wickedness:
* they speak loftily concerning op-
pression.
They set their mouth against the
heavens, * and their tongue walketh
through the earth.
Therefore my people turn aside
after them : * and the men of their
day run after them.
And they say : How doth God
know, * and is there knowledge in
the Most High ?
Behold, these are the ungodly,
who prosper in the world, * they
increase in riches.
And I said : Then I have cleansed
mine heart in vain, * and washed
mine hands in innocency.
^ This seems to be Meroe, a province of Ethiopia.
^ After this, there is the following notification, "The prayers of David, the son of
Jesse, are ended,'" and this is the end of the second of the five books into which the
Psalter is divided. ^ Ps. Ixx. 3.
128
THE PSALTER.
For all the day long have I been
plagued, * and chastened every
morning.
If I say : I will speak thus : *
behold, I should disown the gener-
ation of Thy children.
And I thought to know this, *
it was too hard for me ;
Until I went into the Sanctuary
of God, * and understood their
hereafter.
Surely Thou dost set them in
slippery places : * Thou easiest
them down even in their pros-
perity.
How are they brought into deso-
lation ? In a moment are they
perished, * they are utterly con-
sumed because of their wickedness.
As a dream when one awaketh,
0 Lord, * Thou shalt bring their
image to nought in Thy city.
For mine heart was on fire, and
1 was pricked in my reins ; * and I
was brought to nothing and knew
not :
I became as a beast before Thee :
* nevertheless I am continually with
Thee :
Thou hast holden me by my
right hand, and guided me accord-
ing to Thy will, * and received me
to glory.
For what have I in heaven, * and
what is there upon earth that I
desire beside Thee ?
My flesh and mine heart faileth :
* Thou art the God of mine heart,
and God is my portion for ever.
For, lo, they that go far from
Thee shall perish : * Thou hast
destroyed all them that go a whor-
ing from Thee.
But it is good for me to draw
near to God : * to put my trust in
the Lord God,
That I may declare all Thy
praises, * in the gates of the
daughter of Zion.
Psalm LXXIII.
[Intituled "A didactic (?) Psalm of
Asaph."]
OGOD, why hast Thou cast us
off for ever : * why doth
Thine anger smoke against the
sheep of Thy pasture?
Remember Thy congregation, *
which Thou hast purchased of
old.
Thou hast redeemed the rod of
Thine inheritance : * Mount Zion
wherein Thou hast dwelt.
Lift up Thine hands against their
perpetual pride : * even all that
the enemy hath done wickedly in
the sanctuary !
They also that hate Thee roar, *
in the midst of Thy solemn con-
gregation.
They set up their ensigns for
trophies * on the pinnacles [of Thy
temple] as though it had been the
gate [of their own city] ; and con-
sidered not !
As the fellers in a wood of thick
trees, so did they hew down the
gates thereof: * they have broken
it down with axes and hammers.
They have set on fire Thy Sanc-
tuary : * they have defiled the
dwelling-place of Thy name by
casting it down to the ground.
The sort of them said in their
hearts with one consent : * Let us
put away the feast-days of God out
of the land.
We see not our signs, there is no
more any prophet : * and none
knoweth us any more.
O God, how long shall the ad-
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
129
versary reproach ? * Shall the enemy
blaspheme Thy name for ever ?
Why withdrawest Thou Thine
hand, even Thy right hand, * from
Thy bosom for ever ?
But God is our King of old, *
working salvation in the midst of
the earth.
Thou by Thy strength didst
make the sea to stand on an heap :
* Thou brakest the heads of the
dragons in the waters.
Thou brakest the heads of le-
viathan in pieces : * Thou gavest
him to be meat to the people ^ of
Ethiopia.
Thou didst cleave the fountains
and the floods : * Thou driedst up
the rivers of Ethan.^
The day is Thine, the night also
is Thine : * Thou hast created the
light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of
the earth : * Thou hast made
summer and spring.
Remember this, that the enemy
hath reproached the Lord : * and
that a foolish people have blas-
phemed Thy name.
O deliver not unto beasts the
souls of them that praise Thee : *
and forget not the souls of Thy poor
for ever.
Have respect unto Thy cove-
nant : * for the dark places of the
earth are full of the habitations of
cruelty.
O let not the oppressed return
ashamed : * let the poor and needy
praise Thy name.
Arise, O God, judge Thine own
cause : * remember how the foohsh
man reproacheth Thee daily.
Forget not the voice of Thine
enemies : * the pride of them that
hate Thee ascendeth continually.
Antiphon. ^ Thou hast redeemed
the rod of Thine inheritance.
Fourth Antiphon. And we will
call.
Psalm LXXIV.
[Intituled " A Psalm — A Song of Asaph,"
with a superscription of meaning now un-
certain, but, in part, indicating the tune
" Destroy not. '' The Targum says that it
was composed as a thanksgiving at the time
when David said " Destroy not thy people,"
and the occasion meant is probably that of
the plague provoked by David's number-
ing of the people, as related in the last
chapter of 2 Kings (Sam.)]
UNTO Thee, O God, will we
give thanks : * we will give
thanks and call upon Thy name.
We will declare Thy wondrous
works : * when I shall take a set'
time, I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all the inhabitants
thereof are dissolved : * I bear up
the pillars of it.*
I said unto the wicked : Deal
not wickedly : * and to the evil-
doers : Lift not up your horn on
high.
Lift not up your horn on high :
* speak not wickedness against
God.
For neither from the east, nor
from the west, nor from the desert
mountains : * for God is the judge :
He putteth down one, and setteth
up another : * for in theliand of the
^ People — probably referring to the wild beasts, (as in Proverbs xxx. 25, 26, "The ants
are a people not strong — the conies are but a feeble folk ") who ate the dead bodies of the
Egyptians (whose power seems meant by the leviathan) washed upon the shores of the
Red Sea.
^ Ethan = continuity — "The continuously flowing streams."
2 Ps. Ixxiii. 2. 4 SLH.
VOL. II. E
I^O
THE PSALTER.
Lord there is a cup of strong wine
full of mixture.-^
And he turneth it this way and
that : surely the dregs thereof are
not wrung out : * all the wicked of
the earth shall drink them.
But I will declare for ever : * I
will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked also
will I break : * and the horns of the
righteous shall be exalted.
Psalm LXXV.
[Intituled " A Psalm— A Song of Asaph,"
with a farther superscription similar to the
preceding. The Vulgate and the LXX. add
"against the Assyrians "; the meaning pro-
bably is that it was found appropriate as a
Psalm of thanksgiving after the destruction
of the Assyrians (3 (2) Kings xix. 35).]
T N Judah is God known : * His
-*- name is great in Israel.
And His tabernacle is in " Peace, "^
* and His dwelling-place in Zion.
There brake He the arrows of the
bow, * the shield, the sword, and
the battle.^
When Thou didst make Thy light
to shine forth right wondrously from
the everlasting hills : * all they that
were foolish of heart were troubled :
They have slept their sleep : *
and all the men of riches have found
nothing in their hands.
At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,
* they that rode upon horses are
cast into a dead sleep.
Thou art to be feared ; and who
shall withstand Thee, * when once
Thou art angry?
Thou didst cause judgment to
be heard from heaven : * the earth
trembled and was still,
When God arose to judgment, *
to save all the meek of the earth.^
For the thoughts of man shall
praise Thee : * the remainder of
his thoughts shall keep holy his days
before Thee.
Vow, and pay unto the Lord
your God : * all ye that are round
about Him bring presents,
Even unto Him That ought to be
feared, and that cutteth off the spirit
of princes, * to Him That is terrible
among the kings of the earth.
A?itiphon. *And we will call
upon Thy name, O Lord.
Fifth Antiphon. Thou art the
God. (
Psalm LXXVL
[Intituled "A Psalm of Asaph," with a-
musical (?) direction, addressed to Jeduthun.]
T CRIED unto the Lord with my
-*- voice ; * even unto God with
my voice, and He gave ear unto
me.
In the day of my trouble I
sought the Lord ; in the night with
my hands I sought Him * and failed
not.
My soul refused to be comforted :
* I remembered God, and rejoiced,
and pondered, and my spirit was
overwhelmed.^
Mine eyes anticipated the night
watches : * I was troubled, and
spake not.
I have considered the days of old,
* and had in mind the everlasting
years.
In the night also I commune with
mine own heart : * and I mused,
and searched out mine own spirit.
^ Aromatic herbs, &c., were mixed with wine to make it more intoxicating. See
Smith's Diet, of the Bible,— Wine.
^ Peace — a translation of "Salem." ' SLH. ■* Ps. Ixxiv. 2.
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
131
Will God cast off for ever? * or
will He be favourable no more ?
Or will He put away His mercy
for ever, * to generation and genera-
tion ?
Or hath God forgotten to be
gracious ? * or will He in His anger
shut up His tender mercies ? ^
And I said : Now have I begun :
* the change cometh of the right
hand of the Most High.
I remembered the works of the
Lord : * surely I will remember
Thy wonders of old.
I will meditate also of all Thy
work : * and talk of Thy doings.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanc-
tuary. Who is so great a God as our
God? * Thou art the God That
doest wonders.
Thou hast declared Thy strength
among the people : * Thou hast with
Thine arm redeemed Thy people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.-"-
The waters saw Thee, O God,
the waters saw Thee : * and they
were afraid, the depths also were
troubled.
There was a noise as of many
-waters, * the clouds sent out a
sound.
Thine arrows also went abroad :
"* the voice of Thy thunder rolled.
Thy lightnings lightened the
world : * the earth trembled and
:shook.
Thy way is in the sea, and Thy
paths in the great waters : * and
Thy footsteps are not known.
Thou leddest Thy people like a
'iiock, * by the hand of Moses and
Aaron.
Psalm LXXVII.
[Intituled " A didactic (?) poem of
Asaph."]
GIVE ear, O my people, to my
law : * incline your ears to
the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in para-
bles : * I will utter dark sayings
of old.
Which we have heard and known,
* and our fathers have told us.
They are not hidden from their
children, * in the generation to
come :
Showing the praises of the Lord,
and His mighty acts, * and His
wonderful works that He hath done.
He established also a testimony
in Jacob, * and appointed a law
in Israel.
Which He commanded our fathers
that they should make known to
their children : * that the generation
to come may know them.
Even the children w^hich shall be
born and arise, * and declare them
to their children ;
That they may set their hope in
God, and not forget the works of
God, * but keep His command-
ments.
And may not be as their fathers,
* a stubborn and rebellious gen-
eration,
A generation that set not their
heart aright, * and whose spirit
was not steadfast with God.
^ The children of Ephraim bend-
ing and shooting with bows, * turned
back in the day of battle.
They kept not the covenant of
1 SLH.
^ The next few verses perhaps relate to the refusal of the children of Israel to in-
vade the Land of Promise when they first reached it, owing to fear of the inhabitants.
INumb. xiv.
132
THE PSALTER.
God, * and refused to walk in
His law.
And forgot His works, * and
His wonders that He had showed
them.
Marvellous things did He in the
sight of their fathers, in the land of
Egypt, * in the plain of Tanis.^
He divided the sea, and caused
them to pass through, * and He
made the waters to stand as an
heap.
In the day - time also He led
them with a cloud, * and all the
night with a light of fire.
He clave the rock in the wil-
derness, * and gave them drink
as out of the great depth.
He brought water also out of
the rock, * and caused waters to
run down like rivers.
And they sinned yet more against
Him, * and provoked the Most
High in the wilderness.
And they tempted God in their
hearts, * to ask meat for their
lust.
Yea, they spake against God : *
they said : Can God furnish a table
in the wilderness ?
Behold, He smote the rock, and
the waters gushed out, * and the
streams overflowed.
Can He give bread also, * or
furnish a table^ for His people ?
Therefore the Lord heard this,
and was wroth : * so a fire was
kindled against Jacob, and anger
came up against Israel.
Because they believed not in
God, * and trusted not in His
salvation.
And He commanded the clouds
from above, * and opened the
doors of heaven.
And rained down manna upon
them to eat, * and gave them of
the bread of heaven.
Man did eat Angels' bread : *
He sent them meat to the full.
He caused an east wind to
blow in the heaven : * and by His
power He brought in the south
wind.
He rained flesh also upon them
as dust, * and feathered fowls like
as the sand of the sea.
And it fell in the midst of their
camp, * round about their habita-
tions.
So they did eat, and were well
filled, and He gave them their own
desire : * they were not disap-
pointed of their lust.
But while their meat was yet in
their mouths : * the wrath of God
came upon them.
And slew the fattest of them, *
and smote down the chosen men
of Israel.
For all this they sinned still, *
and believed not in His wondrous
works.
Therefore their days were con-
sumed in vanity, * and their years
in trouble.
When He slew them, they sought
Him : * and they returned, and
enquired early after God.
And they remembered that God
was their strength, * and the High
God their redeemer.
Yet they flattered Him with their
mouth, * and lied unto Him with
their tongue.
For their heart was not right
^ An ancient city (mentioned here and subsequently) in Lower Egypt, called both by
a Shemitic name, Zoan, as well as by its Egyptian name, surrounded by plains, and close to
the natural and constant border of Palestine.
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
133
with Him, * neither were they
steadfast in His covenant.
But He being full of compassion,
forgave their iniquity, * and de-
stroyed them not.
Yea, many a time did He turn
His anger away, * and did not stir
up all His wrath.
He remembered also that they
were but flesh ; * a wind that
passeth away and cometh not
again.
How often did they provoke
Him in the wilderness ? * grieve
Him to anger in the desert?
Yea, they turned again, and
tempted God, * and provoked the
Holy One of Israel.
They remembered not His hand,
* in the day when He delivered
them from the hand of the op-
pressor.
How He set His signs in Egypt,
* and His wonders in the plain of
Tanis.
And turned their rivers into
blood : * and their floods, that
they could not drink.
He sent divers sorts of flies
among them, which devoured them :
* and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave also their increase unto
the caterpillar, * and their labour
unto the locust.
And He destroyed their vines
with hail, * and their sycamore
trees with frost.
He gave up their cattle also to
the hail, * and their flocks to hot
thunderbolts.
He cast upon them the fierceness
of His anger, * indignation, and
wrath, and trouble, by sending evil
Angels among them.
He made a way to His anger ;
He spared not their soul from
death, * and cut off their cattle in
death with them.
He smote also every first-born in
the land of Egypt : * the first-fruits
of all their labour in the tabernacles
of Ham.
And made His own people to go
forth like sheep : * and guided them
in the wilderness like a flock.
And He led them on in hope,
and they feared not : * and He
overwhelmed their enemies in the
sea.
And He brought them to the
mountain of His Sanctuary, * even
the mountain, which His right hand
hath purchased.
He cast out the heathen also
before them, * and allotted the land
among them by line.
And made the tribes of Israel to
dwell * in their tents.
Yet they tempted and provoked
the Most High God, * and kept not
His testimonies.
And turned back, and observed
not His covenant, * like their
fathers ; they were turned aside like
a deceitful bow.
They provoked Him to anger
with their high places, * and moved
Him to jealousy with their graven
images.
God heard it and cast them out :
* and brought Israel utterly to
nought.
He forsook also the tabernacle of
Shiloh, * even His tabernacle, where
He dwelt among men.
And He delivered their strength
into captivity, * and their beauty
into the enemy's hand.
He gave His people over also
unto the sword : * and cast off His
inheritance.
The fire consumed their young
134
THE PSALTER.
men : * and their maidens made no
funeral song.
Their priests fell by the sword :
* and their widows made no lamen-
tation.
Then the Lord awaked as one
out of sleep, * like a mighty man
heated with wine.
And He smote His enemies in
the hinder part : * He put them to
a perpetual -shame.
Moreover, He refused the taber-
nacle of Joseph, * and chose not the
tribe of Ephraim.
But chose the tribe of Judah, *
Mount Zion, which he loved.
And He built His sanctuary like
the horn of an unicorn upon the
earth, * which He hath established
for ever.
He chose David also His servant,
and took him from the sheepfolds :
* from following the ewes great with
young He brought him.
To feed Jacob His servant, * and
Israel His inheritance.
So he fed them according to the
integrity of his heart : * and guided
them by the skilfulness of his hands.
A^itiphon. ^ Thou art the God
That doest wonders.
Sixth Antiphon. Be merciful.
Psalm LXXVIII.
[Intituled " A Psalm of Asaph."]
f~\ GOD, the heathen are come
^^ into Thine inheritance. Thine
holy temple have they defiled : *
they have made Jerusalem like an
heap of stones in an orchard.
The dead bodies of Thy servants
have they given to be meat unto
the fowls of the heaven, * the flesh
of Thy saints unto the beasts of the
earth.
Their blood have they shed like
water round about Jerusalem : * and
there was none to bury them.
We are become a reproach to our
neighbours, * a scorn and derision
to them that are round about us.
How long. Lord ? wilt Thou be
angry for ever ? * shall Thy jealousy
burn like fire ?
Pour out Thy wrath upon the
heathen, that have not known Thee,
* and upon the kingdoms that have
not called upon Thy name ! '
For they have devoured Jacob,
* and laid waste His dwelling-place.
O remember not against us our
former iniquities, let Thy tender
mercies speedily overtake us : * for
we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
and for the glory of Thy nam.e de-
liver us, O Lord : * and forgive our
sins, for Thy name's sake.
Lest haply they should say among
the heathen : Where is their God ?
* And make known among the
nations in our sight
The vengeance of the blood of
Thy servants, which is shed : * let
the sighing of the prisoners come
before Thee.
According to the greatness of
Thine arm, * preserve Thou the
children of the slain.
And render unto our neighbours
sevenfold into their bosom : * their
reproach wherewith they have re-
proached Thee, O Lord !
But we Thy people, and sheep
of Thy pasture, * will give Thee
thanks for ever :
We will show forth Thy praise *
to all generations.
Ps. Ixxvi. 15.
THURSDAY AT MATTINS.
135
Psalm LXXIX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of Asaph," with a
direction, perhaps musical, the meaning
of which is not now certain. The LXX.
adds "concerning the Assyrian," probably
meaning that it was used as a prayer
after the destruction of Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar. ]
GIVE ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
* Thou That leadest Joseph
like a flock.
Thou That sittest upon the Cheru-
bim, * shine forth before Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Stir up Thy strength, and come
* and save us.
Turn us again, O God, * and
cause Thy face to shine, and we
shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, * how
long wilt Thou be angry against the
prayer of Thy servant ?
Wilt Thou feed us with the bread
of tears, * and give us tears to drink
in great measure ?
Thou makest us a strife unto our
neighbours : * and our enemies jest
upon us.
Turn us again, O God of hosts :
* and cause Thy face to shine, and
we shall be saved.
Thou hast brought a vine out of
Egypt : * Thou hast cast out the
heathen and planted it.
Thou preparedst room before it :
* Thou didst cause it to take deep
root, and it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the
shadow of it, * and the cedars of
God with the boughs thereof.
She sent out her boughs unto the
sea, * and her branches unto the
river. ^
Why hast Thou broken down her
hedge ? * so that all they which
pass by the way do pluck her?
The boar out of the wood doth
root it up, * and the wild beast of
the field doth devour it.
Return, O God of hosts : * look
down from heaven, and behold, and
visit this vine ;
And protect that Thy right hand
hath planted, * and the son of man
whom Thou madest strong for Thy-
self.
It is burnt with fire, and cut
down: * they shall perish at the
rebuke of Thy countenance.
Let Thine hand be upon the man
of Thy right hand, * and upon the
son of man whom Thou madest
strong for Thyself.
So will we not go back from
Thee ; * quicken us, and we will
call upon Thy name.
Turn us again, O Lord God of
hosts : * and cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
Antiphon. ^ Be merciful unto our
sins, O Lord.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said a Verse and Aiiswer.
In Advent.
Verse. Out of Zion, the Per-
fection of beauty.
Answer. Our God shall come
manifestly.
During the rest of the year.
Verse. ^ My lips shall be fain
when I sing unto Thee.
Answer. And my soul, which
Thou hast redeemed.
^ That is, the dominion of the Israelites stretched from the Mediterranean to the
Euphrates. ^ Ps. Ixxviii. 9. *' Ps. Ixx. 23.
136
THE PSALTER.
In Lent.
Verse. He hath delivered me
from the snare of the fowler.
Answer. And from the noisome
pestilence.
In Passio7i time.
Verse. O God, deliver my soul
from the sword.
Answer. And my darling from
the power of the dog.
In Paschal time.
Verse. The Lord is risen from
the grave, Alleluia.
Ansiver. Who hung for us upon
the tree, Alleluia.
The rest is the same as the First
Noctur7i on the preceding Sunday, only
the Lessons, and sometimes the Resp07i-
sories, are those of the day.
137
THE FIFTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
A II as on Sunday^ except as otherwise
given here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon. Against Thee, Thee
only.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c,, {p.
87).
Antiphon. Against Thee, Thee
only, have I sinned, have mercy
upon me, O Lord !
Second Antiphon. Lord.
If this Antiphon be used, the Psalm
begifts with the words, "Thou hast
been."
Psalm LXXXIX.
[Intituled "A Prayer of Moses the man
of God."]
T ORD, Thou hast been our re-
^-^ fuge * in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever the earth and the
world were formed, * even from
everlasting to everlasting, Thou art
God.
Turn not man to destruction ; *
for Thou sayest. Return, ye children
of men.
For a thousand years in Thy sight
* are but as yesterday when it is past.
And their years shall be reckoned
VOL. II.
as nothing, * even as a watch in
the night.
In the morning they are like
grass which soon fadeth away : in
the morning it flourisheth, and
then it fadeth away : * in the
evening it is cut down, drieth up,
and withereth.
For we are consumed by Thine
anger : * and by Thy wrath are:
we troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities be-
fore Thee, * our life in the light
of Thy countenance.
For all our days are passed away,.
* and we are consumed by Thine
anger.
The works whereon we toil all
our years are but frail structures
like a spider's web : * the days of
our years are threescore years and
ten :
And if by reason of strength they
be fourscore years, * yet is their
increase but labour and sorrow :
For weakness cometh, * and we
are cut off.
Who knoweth the power of Thine
anger, * or can measure Thy wrath,
that he may fear Thee as Thou
oughtest to be feared?
Show Thou the' might of Thy
right hand ; * and apply our hearts
to wisdom.
E 2
138
THE PSALTER.
Return, O Lord, how long? *
and let it intreat Thee concerning
Thy servants.
Thou hast satisfied us early with
Thy mercy, * and we rejoice and
are glad all our days.
We are gladdened for the days
wherein Thou hast afflicted us ; *
for the years wherein we have seen
evil.
Look upon Thy servants, and
upon Thy works, * and establish
their children.
And let the beauty of the Lord
our God be upon us ; and establish
Thou the work of our hands upon
us : * yea, the work of our hands
establish Thou it.
Antiphon. Lord, Thou hast
been our refuge.
Third Antiphon. I meditate.
Psalms LXIL, LXVL
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
iS^' 23)-
Antiphon. I meditate upon Thee
in the night watches.
Fourth Antiphon. Let us sing.
If this Antiphon be used the Canticle
begifts with the words, " Unto the
Lord."
The Song of Moses (Exod. xv.)
•[On the occasion of the successful escape
•of the Israelites through the Red Sea.]
T ET us sing unto the Lord, for
^-^ He hath triumphed gloriously :
* the horse and his rider hath He
thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and
my song, * and He is become
my salvation :
^ But in the present Hebrew text,
He is my God, and I will glorify
Him : * my father's God, and I
will exalt Him.
The Lord is Hke a man of war :
" The Almighty " ^ is His name.
* Pharaoh's chariots and his host
hath He cast into the sea.
His chosen captains are drowned
in the Red Sea. * The depths have
covered them : they sank into the
bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is be-
come glorious in power : Thy right
hand, O Lord, hath shattered the
enemy. * And in the greatness
of Thy majesty Thou hast over-
thrown them that rose up against
Thee.
Thou sentest forth Thy wrath,
which consumed them as stubble.
* And with the blast of Thy fury
the waters were gathered together.
The floods stood upright, * and
the depths were congealed in the
heart of the sea.
The enemy said : I will pursue
and overtake, * I will divide the
spoil j my soul shall be sated upon
them :
I will draw my sword, * mine
hand shall destroy them.
Thy wind blew, and the sea
covered them ; * they sank as lead
in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord,
among the mighty? * who is like
unto Thee, glorious in holiness,
terrible, and worthy to be praised,
doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out Thy right
hand, and the earth swallowed them.
* Thou in Thy mercy hast led
forth the people which Thou hast
redeemed :
And hast borne them in Thy
here stands again the Divine name.
THURSDAY AT LAUDS.
139
strength, * unto Thine holy habi-
tation.
The people came up and were
angry : * sorrow took hold on the
inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the princes of Edom were
amazed, the mighty men of Moab,
trembling took hold upon them : *
all the inhabitants of Chanaan
melted away.
Let fear and dread fall upon
them, * by the greatness of Thine
arm :
Let them be as still as a stone :
till Thy people pass over, O Lord,
* till Thy people pass over, which
Thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in and
plant them in the mountain of
Thine inheritance, * in Thy most
sure dwelling, which Thou hast
made, O Lord :
In the Sanctuary, O Lord, which
Thine hands have established.
* The Lord shall reign for ever
and ever.
For the horse of Pharaoh went
in with his chariots and with his
horsemen into the sea, * and the
Lord brought again the waters of
the sea upon them :
But the children of Israel went on
dry land * in the midst of the sea.
Antiphon. Let us sing gloriously
unto the Lord.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise God.
Psalms CXLVIII., CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., {j)p. 25,
26).
Antiphon,
Sanctuary.
Praise God in His
Chapter. (Rom. xiii. 12.)
The night is far spent, &c., {as
on Monday,, p. 89).
Hymn.i
O EE, the golden dawn is glowing,
*^ While the paly shades are going.
Which have led us far and long,
In a labyrinth of wrong.
May it bring us peace serene ;
May it cleanse, as it is clean ;
Plain and clear our words be spoke,
And our thoughts without a cloak ;
So the day's account shall stand,
Guileless tongue and holy hand.
Steadfast eyes and unbeguiled,
" Flesh as of a little child."
There is One Who from above
Watches how the still hours move
Of our day of service done,
From the dawn to setting sun.
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three and One,
As of old, and as in Heaven,
Now and here be glory given.
Amen.
Verse. Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Answer. We rejoice and are
glad.
Antiphon for the Song of Zacharias.
Let us serve the Lord * in holiness,
and He will deliver us from our
enemies.
Commemoration of the Cross before
the other Cojnjnemorations, and Long
Preces in Advent and Lent, and on
Fast-days,, as on Monday.
^ Extracted from hymn by Prudentius ; translation by the late Card. Newman,
140
Jfrxbag nt |Eattin0.
THE SIXTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
A /I as oil Stmday, except as otherwise
given here.
Invitatory. Let us worship the
Lord, for * He is our Maker.
Hymn.i
TV /r AY the dread Three in One, Who
-''*-*- sways
All with His sovereign might,
Accept from us this hymn of praise,
His watchers in the night.
For in the night, when all is still,
We spurn our bed and rise.
To find the balm for ghostly ill,
His bounteous hand supplies.
If e'er by night our envious foe
With guilt our souls would stain,
May the deep streams of mercy flow.
And make us white again ;
That so with bodies braced and bright.
And hearts awake within.
All fresh and keen may burn our light,
Undimmed, unsoiled by sin.
Shine on Thine own, Redeemer sweet !
Thy radiance increate
Through the long day shall keep our
feet.
In their pure morning state.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Only one Noctiirn is said,
Antiphon. Sing aloud.
If this Antiphon be used the Psal^n
begins with the words, " Unto God our
strength."
In Paschal time only one Antiphon is
said for the whole Nocturn. Alleluia.
Psalm LXXX.
[Intituled "Of Asaph." It has a super-
scription of meaning now uncertain, but
part of which perhaps means that it was
a Hymn for the vintage.]
SING aloud unto God our strength :
* make a joyful noise unto the
God of Jacob.
Take a psalm, and bring hither
the timbrel: * the pleasant harp
with the psaltery.
Blow the trumpet in the new
moon,^ * in the time appointed,
on our solemn feast-day.
^ From a hymn of the Ambrosian school, very slightly altered ; translation by the late
Card. Newman.
'■^ The ordinance referred to in this and the next verses is found in Numb. x. "And the
Lord spake unto Moses, saying : Make thee two trumpets of silver, of a whole piece shalt
thou make them. . . . And in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and
in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings,
and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings ; that they may be to you for a memorial
before God. I am the Lord your God."
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
141
For this is a statute for Israel :
* and a law of the God of Jacob.
This He ordained in Joseph for
a testimony, when he went out of
the land of Egypt : * he heard a
language that he understood not.
He removed his shoulder from
the burden, * his hands were done
with slaving over the baskets.
Thou calledst upon Me in trouble,
and I delivered thee : * I answered
thee in the secret place of thunder : I
proved thee at the waters of strife.^
Hear, O My people, and I will
testify unto thee : * O Israel, if
thou wilt hearken unto Me, there
shall no strange god be in thee,
neither shalt thou worship any
:strange god.
For I am the Lord thy God,
Who brought thee out of the land
of Egypt : * open thy mouth wide
and I will fill it.
But My people would not hearken
unto My voice : * and Israel would
not obey Me :
So I gave them up unto their
•own hearts' lust : * they walked
in their own counsels.
0 that My people had heark-
ened unto Me, * that Israel had
walked in My ways !
1 should quickly have brought
their enemies under them, * and
turned Mine hand against their
adversaries.
The haters of the Lord would
have feigned submission unto Him :
* but their time should have en-
dured for ever.
He would have fed them also
with the finest of the wheat : *
and with honey out of the rock
would He have satisfied them.
^ SLH. For "the waters of Meribah " or
^ SLH. 2 This verse was quoted by
Psalm LXXXI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of Asaph."]
/''^OD standeth in the congrega-
^^ tion of the mighty : * He
judgeth among the judges.
How long do ye judge unjustly,
* and accept the person of the
wicked ? ^
Defend the poor and fatherless :
* do justice to the afflicted and
needy.
Deliver the poor, * and rid the
needy out of the hand of the wicked.
They know not, neither do they
understand, they walk on in dark-
ness : * all the foundations of the
earth are out of course.
^ I have said : Ye are gods, *
and all of you are children of the
Most High;
But ye shall die like men : *
and fall like one of the princes.
Arise, O God, judge the earth :
* for Thou shalt inherit all na-
tions.
Antiphon. * Sing aloud unto
God our strength.
Second Antiphon. Thou alone.
Psalm LXXXn.
[Intituled " A Song. A Psalm of
Asaph."]
OGOD, who shall be likened
unto Thee ? * hold not Thy
peace, and be not still, O God.
For, lo. Thine enemies make a
tumult : * and they that hate Thee
have lifted up the head.
They have taken crafty counsel
against Thy people, * and con-
sulted against Thine holy ones.
"strife," see note on Ps. xciv., p. 2.
our Lord. John x. 34. ^ Ps. Ixxx. 2.
142
THE PSALTER.
They have said : Come and let
us cut them off from being a na-
tion : * that the name of Israel
may be no more in remembrance.
For they have consulted together
with one consent : * they are con-
federate against Thee : the taberna-
cles of Edom,^ and the Ishmaelites.
Of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, Amalek, * the
" Strangers." with the inhabitants
of Tyre.
Assur also is joined with them :
* they have holpen the children
of Lot.2
Do unto them as unto Midian,^
and Sisera : * as unto Jabin, at
the brook of Kishon.
They perished at Endor : * they
became as dung for the earth.
Make their nobles like Oreb
and like Zeeb ; * as Zebah and
Zalmunna,
All their princes : * who said :
Let us take to ourselves the Sanc-
tuary of God in possession.
O my God, make them like a
wheel [of whirling dust] ; * and as
the stubble before the wind !
As the fire that burneth a wood,
* and as the flame that setteth the
mountains on fire.
So pursue them with Thy tem-
pest, * and trouble them in Thine
anger.
Fill their faces with shame : * and
they will seek Thy Name, O Lord !
confounded
*
and
Let them be
troubled for ever : * yea, let them
be put to shame and perish.
And let men know that Thy
name is the Lord : * Thou alone
art the Most High over all the
earth.
Psalm LXXXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of the sons of
Korah. " It has the same superscription as
Ps. Ixx., referring possibly to the vintage.
It reads as if it were a pilgrim-song refer-
ring to the going up of all the males of
Israel to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of
Tabernacles, when harvest and vintage were
over.]
T TOW lovely are Thy taberna-
-■- ^ cles, O Lord of hosts ! *
my soul longeth and fainteth for
the courts of the Lord :
Mine heart and my flesh * rejoice
for the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an
house, * and the dove a nest for
herself, where she may lay her
young.
Even Thine altars, O Lord
hosts, * my King and my God !
Blessed are they that dwell
of
in
Thine house, O Lord ; * they will
be ever praising Thee.^
Blessed is the man whose strength
is from Thee ; * who hath settled in
his heart to go up [to thy Sanctu-
ary,] through the vale of tears,^ to
the place which he hath appointed.
He That hath given the Law will
^ Of the list of tribes in the next few verses, the Ishmaelites are the inhabitants of Edom;
Moab, and the Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, tribes to the south and south-east of
Canaan ; the " Strangers " are the Philistines ; Assur is Assyria ; the children of Lot are
the Moabites and Ammonites. ^ SLH.
^ The Midianites invaded Israel during the Judgeship of Gideon, who defeated them.
Barak had previously, by a great victory between the Kishon and Endor, delivered his
people from the tyranny of Jabin king of the Canaanites, whose general, Sisera, lost his life
on the occasion. Oreb and Zeeb were two princes, and Zebah and Zalmunna two kings of
the Midianites, whom the Israelites took prisoners and put to death on the second occasion.
See Judges iv.-viii,
* Hebrew, "of Baca," probably the proper name of a place, but, literally, "weeping."
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
143
give His blessing ; they shall go
from strength to strength : * they
appear before the God of gods in
Zion.
0 Lord God of hosts, hear my
prayer : * give ear, O God of Ja-
cob ! 1
Behold, O God, our shield : *
and look upon the face of Thine
Anointed.
For a day in Thy courts is better
* than a thousand.
1 had rather be a menial in the
house of my God, * than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness.
For God loveth mercy and truth :
* the Lord will give grace and
glory.
No good thing will He withhold
from them that walk uprightly. *
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man
that trusteth in Thee !
Antiphon. ^Thou alone art the
Most High over all the earth.
Third Antiphon. Lord.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
begins with the words " Thou hast been
favourable."
Psalm LXXXIV.
[Intituled " A Psalm of the sons of
Korah," with the usual (now uncertain)
superscription. ]
T ORD, Thou hast been favour-
-■-^ able unto Thy land : * Thou
hast brought back the captivity of
Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of
Thy people : * Thou hast covered
all their sins.^
Thou hast taken away all Thy
wrath : * Thou hast turned Thyself
from the fierceness of Thine anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation,
* and cause Thine anger towards us
to cease.
Wilt Thou be angry with us for
ever ? * wilt Thou draw out Thine
anger to all generations ?
0 God, Thou shalt again quicken
us : * and Thy people shall rejoice
in Thee.
Show us Thy mercy, O Lord ! *
and grant us Thy salvation.
1 will hear what the Lord God
will speak in me : * for He will
speak peace unto His people.
And to His saints, * and unto
them that are changed in heart.
Surely His salvation is nigh them
that fear Him, * that glory may
dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met to-
gether : * righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.
Truth hath sprung out of the
earth : * and righteousness hath
looked down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that
which is good : * and our land shall
yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before
Him : * and shall set His footsteps
in the way.
Psalm LXXXV.
[Intituled ' ' A Prayer of David. "]
BOW down Thine ear, O Lord,
and hear me : * for I am poor
and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am holy :
* O Thou my God, save Thy servant
that trusteth in Thee.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for
I cry unto Thee all the day long : *
rejoice the soul of Thy servant, for
SLH.
"^ Ps. Ixxxii. 19.
144
THE PSALTER.
unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my
soul.
For Thou, Lord, art good and
ready to forgive, * and plenteous
in mercy to all them that call upon
Thee.
Give ear, O Lord, unto my
prayer : * and attend to the voice
of my supplication.
In the day of my trouble I called
upon Thee, * for Thou hast heard
me.
Among the gods there is none like
unto Thee, O Lord : * neither are
there any works like unto Thy works.
All nations whom Thou hast
made shall come and worship be-
fore Thee, O Lord : * and shall
glorify Thy name.
For Thou art great and doest won-
drous things : * Thou art God alone.
Teach me Thy way, O Lord,
and I will walk in Thy truth : *
let mine heart be glad, that it may
fear Thy name.
I will praise Thee, O Lord my
God, with all mine heart, * and I
will glorify Thy name for evermore.
For great is Thy mercy toward
me : * and Thou hast delivered my
soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the wicked are risen
against me, and the assemblies of
violent men have sought after my
soul, * and have not set Thee before
them.
But Thou, O Lord, art a God full
of compassion and gracious, * long-
upon me : * give Thy strength unto
Thy servant, and save the son of
Thine handmaid !
Show me a token for good, that
they which hate me may see it and be
ashamed : * because Thou, O Lord,
hast holpen me, and comforted me.
Antiphon. ^ Lord, Thou hast
been favourable unto Thy land.
Fourth Antiphon. Her foundation.)
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
begins with the words, "Is in the holy
mountains."
Psalm LXXXVI.
[Intituled " A Psalm. A Song of the
sons of Korah." The Targum adds that it
was based upon words of the ancients,
perhaps meaning that the two first verses
before the SLH were an ancient saying to
which the rest was a later addition.]
TTER foundation is in the holy
-■- -^ mountains : * the Lord lov-
eth the gates of Zion more than all
the dwellings of Jacob !
Glorious things are spoken of
thee, * O city of God ! ^
I will make mention of Rahab^
and Babylon * that know me.
Behold the " Strangers," * and
Tyre, and the people of Ethiopia, *
these were there —
And of Zion shall it not be said :
This and that man was born in her,
* and the Highest Himself hath
established her?^
The Lord shall make count,
when He writeth up the people [and
suffering, and plenteous in mercy the princes,] ^ * of all that are in her.^
and truth. All they that dwell in thee * are
O look upon me, and have mercy in gladness.
1 Ps. Ixxxiv. 2. 2 SLH.
^ That is "the Insolent One," namely, Egypt. ^ I.e., the Philistines.
•^ Is the meaning that Jerusalem shall be illustrious as the birth-place of all kinds of
distinguished persons ? The Targum, curiously enough, says that the persons meant are
David and Solomon, whereas David is a native of Bethlehem.
^ Displaced from the beginning of the next verse.
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
145
PsalmLXXXVII.
[This Psalm has a long superscription, in
which its authorship is attributed to Heman
the Ezrahite, one of five brothers, descen-
dants of Zarah, the son ofjudah. Four of
them were celebrated for wisdom. 3 (i)
Kings iv. 31. This Psalm was written for
the sons of Korah, and intended to be sung
with an accompaniment of pipes and flutes.]
/^"^ LORD God of my salvation, *
^-^ I have cried day and night
before Thee.
Let my prayer come before Thee ;
* incline Thine ear unto my cry.
For my soul is full of troubles : *
and my life draweth nigh unto the
grave.
I am counted with them that go
down into the pit : * I am as a
man that hath no strength, lying
nerveless among the dead,
Like the pierced that lie in the
grave, whom Thou rememberest no
more : * and they are cast off from
Thine hand.
They have laid me in the lowest
pit, * in darkness and in the shadow
of death.
Thy wrath lieth hard upon me,
* and Thou hast afflicted me with
all Thy waves. •••
Thou hast put away mine ac-
quaintance far from me : * they
have made me an abomination unto
them.
I am shut up, and cannot come
forth : * mine eyes fail by reason
of affliction.
Lord, I have called daily upon
Thee : * I have stretched out my
hands unto Thee !
Wilt Thou show wonders to the
dead ? * or can physicians quicken
them, so that they may praise
Thee ? ^
Shall Thy loving -kindness be
1 SLH.
declared in the grave, * and Thy
faithfulness in destruction ?
Shall Thy wonders be known in
the dark, * and Thy righteousness
in the land of forgetfulness ?
But unto Thee have I cried, O
Lord : * and in the morning shall
my prayer come before Thee.
Lord, why castest Thou off my
prayer, * why hidest Thou Thy face
from me ?
I am afflicted, and in toil from
my youth up : * and when I was
lifted up, then was I brought down
and troubled :
Thy fierce wrath goeth over me,
* and Thy terrors have troubled me.
They came round about me all
the day like a flood : * they com-
passed me about together.
Friend and neighbour hast Thou
put far from me, * mine acquaint-
ance also, because of my misery.
Antiphon. ^ Her foundation is
in the holy mountains.
Jnfth Antiphon. Blessed.
Psalm LXXXVIII.
[Intituled " A didactic (?) Poem of Ethan
the Ezrahite." This Ethan was a brother
of the author of the last Psalm. ]
T WILL sing of the mercies * of
^ the Lord for ever.
With my mouth will I make
known Thy faithfulness * to all
generations.
For Thou hast said : Mercy shall
be built up for ever in the heavens :
* Thy faithfulness shall be estab-
lished in them.
I have made a covenant with My
chosen, I have sworn unto David
My servant : * thy seed will I
establish for ever.
^ Ps, Ixxxvi. I.
146
THE PSALTER.
And build up thy throne * to
all generations.^
And the heavens shall praise Thy
wonders, O Lord ; * Thy faithful-
ness also in the congregation of the
Saints —
For who in heaven can be com-
pared unto the Lord? * Who
among the sons of God can be
likened unto God ?
God, Which is glorious in the
assembly of the saints, * great
and terrible to all them that are
about Him.
O Lord God of hosts, who is
like unto Thee ? * Thou art strong,
O Lord, and Thy faithfulness is
round about Thee !
Thou rulest the raging of the
sea : * when the waves thereof
arise Thou stillest them.
Thou hast broken the " Inso-
lent " one,^ as one that is slain :
* Thou hast scattered Thine ene-
mies with Thy strong arm.
The heavens are Thine, the
earth also is Thine, as for the
world and the fulness thereof
Thou hast founded them : * the
North and the South Thou hast
created them :
^ Tabor and Hermon shall re-
joice in Thy name. * Thou hast
a mighty arm.
Strong is Thine hand, and high
Thy right hand : * justice and
judgment are the foundations of
Thy throne.
Mercy and truth shall go before
Thy face. * Blessed is the people
that know the joyful sound !
They shall walk, O Lord, in
the light of Thy countenance, and
in Thy name shall they rejoice all
the day : * in Thy righteousness
also shall they be exalted.
For thou art the glory of their
strength : * and in Thy favour
our horn shall be exalted.
For of the Lord is our de-
fence, * and of the Holy One of
Israel is our King.
Then Thou spakest in vision to
Thine holy ones, and saidst : * I
have laid help upon one that is
mighty, and have exalted one
chosen out of My people.
I have found David My ser-
vant : * with Mine holy oil have I
anointed him.
For Mine hand shall help him :
* Mine arm also shall strengthen
him.
The enemy shall prevail nothing
against him : * nor the son of
wickedness afflict him.
And I will beat down his foes
before his face, * and put them
that hate him to flight.
And My truth and My mercy
shall be with him : * and in My
Name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand also in the
sea, * and his right hand in the
rivers.*
He shall cry unto me : Thou
art my Father, * my God, and
the rock of my salvation.
^Also I will make him My first-
born, * higher than the kings of
the earth.
My mercy will I keep for him
^. Rahab — i.e., Egypt.
1 SLH.
^ Two prominent mountains in the North of Syria.
^ That is ; — " I will make his power to be bounded on the West by the Mediterranean^
and on the East by the Tigris and Euphrates. "
^ The next verses are a sort of quotation of the Divine message given by Nathan to
David. 2 Kings (Sam.) vii. 14-16.
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
147
for evermore, * and My covenant
shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make to
endure for ever, * and his throne
as the days of heaven.
But if his children forsake My
law, * and walk not in My judg-
ments,—
If they break My statutes, * and
keep not My commandments.
Then I will visit their trans-
gressions with the rod, * and
their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless My loving-kindness
will I not utterly take from him,
* nor fail in My truth.
My covenant also will I not break,
* nor make void the thing that is
gone out of My lips.
Once have I sworn by Mine
holiness, that I will not lie unto
David : * his seed shall endure for
ever,
And his throne, as the sun before
Me : * and as the full moon for
ever, and as the faithful witness in
heaven.^
But Thou hast cast off and de-
spised, * Thou hast put away Thine
Anointed.
Thou hast made void the cove-
nant of Thy servant : * Thou hast
profaned his crown [by casting] it
to the ground.
Thou hast broken down all his
hedges : * Thou hast brought his
strongholds to ruin.
All that pass by the way spoil
him : * he is a reproach to his
neighbours.
Thou hast set up the right hand
of his adversaries : * Thou hast
made all his enemies to rejoice.
Thou hast turned the edge of his
sword, * and hast not upholden him
in battle.
Thou hast made his brightness to
cease, * and cast his throne down
to the ground.
The days of his youth hast Thou
shortened : * Thou hast covered
him with shame.^
How long, Lord, wilt Thou hide
Thyself, for ever? * Shall Thy
wrath burn like fire?
Remember how short my time is i
* wherefore hast Thou made all the
sons of men in vain ?
What man is he that liveth, and
shall not see death? * Shall he
deliver his soul from the hand of
the grave ?^
Lord, where are Thy former lov-
ing-kindnesses, * which Thou swarest
unto David in Thy truth ?
Remember, Lord, the reproach of
Thy servants, * (that I bear in my
bosom) even the reproach of many
people —
Wherewith Thine enemies have
reproached, O Lord — * wherewith
they have reproached the woes of
Thine Anointed.
Blessed be the Lord for ever-
more ! * Amen, Amen.^
Psalm XCIII.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this-
Psalm to David, and assign it to the fourth
day of the week. ]
THE Lord God to Whom ven-
geance belongeth, * the God
to Whom vengeance belongeth hath
shown Himself
Lift up Thyself, Thou judge of
1 SLH. Is the "faithful witness" the rainbow? See Gen. ix. (Thursday after Sexa-
gesima Sunday. ) ^ SLH.
2 Here ends the third of the five books into which the Psalter is divided.
148
THE PSALTER.
the earth : * render a reward to the
proud.
Lord, how long shall the wicked,
* how long shall the wicked
triumph ?
How long shall they utter and
speak iniquity ? * all the workers of
wickedness boast themselves ?
They crush Thy people, O Lord!
* and afflict Thine heritage.
They slay the widow and the
stranger, * and murder the father-
less.
Yet they say : The Lord shall
not see, ^ neither shall the God of
Jacob understand.
Understand, ye brutish among the
people ! * and ye fools, some time
be wise !
He That planted the ear, shall He
not hear ? * or He That formed the
eye, can He not see ?
He That chastiseth the heathen,
shall not He correct ? * He That
teacheth man knowledge?
The Lord knoweth the thoughts
of men, * that they are vanity.
Blessed is the man whom Thou
chastenest, O Lord, * and teachest
out of Thy law..
That Thou mayest give him rest
from the days of adversity, * until
the pit be digged for the wicked.
For the Lord will not cast off
His people, * neither will He for-
sake His inheritance.
Until righteousness return unto
judgment, * and all the upright in
heart follow it.
Who will rise up for me against
the evil-doers ? * or who will stand
up with me against the workers of
iniquity ?
Unless the Lord had been mine
help, * my soul had almost dwelt
in the grave.
When I said : My foot slippeth
— * Thy mercy, O Lord, held me
up.
In the multitude of the sorrows
within mine heart, * Thy comforts
delight my soul.
^ Hath the throne of iniquity
fellowship with Thee ? — * which
frameth mischief by a law?
They that gather themselves
together against the soul of the
righteous, * and condemn the in-
nocent blood — ?
But the Lord is my refuge, *
and my God is the stay of my
trust.
And He shall bring upon them
their own iniquity, and shall cut
them oif in their own wickedness :
* the Lord our God shall cut
them off.
Antiphon. ^ Blessed be the Lord
for evermore.
Sixth Antiphon. Sing.
Psalm XCV.
[In I Par. (Chron. ) xvi. it is stated that
David gave this Psahn to Asaph and his
brethren upon the day that the ark was
brought to Jerusalem. The text is there
given somewhat differently, and the whole
forms the second part of one Psalm, of
which the first part consists of the first
fifteen verses of Ps. civ. The Vulgate and
the LXX. note that it was sung at the
rebuilding of the Temple after the Cap-
tivity.]
OSING unto the Lord a new
song : * sing unto the Lord,
all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, and bless
1 This verse is translated according to the sense of the Hebrew, the LXX., Aquila,
Symmachus, Theodotion, and St Jerome, but the Latin has the second, instead of the
third, person singular in the last clause. "^ Ps. Ixxxviii. 53.
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
149
His Name : * show forth His sal-
vation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the
heathen, * His wonders among all
people.
For the Lord is great, and greatly
to be praised : * He is to be feared
above all gods.
For all the gods of the heathen
are devils : * but the Lord made
the heavens.
Praise and beauty are before
Him : * holiness and majesty are
in His sanctuary.
Give unto the Lord, O ye kin-
dreds of the people, give unto the
Lord glory and honour : * give
unto the Lord the glory due unto
His name.
Bring sacrifices, and come into
His courts : * O worship the Lord
in His holy temple !
Let all the earth fear before
Him. * Say among the heathen,
The Lord reigneth !
He hath established the world
also, that it shall not be moved :
* He shall judge the people right-
eously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let
the earth be glad, let the sea roar,
and the fulness thereof: * let the
fields be joyful and all that is
therein.
Then shall all the trees of the
wood rejoice before the Lord, for
He Cometh, * for He cometh to
judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with
righteousness : * and the people
with His truth.^
Psalm XCVI.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. have the
superscription "[A Psahn] of David when
his country was re - established " — per-
haps meaning after the usurpation of Ab-
solom.]
n^HE Lord reigneth; let the
^ earth rejoice : * let the mul-
titude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round
about Him : * righteousness and
judgment are the foundation of
His throne.
A fire shall go before Him, * and
burn up His enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the
world : * the earth saw and trem-
bled.
The hills melted like wax at
the presence of the Lord, * at
the presence of the Lord of the
whole earth.
The heavens declared His right-
eousness, * and all the people
saw His glory.
Confounded be all they that
worship graven images, * and that
boast themselves of idols.
Worship Him, all ye His An-
gels ! * Zion heard, and was glad.
And the daughters of Judah
rejoiced, * because of Thy judg-
ments, O Lord !
For thou. Lord, art high above
all the earth : * Thou art exalted
far above all gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil :
* the Lord preserveth the souls of
His saints; He delivereth them out
of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sprung up for the
^ In I Par. (Chron.) xvi. the Psalm continues: — "O give thanks unto the Lord, for
He is good : for His mercy endureth for ever. And say ye : Save us, O God of our
salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give
thanks to Thy holy Name, and glory in Thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of
Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said : ' Amen ' and praised the Lord "
— possibly in Ps. cxxxv.
ISO
THE PSALTER.
righteous, * and gladness for the
upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye right-
eous, * and give thanks to the
memorial of His holiness !
Antiphon. ^ Sing unto the Lord,
and bless His name.
Antiphon for Paschal twie. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said a Verse and A^iswer.
In Advent.
Verse. Send forth the Lamb, O
Lord, the ruler of the land.
Answer. From the "Rock" of
the wilderness unto the mount of
the daughter of Zion.
During the rest of the year.
Verse. ^Let my prayer come
before Thee, O Lord.
Answer. Incline Thine ear unto
my cry.
In Lent.
Verse. He shall cover thee with
His wings.
Answer. And under His feath-
ers shalt thou trust.
In Passion time.
Verse. O Lord, save me from
the lion's mouth.
Answer. And mine affliction
from the horns of the unicorns.
In Paschal time.
Verse. The Lord is risen in-
deed. Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared un-
to Simon, Alleluia.
The rest is the same as the Second
Nocturn on the preceding Sunday, only
the Lessons., and sometimes the Respon-
sories, are those of the day.
1 Ps. XCV. 2.
4 Ps. Ixvii. 3.
"^ Ps. Ixxxvii, 3.
^ Ecclus. xlv. 16.
Simple Feasts. It is to be remejnbered
that when a Simple Feast is kept on
Friday, the Invitatory and Hymn are
of the Feast, bei?ig taken from the Com-
mon of Saints of the class, unless speci-
ally given.
The7i the Psahns and Antiphons of
the Week-day, as given above. Then is
said a Verse a?td Answer as follows :
hi the Simple Office for one or Tnany
Martyrs in Paschal time.
Verse. The everlasting light
shall shine upon Thy Saints, O
Lord. Alleluia.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia.
In the Siinple Office for 07te Martyr.,
{out of Paschal time).
Verse. ^ Thou hast set a crown,
O Lord, of precious stones.
Ansiver. Upon his head.
In the Simple Office for many Martyrs,
(put of Paschal time).
Verse. * Let the righteous re-
joice before God.
Answer. Yea, let them exceed-
ingly rejoice.
In the Simple Office for a Bishop and
Confessor.
Verse. ^ The Lord chose him for
a priest unto Himself.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise.
\l7i Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
In the Simple Office for a Confessor
not a Bishop.
Verse. ^ The mouth of the right-
eous shall speak wisdom.
[/;z Paschal time, <2(^^ Alleluia.]
Answer. And his tongue talk of
judgment.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
3
Ps. XX. 3.
^ Ps. xxxvi. 30.
FRIDAY AT MATTINS.
151
For 07ie Holy Wojtian, of whatever
kind.
Verse. ^ God shall give her the
help of His countenance.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
\In Paschal time, add Alleluia.]
The others, as well as what follows,
io the end of the Service., are take7t from
the Second Nocturii of the Office com7non
to Saints of the class, unless something
special be appointed. The Lessons are
■arranged according to the rules in Chap-
ter XX vi. 4 of the general Rubrics.
The Hym7i, " We praise Thee, O God,"
is said at the end, instead of a Third
Responsory. The Responsories are ar-
ranged according to the rules i7i Chapter
xxvii. 4 of the Ge7ieral Rubrics. Thus: —
The Lords Prayer is said:
OUR Father (inaudibly), Who art
in heaven. Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our tres-
passes, as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us. (Aloud.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from u^g
evil.
Then this Absolution :
MAY His loving kindness and
mercy help us, Who liveth
and reigneth with the Father, and
the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
First Blessing, if the Lesso7i be fro77i
Scripture.
God the Father, the Almighty,
Show on us His grace and mercy.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessing, if the Lesson be of an
Ho77iily.
May the Gospel's saving Lord
Bless the reading of His Word.
Ansiver. Amen.
First Blessing on a Si7nple Feast.
May His blessing be upon us.
Who doth live and reign for ever.
Answer. Amen.
The7i is read the First Lesson fro7n
Scripture or fro7n the Ho7nily, or, on a
Si77iple Feast, either the First fro77t
Scripture, or, if the Saint or Sai7its
have two Lessons, the whole three Scrip-
ture Lessons read together as one.
Then the First Responsory, unless
otherwise directed. 07i a week-day kepjt
as such, this is the First Responsory of
the precedi7tg Sunday. On a Simple
Feast, it is the First Respo7isory in the
Com7non Office for the class to which
the Saint belongs.
Then the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
Second Blessing, if the Lesson be of
Scripture.
May Christ to all His people give
For ever in His sight to live.
Answer. Amen.
Second Blessing, if the Lesson be fro7n
an Ho7nily.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
^ Ps. xlv. 5, (Alexandrian version).
152
THE PSALTER.
Second Blessings for a Simple Feast.
He {or She or They) whose feast-
day we are keeping
Plead for us before the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
The7t is read the Second Lesson^ either
fro?n the Scripture or from an Homily,
or, 071 a Simple Feast, either the Second
a7id Third Lesso7is fro77i Scripture read
together as one, or, if the Sai7it or Sai7its
have two Lessons, the first of these.
The7i the- Seco7td Responsory, U7iless
otherwise directed. O71 a week-day kept
as such, this is the Seco7id Respo7isory
of the precedi7ig Sunday, but i7i Paschal
ti7ne there is added to it:
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
And the Answer of the Responsory is
repeated again.
On a Simple Feast the Seco7id Re-
spo7isory in the Co7}ii7io7i Office for the
class to which the Sai7it belongs, with the
additio7i of " Glory be to the Father,"
&^c.^ a7td the repetition of the Answer.
The7t the Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
Third Blessi7ig, if the Lesson be of
Scripture.
May the Spirit's fire divine
In our inmost being shine.
Answer. Amen.
Third Blessi7ig, for a Simple Feast, or
if the Lesson be fro7n an Ho77iily.
May He that is the Angels' King
To that high realm His people bring.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read the Third Lesson either
fro77i Scripture, or of the Ho7nily, or,
071 Si77iple Feasts, the Second or 07ily
Lesso7i of the Saint.
The7i, 071 Si77iple Feasts and on any
day in Paschal ti77ie is said the Hy7}in,
" We praise Thee, O God." But on
week-days kept as such out of Paschal
ti77ie the Third Responsory of the pre-
ceding Sunday.
153
THE SIXTH DAY OF THE WEEK.
All as on Sunday, except as other-
wise given here.
The Psahns are as follows :
Antiphon. Uphold mine heart.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., (/,
87).
Antiphon. Uphold mine heart
with Thy free spirit, O God.
Second Antiphon. In Thy faith-
fulness.
Psalm CXLII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," and
the Vulgate and the LXX. add, "when
he was being persecuted by Absolom his
son."]
TJEAR my prayer, O Lord,
-■- -■- give ear to my supplication
in Thy faithfulness : * answer me,
in Thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment
with Thy servant : * for in Thy
sight shall no man living be jus-
tified.
For the enemy hath persecuted
my soul : * he hath smitten my
life down to the ground :
He hath made me to dwell in
darkness, as those that have been
long dead. * Therefore is my
spirit overwhelmed within me : mine
heart within me is troubled.
I remember the days of old :
I meditate on all thy works : *
I muse on the works of Thine
hands.
I stretch forth mine hands unto
Thee : * my soul [thirsteth] after
Thee, as a thirsty land.^
Hear me speedily, O Lord : *
my spirit faileth :
Hide not Thy face from me, *
lest I be like unto them that go
down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Thy loving-
kindness in the morning : * for
in Thee do I trust :
Cause me to know the way
wherein I should walk : * for I
lift up my soul unto Thee.
Deliver me, O Lord, from
mine enemies : I flee unto Thee
to hide me. * Teach me to do
Thy will : for Thou art my God.
Let Thy good Spirit lead me
into the land of uprightness. *
For Thy name's sake, O Lord,
Thou shalt quicken me in Thy
righteousness.
Thou shalt bring my soul out
of trouble : * and of Thy mercy
cut off mine enemies,
1 SLH.
154
THE PSALTER.
And destroy all them that af-
flict my soul : * for I am Thy
servant.
Antiphon. In Thy faithfulness,
answer me, O Lord.
Third Antiphon. O Lord.
Psalms LXII., LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(/• 23)- '
Antipho7i. O Lord, cause Thy
face to shine upon us.
Fourth Afttiphon. O Lord, I
have heard.
If this Antipho?i be used the Can-
ticle begifts with the zvords, "Thy
speech."
The Song of Habakkuk the
Prophet. (Hab. iii.)
[Intituled "A prayer of Habakkuk the
Prophet " with a direction, perhaps musi-
cal.]
r^ LORD, I have heard tell of
^-^ Thee : * and was afraid :
O Lord, revive Thy work * in
the midst of the years ;
In the midst of the years shalt
Thou make it known : * in wrath.
Thou wilt remember mercy.
God shall come from " the
South," * and the Holy One
from Mount Paran.^
His glory covered the heavens,
* and the earth was full of His
praise.
His brightness was as the light :
* He had horns ^ coming out of
His hand :
There was the hiding of His
power, * Before Him went death.
And the destroyer went forth
at His feet. * He stood and mea-
sured the earth :
He beheld, and drove asunder
the nations : * and the everlast-
ing mountains were crushed :
The everlasting hills did bow : *"
because the Eternal passed by.^
I saw the tents of Ethiopia in
affliction : * the curtains of the
land of Midian did tremble.*
Wast Thou displeased against
the rivers, O Lord ? * was Thine
anger against the rivers ? Thy
wrath against the sea ?
That Thou didst ride upon
Thine horses, * and Thy chariots
were salvation?
Thou didst seize and draw Thy
bow, * according to the oaths that
Thou utteredst unto the tribes.^
Thou didst cleave the rivers of
the earth : the mountains saw Thee
and they trembled : * the overflow-
ing of the water passed by :
The deep uttered his voice : *
he lifted up his hands on high.
The sun and moon stood stilt
^ SLH. "The South" is, in the original, " Teman," the name of a country and nation
eastward of Idumea, but used for the south generally. Paran, or Pharan, is an uncultured
and mountainous region, lying between Arabia Petrsea, Palestine, and Idumea. The pas-
sage is an imitation of the words of Moses when blessing the tribes. Deut. xxxiii. 2. " The
Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them ; He stirred forth from Mount
Paran, and He came with ten thoixsands of Saints : from His right hand went a fiery law
for them."
- Gesenius says " ' Horns' is here used of flashes of lightning, just as the Arabian poets
compare the first beams of the rising sun to horns, and call the sun itself a gazelle."
^ The present Hebrew simply is ''The ways are everlasting to Him."
* Proper nam^e of an Arabian nation whose territory lay from the eastern shore of the
^lanitic Gulf as far as the land of Moab. ' SLH.
FRIDAY AT LAUDS.
155
in their habitation : * at the light
of Thine arrows they went forth, at
the shining of Thy glittering spear.
Thou didst tread down the
land in indignation : * Thou didst
thresh the heathen in anger.
Thou wentest forth for the sal-
vation of Thy people, * even for
salvation with Thine Anointed.-"-
Thou didst smite the head of
the house of the wicked : ^ * Thou
didst lay bare the foundation unto
the neck.^
Thou didst curse his sceptre,
even the head of his fighting men,
* when they came out as a whirl-
wind to scatter me :
Their rejoicing was as the re-
joicing of him * that devoureth
the poor secretly.
Thou didst make a way in the
sea for Thine horses, * through
the mire of great waters.
I heard, and my belly trembled :
* my lips quivered at the voice :
Let rottenness enter into my
bones, * and corruption swarm
under me :
That I may rest in the day of
trouble : * that I may go up unto
our people that are girded.^
Although the fig-tree shall not
blossom, * neither shall fruit be
in the vines :
The labour of the olive shall
fail, * and the fields shall yield
no meat :
The flock shall be cut off from
the fold, * and there shall be no
herd in the stalls :
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord :
* I will joy in the God of my
salvation.'^
The Lord God is my strength :
* and He will make my feet like
hinds' feet :
And He will lead me forth, to
make me to walk upon mine high
places, * as a conqueror, to sing
praises unto Him.^
Antiphon. O Lord, I have heard
Thy speech, and was afraid.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise God.
•
Psalms CXLVIII., CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, from the
heavens, &c., (//. 25, 26).
Antiphon. Praise God with the
timbrel and dance.
Chapter. (Rom. xiii. 12.)
The night is far spent, &c., {as on
Monday, p. 89).
Hymn.'"
GLORY of the eternal Heaven,
Blessed Hope to mortals given,
Of the Almighty Only Son,
And the Virgin's Holy One ;
Raise us, Lord, and we shall rise
In a sober mood,
And a zeal which glorifies
Thee from gratitude.
Now the day-star keenly glancing,
Tells us of the sun's advancing;
While the unhealthy shades decline,
Rise within us, Light Divine !
^ Moses ? 2 Pharaoh ?
2 SLH. Some critics read " of the rock " instead of " unto the neck."
* Accinctum. The Latin translator probably meant " girt," as the dead were girt, cf.
John xi. 44. ^ Jesu Meo. So the Hebrew.
^ This last clause seems to be only a musical direction, which has got confounded with
the text. Some translate it : " Given to the leader of the string band."
'^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, slightly altered ; translation by the late Card. Newman.
156
THE PSALTER.
Rise, and, risen, go not hence,
Stay and make us bright,
Streaming through each cleansed
sense,
On the outward night.
Then the root of faith shall spread
In the heart new fashioned ;
Gladsome hope shall spring above,
And shall bear the fruit of love.
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Holy Ghost,
Here be glory, as is done.
By the Angelic host.
Amen.
Verse. Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Answer. We rejoice and are
glad.
Antiphon for the Song of Zach-
arias. Through the tender mercy
of our God * the day-spring from on
high hath visited us.
Co7nmemoration of the Cross before
the other Co7nmeinorations, and Lonig
Preces in Advent and Le?ity and on
Fast-days^ as o?i Mo7iday.
157
THE SABBATH.
All as on Simday, except as other-
wise given here.
Invitatory. O come, let us wor-
ship * the Lord our God.
Hymn.i
"PATHER of mercies infinite,
-*- Ruling all things that be,
Who, shrouded in the depth and height,
Art One, and yet art Three ;
Accept our chants, accept our tears,
A mingled stream we pour ;
Such stream the laden bosom cheers,
To taste Thy sweetness more.
Purge Thou with fire the o'ercharged
mind.
Its sores and wounds profound;
And with the watcher's girdle bind
The limbs which sloth has bound.
That they who with their chants by
night
Before Thy presence come,
All may be fill'd with strength and light
From their eternal home.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace.
To whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Only 0716 Nocturn is said.
Antiphon. For the Lord.
hi Paschal time only 07ie A7itiphon is
said for the whole Nocturn. Alleluia.
Psalm XC VI I.
[Intituled "A Psahii." The Vulgate and
the LXX. ascribe it to David.]
r~\ SING unto the Lord a new
^-^ song : * for He hath done
marvellous things.
His right hand, and His holy arm,
* have gotten Him the victory.
The Lord hath made known His
salvation : * His righteousness hath
He openly showed in the sight of
the heathen.
He hath remembered His mercy,
* and His truth towards the house
of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have
seen * the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all the earth, * make a
loud noise and rejoice, and sing
praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the
harp, with the harp and the voice
of a psalm. * With trumpets and
sound of cornet.
Make a joyful noise before the
Lord, the King. * Let the sea
roar, and the fulness thereof, the
world and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands,
let the hills be joyful together be-
^ Another hymn of the Ambrosian school, considerably altered ; translation by the late
Card. Newman.
158
THE PSALTER.
fore the Lord. * For He cometh
to judge the earth :
With righteousness shall He judge
the world, * and the people with
equity.
Psalm XCVIII.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
Psahii to David.]
THE Lord reigneth, be the
people never so impatient : *
He sitteth upon the Cherubim, be
the earth never so unquiet.
The Lord is great in Zion : *
and He is high above all people.
Let them praise Thy great and
terrible Name, for it is holy : *
and the King's majesty loveth judg-
ment.
Thou dost establish equity : *
Thou executest judgment and right-
eousness in Jacob.
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and
worship at His footstool : * for it
is holy.
Moses and x\aron among His
priests, * and Samuel among them
that call upon His name.
They called upon the Lord, and
He answered them. * He spake
unto them in the cloudy pillar :
They kept His testimonies, *
and the ordinance that He gave
them.
Thou answeredst them, O Lord
our God ! * O God, Thou forgav-
est them, though Thou tookest
vengeance of their inventions.
Exalt the Lord our God and
worship at His holy hill : * for the
Lord our God is Holy.
Antiphon. ^ For the Lord hath
done marvellous things.
When the following Psalm^ " Make
a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands,"
z's to be said at Lands {as would be the
case ^ for instance, if Christmas Eve fell
on a Saturday) it is not said here^ nor
its A ntiphon. But instead is said Psalm
xci., " it is a good thing to give thanks
unto the Lord," from the Saturday
Lauds which are to be displaced, luith
the Antiphon^ "It is a good thing * to
give thanks unto the Lord," in which
case the Psalm begins with the words
" To give thanks unto the Lord."
Second Antiphon. Make a joyful
noise.
If this Antiphon be used, the Psalm
begins with the words ^ " Unto GOD, all
ye lands."
Psalm XCIX.
[Intituled "A Psahii of thanksgiving."
The Targum has " A Psalm for the Sacrifice
of thanksL;iviiig."]
1\ /T AKE a joyful noise unto God,
^* -^ all ye lands : * serve the
Lord with gladness.
Come before His presence, * with
singing.
Know ye that the Lord, He is
God : * it is He That hath made
us, and not we ourselves :
We are His people, and the
sheep of his pasture. * Enter into
His gates with thanksgiving, and
into His courts with praise : give
thanks unto Him,
Praise His Name. For the Lord
is good. His mercy is everlasting : *
and His truth endureth to all gen-
erations.
Psalm C.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David."]
T WILL sing of mercy and judg-
^ ment, * unto Thee, O Lord !
I will sing and behave myself
^ Ps. xcvii. I.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
159
wisely in a perfect way. * O when
wilt Thou come unto me ?
I walked within mine house, * in
the innocence of mine heart.
I set no wicked thing before mine
eyes : * I hate the work of them
that turn aside.
A froward heart cleaveth not
unto me : * the wicked person that
turned aside from me, I would not
know.
Whoso privily slandered his neigh-
bour, * him did I expose.
Him that had an high look and
a proud heart : * with him I will
not eat.
Mine eyes are upon the faithful
of the land, that they may dwell
with me : * he that walked in a
perfect way, he ministered unto
me.
He that doeth proud things shall
not dwell within mine house : * he
that speaketh wickedness was not
upright in my sight.
I will early destroy all the wicked
of the land : * that I may cut off
all wicked doers from the city of the
Lord.
Antiphon. ^ Make a joyful noise
unto God, all ye lands.
Third Antiphon. O God.
Psalm CI.
[Intituled "A Prayer of the afflicted,
when he is overwhelmed, and poureth
out his complaint before the Lord."]
TJEAR my prayer, O Lord, *
^ ^ and let my cry come unto
Thee.
Hide not Thy face from me : *
in the day when I am in trouble
incline Thine ear unto me.
1 Ps.
In the day when I call upon
Thee, * answer me speedily.
For my days are wasted away like
smoke : * and my bones are con-
sumed as a firebrand.
I am smitten like grass, and mine
heart is withered : * for I have
forgotten to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my
groaning * my bones cleave to my
flesh.
I am like a pelican of the wil-
derness : * I am like an owl in his
hole.
I watch, * and am as a sparrow
alone upon the house-top.
Mine enemies reproached me
all the day : * and they that
praised me are sworn together
against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread,
* and mingled my drink with weep-
ing:
Because of thine indignation and
wrath : * for Thou hast lifted me up
and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that
declineth : * and I am withered like
grass.
But Thou, O Lord, endurest for
ever, * and Thy remembrance unto
all generations.
Thou shalt arise and have mercy
upon Zion : * for the time to
favour her, yea, the set time, is
come.
For Thy servants take pleasure
in her stones : * and have pity on
her dust.
So the heathen shall fear Thy
name, O Lord, * and all the kings
of the earth Thy glory.
When the Lord shall build up
Zion, * He shall appear in His
glory,
xcix, I,
i6o
THE PSALTER.
He hath had regard unto the
prayer of the destitute, * and hath
not despised their supplication.
Let this be written for the gen-
eration to come : * and the people
which shall be created shall praise
the Lord.
For He hath looked down from
the height of His sanctuary : *
from heaven did the Lord behold
the earth :
To hear the groaning of the
prisoners, * to loose the children
of the slain.
To declare the name of the
Lord in Zion, * and His praise in
Jerusalem.
When the people are gathered
together, * and the kings, to serve
the Lord.
^ He answered him in the way
of his strength : * Show me the
shortness of my days.
Call me not away in the midst of
my days : * Thy years are unto all
generations.
Thou, Lord, in the beginning,
hast laid the foundation of the
earth : * and the heavens are the
works of Thine hands.
They shall perish, but Thou re-
mainest : * and they all shall wax
old as doth a garment :
And as a vesture shalt Thou
change them, and they shall be
changed : * but Thou art the
Same, and Thy years shall not
fail.
The children of Thy servants shall
continue : * and their seed shall be
established for ever.
Psalm CII.
[Intituled "of David."]
13 LESS the Lord, O my soul : *
^-^ and all that is within me, bless
His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and
forget not all His benefits.
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities :
* Who healeth all thy diseases. '
Who redeemeth thy life from
destruction : * Who crowneth thee
with loving - kindness and tender
mercies.
Who satisfieth thy desire with
good things : * thy youth is re-
newed like the eagle's.
The Lord executeth mercy, * and
judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known His ways unto
Moses, * His will unto the chil-
dren of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gra-
cious : * slow to anger, and plen-
teous in mercy.
He will not always chide : *
neither will He keep His anger for
ever.
He hath not dealt with us after
our sins : * nor rewarded us accord-
ing to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above
the earth, * so great is His mercy
toward them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the
west, * so far hath He removed our
transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his chil-
dren, so the Lord pitieth them that
fear Him. * For He knoweth our
frame ;
1 "He" may be taken for the "afiflicted man" who has just given utterance to his
hopes of a brighter future. The Hebrew, (as now pointed,) reads : "He afflicted in the
way his (my) strength, he cut short my days." The Alexandrian translators, using an
unpointed text, took the opening word of the clause to mean " he answered " instead
of "he afflicted" as they might easily do, the letters being the same for either word.
The Hebrew text itself is not quite settled.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
161,
He remembereth that we are
dust : * as for man, his days are as
grass, as a flower of the field so
shall he flourish.
For the wind passeth over it, and
it is gone, * and the place thereof
shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting * to everlasting
upon them that fear Him,
And His righteousness unto chil-
dren's children ; * to such as keep
His covenant.
And to those that remember His
commandments, * to do them.
The Lord hath prepared His
throne in heaven, * and His king-
dom shall rule over all.
Bless the Lord, all ye His
Angels, * that excel in strength,
that do His commandments, to
hearken unto the voice of His
word.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye His
hosts : * ye ministers of His that
do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works :
* in all places of His dominion ;
bless the Lord, O my soul !
Antiphon. ^ O God, let my cry
come unto Thee.
Fourth Antiphon. Bless the
Lord.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
begins with the words, " O my soul."
Psalm cm.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
Psahn to David.]
"DLESS the Lord, O my soul : *
^ O Lord my God, Thou art
very great !
Thou art clothed with honour and
1 Ps. ci. I.
VOL. II.
So
majesty, * covering Thyself with
light as with a garment !
Who stretchest out the heavens
like a curtain, * Who coverest their
upper chambers with the waters !
Who makest the clouds Thy
chariot, * Who walkest upon the
wings of the wind !
Who makest Thine Angels spi-
rits : * and Thy ministers a flame
of fire ! ^
Who layest the foundations of the
earth ; * it shall not be removed for
ever !
Thou coveredst it with the deep
as with a garment, * the waters
stood above the mountains.
At Thy rebuke they fled : * at
the voice of Thy thunder they hasted
fearfully away.
The mountains go up, and the
valleys go down, * into the place
which Thou hast founded for them.
Thou hast set a bound, that
they may not pass over : * that
they turn not again to cover the
earth.
Who sendeth springs into the
valleys : * the waters run among
the hills.
All the beasts of the field drink
thereof: * the wild asses seek them
in their thirst.
By them build the fowls of the
heaven their habitation ; * they sing
among the rocks.
He watereth the hills from His
upper chambers : * the earth is
satisfied with the fruit of Thy
works.
He causeth the grass to grow for
the cattle, * and herb for the service
of men :
That Thou mayest bring forth
food out of the earth, * and wine
is this passage translated, Heb. i. 7.
F
1 62
THE PSALTER.
that maketh glad the heart of
man ;
Oil to make his face to shine, *
and bread to strengthen man's
heart.
The trees of the field are filled
[with sap], the cedars of Lebanon
also, which He hath planted : *
there the birds make their nests.
The stork's nest is the highest
among them : * the high hills are a
refuge for the wild goats, and the
rocks for the conies.
He hath appointed the moon for
seasons : * the sun knoweth his
going down.
Thou makest darkness, and it is
night : * wherein all the beasts of
the forest do come forth.
The young lions roar after their
prey, * and seek their meat from
God.
The sun ariseth, and they gather
themselves together : * and lay
them down in their dens.
Man goeth forth unto his work,
* and to his labour, until the even-
ing.
O Lord, how manifold are Thy
works ! * in wisdom hast Thou
made them all : the earth is full of
Thy riches.
So is this great and wide sea :
* wherein are things creeping in-
numerable.
Both small and great beasts : *
there go the ships ;
There is that Leviathan whom
Thou hast made to play with him :
* these all wait upon Thee, that
Thou mayest give them their meat
in due season.
That thou givest them, they
gather : * when Thou openest Thine
hand, they are all filled with good.
Thou hidest Thy face, they are
troubled : * Thou takest away their
breath, they die, and return to their
dust.
Thou sendest forth Thy spirit,
and they are created : * and Thou
renewest the face of the earth.
Let the glory of the Lord endure
for ever ! * the Lord shall rejoice in
His works. '
He looketh on the earth and
maketh it to tremble : * He touch-
eth the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing unto the Lord as long
as I live : * I will sing praise to my
God while I have my being.
My meditation of Him shall be
sweet : * I will be glad in the
Lord.
Let the sinners be consumed out
of the earth, and let the wicked be
no more : * bless thou the Lord, O
my soul ! ^
Psalm CIV.
[The first fifteen verses of this Psalm
are found in a slightly different edition in
I Par. (Chron.) xvi. as the first part of a
Psalm given by David to Asaph and his
brethren, on the day that the ark was
brought to Jerusalem. The rest is our
present Psalm xcv,, which see with the
notes, p. 148. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix "Alleluia."]
o
GIVE thanks unto the Lord,
and call upon His name : *
make known His deeds among the
heathen.
Sing unto Him, and sing psalms
unto Him : * talk ye of all His
wondrous works.
Glory ye in His holy name : *
let the heart of them rejoice that
seek the Lord.
Seek the Lord, and be strong :
* seek His face evermore.
Alleluia " is here appended in the Hebrew.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
163
Remember His marvellous works
that He hath done: * His won-
ders and the judgments of his
mouth.
O ye seed of Abraham, His ser-
vant, * ye children of Jacob His
chosen !
He is the Lord our God : * His
judgments are in all the earth.
He hath remembered His cove-
nant for ever, * the word which
He commanded to a thousand gen-
erations—
[The covenant] that He made
with Abraham : * and His oath
unto Isaac.
And He confirmed the same
unto Jacob for a law, * and to
Israel for an everlasting covenant.
Saying : Unto thee will I give
the land of Canaan, * the lot of
your inheritance.
When they were but a few men
in number, * very few, and strangers
in it.
And they went from one nation
to another, * and from one ' king-
dom to another people.
He suffered no man to do them
wrong : * yea. He reproved kings
for their sakes.
Touch not Mine anointed, * and
do My prophets no harm.^
Moreover He called for a famine
upon the land : * and brake the
whole staff of bread.
He sent a man before them : *
Joseph was sold for a servant :
Whose feet they hurt with fetters,
the iron entered into his soul. *
Until his word came,
The word of the Lord tried
him : * the king sent and loosed
him ; even the ruler of the people,
and let him go free.
He made him lord of his house,
* and ruler of all his substance.
To instruct his princes at his
pleasure, * and teach his elders
wisdom.
Israel also came into Egypt, *
and Jacob sojourned in the land
of Ham.
And He increased His people
greatly : * and made them stronger
than their enemies.
He turned their heart to hate
His people, * and to deal subtilly
with his servants.
He sent Moses His servant, *
and Aaron whom He had chosen.
He showed signs among them,
* and wonders in the land of
Ham.
He sent darkness and made it
dark : * He made not His words,
of none effect.
He turned their waters into-
blood, * and slew their fish.
Their land brought forth frogs, ^
in the chambers of their kings.
He spake, and there came divers"
sorts of flies, * and lice in all their
coasts.
He gave them hail for rain, *
flaming fire in their land.
He smote their vines also and
their fig-trees, * and brake the trees
of their coasts.
He spake, and the locust came,
and the caterpillar, * without
number.
And ate up all the herb in their
land, * and devoured all the fruit
of their ground.
He smote also all the first-born
in their land, * the chief of all
their travail.
He brought them forth also with
silver and gold : * and there was
^ Here ends the portion found in I Par. (Chron.) xvi. 22
164
THE PSALTER.
not one feeble person among their
tribes.
Egypt was glad when they de-
parted : * for the fear of them fell
^pon them.
He spread a cloud for a cover-
ing, * and fire to give light in the
night.
They asked, and the quail came,
* and He satisfied them with the
bread of heaven.
He opened the rock and the
waters gushed out, * the rivers
ran through the dry places.
For He remembered His holy
promise, * that He made unto
Abraham His servant.
And He brought forth His people
with joy, * and His chosen with
gladness.
And gave them the lands of the
heathen, * and they inherited the
labour of the peoples.
That they might observe His
statutes, * and keep His laws.
[Here the Hebrew adds "Alleluia."]
Antiphon, ^ Bless the Lord, O
my soul !
Fifth Antiphon. Visit us.
Psalm CV.
[Superscribed ' ' Alleluia. "]
OGIVE thanks unto the Lord,
for He is good : * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
Who can utter the mighty acts
of the Lord ? * who can show
forth all His praise?
Blessed are they that keep judg-
ment, * and they that do righteous-
ness at all times.
Remember us, O Lord, with
1 Ps.
the favour that Thou showest unto
Thy people : * O visit us with
Thy salvation :
That I may see the good of Thy
chosen, that I may rejoice in the
gladness of Thy people, * that
Thou mayest be praised in Thine
inheritance.
We have sinned with our fathers :
* we have done wickedly, we have'
committed iniquity.
Our fathers considered not Thy
wonders in Egypt : * they remem-
bered not the multitude of Thy
mercies,
But provoked Him when they
went up unto the sea, * even the
Red Sea.
Nevertheless He saved them for
His name's sake, * that He might
make His mighty power to be
known.
He rebuked the Red Sea also,
and it was dried up : * and He
led them through the depths as
through the wilderness.
And He saved them from the
hand of them that hated them, *
and redeemed them from the hand
of the enemy.
And the waters covered their
enemies : * there was not one of
them left.
And they believed His words :
* and sang His praise.
They soon forgot His works : *
and waited not for His counsel.
And lusted exceedingly in the
wilderness : * and tempted God
in the desert.
And He gave them their request,
* and sent fulness into their soul.
They provoked Moses also in the
camp, * and Aaron, the saint of the
Lord.
cii. I.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
165
The earth opened and swallowed
up Dathan, * and covered the com-
pany of Abiram.^
And a fire was kindled in their
assembly, * the flame burned up
the wicked.
^ They made a calf also in
Horeb, * and worshipped the
graven image.
Thus they changed their Glory *
into the similitude of a calf that
eateth grass.
They forgat God their Saviour,
* Who had done great things in
Egypt, wondrous works in the land
of Ham, terrible things by the Red
Sea.
Therefore He said that He would
cut them off, * had not Moses His
chosen stood before Him in the
breach.
To turn away His wrath, lest
He should destroy them : * yea,
they despised the pleasant land ;
They believed not His words :
but murmured in their tents : *
they hearkened not unto the voice
of the Lord. '
He also lifted up His hand
against them, * to overthrow them
in the wilderness.
To overthrow their seed also
among the nations, * and to scat-
ter them in the lands.
They joined themselves also unto
Baal-peor,^ * and ate the sacrifices
of the dead.
And they provoked Him to
anger with their inventions : * and
the carcasses lay thick among
them.
Then stood up Phinehas and
made a propitiation : * and the
plague was stayed.
And that was counted unto him
for righteousness, * unto all genera-
tions for evermore.
They angered Him also at the
waters of " Provocation," * * so
that it went ill with Moses for
their sakes ; because they provoked
his spirit ;
So that he spake unadvisedly with
his lips.^ * They did not destroy
the nations concerning whom the
Lord commanded them : ^
And they were mingled among
the heathen, and learned their
works, and served their idols : *
and it became a snare to them.
Yea, they sacrificed their sons
* and their daughters unto devils.
^ Numbers xvi. They tried to stir up a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, upon
levelling principles, "and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up," while
some of their partizans were consumed by a fire which issued from the sanctuary.
^ For the well-known history of the golden calf, see Exod. xxxii.
^ I.e., "the Lord of Mount Peor," an idol of the Moabites. The whole history of this
lapse of the Israelites, and how Phinehas stopped the plague by killing one pair of
the transgressors, is in Numbers xxv. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying:
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the Priest, hath turned My wrath
away from the children of Israel. . . . Behold, I give unto him My covenant of
peace ; and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting
Priesthood. "
■* Meribah. See note on Ps. xciv., p. 3.
■^Numbers xx. 10. "And Moses . . . said unto them: Hear now, ye rebels, must
we fetch you water out of this rock?" v. 12. "And the Lord spake unto Moses
and Aaron : Because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children
of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this .congregation into the land which I have
given them."
^ In Judges i. 21 to the end, is a long list of the districts of idolaters whom they left in
Canaan and among whom they lived.
i66
THE PSALTER.
And shed innocent blood, * even
the blood of their sons and of their
daughters, whom they sacrificed unto
the idols of Chanaan :
And the land was polluted with
blood. They were defiled also
with their own works, * and went
a whoring with their own inven-
tions.
Therefore was the wrath of the
Lord kindled against His people,
* and He abhorred His own in-
heritance.
And He gave them into the hand
of the heathen : * and they that
hated them ruled over them.
Their enemies also oppressed
them, and they were brought into
subjection under their hand. *
Many times did He deliver them.
But they provoked Him with
their counsel, * and they were
brought low for their iniquity.
But He regarded their affliction,
* and heard their cry.
And He remembered His cove-
nant, * and repented according to
the multitude of His mercies.
He made them also to be pitied
* of all those that carried them
captives.
Save us, O Lord our God, *
and gather us from among the
nations !
To give thanks unto Thy holy
Name, * and to triumph in Thy
praise.
Blessed be the Lord God of
Israel from everlasting to everlast-
ing : * and let all the people say :
Amen, Amen.
[The Hebrew adds "Alleluia," which
the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to
the next Psalm. Here ends the fourth
of the five books into which the Psalter
is divided.]
Psalm CVI.
/^ GIVE thanks unto the Lord,
^-^ for He is good : * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord
say so, whom He hath redeemed
from the hand of the enemy : *
and gathered them out of the
lands,
From the rising of the sun and
from the setting thereof, * from
the north and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness
in a dry land : * they found no
pathway to a city to dwell in :
Hungry and thirsty, * their soul
fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the Lord
in their trouble ; * and He de-
livered them out of their distresses.
And He led them forth by the
right way, * that they might go
to a city to dwell in.
O that men would praise the
Lord for His goodness : * and for
His wonderful works to the children
of men !
For He satisfieth the longing
soul : * and filleth the hungry soul
with goodness.
Such as sit in darkness and in
the shadow of death, * being bound
in affliction and iron.
Because they rebelled against the
words of God, * and contemned the
counsel of the Most High.
Therefore their heart was brought
down with labour : * they fell down,
and there was none to help.
Then they cried unto the Lord
in their trouble : * and He de-
livered them out of their distresses.
And He brought them out of
darkness and the shadow of death :
* and brake their bands in sunder.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
167
O that men would praise the
Lord for His goodness : * and
for His wonderful works to the
children of men !
For He hath broken the gates
of brass, * and cut the bars of iron
in sunder.
He saved them from the way
of their transgression : * for they
were afflicted because of their in-
iquities.
Their soul abhorred all manner
of meat : * and they drew near even
unto the gates of death.
Then they cried unto the Lord
in their trouble : * and He de-
livered them out of their dis-
tresses.
He sent His word and healed
them, * and delivered them from
their straits.
O that men would praise the
Lord for His goodness : * and for
His wonderful works to the children
of men !
Yea, let them sacrifice the sacri-
fice of thanksgiving, * and declare
His works with rejoicing.
They that go down to the sea
in ships, * and do business in great
waters ;
These see the works of the Lord,
* and His wonders in the deep.
He commandeth, and the stormy
wind riseth, * and the waves thereof
are lifted up.
They mount up to the heaven,
and go down again to the depths :
* their soul is melted because of
trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger
like a drunken man, * and are at
their wits' end.
Then they cry unto the Lord
in their trouble, * and He delivereth
them out of their distresses.
And He maketh the storm a
calm, * and the waves thereof are
still.
And they are glad because [the
breakers] be quiet : * so He
bringeth them unto their desired
haven.
O that men would praise the
Lord for His goodness : * and for
His wonderful works to the children
of men !
Let them exalt Him also in the
congregation of the people, * and
praise Him in the assembly of the
elders.
He turneth the rivers into a
wilderness, * and the water-springs
into dry ground ;
A fruitful land into a salt desert,
* for the wickedness of them that
dwell therein.
He turneth the wilderness into a
standing-water, * and dry ground
into water-springs.
And there He maketh the hungry
to abide, * and they prepare a city
to dwell in :
And sow the fields, and plant
vineyards, * and bring forth fruits
of increase.
He blesseth them also, and they
are multiplied greatly : * and He
suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Again they are minished, * and
brought low, through oppression,
affliction, and sorrow.
He poureth contempt upon prin-
ces, * and He causeth them to
wander in the wilderness, and in
the land where there is no way.
Yet helpeth He the poor from
affliction, * and maketh him fami-
lies like a flock.
The righteous shall see it and
rejoice : * and all iniquity shall stop
her mouth.
i68
THE PSALTER.
Who is wise, and will observe
these things ? * even he shall un-
derstand the loving-kindness of the
Lord.
Antiphofi. ^ Visit us with Thy
salvation, O Lord.
Sixth Antiphon. I will greatly
praise.
Psalm CVII.
[Intituled "A Song. A Psalm of David."
It is a compilation of Ps. Ivi. 8-12, and
Ps. lix. 6-14.]
l\/riNE heart is ready, O God,
■^^ ^ mine heart is ready : * I
will sing and give praise, even with
my glory.
Awake up, my glory, awake,
psaltery and harp ! * I will awake
right early.
I will praise Thee, O Lord,
among the people : * and sing unto
Thee among the nations.
For Thy mercy is great above the
heavens : * and Thy truth unto the
clouds.
Be Thou exalted, O God,
above the heavens, and let Thy
glory be above all the earth : *
^ that Thy beloved may be de-
livered :
Save with Thy right hand and
hear me. * God hath spoken in
His holiness :
I will rejoice, and divide She-
chem, * and mete out the valley of
booths.
Gilead is mine ; and Manasseh
is mine : * Ephraim also is the
strength of mine head :
Judah is my King : * Moab is
the vessel [of the triumph] of mine
hope.
^ Ps. cv. 4.
^ Here begins the extract'from Ps, lix.
Over Edom will I cast out my
shoe : * over the " Strangers " have
I triumphed.
Who will bring me into the strong
city? * who will lead me into
Edom?
Wilt not Thou, O God, Who
hast cast us off? * and wilt not
Thou go forth with our armies,
O God?
Give us help from trouble : * for
vain is the help of man.
Through * God we shall do val-
iantly : * and He it is That shall
tread down our enemies.
Psalm CVIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," vk^ith a
superscription, probably musical, but now-
uncertain.]
TTOLD not Thy peace, O God
-^ -^ of my praise : * for the
mouth of the wicked, and the
mouth of the deceitful are opened
against me :
They have spoken against me
with a lying tongue : they com-
passed me about also with words of
hatred : * and fought against me
without a cause.
In return for my love they were
mine adversaries : * but I gave
myself unto prayer.
And they have rewarded me evil
for good, * and hatred for my love.
Set Thou a wicked man over
him : * and let the devil stand at
his right hand.
When he is judged, let him go
forth condemned : * and let his
prayer become sin.
Let his days be few ; * and let
another take his office.
See that Psalm and notes on it, p. 112.
SATURDAY AT MATTINS.
169
Let his children be fatherless, *
and his wife a widow.
Let his children be continually
vagabonds, and beg : * and let
them be driven out of their dwell-
ings.
Let the extortioner catch all that
he hath : * and let the stranger spoil
his labour.
Let there be none to extend
mercy unto him : * and let there
be none to have pity on his little
ones.
Let his posterity be cut off: * in
one generation let their name be
blotted out.
Let the iniquity of his fathers be
remembered before the Lord : *
and let not the sin of his mother be
blotted out.
Let them be before the Lord
continually, and let their memory
be cut off from the earth. * Be-
cause that he remembered not to
show mercy.
But persecuted the poor and
needy man, * and the broken in
heart, that he might slay him.
As he loved cursing, so let it
come unto him : * as he delighted
not in blessing, so let it be far
from him :
As he clothed himself with curs-
ing, like as with a garment, * so
let it come into his bowels like
water, and like oil into his bones.
Let it be unto him as the gar-
ment which covereth him, * and
for a girdle wherewith he may be
girded continually.
Let this be the reward of mine
adversaries from the Lord : * and
of them that speak evil against my
soul.
And do Thou for me, O Lord,
for Thy name's sake, O Lord, *
because Thy mercy is good.
Deliver Thou me, for I am
poor and needy : * and mine heart
is wounded within me.
I am gone like the shadow when
it declineth : * and tossed up and
down as the locust.
My knees are weak through
fasting : * and my flesh faileth
of fatness.
I became also a reproach unto
them : * they looked upon me,
and shaked their heads.
Help me, O Lord my God ! *
O save me according to Thy
mercy.
That they also may know that
this is Thine hand : * and Thou,
Lord, hast done it !
Let them curse, but bless Thou :
* when they arise against me let
them be ashamed : but let Thy
servant rejoice.
Let mine adversaries be clothed
with shame : * and let them be
covered with their own confusion
as with a mantle.
I will greatly praise the Lord
with my mouth : * yea, I will
praise Him among the multitude.
For He standeth at the right
hand of the poor, * to save my
soul from them that persecute me.
A ntiphon. ^ I will greatly praise
the Lord with my mouth.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said a Verse and Answer.
In Advent.
Verse. The Lord cometh out of
His holy place.
Ps. cviii. 30.
VOL. II.
F 2
I70
THE PSALTER.
Answer. He will come and save
His people.
Duri?tg the rest of the year.
Verse. ^ Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
hi Lent.
Verse. His truth shall be thy
shield.
Answer. Thou shalt not be
afraid for the terror by night.
In Passion time.
Verse. Take not away my soul
with sinners, O God.
Answer. Nor my life with bloody
men.
In Paschal time.
Verse. The disciples were glad,
Alleluia.
Answer. When they saw the Lord,
Alleluia.
The rest is the same as the Third
Nocturn of the preceding Sunday, ex-
cept 7iecessary differences. The Lessons
are those of the day. The Responsories
are arranged according to the rules in
Chapter xxvii. 4, 5, ^ the General
Rubrics.
No Festal Office can occur, except
that of the Inmiaculate Conception of
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
^ Ps. ci. 2.
I/I
i;atttri)E]ji at |^aui)0»
THE SABBATH.
All as 071 Sunday, except as otherwise
givejt here.
The Psalj7is are as follows :
Antipho7i. Do good.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., (/.
87).
ATttiphon. Do good, O Lord, in
Thy good pleasure.
Seco7td ATitiphofi. It is a good
thing.
If this A7itiphon be used the Psal77i
begi7is with the words, " To give
thanks."
Psalm XCI.
[Intituled "A Psalm. A Song for the
Sabbath Day."]
TT is a good thing to give thanks
^ unto the Lord, * and to sing
praises unto Thy name, O Most
High!
To show forth Thy loving-kind-
ness in the morning, * and Thy
faithfulness in the night ;
Upon an instrument of ten
strings : * upon the harp with a
solemn sound.
For Thou, Lord, hast made me
glad through Thy work : * and I
will triumph in the works of Thine
hands.
O Lord, how great are Thy
works ! * Thy thoughts are very
deep.
A brutish man knoweth not : *
neither doth a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring up like
grass : * and when all the workers
of iniquity are seen,
It is that they may be destroyed
for ever : * but Thou, Lord, art
Most High for evermore.
For, lo. Thine enemies, O Lord,
for, lo, Thine enemies shall perish :
* and all the workers of iniquity
shall be scattered.
But mine horn shall be exalted
like the horn of an unicorn : * and
mine old age shall be crowned with
Thy mercy.^
Mine eye also shall look upon
mine enemies : * and mine ear shall
hear of the wicked that rise up
against me.
The righteous shall flourish like
the palm tree : * he shall grow like
a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that are planted in the
house of the Lord, * in the courts
of the house of our God shall
flourish.
^ Hebrew : " I am anointed with fresh oil."
1/2
THE PSALTER.
They shall still bring forth fruit
in old age : * they shall flourish,
to declare : —
That the Lord our God is up-
right : * and that there is no un-
righteousness in Him.
Antiphon. It is a good thing to
give thanks unto the Lord.
Third Antiphon. Let all the
ends.
Psalms LXIL, LXVL
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(/. 23).
Antiphon. Let all the ends of
the earth fear the Lord.
Fourth Antiphon. Ascribe ye
greatness.
The Song of Moses. (Deut. xxxii.)
[Deut. xxxi. 28: "Gather unto me,"
(said Moses) "all the elders of your tribes,
and your officers, that I may speak these
words in their ears, and call heaven and
earth to record against them. For I know
that after my death ye will utterly corrupt
yourselves and turn aside from the way
which I have commanded you ; and evil
will befall you in the latter days ; because
ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to
provoke Him to anger through the work of
your hands. And Moses spake in the ears
of all the congregation of Israel the words
of this song, until they were ended : — "]
r^ IVE ear, O ye heavens, and I
^-^ will speak ; * and hear, O
earth, the words of my mouth.
My teaching shall drop as the
rain, * my speech shall distil as the
dew;
As the small rain upon the
tender herb, and as the showers
upon the grass : * because I will
proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe ye greatness unto our
God. * The works of God are
perfect : and all His ways are judg-
ment :
A God of truth, and without
iniquity, just and right is He. *
They have sinned against Him,
and by their defilement they are
not His children :
They are a perverse and crooked
generation. * Do ye thus requite
the Lord, O foolish people and
unwise ?
Is not He thy Father? * That
hath bought thee, and made thee,
and created thee ?
Remember the days of old, *
consider generation after genera-
tion :
Ask thy father, and he will show
thee — * thine elders, and they will
tell thee.
When the Most High divided
the nations, * when He separated
the sons of Adam,
He set the bounds of the people
* according to the number of the
children of Israel.
For the Lord's portion is His
people : * Jacob is the lot of his
inheritance.
He found him in a desert land,
* in the waste and howling wilder-
ness :
He led him about and instructed
him, * and kept him as the apple
of His eye.
As the eagle that stirreth up her
young to fly, * and fluttereth over
them,
So spread He abroad His wings,
and took him, * and bore him on
His pinions ;
The Lord alone did lead him,
* and there was no strange god
with him.
He made him ride upon the
high places of the earth, * that
SATURDAY AT LAUDS.
173
he might eat the increase of the And I will move them to jealousy
fields : with those who are not a people,
And He made him to suck * and provoke them to anger with
honey out of the rock, * and oil a foolish nation,
out of the flinty rock : A fire is kindled in Mine anger,
Butter of kine, and milk of * and shall burn unto the lowest
sheep, * with fat of lambs and hell,
rams of the breed of Bashan : And shall consume the earth with
And goats, with the fat of wheat, her increase, * and set on fire the
* and to drink the pure blood of foundations of the mountains,
the grape. I will heap mischiefs upon them,
The " Beloved " ^ waxed fat, and * and will spend Mine arrows upon
kicked : * he was waxen fat, he them.
was grown plump, he was covered
with fatness :
He forsook God That made him,
They shall be wasted with hun-
ger, * and the birds of the air
shall prey on them with a very
* and departed from the God of grievous devouring :
his salvation. I will send the teeth of beasts
They provoked Him to jealousy upon them, * with the poison of
with strange gods, * and with serpents creeping in the dust,
abominations provoked they Him The sword without and terror
to anger. within shall destroy * both the
They sacrificed unto devils, and young man and the virgin, the
to things that were no gods, * to suckling with the man of grey
gods whom they knew not, hairs.
New gods that came newly up, I said : Where are they ? * I
* whom their fathers feared not. will make the remembrance of
The God That begat thee hast them to cease among men:
thou forsaken, * and hast forgotten But I forbore because of the
God That formed thee. wrath of the enemy, * lest their
When the Lord saw it, He was adversaries should triumph,
roused to anger, * because of the And lest they should say : Our
provoking of His sons and of His high hand, and not the Lord, *
daughters. hath done all this.
And He said : I will hide My They are a nation void of coun-
face from them, * and see what sel, neither is there any under-
their end shall be : standing in them. * O that they
For they are a very froward were wise, and that they understood
generation, * children in whom is this, and would consider their latter
no faith. end !
They have moved Me to jealousy How should one chase a thou-
with that which is not God, * and sand, * and two put ten thousand
provoked Me to anger with their to flight !
vanities : Except their God had sold them,
^ Jeshurun — but that this pet-name of the Israelite people means "Beloved" is not
now reckoned certain.
174
THE PSALTER.
* and the Lord had delivered them
up !
For their gods are not as our
God, * even our enemies them-
selves being judges.
Their vine is of the vine of
Sodom, * and of the fields of Go-
morrah :
Their grapes are grapes of gall,
* and their clusters are bitter :
Their wine is the poison of
dragons, * and the cruel venom of
asps.
Is not this laid up in store with
Me, * and sealed up among My
treasures ?
To Me belongeth vengeance,
and I will repay in due time, * to
make their foot to slide.
The day of their calamity is at
hand, * and the things that shall
come upon them make haste.
The Lord shall judge His people,
* and take pity on His servants.
When He seeth that their hand
is weakened, * and there is
shut up and left, and that
that remained are consumed.
And He shall say : Where are
their gods, * in whom they trusted ?
Of whose sacrifices they did eat
the fat, * and drank the wine of
their drink-offerings ?
Let them rise up, and help you,
* and be your protection in the
time of need.
See now that I, even I, am
He, * and there is no god with
Me:
I kill, and I make alive : I wound
and I heal : * neither is there any
that can deliver out of Mine hand.
I will lift up Mine hand to
heaven, and say : * I live for ever.
none
they
My glittering sword,
hand take hold on
If I whet
* and Mine
judgment ;
I will render vengeance to Mine
enemies, * and will requite them
that hate Me.
I will make Mine arrows drunk
with blood, * and My sword shall
devour flesh ;
With the blood of the slain * and
of the captives, and of the despoiled
chief of the enemy.
Rejoice with His people, ye
nations : * for He will avenge the
blood of His servants.
And will render vengeance to
their adversaries, * and will be
merciful unto the land of His
people.
Antiphon. Ascribe ye greatness
unto our God.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise God.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
the Lord from the
(pp, 25, 26).
Praise ye
heavens, &c,
Antiphon.
loud cymbals.
Praise God upon the
Chapter.
The night is
on Monday, p.
(Rom. xiii.
far spent,
89).
12.)
&c.
(^j-
Hymn.i
n^HE dawn is sprinkled o'er the sky,
-^ The day steals softly on ;
Its darts are scattered far and nigh,
And all that fraudful is, shall fly
Before the brightening sun ;
Spectres of ill, that stalk at will,
And forms of guilt that fright,
And hideous sin, that ventures in
Under the cloak of nig-ht.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, considerably altered ; translation by the late Card.
Newman.
SATURDAY AT LAUDS.
175
And of our crimes the tale complete,
Which bows us in Thy sight,
Up to the latest, they shall fleet,
Out-told by our full numbers sweet.
And melted by the light.
To Father, Son, and Spirit, One,
Whom we adore and love,
Be given all praise, now and always,
Here as in Heaven above.
Amen.
Verse. Thou hast satisfied us
early with Thy mercy.
Answer. We rejoice and are glad.
Antiphon for the Song of Zacha-
rias. Give light, O Lord, * unto
them that sit in darkness, and guide
our feet into the way of peace, O
Thou God of Israel !
Commemoration of the Cross before
the others, and Long Preces in Ad-
vent and Lent, and on Fast-days,
except the Eves of Christmas and
Pentecost.
176
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.i
The Lord's Day.
At the begi7i7img of Vespers the
Lord's Prayer and the Angelic Salu-
tation are said inaudibly.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven.
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as
we forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into tempta-
tion ; but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
TTAIL, Mary, full of grace; The
■^ -'- Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now, and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
Then is said aloud:
Verse. ^ Make haste, O God,
to deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help
me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Frojn Septuagesima Sunday to
Maundy Thursday i?tstead of " Alle-
luia" is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
The?i follow the Psalms. They are
said imder Five A7ttiphons, except in
Paschal time when there is only 07te,
and whe7i these are 7iot specially given,
those given here are used.
Antiphon. The Lord said.
If this A7ttipho7i be used the Psahn
begi7is with the words " Unto my
Lord."
Antiphon for Paschal ti7?ie. Al-
leluia.
Psalm CIX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
first verse was quoted by our Lord. — Matth.
xxii. 44; Mark xii. 36; Luke xx. 42.]
" I ^HE Lord said unto my Lord :
^ * Sit Thou at My right hand.
Until I make Thine enemies *
Thy footstool.
The Lord shall send the rod of
Thy strength out of Zion : * rule
Thou in the midst of Thine ene-
mies.
^ The proper hour for Vespers is sunset, reckoned to be about 6 P.M.
recitation, they ought not usually to be begun before noon.
In private
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
177
Thine shall be the dominion in
the day of Thy power, amid the
brightness of the saints : * from the
womb, before the day-star have I
begotten Thee.
The Lord hath sworn, and will
not repent : * Thou art a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedek.
The Lord at Thy right hand *
shall strike through kings in the
day of His wrath.
He shall judge among the hea-
then, He shall fill the places with
dead bodies : * He shall wound the
heads over many countries.
He shall drink of the brook in
the way : * therefore shall he lift
up his head.
Antiphon. The Lord said unto
my Lord : * Sit Thou at My right
hand.
Second Antiphon. All His com-
mandments.
covenant. * He will show His
people the power of His works.
That He may give them the
heritage of the heathen. * The
works of His hands are verity and
judgment :
All His commandments are sure ;
they stand fast for ever and ever, *
being done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto His
people : He hath commanded His
covenant for ever :
Holy and terrible is His Name.
* The fear of the Lord is the be-
ginning of wisdom :
A good understanding have all
they that do His commandments :
* His praise endureth for ever.
Antiphon. ^All His command-
ments are sure ; they stand fast for
ever and ever.
Third Antiphon. In His com-
mandments.
Psalm ex.
[The Hebrew prefixes "Alleluia," and
begins, " I will praise the Lord." The
Psalm is A B C Darian.]
T WILL praise Thee, O Lord,
^ with my whole heart : * in the
assembly of the upright, and in the
congregation.
The works of the Lord are great,
* meet to serve for the doing of
His will.
His work is honourable and glo-
rious, * and His righteousness en-
dureth for ever.
He hath made a memorial of
His wonderful works : the Lord
is gracious and full of compassion.
* He hath given meat unto them
that fear Him :
He will ever be mindful of His
Psalm CXI.
[The Hebrew prefixes "Alleluia." The
Vulgate adds to the superscription "on the
return of Haggai and Zechariah [from the
Captivity]." See Thursday, fifth week in
November. The Psalm is A B C Darian,]
BLESSED is the man that fear-
eth the Lord : * that de-
lighteth greatly in His command-
ments.
His seed shall be mighty upon
earth ; * the generation of the up-
right shall be blessed.
Glory and riches shall be in his
house : * and his righteousness en-
dureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth
light in the darkness : * he is
gracious, and full of compassion,
and righteous.
1 Ps. ex. 8.
1/8
THE PSALTER.
Happy is the man that showeth
favour and lendeth ; he will guide
his words with discretion : * surely
he shall not be moved for ever :
The righteous shall be in ever-
lasting remembrance. * He shall
not be afraid of evil tidings :
His heart is ready, trusting in the
Lord. His heart is established, *
he shall not be afraid until he see
his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given
to the poor : his righteousness en-
dureth for ever : * his horn shall
be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be
grieved ; he shall gnash his teeth,
and melt away : * the desire of
the wicked shall perish.
Antiphon. In His command-
ments he delighteth greatly.
Fourth Antiphon. Blessed be the
Name.
Psalm CXII.
[The Hebrew prefixes "Alleluia."]
pRAISE the Lord, O ye His
-■- servants, * praise the Name
of the Lord.
Blessed be the Name of the
Lord, * from this time forth, and
for evermore !
From the rising of the sun unto
the going down of the same, * the
Lord's Name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all
nations, * and His glory above the
heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our
God, Who dwelleth on high, *
and beholdeth what is lowly in
heaven, and in the earth?
He raiseth up the poor out of
the dust, * and lifteth the needy
out of the dung-hill ;
That He may set him with
princes, * even with the princes
of His people.
He maketh the barren woman
to keep house, * and to be a joy-
ful mother of children.
[The Hebrew adds " Alleluia," which
the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to the
next Psalm.]
Antiphon. Blessed be the Name
of the Lord for evermore.
Fifth Antiphon. We that live.
Psalm CXIII.
^1 THEN Israel went out of Egypt^
* '^ * the house of Jacob from
a people of strange language,
Judah was His sanctuary, * and
Israel His dominion.
The sea saw it and fled : * Jor-
dan was driven back.
The mountains skipped like rams^
* and the little hills like lambs.
What ailed thee, O thou sea,
that thou fleddest? * and thou
Jordan, that thou wast driven back ?
Ye mountains, that ye skipped
like rams? * and ye little hills,
like lambs?
The earth trembled at the pres-
ence of the Lord, * at the presence
of the God of Jacob :
Who turned the rock into a
standing water, * and the flint into
a fountain of waters.^
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us:
* but unto Thy Name give glory,
For Thy mercy, and for Thy
truth's sake. * Wherefore should
the heathen say : Where is now
their God?
^ In the Hebrew here ends Ps. cxiv. and the next words begin cxv.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
179
But our God is in the heavens :
* He hath done whatsoever He
hath pleased.
The idols of the heathen are
silver and gold, * the work of
men's hands.
They have mouths, but they
speak not : * eyes have they, but
they see not.
They have ears, but they hear
not : * noses have they, but they
smell not :
They have hands, but they handle
not : feet have they, but they walk
not : * neither speak they through
their throat.
May they that make them be
like unto them : * even every one
that trusteth in them.
The house of Israel trusteth
in the Lord : * He is their help
and their shield.
The house of Aaron trusteth in
the Lord : * He is their help and
their shield.
They that fear the Lord trust
in the Lord : * He is their help
and their shield.
The Lord hath been mindful of
us, * and blessed us :
He hath blessed the house of Is-
rael : * He hath blessed the house
of Aaron.
He hath blessed them that fear
the Lord, * both small and
great.
The Lord increase you more
and more, * you and your chil-
dren.
Ye are blessed of the Lord, *
Who made heaven and earth.
The heaven of heavens is the
Lord's : * but the earth hath He
given to the children of men.
The dead shall not praise Thee,
O Lord, * neither all they that go
down into the grave.
But we that live bless the Lord,
* from this time forth for evermore.
[The Hebrew adds "Alleluia."]
Antipho7i. We that live bless the
Lord.
Antipho7i for Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Here follows the Chapter. When a
special 07ie is not given., the following is
used:
Chapter. (2 Cor. i. 3.)
BLESSED be God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and
the God of all comfort, Who com-
forteth us in all our tribulation.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
This Answer is always made after
the Chapter.
Then follows the Hymn. When a
special one is not giveji^ the following
is used:
Hymn.i
77 ATHER of Lights, by Whom each
-*- day
Is kindled out of night,
Who, when the heavens were made,,
didst lay
Their rudiments in light ;
Thou, W^ho didst bind and blend in one
The glistening morn and evening pale,
Hear Thou our plaint, when light is
gone,
And lawlessness and strife prevail.
Hear, lest the whelming weight of crime
Wreck us with Hfe in view ;
Lest thoughts and schemes of sense
and time
Earn us a sinner's due.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, very slightly altered ; translation by the late Card,
Newman.
I So
THE PSALTER.
So may we knock at Heaven's door,
And strive the immortal prize to win,
Continually and evermore
Guarded without and pure within.
Grant this, O Father, Only Son,
And Spirit, God of grace,
To Whom all worship shall be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
T/ie/i is said a Ve?'se and A?iswer.
If a special one is not given, the follow-
ing is used:
Verse. ^ Let my prayer, O Lord,
be set forth.
Answer. As incense before
Thee.
The?i is said the following Canticle
f?'07n the Gospel. It has an Antiphon
which is always special, a?td which is
either begU7i or said through the first
time before it, according as the Office is
Double or not.
The Song of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. (Luke i. 46.)
MY soul * doth magnify the
Lord:
And my spirit hath rejoiced * in
God my Saviour.
For He hath regarded the low-
liness of His handmaiden : * for, be-
hold, from henceforth all generations
shall call me blessed.
For He That is Mighty hath done
to me great things : * and holy is His
name.
And His mercy is on them that
fear Him, * from generation to gen-
eration.
He hath showed strength with
His arm : * He hath scattered the
proud in the imagination of their
heart.
He hath put down the mighty
from their seat, * and exalted them
of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with
good things, * and the rich He hath
sent empty away.
He hath holpen His servant Is-
rael, * in remembrance of His
mercy :
As He spake to our fathers, *
to Abraham, and to his seed for
ever.
The Hymn, " Glory be to the Father,
&c.," is said, and then the Antiphon re-
peated.
Then is said: ■
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Then follows the Prayer for the day,
at the e?id of which is answered:
Aftswer. Amen.
Afterwards are made any Coinmemo-
rations necessary, by the Antiphon for
the Song of the Blessed Virgin, the Verse
and A?tswer after the Hy7nn, and the
Prayer, (^preceded by " Let us pray,")
from the superseded Office which is to
be commemorated. After which the fol-
lowing Commofi Com7)temoratio?ts are
77tade, if required, accordi7ig to Chapter
XXXV. of the Ge7ieral Rubrics.
When 7nore than two Prayers are to
be said, the last clause of each {beginni7ig
"Through our Lord, &c.," or "Who
livest, &c.") is 07nitted in all except the
first and the last, 7ior is " Amen " an-
swered except after these two.
{Note that if these Co77i7ne77iorations,
with the exceptio7i of those of St foseph,
a7id SS. Peter a7id Paul, be said upon
a week-day, kept as such, out of Paschal
ti7ne, they are preceded by the Co7n7ne7n-
oration of the Cross, given hereafter at
the end of the Lauds of Monday.)
1 Ps. Cxl. 2.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
i8i
I. Commemoration of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
{This Comi)ieinoratio7i is omitted if
the Office of the day be of the Blessed
Virgin^ or if her Little Office is to be
said.)
Antiphon. O Holy Mary, be thou
an help to the helpless, a strength to
the fearful, a comfort to the sorrow-
ful ; pray for the people, plead for
the clergy, make intercession for all
women vowed to God ; may all that
keep thine holy remembrance, feel
the might of thine assistance.
Verse. Pray for us, O holy Mother
of God.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
Lord God, unto all Thy ser-
vants, that they may continually
enjoy soundness both of mind and
body, and by the glorious inter-
cession of the Blessed Mary, always
a Virgin, may be delivered from
present sadness, and enter into the
joy of Thine eternal gladness.
From the Octave of the Epiphany to
Candlemas., the Antiphon is the same,
but the rest is as follows :
Verse. After thy delivery thou
still remainest a Virgin undefiled.
Answer. Mother of God, pray
for us.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who, by the fruitful vir-
ginity of the Blessed Mary,
hast given unto mankind the rewards
of everlasting life ; grant, we beseech
Thee, that we may continually feel
the might of her intercession, through
whom we have worthily received the
Author of our life, our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son.
II. Co7nme77wration of St Joseph.,
Pat7'07i of the Universal Church.
{077iitted i7t the Votive Office of St
Joseph.)
Antipho7i. ^ Behold a faithful and
wise servant whom his Lord hath
made ruler over His household.
Verse. ^ Glory arid riches shall
be in his house.
Answer. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.
Let us pray.
(~\ GOD, Who, in Thine unspeak-
^-^ able foreknowledge, didst
choose Thy blessed servant Joseph
to be the husband of Thine Own
most holy Mother; mercifully,
grant that now that he is in heaven
with Thee, we who on earth do
reverence him for our defender,
may worthily be holpen by the
succour of his prayers to Thee
on our behalf.
III. Comme77ioration of the Holy
Apostles, Peter and Paul.
( 077iitted in the Votive Office of the
Apostles.)
Antiphon. Peter the Apostle,
and Paul the Teacher of the Gen-
tiles, have taught us Thy law, O
Lord.
Verse. ^Thou shalt make them
princes over all the earth.
Answer. They shall be mindful
of Thy Name, O Lord.
1 Matth. xxiv. 45.
Ps. cxj, 3.
3 Ps. xliv. 17, 18.
182
THE PSALTER.
Let us pray. the deep of the sea, when he suf-
GOD, Whose Right Hand ^^'^^^ shipwreck ; graciously hear
^ caught the Blessed Peter us ar,d grant, for the sake of them
11 J ^u^ ,,.ofo^ both, that we also may attain unto
when he walked upon the water, i' • i
o
and began to sink, and thrice de- everlasting glory,
Hvered his fellow- Apostle Paul from js^ote ^.
1
1 In England, by a special rule in this case, is made /
Commemoration of St George, Patron of England.
Antiphon. The Saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises.
Verse. O Lord, Thou hast compassed him.
Answer. With Thy favour as with a shield.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who dost gladden us through the worthy deeds and prayers
of Thy blessed Martyr George; mercifully grant that all they
w^hich seek Thy favour through him, may effectually obtain the gift of
Thy grace.
{Ajtd thus it is said ivithiii the Octave.)
In the Diocese of Hexham St George is not commemorated, but instead the following
commemoration is made of St Cuthbert :
Antiphon. Holy Cuthbert, our Protector, grace and glory of our father-
land, look down upon us from Heaven, and pray God for us, that He grant
us everlasting joy.
Verse. At the prayers of Blessed Cuthbert and for his sake.
Answer. Be merciful unto Thy people, O Lord.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who, through the priceless gift of Thy grace, dost make
Thine holy ones glorious, mercifully grant, that the prayers of Thy
Blessed Confessor and Bishop Cuthbert may help us worthily there to
attain, where are the spirits of just men made perfect.
In the Diocese of Northampton the following commemoration of St Thomas of
Canterbury is made before that of St George :
Antiphon. I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am
known of Mine, and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Verse. In your patience
Answer. Possess ye your souls.
Let us pray.
OGOD, in defence of Whose Church the glorious Bishop Thomas
fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech Thee, that all
that ask his help may obtain wholesome fruit of their petition.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG. 1 83
For Peace. Let us pray.
Antiphon. Give peace in our /^ GOD, from Whom all holy
time, O Lord, because there is ^^ desires, all good counsels,
none other that fighteth for us, and all just works do proceed ;
but only Thou, O our God. give unto Thy servants that peace
Verse. Peace be within thy which the world cannot give, that
walls. both our hearts may be set to
Answer. And prosperity within obey Thy commandments, and also
thy palaces. that by Thee we being defended
In the Diocese of Plymouth the following commemoration of St Boniface of Maintz is
made before that of St George :
Antiphon. Many nations, many thousands of men, did Blessed Boniface
gain for Christ, and forasmuch as he made himself like unto an Apostle
he hath purchased unto himself a great reward in Heaven along with
the Apostles.
Verse. Be strong in the Lord, be strong.
Answer. That ye may live for ever with God.
Let us pray.
/^ GOD, Who wast pleased to make the zeal of Thy Blessed Martyr
^^ and Bishop Boniface the mean whereby Thou didst cause many
peoples to know Thy Name, mercifully grant unto us who honour his
memory to be feelingly holpen by the succour of his protection.
{And so it is said within the Octave^
In the Diocese of Portsmouth the following commemoration of St Edmund of Canter-
bury is made after that of St George :
Antiphon. He loved righteousness and hated iniquity, and therefore
he died in exile.
Verse. Cast out upon a world of woes.
In exile here we roam.
Answer. O Blessed Edmund, by thy prayers,
Gain us the love of home.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who in the abundance of Thy goodness toward Thy Church
hast made her bright by the illustrious life of Thy blessed Confessor
and Bishop Edmund, and gladdened her by his glorious and wondrous
works, mercifully grant unto Thy servants that they may be bettered in
following after his ensample, and shielded by his protection from all
things that may rise up against them.
1 84
THE PSALTER.
from the fear of our enemies, may
pass our time in rest and quiet-
ness. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. -
Answer. Amen.
Fro7n the Monday after Low Sunday
till Rogation Tuesday^ instead of the
preceding Coimneinorations^ is said the
following:
Paschal Commemoration of the
Cross.
{Otnitted in the Votive Offices of
the Blessed Sacratnent, and of the
Passion.)
Antiphon. Jesus, our trium-
phant Head,
On the Cross's transom dread
The Hands of power and mercy
spread
That brake the prison of the
dead. Alleluia.
Verse. Say among the heathen
— Alleluia.
Answer. That the Lord reign-
eth from the tree,^ Alleluia.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who didst send Thy
Son to suffer death for us
upon the Cross, that Thou might-
est deliver us from the power of
the enemy ; grant unto us Thy
servants to be made partakers of
His Resurrection. Through the
Same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
After the last Prayer is said:
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Then is said i7i rather a low voice :
May the souls of the Faithful,
through the mercy of God, rest in
peace.
Answer. Amen.
Then., unless Compline follow.^ the
Lords Prayer ittaudibly :
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Note. Whe7i Office is said iii Choir.,
the service is e7ided with the A7itiphon
of the Blessed Virgin Mary every ti77ie
the Choir is left. Otherwise it is only
said as give7i in this book., after I^auds^
{or the aggregation of which Lauds
fonns a part) and Co7npli7ie. When-
ever it is said., except after Co7npline, if
is preceded by:
Verse, ►f* The Lord give us His
peace.
Answer. And life everlasting.
Amen.
If the Office of the Dead follow im-
7nediately^ the above prayer for the
Faithful departed, and the "Our Fa-
ther," are 077titted.
Feasts. The above Office., appoi7ited
for Simday., is also., speaking i7t a gen-
eral sense., used on all Feasts above the
rank of Si77tples.
^ Ps. xcv. lo, old version.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
185
The Second Day of the Week.
All as oti Sunday, except as otherwise
given here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon, The Lord hath in-
clined.
In Paschal time only one Antiphon
is said, Alleluia.
Psalm CXIV.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. prefix "Al-
leluia."]
T AM well pleased, because the
-'- Lord hath heard * the voice
of my supplication :
Because He hath inclined His ear
unto me, * therefore will I call upon
Him all my days.
The sorrows of death compassed
me : * and the straits of hell found
me :
Sorrow and trouble did I find.
* Then called I upon the name of
the Lord :
0 Lord, deliver my soul. * Gra-
cious is the Lord, and righteous :
yea, our God is merciful.
The Lord preserveth the simple :
* I was brought low and He helped
me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul :
* for the Lord hath dealt bountifully
with thee.
For He hath delivered my soul
from death, * mine eyes from tears,
and my feet from falling.
1 will walk before the Lord * in
the land of the living.
Antiphon. ^ The Lord hath in-
clined His ear unto me.
Second Antiphon, I believed.
If this Ajttiphojt be used the Psalm
begi?is with the words, " Therefore have
I spoken."
Psalm CXV.
[In the Hebrew this Psalm is a continua-
tion of the last. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix "Alleluia."]
T BELIEVED, therefore have I
^ spoken : * but I was greatly
afflicted.
I said in my haste : * All men
are liars.
What shall I render unto the
Lord * for all His benefits toward
me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
* and call upon the name of the
Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
* Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His Saints.
0 Lord, truly I am Thy servant :
* I am Thy servant, and the son of
Thine handmaid :
Thou hast loosed my bonds. * I
will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the Lord.
1 will pay my vows unto the Lord,
in the presence of all His people : *
in the courts of the Lord's house, in
the midst of thee, O Jerusalem !
[Here the Hebrew appends "Alle-
luia," which the Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix to the next Psalm.]
Antipho7t. I believed, therefore
have I spoken.
Third Antiphon. O praise.
* If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
begins with the words, " The Lord."
^ Ps. cxiv. 2.
1 86
THE PSALTER.
Psalm CXVI.
O PRAISE the Lord, all ye
nations : * praise Him, all
ye people.
For His merciful kindness is great
toward us : * and the truth of the
Lord endureth for ever.
[Here the Hebrew appends " Alle-
luia," which the Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix to the next Psalm.]
Antiphon. O praise the Lord,
all ye nations.
Fourth Antiphon. I cried.
Psalm CXIX.
[This is the first of the "Songs of De-
grees," or "Gradual Psalms." See note
to Ps. cxxix., p. 91.]
TN my distress I cried unto the
^ Lord, * and He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from
lying lips, * and from a deceitful
tongue.
What shall be given unto thee, or
what shall be done unto thee, * thou
false tongue ?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, * with
hot burning coals.
Woe is me ! that my sojourn is
long : I dwell with the dwellers of
Kedar.^ * My soul hath long dwelt
as an exile
With them that hate peace. I
was peaceable : * when I spoke
unto them, they fought against me
without a cause.
Antiphon. ^ I cried, and He heard
me.
Fifth Antiphon. From whence
cometh.
Psalm CXX.
[Also a Song of Degrees.]
T WILL lift up mine eyes unto the
^ hills, * from whence cometh
mine help.
Mine help cometh from the Lord,
* Who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy feet to be
moved : * He That keepeth thee
will not slumber.
Behold, He That keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper : the
Lord is thy shade * upon thy right
hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by
day, * nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep thee from
all evil : * the Lord shall keep thy
soul.
The Lord shall keep thy coming
in and thy going out, * from this
time forth and for evermore.
Antiphon. ^ From whence cometh
mine help.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Hymn.*
T ORD of unbounded space,
■*— ' Who, lest the sky and main
Should mix, and heaven should lose its
place,
Didst the rude waters chain ;
Parting the moist and rare.
That rills on earth might flow
To soothe the angry flame, whene'er
It ravens from below ;
Pour on us of Thy grace
The everlasting spring.
Lest our frail steps renew the trace
Of the ancient wandering.
■^ Properly "Black-skin."
tribe sprung from him.
This was the name of a son of Ishmael, and of an Arabian
Ps. cxix. I. ' Ps. CXX. I.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, almost unchanged ; translation by the late Card.
Newman.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
187
May faith in lustre grow,
And rear her star in heaven,
Paling all sparks of earth below
Unquenched by damps of even.
Grant it, O Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit of grace.
To Whom be glory, Three in One,
In every time and place.
Amen.
Antiphonfor the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. My soul doth magnify the
Lord, * for God hath regarded my
lowliness.
After the repetition of the Antiphon
after the Song of the Blessed Virgi?t, on
the Week-days of Advent and Lent^ the
Ember Days., and all Vigils which are
Fasts, except Christinas Eve and the
Eve a?td Ember Days of Pentecost., all
kneel down., and the following prayers.,
called the Preces, are said:
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Then the Lord's Prayer is said aloud.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against
us. And lead us not into tempta-
tion.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. I said : Lord, be merci-
ful unto me.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
Verse. Return, O Lord, how
long?
Answer. And let it repent Thee
concerning Thy servants.
Verse. Let Thy mercy, O Lord,
be upon us.
Answer. According as we hope
in Thee.
Verse. Let Thy priests be clothed
with righteousness.
Answer. And let Thy Saints
shout for joy.
Verse, O Lord, save the King.
Answer. And hear us in the day
when we call upon Thee.
Verse. O Lord, save Thy people,
and bless Thine inheritance.
Answer. And govern them, and
lift them up for ever.
Verse. Remember Thy congre-
gation.
Answer. Which Thou hast pur-
chased of old.
Verse. Peace be within thy
walls.
Ansiver. And prosperity within
thy palaces.
Verse. Let us pray for the Faith-
ful departed.
Answer. O Lord, grant them
eternal rest, and let the everlasting
light shine upon them.
Verse. May they rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Let us pray for our absent
brethren.
Answer. O Thou, my God, save
Thy servants that trust in Thee.
Verse. Let us pray for the sorrow-
ful and the captive.
Answer. Redeem them, O God
of Israel, out of all their troubles.
Verse. O Lord, send them help
from the sanctuary.
Answer. And strengthen them
out of Zion.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O
Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
i88
THE PSALTER.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, O God,
&c, (/. 87).
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Verse. Turn us again, O Lord
God of Hosts.
Answer. And cause Thy face to
shine, and we shall be saved.
Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help
us.
Ansiver. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Here follows the Prayer of the Day.
All proceeds to the end of the service as
on Simday., except that when Suffrages
are said^ the following is. said before the
Cofnfnemoratio7i of the Blessed Virgifi
Mary.
Commejnoration of the Cross.
{Omitted in the Offices of the Blessed
Sacra?nent, and of the Passion.)
Antiphon. Through Thy Cross's
holy sign, Jesus, guard this soul of
mine, from my ghostly enemy.
Verse. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee.
Answer. Let them sing praises to
Thy name, O Lord.
Let us pray.
f^\ LORD, we beseech Thee, keep
^-^ us in continual peace, whom
Thou hast vouchsafed to redeem by
the tree of the Holy Cross.
Siinple Feasts. If the Vespers of a
Simple Feast be kept on a Monday.^ the
Office is of the Feast, from the Chapter
i?iclusive.
The Third Day of the Week.
All as on Sunday, except as otherwise
given here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon. Let us go.
hi Paschal time Ofily one Antiphofi is
said, Alleluia.
Psalm CXXI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees, of David."]
T WAS glad when they said unto
^ me : * Let us go into the house
of the Lord.
Our feet have been wont to stand
* within thy gates, O Jerusalem !
Jerusalem is builded as a city *
that is compact together :
Whither the tribes go up, the
tribes of the Lord, * the testimony
of Israel, to give thanks unto the
name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judg-
ment, * the thrones for the house of
David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem :
* they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, * and
prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions'
sakes, * I will now say — Peace be
within thee !
Because of the house of the Lord
our God, * I will seek thy good.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
189
Antiphon. Let us go with glad-
ness into the house of the Lord.
Second Aiitiphon. O Thou That
dwellest.
Psalm CXXII.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees."]
UNTO Thee lift I up mine eyes,
* O Thou That dwellest in
the heavens !
Behold, as the eyes of servants *
look unto the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maiden unto
the hand of her mistress : * so
our eyes look unto the Lord our
God, until that He have mercy
on us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord,
have mercy upon us : * for we are
exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled
* with the scorning of those that
are at ease, and with the con-
tempt of the proud.
Antiphon. O Thou That dwell-
est in the heavens, have mercy
upon us.
Third Antiphon. Our help.
Psalm CXXni.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees," to which
the Hebrew and the Targum add "of
David," but this ascription of authorship
does not occur in the Vulgate or the LXX.]
TF it had not been the Lord
^ Who was on our side — now
may Israel say — * if it had not
been the Lord Who was on our
side.
When men rose up against us :
* then they had swallowed us up
quick,
When their wrath was kindled
against us : * then the waters had
overwhelmed us.
The stream had gone over our
soul : * then the overwhelming
waters had gone over our soul.
Blessed be the Lord, * Who hath
not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Our soul is escaped as a bird *
out of the snare of the fowlers :
The snare is broken, * and we
are escaped.
Our help is in the name of the
Lord, * Who made heaven and
earth.
Antiphon. ^ Our help is in the
name of the Lord.
Fourth Antiphon. Do good, O
Lord.
Psalm CXXIV.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees. "]
n^HEY that trust in the Lord
■^ shall be as Mount Zion : *
he that dwelleth in Jerusalem
shall never be moved.
The mountains are round about
Jerusalem : * and the Lord is
round about His people, from
henceforth, and for ever.
For the Lord will not suffer
the rod of the wicked to rest upon
the lot of the righteous : * lest
the righteous put forth their hands
unto iniquity.
Do good, O Lord, to the good,
* and to them that are upright in
their hearts.
As for such as turn aside unto
their crooked ways, the Lord
shall lead them forth with the
workers of iniquity : * peace be
upon Israel !
Antiphon. Do good, O Lord,
^ Ps. cxxiii. 8.
190
THE PSALTER.
to the good, and to them that are
upright in their hearts.
Fifth Antipho7t. We were like.
Psalm CXXV.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees,"]
WHEN the Lord turned again
the captivity of Zion, * we
were like them that come again
from sickness.
Then was our mouth filled with
laughter, * and our tongue with
singing.
Then said they among the hea-
then : * The Lord hath done great
things for them.
The Lord hath done great things
for us : * whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O
Lord, * as the streams in the
south.
They that sow in tears * shall
reap in joy.
They go forth weeping, * sow-
ing their seed ;
They shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, * bringing their
sheaves with them.
Antiphon. We were like them
that come again from sickness.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Hymn.i
A LL-BOUNTIFUL Creator, Who,
-^^ When Thou didst mould the
world, didst drain
The waters from the mass, that so
Earth might immovable remain ;
That its dull clods it might transmute
To golden flowers in vale or wood.
To juice of thirst-allaying fruit.
And grateful herbage spread for food ;
Wash Thou our smarting wounds and
hot,
In the cool freshness of Thy grace ;
Till tears start forth the past to blot,
And cleanse and calm Thy holy place,
Till we obey Thy full behest,
Shun the world's tainted touch and
breath,
Joy in what highest is and best.
And gain a spell to baffle death.
Grant it, O Father, Only Son,
And Holy Spirit, God of grace.
To Whom all glory, Three m One,
Be given in every time and place.
Amen.
Antiphon for the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. Let my spirit re-
joice * in God my Saviour.
Commemoration of the Cross before
the other general Commemorations., and
Long Preces at certaiii tijnes as on
Monday.
Si7npie Feasts. If the Vespers of a
Simple Feast be kept 07i a Tuesday, the
Office is of the Feast fro?n the Chapter
inclusive.
The Fourth Day of the Week.
All as 071 Su7iday, except as otherwise
given here.
The Psal77is are as follows :
Antiphon. He shall not be
ashamed.
hi Paschal ti77ie only 07ie Antiphon
is said., Alleluia.
Psalm CXXVI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees, of Solo-
mon." The LXX. omits the ascription to
Solomon.]
"PXCEPT the Lord build the
^-^ house, * they labour in vain
that build it :
1 Hymn of the Ambrosian school, hardly altered ; translation by the late Card. Newman.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
191
Zion : * and mayest thou see the
good of Jerusalem all the days of
thy life.
Yea, mayest thou see thy chil-
dren's children, * and peace upon
Israel.
Antiphon. Blessed is every one
that feareth the Lord.
Third Antiphon. Many a time.
If this Antiphon be tised^ the Fsabn
begins with the words ^ " Have they
afflicted me."
Psalm CXXVI II.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees."]
TV /TAN Y a time have they warred
^^ ^ against me from my youth
— * may Israel now say : —
Many a time have they warred
against me from my youth : * yet
they have not prevailed against
me.
^ The ploughers ploughed upon
my back : * they made long their
furrows.
The Lord is righteous, He hath
broken the necks of the wicked. *
Let them all be confounded and
turned back that hate Zion.
Let them be as the grass upon
the house-tops, * which withereth
before it is plucked up :
Wherewith the mower filleth not
his hand, * nor he that bindeth
sheaves his bosom.
Neither do they that go by say :
The blessing of the Lord be upon
you ! * we bless you in the name of
the Lord !
Antiphon. Many a time have they
afflicted me from my youth up.
^ I.e., "They furrowed my back with stripes as the ground is furrowed with the
plough. " — Gesenius.
Except the Lord keep the city,
* the watchman waketh but in
vain.
It is vain for you to rise up
early, * rise up when ye are
rested, ye that eat the bread of
sorrow :
For He giveth His beloved sleep.
1^0, children are an heritage of the
Lord, * the fruit of the womb is His
reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a
mighty man, * so are the children
of the out-cast.
Happy is the man that hath his
desire satisfied with them : * he shall
not be ashamed when he speaketh
with his enemies in the gate.
Antiphon. He shall not be a-
shamed when he speaketh with his
enemies in the gate.
Second Antiphon. Blessed.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
commences with the words .^ "Is every
one."
Psalm CXXVI I.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees."]
BLESSED is every one that feareth
the Lord, * that walketh in
His ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of
thine hands : * happy shalt thou be
and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
* on the sides of thine house :
Thy children like olive plants *
round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man
be blessed * that feareth the
Lord.
The Lord bless thee out of
192
THE PSALTER.
Fourth Antiphon.
depths.
Out of the
If this Antiphoji be used, the Psalm
begins with the tuords, " Have I cried
unto Thee."
Psalm CXXIX.
OUT of the depths have I cried
unto Thee, O Lord ! * Lord,
hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive * to
the voice of my supphcation.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark
iniquities, * O Lord, who shall
stand ?
But there is forgiveness with Thee :
* because of Thy law, I wait for
Thee, O Lord!
My soul doth wait on His word :
* my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even
until night * let Israel hope in the
Lord :
P'or with the Lord there is mercy,
* and with Him is plenteous redemp-
tion.
And He shall redeem Israel, *
from all his iniquities.
Antiphon. Out of the depths have
I cried unto Thee, O Lord.
Fifth Antiphon. Let Israel hope.
Psalm CXXX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees," to which
the Hebrew and the Vulgate, but not the
Targum or the LXX., add "of David."]
LORD, mine heart is not haughty,
* nor mine eyes lofty :
Neither do I exercise myself in
great matters, * or in wonderful
things that are above me.
If I have not thought lowly of
myself — * (but lifted up my soul) —
Even as a child that is weaned
from his mother : * so be my soul
rewarded.
Let Israel hope in the Lord, *
from henceforth and for ever.
Antiphon. Let Israel hope in the
Lord.
Antiphon in Paschal ti^ne. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Hymn.i
OLORD, Who throned in the holy
height,
Through plains of ether didst diffuse
The dazzling beams of light.
In soft transparent hues ;
Who didst, on the fourth day, in
heaven.
Light the fierce cresset of the sun.
And the meek moon at even.
And stars that wildly run ;
That they might mark and arbitrate
'Twixt alternating night and day.
And tend the train sedate
Of months upon their way ;
Clear, Lord, the brooding night within,
And clean these hearts for Thy abode.
Unlock the spell of sin,
Crumble its giant load.
Grant it, O Father, Only Son,
And Holy Spirit, God of grace,
To Whom all praise be done
In every time and place.
Amen.
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. The Lord hath
regarded * my lowliness, and He
That is mighty hath done in me
great things.
Cominetnoration of the Cross before
the other general Commemorations, and
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, somewhat altered ; translation by the late Card.
Newman.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
193
Long Preces in Advent and Lent^ a?id
on Fast-days^ as on Monday.
Simple Feasts. If the Vespers of a
Simple Feast be kept o?t a Wednesday^
the Office is of the Feast frojn the Chap-
ter inclusive.
The Fifth Day of the Week.
All as on Suftday, except as otherwise
given here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon. And all.
In Paschal time only one AntiphoJi
is said., Alleluia.
Psalm CXXXI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." It
reads like a Processional for some transla-
tion of the Sacred Ark, perhaps that de-
scribed in 3 ( I ) Kings vii, ( Saturday before
8th Sunday after Pentecost.)]
T ORD, remember David, * and
-'— ' all his meekness :
How he sware unto the Lord : *
he vowed a vow unto the God of
Jacob ; —
Surely I will not come into the
tabernacle of mine house, * nor go
up into my bed ;
I will not give sleep to mine eyes,
* or slumber to mine eyelids ;
I will not give the temples of
mine head any rest, until I find out
a place for the Lord, * an habita-
tion for the God of Jacob.
^ Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah :
* we found it in the fields of "the
Wood."
We will go into His tabernacle :
* we will worship in His footprints.
Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest,
* Thou and the ark of Thine
holiness.
Let Thy priests be clothed with
righteousness, * and let Thy Saints
shout for joy.
For Thy servant David's sake,
* turn not away the face of Thine
Anointed.
The Lord hath sworn in truth
unto David, and He will not turn
from it : * Of the fruit of thy body
will I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep My
covenant, * and My testimony
that I shall teach them,
Then their children for ever *
shall sit upon thy throne.
For the Lord hath chosen Zion :
* He hath chosen it for His habita-
tion.
This is My rest for ever : * here
will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
I will abundantly bless her
widows : * I will satisfy her poor
with bread.
I will clothe her Priests with
salvation : * and her Saints shall
shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of
David lo bud : * I have ordained
a lamp for Mine Anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with
shame : * but upon him shall My
sanctification flourish.
A7itiphon. And all his meekness.
Second Antiphon. Behold.
If this Antiphon be used., the Psahn
begins with the words., " How good and
how pleasant."
^ This verse relates to the fetching of the ark from Kirjath-jearim, (literally "The
town-of-the-woods,") which stood at the borders of the territory of Ephraim, here called
Ephratah. See 2 Kings (SaiTi.) vi. (Thursday, 5th week after Pentecost.)
VOL. II. G
194
THE PSALTER.
Psalm CXXXII.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees," to which
the Hebrew and the Vulgate, but not the
Targum or the LXX., add "of David."]
BEHOLD, how good and how
pleasant it is * for brethren
to dwell together in unity.
^ It is like the precious oint-
ment upon the head, * that ran
down upon the beard, even Aaron's
beard,
That went down to the skirts
of his garments. * As the dew of
Hermon, that descendeth upon
the mountains of Zion ; ^
For there the Lord commanded
the blessing, * even life for evermore.
Antiphon. Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity.
Third Antiphon. Whatsoever.
Psalm CXXXIV.
[To this Psahii is prefixed "Alleluia,"]
pRAISE ye the Name of the
■^ Lord, * praise Him, O ye
servants of the Lord !
Ye that stand in the house of
the Lord, * in the courts of the
house of our God :
Praise the Lord, for the Lord
is good : * sing praises unto His
Name, for it is pleasant.
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob
unto Himself, * and Israel for
His peculiar treasure.
For I know that the Lord is
great, * and that our Lord is above
all gods.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased,
that did He in heaven and in
earth, * in the seas, and all deep
places :
Causing the vapours to ascend
from the ends of the earth : *
He maketh lightnings for the rain ;
He bringeth the w4nd out of
His treasures. * He smote the
first-born of Egypt, from man even
unto beast.
He sent tokens and wonders
into the midst of thee, O Egypt,
* upon Pharaoh and upon all his
servants.
He smote great nations, * and
slew mighty kings.
^ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan, * and
all the kingdoms of Canaan.
And gave their land for an
heritage, * an heritage unto Israel
His people.
Thy Name, O Lord, endureth for
ever ! * Thy memorial, O Lord,
throughout all generations !
For the Lord will judge His
people, * and will repent Himself
concerning His servants.
The idols of the heathen are
silver and gold, * the work of
men's hands.
A mouth have they, but they
speak not : * eyes have they, but
they see not.
Ears have they, but they hear
not : * neither is there any breath
in their mouths.
Let them that make them be
made like unto them, * and every
one that trusteth in them.
^ The reference is to the unction of Aaron with holy chrism at his consecration,
described in Lev. viii. 12.
^ Probably not the mountain at Jerusalem, but one of the chain of Hermon, which is
once mentioned elsewhere. Deut. iv. 48.
^ Sihon, a king of the Amorites, reigning in Heshbon ; Og, a giant, king of Bashan.
They were both defeated and slain by the Israelites. Num. xxi.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
195
Bless the Lord, O house of
Israel ! * bless the Lord, O house
of Aaron !
Bless the Lord, O house of
Levi ! * ye that fear the Lord,
bless the Lord !
Blessed be the Lord out of
Zion, * Which dwelleth at Jeru-
salem !
[The Hebrew adds "Alleluia,"' which
the Vulgate places at the beginning of
the next Psalm.]
Antiphon. Whatsoever the Lord
pleased, that did He.
Fourth Antiphon. For His
mercy.
Psalm CXXXV.
[It is not improbable that this Psahn was
sung at the Dedication of the Temple, for,
in 2 Par. (Chron. ) vii. 3, it is said that when
the congregation on that occasion saw the
fire miraculously descending upon the sac-
rifice, " they bowed themselves with their
faces to the ground upon the pavement, and
worshipped, and praised ' the Lord, for He
is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.' "
It looks very like a continuation of the song
given by David to certain singers, i Par.
(Chron.) xvi. 7, especially as it is afterwards
said that some of them were chosen " to give
thanks to the Lord, because His mercy
endureth for ever." Some consider that
the latter verses refer to the return from the
captivity, but these may be an addition.]
f^\ GIVE thanks unto the Lord,
^-^ for He is good ! * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of
gods ! * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of
lords ! * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
To Him Who Alone doeth great
wonders — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
To Him That by wisdom made the
vol. II.
heavens — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
To Him That spread out the
earth above the waters — * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
To Him That made great lights
— * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
The sun to rule by day — * for
His mercy endureth for ever.
The moon and stars to rule by
night — * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
To Him That smote Egypt in their
first-born — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
To Him That brought out Israel
from among them — * for His mercy
endureth for ever.
With a strong hand and with a
stretched out arm — * for His mercy
endureth for ever.
To Him That divided the Red
Sea into parts — * for His mercy
endureth for ever.
And made Israel to pass through
the midst of it — * for His mercy
endureth for ever.
But overthrew Pharaoh and his
host in the Red Sea — * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
To Him That led His people
through the wilderness — * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
To Him That smote great kings
— * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
And slew mighty kings — * for His
mercy endureth for ever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites
— * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
And Og, the king of Bashan
— * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
And gave their land for an heri-
G 2
196
THE PSALTER.
tage — * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
Even an heritage unto Israel His
servant — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
Who remembered us in our low
estate — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
And hath redeemed us from our
enemies — * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh —
* for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of
heaven ! * for His mercy endureth
for ever.
O give thanks unto the Lord of
lords ! * for His mercy endureth for
ever.
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, * let
my right hand forget her cunning —
Let my tongue cleave to the roof
of my mouth, * if I do not remember
thee, —
If I prefer not Jerusalem * above
my chief joy.
Remember, O Lord, the chil-
dren of Edom, * in the day of^
Jerusalem :
Who said : Rase it, rase it * even
to the foundation thereof.
O daughter of Babylon, doomed
to destruction, * happy shall he be
that rewardeth thee, as thou hast
served us !
Happy shall he be that taketh, *
and dasheth thy little ones against
the rock.
Antipho7i. For
dureth for ever.
Fifth Antiphon.
the songs.
His mercy en-
Sing us one of
Antiphon. Sing us one of the
songs of Zion.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm CXXXVL
[The Vulgate and the LXX. connect this
Psalm with the name of Jeremiah. They
also style it a Psalm of David, the apparent
meaning of which would seem to be that it
was composed in imitation of his poems.]
13 Y the rivers of Babylon, there we
^-^ sat down, yea, we wept, * when
we remembered Zion.
We hung our harps upon the
willows * in the midst thereof.
For there they that carried us
away captive required of us * a
song ;
And they that had taken us
said : * Sing us one of the songs
of Zion.
How shall we sing the Lord's
song * in a strange land ?
Hymn.i
OGOD, Who hast given
The sea and the sky,
To fish and to bird
For a dwelling to keep,
Both sons of the waters
One low and one high,
Ambitious of heaven.
Or sunk in the deep ;
Save, Lord, Thy servants,
Whom Thou hast new made
In a laver of blood
Lest they trespass and die ;
Lest pride should elate,
Or sin should degrade.
And they stumble on earth
Or be dizzied on high.
To the Father, and Son,
And the Spirit be done,
Now and always.
Glory and Praise. Amen.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, slightly altered
Newman.
translation by the late Card.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
197
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O God, * show strength with
Thine arm : put down the mighty,
and exalt them of low degree.
Cominemoration of the Cross before
the other general Commemorations aiid
Long Preces i7t Adve7it and Lent ^ and
on Fast- day s^ as on Monday.
The Sixth Day of the Week.
All as on Sunday^ except as otherwise
given here.
The Psalms are as follows :
Antiphon. Behold the Angels.
In Paschal time only one Antiphon is
said, Alleluia.
Psalm CXXXVII.
[Intituled "Of David," to which the
LXX. adds "of Haggai and Zechariah,"
the meaning apparently being that it was
his composition, but that they made some
special regulation as to its use.]
T WILL praise Thee, O Lord, with
^ my whole heart : * because
Thou hast heard the words of my
mouth.
Before the Angels will I sing
praise unto Thee. * I will worship
toward Thine holy temple, and
praise Thy Name.
For Thy loving-kindness, and for
Thy truth : * for Thou hast mag-
nified Thine holy Name above
every name.
In whatsoever day I call upon
Thee, answer me : * Thou wilt
strengthen my soul exceedingly.
Let all the kings of the earth
praise Thee, O Lord, * for they
have heard all the words of Thy
mouth.
Yea, let them sing of the ways of
the Lord : * that great is the glory
of the Lord.
For the Lord is high, yet hath
He respect unto the lowly : * but
the proud He knoweth from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of
trouble Thou wilt revive me : *
Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand
against the wrath of mine enemies,
and Thy right hand shall save me.
The Lord will give recompense
on my behalf: * Thy mercy, O
Lord, endureth for ever : forsake
not the works of Thine own hands.
Antiphon. Before the Angels
will I sing praise unto Thee, O
my God.
Second Antiphon. O Lord.
If this Antiphon be used the Psalm
commences with the words, " Thou hast
searched me."
Psalm CXXXVni.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction, the meaning of which
is not now certain.]
f~\ LORD, Thou hast searched
^-^ me, and known me : * Thou
knowest my down-sitting and mine
up-rising :
Thou understandest my thoughts
afar off. * Thou searchest my path,
and my line.
And art acquainted with all my
ways : * before there is a word on
my tongue.
Lo, O Lord, Thou knowest all
things both new and old : * Thou
hast made me, and laid Thine hand
upon me.
198
THE PSALTER.
Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me : * it is high, and I cannot
attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from Thy
Spirit ? * or whither shall I flee
from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou
are there : * if I go down into hell,
Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morn-
ing, * and ' dwell in the uttermost
parts of the sea ; —
Even there shall Thine hand lead
me, * and Thy right hand shall hold
me.
If I say : Surely the darkness
shall cover me : * even the night
shall be light about me in my
pleasures.
For the darkness is not darkness
to Thee : and the night shineth as
the day : * the darkness and the
light to Thee are both alike.
For Thou didst form my reins :
* Thou hast upholden me from
my mother's womb.
I will praise Thee, for Thy great-
ness is terrible : * marvellous are
Thy works : and that my soul
knoweth right well.
My bones were not hid from
Thee, when Thou madest me in
secret : * nor my substance in the
lower parts of the earth.
Thine eyes beheld my substance
yet being imperfect : and in Thy
book all were written : * day by day
were they to be fashioned, when as
yet there was none of them.
But to me, O God, Thy friends
are exceeding honourable : * their
power is waxen right strong.
If I should count them, they are
more in number than the sand : * I
arose, and am still with Thee.
Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked,
O God : * depart from me, ye bloody
men.
For ye say in thought : * In
vain shall Thy people take Thy
cities.
Do not I hate them, O Lord,
that hate Thee? * and am not I
grieved at those that rise up against
Thee ?
I hate them with perfect hatred :
* they are to me as enemies.
Search me, O God, and know
mine heart : * try me and know my
thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked
way in me : * and lead me in the
way everlasting.
Antiphon. O Lord, Thou hast
searched me and known me.
Third Antiphon. Preserve me.
Psalm CXXXIX.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David," with the
same musical (?) direction as before.]
r^ELIVER me, O Lord, from
-*-^ the evil man : * preserve me
from the wicked man :
Which imagine mischiefs in their
heart : * continually are they gath-
ered together for war.
They have sharpened their tongues
like a serpent : * adders' poison is
under their lips.^
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands
of the wicked : * and preserve me
from the evil man :
Who purpose to overthrow my
goings. * The proud have hid a
snare for me :
And spread a net with cords : *
by the way-side have they set a trap
for me.^
1 SLH.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
199
I said unto the Lord : Thou art
my God : * hear the voice of my
supplication, O Lord !
0 Lord, my Lord, Thou Strength
of my salvation, * Thou hast covered
mine head in the day of battle !
Give me not up, O Lord, to the
desires of the wicked : * they take
counsel together against me : forsake
me not, lest they exalt themselves.^
As for the head of those that
compass me about, * let the mis-
chief of their own lips cover them.
Let burning coals fall upon them ;
let them be cast into the fire: * when
they are in trouble they will not be
able to stand.
An evil-speaker shall not prosper
in the earth : * evil shall hunt the
wicked man, to overthrow him.
1 know that the Lord will main-
tain the cause of the afflicted, * and
will revenge the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give
thanks unto Thy Name ; * and the
upright shall dwell in Thy presence.
Anttphon. Preserve me, O Lord,
from the wicked man.
Fourth Anttphon. Lord.
If this Afzttphofz be used., the Psalm
begi7is with the words, " I cry unto
Thee."
Psalm CXL.
[Intituled ' ' A Psalm of David. "] Antiphon. LoRD, I cry unto Thee,
T ORD, I cry unto Thee : hear hear me.
^-^ me ! * give ear unto my voice Fifth Antiphon. O Lord, let my
when I cry unto Thee. portion.
1 SLH.
- The Targum is, "They are torn away from the house of instruction by the strong
hands of their judges." The Syriac, "And their judges are crushed by the strong hand,"
Messrs Jennings and Lowe render, "When their judges have been thrown down the sides
of the rock, then they shall hear my words as welcome;" and continue, "When the
usurping rulers have been deposed, and the disappointed rabble has executed its ven-
geance on them, it shall bethink it again of David's divinely constituted authority, and
gladly recall him to the throne. This is the only rational interpretation of the verse.
For the mode of punishment mentioned, cf. 2 Chron. xxv. 12, Luke iv, 29."
Let my prayer be set forth as in-
cense before Thee : * the lifting-up
of mine hands as the evening sacri-
fice.
Set a watch, O Lord, before my
mouth : * keep the door of my lips.
Incline not mine heart to any evil
word, * to excuse myself in my sins,
With men that work wickedness ;
* and let me not eat of their dainties.
Let the righteous smite me in
kindness : and let him reprove me :
* but the oil of the wicked shall not
anoint mine head :
For yet my prayer shall be against
their lusts. * ^ Their judges shall
be left [to their fate beside] in the
hands of the rock :
[And] they [that have wreaked
their vengeance on them] shall hear
my words, that they are mighty. *
Like clods of earth broken by the
ploughman.
So are our bones scattered at the
grave's mouth. * But mine eyes are
unto Thee, O Lord, my Lord : in
Thee is my trust, leave not my life
to destruction.
Keep me from the snare which
they have laid for me, * and the gins
of the workers of iniquity.
The wicked shall fall into their
own net ; * as for me, I dwell alone,
until I depart hence.
200
THE PSALTER.
Psalm CXLI.
[Intituled " A didactic (?) Psalm of David.
A Prayer when he was in the cave," namely,
on the same occasion as that on which he
wrote Psalm Ivi. See note on that Psalm,
p. no.]
I
CRIED unto the Lord with my
voice: * with my voice unto
the Lord did I make supplication.
I pour out my complaint before
Him : * before Him also I show my
trouble.
When my spirit faileth from me,
* then Thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walked *
have they privily laid a snare for me.
I looked on the right hand, and
beheld : * but there was no man
that would know me :
Refuge failed me : * and no man
cared for my soul.
I cried unto Thee, O Lord ! * I
said : Thou art my refuge, and my
portion in the land of the living.
Attend unto my cry, * for I am
brought very low :
Deliver me from my persecutors :
* for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison, that
I may praise Thy Name : * the
righteous wait for me, till Thou deal
bountifully with me.
Antiphon. O Lord, let my por-
tion be in the land of the living.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Hymn.^
And the huge make
Of wild or gentler animal.
Springing from nothing at Thy call.
To serve in their due time, and all
For sinners' sake ;
Shield us from ill !
Come it by passion's sudden stress,
Lurk in our mind's habitual dress.
Or through our actions seek to press
Upon our will.
Vouchsafe the prize
Of sacred joy's perpetual mood,
And service-seeking gratitude,
And love to quell each strife or feud.
If it arise.
Grant it, O Lord !
To Whom, the Father, Only Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
In heaven and earth all praise be done
With one accord.
Amen.
Virgin.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
He hath put down the
mighty, * that persecute His Saints :
and hath exalted them of low degree,
that confess His Christ.
Commemoratio7i of the Cross before
the other geiieral Commeinoratio7is^ and
Long Preces in Adve7it and Leftt, and
071 Fast-days^ as 07i Mo7tday.
Si7nple Feasts. If the Vespers of a
Si77iple Feast be kept 07i a Friday^ the
service is of the Feast fro77i the Chapter
Z7tclusive.
Saturtiag.
The Sabbath.
V\^HOM all obey, — jln as 07i Sunday., except as otherwise
* * Maker of man ! Who from Thy give7i here.
height
Badest the dull earth bring to light The Psal77is are as follows :
All creeping things, and the fierce might
Of beasts of prey ; — Antiphon. Blessed.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, considerably altered ; translation by the late Card.
Newman.
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
20I
If this Antiphon be used, the Psahn
begins with the wof^ds, " Be the LORD
my God."
I?t Paschal time only one Antiphon is
said, Alleluia.
Psalm CXLIII.
[Intituled " Of David. " The Vulgate and
the LXX. add "against Gohath."]
"DLESSED be the Lord my God,
^-^ Which teacheth mine hands
to war, * and my fingers to fight.
My goodness, and my fortress : *
my strength, and my Deliverer :
My shield, and He in Whom I
trust : * Who subdueth my people
under me.
Lord, what is man, that Thou
takest knowledge of him ? * or the
son of man, that Thou makest ac-
count of him ?
Man is like to vanity : * his days
are as a shadow that passeth away.
Bow Thy heavens, O Lord, and
come down : * touch the mountains,
and they shall smoke.
Cast forth the bright lightning,
and scatter them : * send out
Thine arrows, and make them to
quake.
Send Thine hand from above :
rid me, and deliver me out of great
waters, * from the hand of strange
children :
Whose mouth speaketh vanity : *
and their right hand is a right hand
of falsehood.
I will sing a new song unto Thee,
O God ; * upon a psaltery of ten
strings will I sing praises unto
Thee :
Who hast given salvation unto
kings : * Who deliveredst David
Thy servant from the hurtful sword.
Rid me.
And deliver me from the hand
of strange children, whose mouth
speaketh vanity : * and their right
hand is a right hand of falsehood :
Whose sons may be as saplings
grown up * in their youth ;
Their daughters decked out, *
adorned after the similitude of the
temple :
Their garners full, * affording
stores upon store :
Their sheep fruitful in young,
countless in their pastures : * their
oxen fat :
There is no breach in their walls,
nor inroad : * nor wailing in their
streets.
Happy is that people, that is in
such a case : * happy is that people
whose God is the Lord.
Antiphon. Blessed be the Lord
my God.
Second Antiphon. Every day.
Psalm CXLIV.
[Intituled " David's song of praise." It is
ABC Darian.]
T WILL extol Thee, my God, O
^ King ! * and I will bless Thy
name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless Thee ; *
and I will praise Thy name for ever
and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to
be praised : * and His greatness is
unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Thy
works to another, * and shall declare
Thy mighty acts.
They shall speak of the glorious
honour of Thy Majesty, * and tell of
Thy wondrous works.
And men shall speak of the might
of Thy terrible acts, * and declare
Thy greatness.
202
THE PSALTER.
They shall abundantly utter the
record of Thy great goodness, *
and shall sing of Thy righteous-
ness.
The Lord is gracious and full of
compassion : * slow to anger and of
great mercy.
The Lord is good to all, * and
His tender mercies are over all His
works.
May all Thy works praise Thee,
O Lord ! *- and let Thy saints bless
Thee!
They shall speak of the glory of
Thy kingdom, * and talk of Thy
power ;
To make known to the sons of
men Thy mighty acts, * and the
glorious majesty of Thy king-
dom.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, * and Thy dominion
endureth throughout all genera-
tions !
The Lord is faithful in all His
words, * and holy in all His
works.
The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
* and raiseth up all those that be
bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee,
O Lord ! * and Thou givest them
their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand, * and
fillest all things living with plenteous-
ness.
The Lord is righteous in all
His ways, * and holy in all His
works.
The Lord is nigh unto all them
that call upon Him, * to all that call
upon Him in truth.
He v/ill fulfil the desire of them
that fear Him : * He also will hear
their cry and will save them.
The Lord preserveth all them
that love Him, * but all the wicked
will He destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise
of the Lord ; * and let all flesh
bless His holy Name for ever and
ever.
Antiphon. Every day will I bless
Thee, O Lord. '
Third Antiphon. While I live.
Psalm CXLV.
[To this Psalm is prefixed "Alleluia."
The Vulgate and the LXX. connect it with
the names of Haggai and Zechariah. ]
pRAISE the Lord, O my soul;
^ while I live will I praise the
Lord : * I will sing praises unto my
God while I have being.
Put not your trust in princes, *
in the son of man, in whom is no
help.
His breath goeth forth, and he
returneth to his earth : * in that
very day their thoughts perish.
Happy is he that hath the God
of Jacob for his help, his hope is
in the Lord his God : * Who made
heaven and earth, the sea, and all
that therein is :
Who keepeth truth for ever.
Who executeth judgment for the
oppressed : * Who giveth food to
the hungry.
The Lord looseth the prisoners :
* the Lord openeth the eyes of the
blind :
The Lord raiseth them that are
bowed down : * the Lord loveth
the righteous :
The Lord preserveth the stran-
gers ; He defendeth the fatherless
and widow : * but the way of the
wicked He will turn aside.
The Lord shall reign for ever !
VESPERS, OR EVENSONG.
205
even thy God, O Zion, * unto all
generations !
[The Hebrew adds "Alleluia," which
the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to the
next Psalm.]
Antiphon. While I live will I
praise the Lord.
Fourth Antiphon. Let the praise
of our God.
Psalm CXLVI.
[The Vulgate and the LXX., as stated,
prefix "Alleluia," and the LXX. adds "of
Haggai and Zechariah."]
PRAISE ye the Lord, for it is
good to sing praises : * the
praise of our God is pleasant and
comely.
The Lord doth build up Jeru-
salem : * He gathereth together
the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart, *
and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the
stars j * and calleth them all by
their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great
power : * and His understanding is
infinite.
The Lord lifteth up the meek ; *
but He casteth the wicked down to
the ground.
Sing unto the Lord with thanks-
giving : * sing praise upon the harp
unto our God.
Who covereth the heaven with
clouds : * and prepareth rain for the
earth.
Who maketh grass to grow upon
the mountains, * and herbs for the
service of men :
He giveth to the beast his food,
* and to the young ravens which cry
unto Him.
He delighteth not in the strength
of an horse ; * neither taketh He
pleasure in the legs of a man.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them,
that fear Him, * and in those that
hope in His mercy.
Antiphon. Let the praise of our
God be pleasant.
Fifth Antiphon. Praise the Lord.
If this Antiphon be used the P satin
begins with the words^ " O Jerusalem."
Psalm CXLVII.
[In the Hebrew this is the continuation
of the preceding Psalm. The Vulgate and
the LXX. prefix "Alleluia," and the LXX.
adds ' ' of Haggai and Zechariah, "]
PRAISE the Lord, O Jerusalem \
* praise thy God, O Zion !
For He hath strengthened the
bars of thy gates : * He hath blessed
thy children within thee :
He maketh peace in thy borders :
* and filleth thee with the finest of
the wheat.
He sendeth forth His command-
ment upon earth : * His word run-
neth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool : * He
scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He casteth forth His ice like
morsels : * who can stand before
His cold?
He sendeth out His word, and
melteth them : * He causeth His
wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He declareth His word unto
Jacob, * His statutes and His
judgments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any
nation : * neither hath He made
known to them His judgments.
[The Hebrew adds " Alleluia," which
the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to the
next Psalm.]
204
THE PSALTER.
Antiphon. Praise the Lord, O
Jerusalem.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Alle-
luia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fro?n Advent Sunday till the Octave
oj the Epiphany ^and from Septuagesima
Sutiday till the Octave of Pejitecost spe-
cial Chapters are given.
At other times the following is said:
o
Chapter. (Rom. xi. 33.)
THE- depth of the riches and
wisdom and knowledge of
God : how unsearchable are His
judgments and His ways past find-
ing out !
The following Hymn and Verse a7id
A?isweris used during the saine seaso7is
as the above Chapter^ and likewise froin
Septuagesima to Lent.
Hymn.i
npHE red sun is gone,
^ Thou Light of the heart,
Blessed Three, Holy One,
To Thy servants a sun
Everlasting impart.
There were Lauds in the morn.
Here are Vespers at even :
Oh, may we adorn
Thy temple new born
With our voices in Heaven.
To the Father be praise.
And praise to the Son,
And the Spirit always,
While the infinite days
Of eternity run. ''
Amen.
Verse. Let the evening prayer
ascend unto Thee, O Lord.
A?tswer. And let there descend
upon us Thy mercy.
The followi?tg Ajitiphon is said only
from the Octave of the Epiphany till
Septuagesima.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. God hath holpen His ser-
vant Israel : * as He spake to
Abraham and to his seed, to exalt
them of low degree for ever and
ever.
Prayer of the succeeding Sunday.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, altered almost beyond recognition
the late Card. Newman.
translation by
205
COMPLINE.
©ffice for ^faerg tiag in t\}z
At the beginning of Compline the
Reader says :
Sir, be pleased to give the bless-
ing.
The Blessins^.
May the Almighty Lord grant us
a quiet night and a perfect end.
Answer. Amen.
Then is read this Short Lesson.
Short Lesson, (i Pet. v. 8.)
"ORETHREN, be sober, be vigil-
^^ ant : because your adversary
the devil as a roaring lion walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour :
whom resist ye, stedfast in the faith.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse, ►f* ^ Our help is in the
Name of the Lord.
Answer. Who made heaven and
earth.
Then the Lord's Prayer is said in-
audibly.
UR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
o
kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation ;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
After this is said the General Confes-
sion and Absolution.
T CONFESS to God Almighty, to
^ the Blessed Mary, always a
Virgin, to the Blessed Michael the
Archangel, to the Blessed John the
Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter
and Paul, and to all the Saints, that
I have sinned exceedingly in thought,
word, and deed, by my fault, by my
fault, by my most grievous fault.
Therefore I beseech the Blessed
Mary, always a Virgin, the Blessed
Michael the Archangel, the Blessed
John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to
pray to the Lord our God for me.
The Absolution.
ALMIGHTY God have mercy
-^~^ on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to life everlasting.
Answer. Amen.
^ Compline (Completorium) is the last office of the Church, and is proper to the end of
the evening before going to bed, reckoned to be about 9 p.m., but it may be said any time
before midnight. It is very frequently recited along with Vespers, thus forming the com-
plete Evening Service of the Church, and it is from this aggregation that the " Evening
Prayer " of the Anglican Prayer Book is derived. ^ Ps. cxxiii. 8.
2o6
THE PSALTER.
►^IV/TAY the Almighty and mer-
■^^■*- ciful Lord grant us pardon,
absolution, and remission of all our
sins.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. ^ Turn us, O God of our
salvation.
Answer. And cause Thine anger
toward us to cease.
Verse. ►J^ Make haste, O God, to
deliver me.
Answer. Make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
From the Saturday before Septua-
gesima Sufiday to Mau?idy Thursday
z'nstead of ^^ Allelwa.^^ is said:
Ceaseless praise to Thee be given,
O Eternal King of heaven.
Then follow the Psalms. They are
all said under 07ie Antiphon.
Antiphon. Have mercy.
Antiphon in Paschal tiine. Alle-
luia.
Psalm IV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction of (now) uncertain
meaning.]
Vy^HEN I called, the God of my
* * righteousness heard me : *
Thou hast enlarged me when I was
in distress :
Have mercy upon me, * and hear
my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long
will ye be dull of heart ? * Why
will ye love vanity, and seek after
leasing ? ^
^ Ps. Ixxxiv. 5.
But know that the Lord hath set
apart for Himself him that is holy :
* the Lord will hear me when I
call unto Him.
Be ye angry and sin not : * what
ye speak in your heart, repent upon
your bed.^
Offer the sacrifices of righteous-
ness, and put your trust in the Lord.
* There be many that say : Who will
show us any good ?
Lord, Thou hast set upon us the
light of Thy countenance. * Thou
hast put gladness in my heart.
More than in the time that
their corn, and wine, and oil *
increased.
I will both lay me down in peace,
* and sleep.
For Thou, Lord, only * makest
me to dwell in safety.
Psalm XXX.
[The first eight verses of Psalm xxx., p.
76.]
TN Thee, O Lord, do I put my
-^ trust, let me never be asham-
ed ; * deliver me in Thy righteous-
ness.
Bow down Thine ear to me, *
deliver me speedily.
Be Thou to me a God, a Pre-
server, and an house of defence, *
to save me.
For Thou art my strength and
my refuge, * and for Thy Name's
sake Thou wilt lead me and nourish
me.
Thou wilt pull me out of the net,
that they have laid privily for me,
* for Thou art my Preserver.
Into Thine hands I commend my
spirit : * Thou hast redeemed me,
O Lord God of truth!
2 SLH.
COMPLINE.
207
Psalm XC.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. give the
heading, "A Psalm of praise of David."]
HE that dwelleth in the help of
the Most High, * shall abide
under the shadow of the God of
heaven.
He will say to the Lord : Thou
art my refuge, and my fortress, *
my God, in Him will I trust.
For He shall deliver me from the
snare of the fowler, * and from the
noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with His
wings, * and under His feathers
shalt thou trust :
His truth shall be thy shield. *
Thou shalt not be afraid for the
terror by night ;
For the arrow that flieth by day,
for the pestilence that walketh in
darkness, * for the evil spirit that
wasteth at noon-day.
A thousand shall fall at thy side,
and ten thousand at thy right
hand : * but it shall not come
nigh thee.
Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou
behold : * and see the reward of
the wicked.
Because Thou, O Lord, art my
trust : * thou hast made the Most
High thy refuge.
There shall no evil befall thee, *
neither shall any plague come nigh
thy dwelling.
For He hath given His Angels
charge over thee, * to keep thee in
all thy ways :
They shall bear thee up in their
hands, * lest haply thou dash thy
foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the adder
and the cockatrice : * the lion also
and the dragon shalt thou trample
under feet.
Because he hath set his trust
upon Me, therefore will I deliver
him : * I will defend him because
he hath known My Name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will
answer him : * I am with him in
trouble : I will deliver him and
glorify him.
With long life will I satisfy him :
* and show him My salvation.
Psalm CXXXHI.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees."]
T3EHOLD now, bless ye the
^-^ Lord, * all ye servants of the
Lord.
Which stand in the house of the
Lord, * even in the courts of the
house of our God,
By night. Lift up your hand's
toward the sanctuary, * and bless
the Lord.
The Lord That made heaven
and earth, * bless thee out of
Zion !
Antiphon. ^ Have mercy upon
me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.
Antiphon in Paschal time. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then is said the following :
Hymn.2
IVT OW that the day-light dies away,
-'-^ By all Thy grace and love,
Thee, Maker of the world, we pray
To watch our bed above.
^ Ps, iv. 2.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, very slightly altered; translation by the late Card.
Newman.
208
THE PSALTER.
Let dreams depart and phantoms fly,
The offspring of the night,
Keep us, like shrines, beneath Thine
eye,
Pure in our foes' despite.
This grace on Thy redeemed confer,
Father, Co-equal Son,
And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
Eternal Three in One.
Amen.
The last verse is sometimes said thus,
altered in honojir of the Incarnation :
Jesu, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise be given,
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
Amen.
In Paschal time it is said thus, al-
tered i7i honour of the Resurrectiofi :
To Father, Son, and Paraclete,
The slain and risen Son,
Be praise and glory, as is meet.
While endless ages run.
Amen.
// is also occasionally otherwise al-
tered, which occasions are marked i7i
their places.
Then follows the
Chapter. (Jer. xiv. 9.)
YET Thou, O Lord, art in the
midst of us, and Thine holy
Name is called upon us : ^ leave us
not, O Lord our God.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
The?i the Short Responsory .
^ Into Thine hands, O Lord, I
commend my spirit.
Answer, Into Thine hands, O
Lord, I commend my spirit.
Verse. Thou hast redeemed us,
O Lord God of truth.
Answer. I commend my spirit.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Afiswer. Into Thine hands, O
Lord, I commend my spirit.
Verse. ^ Keep us, O Lord, as
the apple of the eye.
Answer. Hide us under the
shadow of Thy wings.
Fro?n the Saturday after Easter in-
clusive to the Saturday after Pentecost
exclusive, the above is said thus :
Into Thine hands, O Lord, I com-
mend my spirit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. Into Thine hands, O
Lord, I commend my spirit. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Thou hast redeemed us,
O Lord God of truth.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Into Thine hands, O
Lord, I commend my spirit. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Verse. Keep us, O Lord, as the
apple of the eye. Alleluia.
Answer. Hide us under the
shadow of Thy wings. Alleluia.
Thefi is said the following Canticle
from the Gospel, with its Antiphon.
Antiphon. O Lord, keep us.
1 The allusion seems to be to the invocation of the Name upon Israel by the Priests,
Numb. vi. 22. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying : Speak unto Aaron, and unto
his sons, saying, On this wise shall ye bless the children of Israel, saying unto them — The
Lord bless thee and keep thee ; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious
unto thee ; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace — and they
shall put My Name upon the children of Israel ; and I will bless them."
2 Ps. XXX. 6. ^ Ps. xvi. 8.
COMPLINE.
209
The Song of Simeon. (Luke ii. 29.)
[Uttered by Simeon at the presentation
of our Lord in the Temple. "Then took
he Him up in his arms, and blessed God,
and said : — "]
T ORD, now lettest Thou Thy
-■— ' servant depart in peace, *
according to Thy word :
For mine eyes have seen * Thy
Salvation,
Which Thou hast prepared *
before the face of all people ;
A Light to lighten the Gentiles,
* and the glory of Thy people
Israel.
The Doxology, " Glory be to the
Father, &c.," is said.
Antiphon. O Lord, keep us
waking, guard us sleeping : that
we may wake with Christ and rest
in peace.
In Paschal time ^ "Alleluia."
Then follow these short prayers, called
the Preces. They are omitted on Doubles
and within Octaves. In Advent^ Le?it,
and the Ember Days they are said
kneeling.
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
/^~\UR Father, (inaudibly,) Who
^-^ art in heaven. Hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. {Aloiid.)
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
^ Dan. iii,
T BELIEVE iinaudibly) in God
^ the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth. And in Jesus
Christ, His only Son, our Lord ;
Who was conceived by the Holy
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried : He
descended into hell : the third day
He rose again from the dead : He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of God the
Father Almighty. From thence He
shall come to judge the quick and
the dead. I believe in the Holy
Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the For-
giveness of sins, {aloud)
Verse. The Resurrection of the
body.
Answer. And the Life ever-
lasting. Amen.
Verse. ^Blessed art Thou, O
Lord God of our fathers.
Answer. And to be praised and-
glorified above all for ever.
Verse. Bless we the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Let us praise and exalt
Him above all for ever.
Verse. ^Blessed art Thou, O
Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
Answer. And to be praised, and
glorified, and exalted above all for
ever.
Verse. May the Lord, the Al-
mighty and merciful, bless and
keep us.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this
night,
Ansiver. To keep us without sin.
Verse. Have mercy upon us, O
Lord.
Answer. Have mercy upon us.
52, 56.
2IO
THE PSALTER.
Heaven's open gate, and the Star
of the Sea, come, succour the fallen !
Fallen indeed we are, but fain
would rise by thy succour.
Thou that beyond nature's course
hast borne in time the Eternal ;
Thou that a Virgin before, and
after that childbirth remainest,
From the Archangel's lips the
quickening message receiving,
Mother of Jesus and us, turn
thine eyes of mercy on sinners.
Verse. The Angel of the Lord
announced unto Mary,
Answer. And she conceived of
the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray.
WE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour
Thy grace into our hearts ;
that, as we have known the Incar-
nation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by
the message of an Angel, so by His
Passion and Cross we may be
brought unto the glory of His
Resurrection. Through the same
Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
From the First Vespers of Ckrisi?Jtas
inclusive, the Verse and Aiiswer and
Prayer are as follows :
Verse. After thy delivery thou
still remainest a Virgin undefiled.
Answer. Mother of God, pray
for us.
Let us pray.
OGOD, Who, by the fruitful
virginity of the Blessed Mary,
hast given unto mankind the re-
wards of everlasting life ; grant, we
beseech Thee, that we may con-
tinually feel the might of her in-
1 This Office was originally the last Prayer before going to rest for the monks of the
Order of St Benedict.
Verse. O Lord, let Thy mercy
lighten upon us.
Answer. As our trust is in Thee.
Here the service is resumed, when
the above has bee7i o)iiitted.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
VISIT, we beseech Thee, O
Lord, this habitation,^ and
drive far from it all snares of the
enemy : let Thine holy Angels dwell
herein, to keep us in peace, and
may Thy blessing be always upon
us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee,
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
The Blessing.
May the Almighty and Merciful
Lord, ►J* the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, bless and keep us.
Answer. Amen.
Then follows immediately 07te of
these Four Antiphons of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, according to the season
of the year.
I. Fro77i the Vespers of the Saturday
before Advent Sunday till those of
Candle77ias, both inclusive.
Antiphon. Maiden ! Mother of
Him Who redeemed us, thou that
abidest
COMPLINE.
211
tercession ; through whom we have
worthily received the Author of
our hfe, our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son.
Answer. Amen.
II. From the Compline of the 2nd
day of February inclusive to
Maundy Thursday exclusive.
Antiphon. Hail, O Mary, Queen
of heaven,
Queen of Angel worlds on high,
Hail, O Rod to Jesse given,
Blessed Portal of the sky,
Hail, O Lady, bright and glorious,
Clad in beauty, pure and true.
Virgin ! o'er sin's stain victorious.
Sinners for thy succour sue.
Verse. Holy Virgin, my praise
by thee accepted be.
Answer. Give me strength against
thine enemies.
Let us pray.
1\ /r OST merciful God, grant, we
^^ ^ beseech Thee, a succour
unto the frailty of our nature, that
as we keep ever alive the memory
of the holy Mother of God, so by
the help of her intercession we may
be raised up from the bondage of
our sins. Through the same Christ
our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
III. Froiu the First Compline of
Easter inclusive till the First
Vespers of Trinity Sunday ex-
clusive.
A7itiphon. Rejoice! rejoice! thou
Queen of Heaven, Alleluia,
For He That thee for Son was
given. Alleluia,
As He promised is arisen. Alle-
luia.
Mother, pray to Him for us,
Alleluia.
Verse. Be glad and rejoice, O
Virgin Mary, Alleluia,
Answer. For the Lord is risen
indeed. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
f~^ GOD, Who dost vouchsafe to
^^ gladden the whole world by
the resurrection of Thy Son our
Lord Jesus Christ ; grant, we be-
seech Thee, that by the help of
His Mother the Virgin Mary, we
may finally attain unto the glad-
ness of life everlasting. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
IV. From the First Vespers of
Trinity Sunday ificlusive till the
Vespers of Saturday before Ad-
vent Su7tday exclusive.
Antiphon. Hail, O Queen, Mo-
ther of mercy ! hail, our life, our
sweetness, and our hope. To thee
we cry, the banished sons of Eve.
Toward thee we sigh, weeping and
groaning in this vale of tears. Ah,
then, thou our Advocate, turn on us
those merciful eyes of thine ! And,
after this our exile, show to us Jesus,
the blessed Fruit of thy womb. O
most merciful, O most gracious, O
most sweet Virgin Mary ! ^
Verse. Pray for us, holy Mo-
ther of God.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
^ Of these four Antiphons, "Maiden Mother" is ascribed to Hermann the Cripple, a
monk of Reichenau, who died a.d. 1052. The authorship of the second is unknown : it
212
THE PSALTER.
Let us pray.
O ALMIGHTY and everlasting
God, Who, by the co-opera-
tion of the Holy Ghost, didst make
ready both the body and soul of
the glorious Virgin and Mother
Mary worthily to become a meet
dwelling for Thy Son ; grant that
as we rejoice in her memory, so
by her pitiful intercession we may
be delivered from the evils that
continually hang over us, and finally
from everlasting death. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
After each of these Ajitiphons is said
this Blessing:
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Answer. Amen.
Lastly, whether Mattins be to follow
immediately ., or 7iot, the Lord's Prayer^
the Angelic SaliLtatio7i., and the Apos-
tles' Creed are said i?taudibly.
OUR Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us. And lead us
not into temptation ; but deliver
us from evil. Amen.
TTAIL, Mary, full of grace; the
^ ^ Lord is with thee : blessed
art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now, and at the
hour of our death. Amen.
T BELIEVE in God, the Father
-^ Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth. And in Jesus Christ,
His Only Son, our Lord, W^ho
was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried : He descended
into hell : the third day He rose
again from the dead : He ascended
into heaven, and sitteth at the right
hand of God the Father Almighty:
from thence He shall come to
judge both the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the
Holy Catholic Church, the Com-
munion of Saints, the Forgiveness
of sins, the Resurrection of the
body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Thzts ends the Office of Compline
throughout the year^ in which Office
the words, "May the souls, &c.," are
omitted, and the Verse a?id A?iswer,
"The Lord give us, &c.," are 7tot said
before the Antiphon of the Blessed
Viro;in.
seems to date from about the eleventh century. The date and authorship of the third are
likewise unknown ; but a legend has become attached to it, to the effect that St Gregory
the Great heard the three first lines uttered by an angel, and himself added the fourth, on
the same occasion on which was instituted the procession upon St Mark's Day. The
authorship of " Hail, O Queen" is disputed. The last clause is usually admitted to be an
exclamation uttered by St Bernard of Clairvaux in the cathedral of Spires. But the
authorship of the rest is disputed, some ascribing it to Hermann the Cripple, others to
one Peter of Monsoro, bishop of Compostella, others to one Adhemar, bishop of Podium
(Puy-en-Velay). It seems to have been well known, at least in Spain, early in the
twelfth century.
S|)e pvoptv iDflice of t|)e Reason,
ILtnt.
Duri7ig Lent the following rules are
to be observed.
1 . On the first Saturday aiid every
Week-day after, Vespers ^ are said be-
fore Supper, bei7ig the one meal allowed.
2. When the service is of the Week-
day, at every service except Mattins,
Preces are said kneeling.
3. If the service is of the Week-day,
the following additions are made in
Choir, but persons bound to the Divine
Office are not bound to them under sin.'^
a. On Monday the Office of the Dead,
viz. the Vespers after the Vespers o?t
Su7tday evening, ajtd the Dirge after
Lauds the next morning. Out of Choir
it may be said any time betweejt Sufi-
day afternoon and Monday midnight.
Monday in Holy Week is excepted.
b. Oji Wednesday the Gradual
Psalms. In Choir they are said be-
fore Mattinsj out of Choir whenever
convenient, and Wednesday in Holy
Week is excepted.
c. On Friday^ the Penitential
Psalms and the Litany. The whole
is said kneeling after Lauds, but out
of Choir how and when convenient.
Good Friday is excepted. {See the
Additional Services at the end of the
Breviary. )
4, Simple Feasts are only coTnmefno-
rated. Doubles and Semidoubles are
observed, if they fall on Week-days be-
fore Palm Sunday. In this case the
Ninth Lesson of the Festival is omitted
or read as one with the Eighth, ajid
for the Ninth Lesson is read the first
part or the whole of the Homily for
the Week-day, which is also co?nme?no-
rated at Lauds and Vespers.
Fourth Day. Of Ashes.
This Day cannot be displaced by a
Festival.
Before Mattins are said the Gradual
Psalms.
1 The letter of this rule is, of course, fulfilled by those who eat before sunset, if they say
Vespers before supper, which a tolerated custom now allows to be taken at any time after noon.
In this country at least, the rich, when fasting, usually adhere to the primitive practice of the
Church during the warmth of her first love, and take their meal after dark ; but among working-
people and religious, who rise very early, the other practice is most usual. The Church now
tolerates it, only insisting that at any rate her day of Prayer should have closed. For private
recitation some do not hold the rule to apply.
2 There are, however, indulgences for reciting' them under any circumstances.
3 But in most if not all dioceses there are Greater Double Offices in honour of the Passion on
these Fridays.
VOL. II. H
214
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (vi. i6.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples ; When ye fast, be not,
as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Bk. ii. on the Lord^s Ser77ion
on the Mount ^ ch. xii., to7n. 4.)
It is evident that by these precepts
we are bidden to seek for inner glad-
ness, lest, by running after that reward
which is without, we should become
conformed to the fashion of this world,
and should so lose the promise of that
blessing which is all the truer and
more stable that it is inward, that
blessing wherein God hath chosen us
to be conformed to the likeness of His
Son. In this chapter we will princi-
pally consider the fact that vain-glory
findeth a ground for its exercise in
struggling poverty as much as in
worldly distinction and display ; and
this development is the most dangerous,
because it entices under pretence of
being the serving of God.
First Responsory.
1 1 came this day unto the well, and
I besought the Lord, and said : O
Lord God of Abraham, Thou hast
prospered my way.
Verse. Therefore the virgin to
whom I shall say : Give me water of
thy pitcher to drink ; and she shall say
to me : Drink, my lord, and I will give
thy camels drink also ; let the same be
the woman whom the Lord hath ap-
pointed for my master's son.
Answer. O LORD God of Abraham,
Thou hast prospered my way.
1 Gen. xxiv, 42-44.
Second Lessofi.
T_TE that is characterised by un-
bridled indulgence in luxury or
in dress, or any other display, is by
these very things easily shown to be a
follower of worldly vanities, and de-
ceiveth no one by putting on an hypo-
critical mask of godliness. But those
professors of Christianity, who turn all
eyes on themselves by an eccentric
show of grovelling and dirtiness, not
suffered by necessity, but by their own
choice, of them we must judge by their
other works whether their conduct
really proceedeth from the desire of
mortification by giving up unnecessary
comfort, or is only the mean of some
ambition : the Lord biddeth us beware
of wolves in sheep's clothing, but " by
their fruits," saith He, " ye shall know
them."
Second Responsory.
2 The word of the LORD came unto
Abram, saying : Fear not, Abram : I
am thy shield, and thy exceeding great
reward.
Verse. For I am the Lord thy God
That brought thee out of Ur of the
Chaldees.
Answer. Fear not, Abram : I am
thy shield, and thy exceeding great
reward.
Third Lesson.
nPHE test is when, by divers trials,
such persons lose those things
which under the cover of seeming un-
worldliness they have either gained or
sought to gain. Then must it needs
appear whether they be wolves in
sheep's clothing, or indeed sheep in
their own. But that hypocrites do
the contrary maketh it no duty of a
Christian to shine before the eyes of
men with a display of needless luxury
— the sheep need not to lay aside their
2 XV. I, 7.
LENT.
2.1.5.
own clothing- because wolves sometimes
falsely assume it.
Third Responsory.
Abram removed his tent, and came,
and dwelt by the vale ^ of Mamre ; and
built there an altar unto the LORD.
Verse. And the LORD said unto
him : Lift up thine eyes, and look ; all
the land which thou seest, to thee will
I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Afiswer. And built there an Altar
unto the Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And built there an altar
unto the LORD.
VESPERS.
Aiitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, * where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt.
Prayer.'^
TOOK mercifully, O Lord, upon all
that bow themselves down before
Thy Divine Majesty, and, as Thou
hast given them to taste of Thine
Unspeakable Gift, so strengthen" them
ever by Thy heavenly succour. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
LAUDS.
A^itiphon at the Song of Zacharids.
When ye fast, ^ be not, as the hypo-
crites, of a sad countenance.
Prayer.
(On this a7id all other Week-day Ojfices
in Lent^ Preces are said kneeliiig.)
r\ LORD, grant unto Thy faithful
^"^^ people to enter with all meet
godliness upon the observance of this
worshipful and solemn Fast, and in
like mind faithfully to fulfil the same.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth wdth
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
The sa?ne Prayer at Terce^ Sext, and
None.
After None^ ashes are blessed and
put up07i the heads of clergy a7id people^
after which is celebrated the Liturgy.
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (viii. 5.)
A T that time : When jESUS was
"^^ entered into Capernaum, there
came unto Him a centurion, beseech-
ing Him, and saying : Lord, my
servant lieth at home sick of the
palsy, and grievously tormented. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] [Book ii. oh the Agree?nent
of the Evangelists^ ch. xx., to7n. 4.)
Let us consider whether Matthew
and Luke are at one as touching this
centurion's servant. Matthew saith :
"There came unto Him a centurion,
1 Some, instead of "vale" or "plain," read "oak" or "terebinth-tree."
2 These Prayers appointed for the Week-day evenings during Lent, are the same as the
"■ Prayers over the people " read after the Post-Communions of the corresponding masses said
after None. The first clause of the Prayer above relates to the Bidding, "Bow down your
heads to God," always said before the "Prayer over the people," and the second clause, of
course, to the Holy Communion just received.
2l6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
beseeching Him, and saying : Lord,
my servant lieth at home sick of the
palsy." This seemeth to differ from
what Luke saith : namely : " And when
he heard of jESUS, he sent unto Him
the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him
that He would come and heal his
servant. And when they came to
Jesus, they besought him instantly,
saying : That he was worthy for whom
He should do this ; for he loveth our
nation, and he hath built us a syna-
gogue. Then Jesus went with them ;
and when He was now not far from
the house, the centurion sent friends
to Him, saying unto Him : Lord,
trouble not Thyself; for I am not
worthy that Thou shouldest enter under
my roof." (vii. 6, et seg.)
First Responsory.
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick
ot the palsy, and grievously tormented.
Amen, I say unto Thee, I will come
and heal him.
Verse. Lord, I am not worthy that
Thou shouldest enter under my roof,
but speak the word only, and my ser-
vant shall be healed.
Answer. Amen, I say unto thee, I
will come and heal him.
Second Lesso7t.
T F it were done thus, how is Matthew
truthful, when he saith that the
"centurion came unto Him," — seeing
that, in fact, he sent his friends ? We
must then look well into this, and we
shall see that Matthew only made use
of a common form of speech. Now,
we use to say of a man that he cometh
to a place even though he be not
already come : whence also we say,
"He arrived close," or "He arrived a
long way off," that is, to that place to
which he would come ; yea, we speak
of that coming, toward which he
tendeth, as though it had already
taken place, when he that should be
come at, seeth not yet him that cometh,
but is come at for him by friends, to
obtain his favour, which is needful for
him that would come to him. And so
much doth this manner of speaking
hold, that they are commonly said to
" come at " a great man, (who is
beyond their personal reach,) who, by
means of suitable persons, succeed in
laying before him such things as they
desire.
Second Respo7isory.
^ Abraham stood by the oak of
Mamre, and he saw three men coming
up by the path. He saw three, and
worshipped One.
Verse. Behold, Sarah thy wife shall
bear thee a son, and thou shalt call
his name Isaac.
Answer. He saw three, and wor-
shipped One.
Third Lesson.
THEREFORE it is not strange that
Matthew should make use of the
common short phrase, and say of the
centurion, who reached the Lord's sym-
pathies, by mean of friends, that he
"came unto Him." Also we must
needs not pass by lightly the mystic
depth which underlieth the words of
this holy Evangelist. It is written in
the Psalms (xxxiii. 6) : " Draw near
unto Him and be lightened." Thus
did the centurion in faith draw near
unto Jesus, and the Lord so praised
him that He said : " I have not found
so great faith, no, not in Israel." Of
him of whom these words were spoken
the Evangelist deemeth it wiser to say
that he had found his way to Jesus,
that he had got to Christ, than that
, they came, through whom he sent his
message unto Him.
xvui. I, 2 ; xvu. 19.
LENT.
217
Third Responsory.
1 The Lord did tempt Abraham, and
said unto him : Take thy son Isaac
whom thou lovest, and offer him there
for a burnt-offering upon one of the
mountains which I will tell thee of.
Verse. And when the Lord called
him, he answered : Behold, here I am.
And the Lord said unto him :
Aiiswer. Take thy son Isaac whom
thou lovest, and offer him there for a
burnt-offering upon one of the moun-
tains which I will tell thee of.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A?ts'wer. Take thy son Isaac whom
thou lovest, and offer him there for a
burnt-offering upon one of the moun-
tains which I will tell thee of.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of
the palsy "^ and grievously tormented.
Amen, I say unto thee : I will come
and heal him.
Prayer.
r^ GOD, Whom sin doth justly move
^-'^ to anger, and repentance turn
again, mercifully to forgive the same,
look down now graciously upon the
supplications of Thy people praying
before Thee, and turn away the scourges
of Thy wrath, which for our sins, we
do most rightfully deserve. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A7nen.
At the beginning of the Marty rology,
say, On the morrow we commemorate
the Coronation of our Lord jESUS
Christ with Thorns.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext,
and None,
O^ce in Memory of the Coronation
of our Lord fESUS Christ with
Thorns.
Greater Double.
All as on Sundays except the follow-
ing.
FIRST VESPERS.
Ajttiphons, Chapter, and Prayer frojn
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxvi. O praise the Lord, &c.,
{p. 186.)
IIym?t.^
J^AUGHTERS of Zion ! Royal Maids !
Come forth to see the Crown
Which Zion's self, with cruel hands,
Hath woven for her Son.
See ! how amid His gory Locks
The jagged thorns appear ;
See ! how His pallid Countenance
Foretells that death is near.
Oh, savage was the earth that bore
Those thorns so sharp and long !
Savage the hand that gathered them
To work this deadly wrong !
But now that Christ's redeeming Blood
Hath tinged them with its dye,
Fairer than roses they appear,
Or palms of victory.
Jesu ! the thorns which pierced Thy Brow
Sprang from the seed of sin ;
Pluck ours, we pray Thee, from our hearts,
And plant Thine own therein.
Praise, honoiir, to the Father be,
And sole begotten Son ;
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete
While endless ages run. Amen.
Verse. When they had platted a
crown of thorns,
A?iswer. They put it upon His
Head.
XXU. I, 2.
2 Hymn found in the Breviary only ; translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
12I8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
A7itipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgifi. 1 Go forth, O ye daughters
of Zion, and behold King Solomon
with the Crown wherewith his mother
crowned him whilst she was making
ready a Cross for her Saviom\
A Commeinoration of the Week-Day.
Antiphon. Lord, I am not worthy
Thou shouldst enter under my roof;
but speak this word only, and my
servant shall be healed.
Verse. Let my prayer, O Lord, be
set forth,
Answer. As incense before Thee.
Prayer.
QPARE, O Lord, spare Thy people,
that they, being justly chastened
because of their iniquities, may,
through Thy mercy, find time of
relief. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ our King, Who
was crowned with thorns, * Him, O
come, let us worship !
Hymn fr 0771 Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
07tly three Psal77is are said., as fol-
lows.
First Antiphon. He shall be like
a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth its fruit in its
season.
4.)
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c., {p.
Second A7itipho7i. They take coun-
sel together against the LORD, and
against His Anointed.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
(/. 4-)
Third A7itipho7t. Thou hast en-
larged me when I was in distress.
Ps. iv. When I called, &c., {j).
2o6.)
Verse. ^ Thou hast crowned Him
with glory and honour, O Lord —
A7iswer. And madest Him to have
dominion over the works of Thy hands.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah (liii.)
VA/'HO hath believed our report ?
And to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed ? For he shall grow
up before Him as a tender plant, and
as a root out of a dry ground : he
hath no form nor comeliness ; and when
we shall see him, there is no beauty
that we should desire him. He is
despised and rejected of men ; a man
of sorrows and acquainted with grief ;
and he hid as it were his face from
us ; he was despised, and we esteemed
him not. Surely he hath borne our
griefs and carried our sorrows : yet
we did esteem him stricken, smitten
of God, and afflicted. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he
was bruised for our iniquities : the
chastisement of our peace was upon
him, and with his stripes we are
healed.
First Responsory.
^ Cursed is the ground by man's
work. Thorns and thistles shall it
bring forth for the Anointed.
Verse. Because Adam hath eaten
of the tree of which God commanded
^ Cant. iii. ii.
2 Ps. viii. 6.
3 Gen. iii. 17, 18, &c.
LENT.
219
him, saying : Thou shalt not eat
of it.
A7iswer. Thorns and thistles shall
it bring" forth for the Anointed.
Second Lesson.
A LL we, like sheep, have gone
astray ; we have turned every
one to his own way : and the LORD
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was offered up because he willed
it,i and he opened not his mouth.
He is brought as a sheep to the
slaughter, and as a lamb before his
shearers is dumb, so he openeth not
his mouth. He was taken from prison
and from judgment : and who shall
declare his generation ? For he was
cut off out of the land of the living ;
for the transgression of my people have
I stricken him.
Seco?id Responsory .
. The Lord ^ appeared unto Moses in
a flame of fire, out of the midst of a
bush ; and he looked, and, behold, the
bush burned with fire, and the bush
was not consumed.
Verse. And Moses said : I will now
turn aside, and see this great sight.
Answer. And he looked, and,
behold, the bush burned with fire, and
the bush was not consumed.
Third Lesson.
A ND he made his grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his
death ; because he had done no vio-
lence, neither was any deceit in his
mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to
bruise him ; He hath put him to
grief; when he hath made his soul
an offering for sin, he shall see his
seed, he shall prolong his days, and
the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper
in his hand. He shall see of the
travail of his soul, and shall be satis-
fied : by his knowledge shall My
righteous servant justify many, for he
shall bear their iniquities.
Third Responsory.
^ Behold the fire and the wood.
God will provide Himself a lamb for a
burnt-offering.
Verse. And Abraham lifted up his
eyes, and looked, and, behold, behind
him a ram caught in a thicket by his
horns.
A7iswer. A lamb for a burnt-offer-
ing.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. A lamb for a burnt-offer-
ing.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. O LORD, Thou
hast compassed me with Thy favour
as with a shield.
Ps. V. Give ear to my words, &c.,
{j>. 88.)
Second Antipho?!. Thou hast made
him a Httle lower than the angels,.
Thou hast crowned him with glory and
honour.
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Ruler, &c.,
(/• 7.)
Third Antiphon. The wicked bend
their bow, they make ready their arrows
1 Oblatus est quia ipse voluit. The present Hebrew is literally, "He was oppressed and
he was afflicted." Jonathan ben Uzziel, " He was required, and he was brought back, and
without opening his mouth, he submitted to the mighty of the people."
2 Exod. iii. 2, 3, but the words are "the Angel of the Eternal appeared, &c."
2 Gen. xxii. 7, 8, 13.
220
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
in the quiver, that they may shoot at
the upright.
Ps. X. In the Lord, &c., (/. 9.)
Verse. ^ Thou hast set a crown, O
Lord, of precious stones.
Answer. Upon his head.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
{2Jidfor Twelfth Day.)
" r^O forth, O ye daughters of Zion."
^■^ You we address as daughters
of Zion, O worldly souls, frail, sickly
children, daughters and not sons,
beings in whom there is no muscle,
and no manliness. Go forth from
your dream of carnal sensuality to
understand something with your mind.
Go forth from your bondage to the
lusts of the flesh, unto the freedom of
spiritual intelligence. Go forth out of
your country, and from your kindred,
and from your father's house, and be-
hold King Solomon with the crown
wherewith his mother crowned him,
that crown of want and woe. But
albeit his stepmother crowned him with
a crown of woeful thorns, he is yet to
be crowned by his household with a
crown of righteousness, when "the
Son of Man shall send forth His
Angels, and they shall gather out of
His Kingdom all things that offend,"
(Matth. xiii. 41,) when "the Lord
will enter into judgment with the
antients of His people," (Isa. iii. 14,)
and " the world shall fight with Him
against the unwise." (Wisd. v. 21.)
The Father also crowneth Him with a
crown of glory, as saith the Psalmist :
" Thou hast crowned him with glory
and honour, O Lord," (Ps. viii. 6.)
Daughters of Zion ! behold Him with
the crown wherewith His mother
crowned Him !
Fourth Responsory.
2 When the chief Shepherd shall
appear, (even the Shepherd That was
smitten, and the sheep of the flock
were scattered abroad,) when He shall
appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away
Verse. When He maketh a great
feast to show the riches of His glorious
kingdom.
Aiiswer. Ye shall receive a crown
of glory that fadeth not away.
Fifth Lesson. {42nd Ser?no?i on the
Song of Songs. )
T3RETHREN, from the first moment
of my conversion, I took care to
gather a bundle of my Lord's troubles
and griefs, and put the same to lie be-
tween my breasts, to make up for the
sheaf of merits which I knew I had not.
I will tell how abundantly sweet was
the smell of this [bundle of myrrh.]
As long as I live, even for ever and
ever, I will never forget those mercies
whereby I was called to life. I have
kept this healthy bundle by me, and
no one will ever take it away from me,
but it shall lie between my breasts. I
have decreed that to think of these
troubles and griefs is real wisdom ;
in them I have determined to find
perfect righteousness, full knowledge,
plentiful salvation, and abundant merit.
From these His troubles and griefs I
drink sometimes a draught of healthy
bitters, and from the same again I
draw the sweet oil of comfort. It is
the thought of these troubles and woes
of His that cheereth me when I am
afflicted, and maketh me grave when
it is well with me. As the pilgrim
walketh along the King's High- way of
this present life, in joy and in sorrow,
it is the memory of the woes of jESUS
that keeps him moving straight and
1 Ps. XX. 4,
2 I Pet. V. 4 ; Matth. xxvi. 31 ; Esther i. 3, 4.
LENT.
221
saveth him from the dangers that
threaten him upon the one hand or
upon the other. These griefs are what
will gain my pardon from the Judge of
all the earth ; He Who is dreadful to
the mighty is shown by these griefs to
be meek and lowly, manifesting' as the
Forgiving One, yea, One That a man
may take ensample by. Him Who is
exalted above all Princes and dreadful
among the kings of the earth.
Fifth Responsory.
1 He hath received a glorious king-
dom and a beautiful crown.
Verse. ^ God hath highly exalted
Him, and given Him a Name which is
above every name.
Answer. And a beautiful crown.
Sixth Lesson.
T^HEREFORE are these His griefs
oftentimes in my mouth, and
God knoweth that they be alway in
my heart. My pen useth to write of
them, as is manifest. The highest
flight of my philosophy is this, to
know Jesus, and Him Crucified. I
do not ask, like the Bride, where He
lieth to rest at noon, (Cant. i. 6,) since
I have the joy to embrace Him as He
lieth between my breasts. I ask not
where He feedeth at noon, since I see
Him on the Cross a Saviour. On the
Cross He is glorious, at my breast He
is sweet ; on the Cross, my Bread ; at
my breast, my milk, milk which filleth
the bellies of sucklings, and the paps
of mothers, and therefore He shall lie
betwixt my breasts. Do ye also, dearly
beloved brethren, do ye also gather you
a bundle of this beloved myrrh, [even
the woe of Jesus,] put it in the core
of your heart, put it to guard the door
of your breast, that it may lie betwixt
your breasts also. If ye have before
your eyes Him Whom ye bear about,
the sight of the Lord's afflictions
will make your own lighter to carry,
through the help of Him Who is
the Bridegroom of the Church, and
Who is above all God, blessed for
ever. Amen.
Sixth Responsory.
^ They shall make an ark of shittim-
wood ; and thou shalt overlay it with
pure gold ; within and without shalt
thou overlay it, and shalt make upon
it a crown of gold round about.
Verse. And thou shalt put into the
ark the testimony which I shall give
thee.
Answer. And shalt make upon it
a crown of gold round about.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And shalt make upon it
a crown of gold round about.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. He that walked
uprightly and worked righteousness
was crowned upon Thy holy hill.
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide, &c.,
(A lo.)
Seco7id A?ttipkon. Thou hast set a
crown of precious stones upon his head,
O Lord.
Ps. XX. The king shall joy, &c., {p.
19.)
Third Antiphon. In the presence
of mine enemies Thou anointest mine
head with oil.
Ps. xxii. The Lord is my Shepherd,
&c., (J>. 47.)
1 Wisd. V. 17.
VOL. II.
2 Phil. ii. 9.
3 Exod. XXV. 10, II, 16.
H 2
222
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse. ^ A crown of gold upon his
head.
Answer. Wherein was engraved
" Holiness."
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. i.)
A T that time : Pilate took Jesus
'^^ and scourged Him. And the
soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and
put it on His Head. And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] (50M on divers matters.)
Daughters of Zion, behold King Solo-
mon— not here called "the Preacher,"
or Y'dydyah.2 By these three names
was that King called, and therein is he
a figure of our true Solomon, jESUS
Christ, Who was Sh'lomoh, that is,
" the Peaceful One " in His exile here.
Who will be [Koheleth, that is,] "the
Preacher " when He delivereth the last
doom, and Who is Y'dydyah, that is,
"the delight of the Lord" as the
Universal King — gentle in His exile,
righteous in His judgment, glorious in
His kingdom ; lovely in His exile,
dreadful in His judgment, worshipful
in His kingdom. Behold Him now
" with the crown wherewith His Mother
crowned Him." This was a crown of
mercy, and therein He may be followed.
But His step-mother also crowned Him
with a crown of sorrow, and therein
He was made a reproach. By His
step-mother I mean the Synagogue
which showed herself not as His mother,
but as His step-mother.
Seventh Responsory,
^ Thou shalt make an Altar to burn
incense upon ; of shittim-wood shalt
thou make it. And thou shalt make
unto it a crown of gold round
about.
Verse. And thou shalt put the
Altar before the veil that is before
the mercy-seat.
Answer. And thou shalt make
unto it a crown of gold round
about.
Eighth Lesson.
T T IS household will crown Him with
a crown of righteousness, and
therein He will be dreadful. His
Father crowneth Him with a crown of
glory, and therein He is lovely. Let
sinners gaze upon Him in His crown
of sorrow, the crown of thorns, and let
the pricks thereof enter into themselves.
Let the daughters of Zion, the souls
that love Him, gaze upon Him in His
crown of mercy, and follow in His
steps. The wicked shall gaze upon
Him in His crown of righteousness,
and they shall perish. The Saints
shall gaze upon Him in His crown of
glory, and they shall be blessed for
ever. Others also that have followed
Him shall be crowned after Him, but
that by earnest working by the help of
His grace. He alone was crowned by
His mother. Who alone, with every
emotion duly ordered, came forth out
of His mother's womb, like a Bride-
ofroom out of his chamber.
Eighth Responsory.
4 A man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief, Christ was crowned with
thorns. The Same is He Who
crowneth us with mercy and loving-
kindness.
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions; He was bruised for
1 Ecclus. xlv. 14.
2 "The-delight-of-the-LoRD," a name given to Solomon, 2 Kings (Sam.) xii. 25.
Vulgate it is translated " Amabilis-Domino."
3 Exod. XXX. I, 3, 6. ■* Isa. liii. 3 ; Ps. cii. 4.
In the
LENT.
223
our iniquities ; and with His stripes we
are healed.
Answer. The
crowneth us with
Same is He Who
mercy and loving-
kindness.
Verse. Glory
and to the Son,
Ghost.
Answer. The
crowneth us with
kindness.
be to the Father,
and to the Holy
Same is He Who
mercy and loving-
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
43.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
"^^ disciples : Ye have heard that it
hath been said : Thou shalt love thy
neighbour and hate thine enemy. And
so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {^Bk. i., Coinin. on Matth.
v. a7id vi.)
" But I say unto you : Love your
enemies, do good to them that hate
you." There are many who judge
of the commandments of the Lord by
their own weakness, and not by the
strength of His Saints ; and so deem
Him to have commanded things im-
possible. These are they who think
that not to hate their enemies is all
that they are able to do ; and that to
command us to love them, is to com-
mand more than man's nature can
bear. It behove th them to know, that
this which Christ commandeth is not
impossible, albeit perfect. This is what
David did in respect of Saul and
Absalom ; the martyr Stephen also
prayed for his enemies, even while they
were stoning him ; and Paul " could
wish that himself were accursed from
Christ for his " persecutors. (Rom. ix.
3.) And this, jESUS Himself did, as
well as taught, when He said : " Father,
forgive them : for they know not what
they do." (Luke xxiii. 34.) "That
ye may be the children of your Father
Which is in heaven." If he that doeth
the commandments of God becometh a
son of God, then is he not a son by
nature, but by his own choice.
" Therefore when thou doest thine
alms, do not sound a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do in the syna-
gogues, and in the streets, that they
may have glory of men." He that
soundeth a trumpet before him, when
he doeth alms, is an hypocrite. He
that disfigureth his face, when he
fasteth, to the end that he may show
the emptiness of his belly in his looks,
he also is an hypocrite. He that
prayeth in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that he may be
seen of men, is an hypocrite. From
all which, we gather that an hypocrite
is one which doeth anything that he
may have glory of men. To me also
it seemeth that he which saith unto
his brother : " Let me pull out the
mote out of thine eye," (vii. 4,) that he
also is an hypocrite ; for he proposeth
to take upon him that office for vain-
glory's sake, that he himself may ap-
pear righteous. Wherefore the Lord
saith unto him : " Thou hypocrite, first
cast out the beam out of thine own
eye." Thus we see that it is, not the
doing good, but the motive which
moveth us to do good, which will meet
with reward from God ; and, if thou
stray but a little from the right way, it
is of small moment whether thou
wander to the right hand or to the
left, when once thou hast lost the
straight path.
The Hy 77171., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
224
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. i My beloved is
white and ruddy ; * the hair of his
head is Hke kingly purple bound in
tresses.
Seco7id Antiphon. ^ xhe spirit of
the fear of the Lord rested upon him ;
■^ a crown of wisdom and gladness
adorned him.
Third Antiphoti. ^ The Lord clothed
him with the garments of salvation, "^
and with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decked with his
crown.
Fourth Antiphon. ^A bundle of
myrrh is my well-beloved unto me ; *
he shall lie betwixt my breasts.
Fifth Antipho7i. ^ The King of Eter-
nal Glory, * Who was crowned for our
sakes, will bless the crown of the year
with His goodness.
Chapter. (Cant. iii. ii.)
C^O forth, O ye daughters of Zion,
and behold King Solomon with
the crown wherewith his mother
crowned him.
Hymn.'^
nPHE noble crown of Christ our Lord
Shines in the antient pact ;
By thorn-entangled Victim shown,
And burning Bush intact.
The ark was circled by a crown ;
The Table's mystic round,
And Altars breathing sweet perfume
Fair golden crowns surround.
Hail ! Crown of glory ! hail to thee !
Encircling Jesus' scars !
No gems, no gold can rival thee,
Nor crowns of shining stars.
Strength, honour, praise and glory be
To Father and to Son,
And to the Spirit Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.
Verse. ^ Thou shalt be a crown of
glory in the hand of the LORD.
Answer. And a royal diadem in
the hand of thy God.
Antiphon at the So?ig of Zacharias.
Then came jESUS forth, wearing the
crown of thorns and the purple robe.
Prayer throughout the Office.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who among
the memories of the sufferings of our
Lord Jesus Christ do make worshipful
mention of His Coronation with thorns,
may by Him be worthily crowned with
glory and honour in heaven. Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
Commemoration of the Week-day.
Antiphon. When thou doest alms
let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth.
Verse. Thou hast satisfied us early
with Thy mercy.
Answer. We rejoice and are glad.
Prayer.
r^ LORD, the Fast is now begun ;
^■^^ we beseech Thee graciously to
bless the same, and so to strengthen
us Thy people, that we may ever
follow this our bodily exercise, with
our hearts truly turned to seek after
Thee. Through our Lord jESUS
3 Isa. Ixi. lo.
1 Cant. V. lo; vii. 5. 2 isa. xi. 2 ; Ecclus. i. 22, 11.
•* Cant. i. 12. 5 ps^ \x\v. 12.
^ Hymn of sixteenth to eighteenth century, found in the Breviary only, author unknown,
translation by the Rev. Dr Wallace. ^ Isa. Ixii. 3.
LENT.
225
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. My beloved, &c., {First
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Ps.
cxviii.
said.
liii. and the two sections of
"Whosoever, &c.," is not
Chapter at the end. (Isa. xxviii. 5.)
T N that day shall the Lord of hosts
be for a crown of glory, and for a
diadem of beauty unto the residue of
His people.
TERCE.
Antiphon. The spirit of the fear,
&c., {Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
Thou shalt be a crown of glory in
the hand of the Lord.
Answer. Thou shalt be a crown of
glory in the hand of the LORD.
Verse. And a royal diadem in the
hand of thy God.
Answer. In the hand of the LORD.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou shalt be a crown of
glory in the hand of the Lord.
Verse. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest him to have
dominion over the works of Thy
hands.
SEXT.
Antiphon. The Lord clothed him,
&c., {Third AntiphoJt at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Apoc. vi. 2.)
T SAW, and behold, a white horse ;
and he that sat on him had a
bow ; and a crown was given unto
him ; and he went forth conquering,
and to conquer.
Short Responsory.
Thou hast crowned him with glory
and honour, O Lord.
Answer. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Verse. And madest him to have
dominion over the works of Thy
hands.
Answer. With glory and honour,
O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Verse. We worship Thy Crown,
O Lord,—
Answer. We tell of Thy glorious
sufferings.
NONE.
Antiphon. The King, &c. {Fifth
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
We worship Thy Crown, O Lord.
Answer. We worship Thy Crown,
O Lord.
Verse.
sufferings.
Answer.
Verse.
We tell of Thy glorious
Thy Crown, O Lord !
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. We worship Thy Crown,
O Lord.
226
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse, .When they had platted a
crown of thorns,
Answer. They put it upon His
Head.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphojis^ Chapter^ ajzd Prayer
from Lauds,
Last P sal 7)1.
Ps. cxvi. O praise the LORD, &c.,
(/. 1 86.) -
Hymn.^ and Verse a7id Answer from
First Vespers,
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin, i And they bowed the knee
before Him, and mocked Him, saying :
Hail, King of the Jews ! And they
spit upon Him, and took the reed, and
smote Him on the Head.
Commemoration of the Week-day,
Ajttiphon, But thou, when thou
prayest, enter into thy closet ; and
when thou hast shut the door, pray
to thy Father thus :
Verse. Let my prayer, O Lord, be
set forth.
Answer. As incense before Thee.
Prayer,
/GRACIOUSLY look down upon Thy
^■^ people, O Lord, and purge the
same from all sin, for then shall no
evil be able to hurt them, when no
iniquity hath hold upon them. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen,
The Sabbath,
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (vi.
49.)
A T that time : When the even was
come, the ship was in the midst
of the sea, and Jesus alone on the land.
And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow] and Doctor of the
Church. 2 {Bk. ii., cap. 6, on Mark
vi. 45.)
The toil of the disciples in rowing,
and the wind contrary to them, is a
figure of the divers toils of the Holy
Church, as, amid the waves of a world
that fighteth against her, and the
stormy blasts of unclean spirits, she
laboureth to reach the rest of her
Fatherland above, as a shore safe
for her anchor. Here also it is
well said that the ship was in the
midst of the sea, and He alone on
the land ; for sometimes it cometh
to .pass that the Church is, by the
great pressure of the Gentiles, not
only so afflicted, but also befouled,
that it seemeth as though, if it were
possible, her Redeemer had for the
time forsaken her.
First Respo7isory.
I came this day, &c., {p, 214.)
1 Matth. xxvii. 29.
■- The celebrated English historian ; born, A. D. 673, near Jarrow on the Tyne ; sent to the
new Benedictine house at that place, at seven years of age ; ordained Deacon in 691 ; Priest,
702 ; died, May 26, 735, after the First Vespers of the Ascension, which fell on May 27, on
which day, therefore, the Martyrology names him, with the remark that he is very famous for
holiness and learning. In England he [had] a Festival on Oct. 29. [On November 13, 1899,
he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. His Festival is now kept everywhere on May 27.]
LENT.
227
Seco7id Lesson.
"\17'HENCE it is that there cometh
that cry of hers, when she is
taken amid the waves, and the winds
of temptations that break upon her,
and with piteous entreaty she calleth
on Him to protect her — " Why stand-
est Thou afar off, O LORD, why
hidest Thou Thyself in times of
trouble?" (Ps. ix, 22.) And then,
in the verses that follow, she telleth
Him what saith the enemy that per-
secuteth her, saying : " For he hath
said in his heart : God hath for-
gotten ; He hideth His face : He
will never see it." (32.)
Second Responsory.
The word of the Lord, &c., {.p.
214.)
Third Lesso7i.
WERILY, He forgetteth not the
prayer of the poor, neither turn-
eth He His face away from any that
putteth his trust in Him ; yea, rather,
to him whosoever is striving with the
enemy, He giveth help to conquer, and,
whosoever conquereth, to him He giveth
an everlasting crown. For the which
reason also it is here said plainly :
*' He saw them toiling in rowing."
The Lord seeth them that are toiling
in the sea, albeit He be Himself on
the land. Although He seem for a
moment to tarry in succouring the
distressed, nevertheless the look of His
love is strengthening them, all the
while, lest they should faint : and
sometimes He setteth them free, even
by an open deliverance, conquering all
their adversaries for them, as when He
walked upon the swelling of the waves,
and stilled them.
Third Responsory.
Abram removed his tent, &c., {p.
215.)
LAUDS.
Anfipho?t at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Yet they seek Me "^ daily, and delight
to know My ways.
Prayer.
TLJEAR our prayers, O Lord, and
grant unto us, that we may keep
with all earnestness and godliness,
this solemn Fast, ordained for the
health both of our bodies and of our
souls. Through our Lord jESUS Christ,
Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^
and None.
VESPERS.
This is the first day 07i which Vespers
must be said before Supper.
Chapter and Prayer fro7n the follow-
i7tg Lauds.
Hy77in.^
Q MAKER of the world, give ear,
Accept the prayer and own the tear,
Towards Thy Seat of Mercy sent
In this most holy Fast of Lent.
Each heart is manifest to Thee :
Thou knowest our infirmity :
Forgive Thou then each soul that fain
Would seek to Thee, and turn again.
Our sins are manifold and sore,
But pardon them that sin deplore ;
And, for Thy Name's sake, make each soul,
That feels and owns its languor, whole.
1 Isa. Iviii. 2.
2 Hymn by St Gregory the Great ; the fourth verse slightly altered ; translation extracted
from the ** Hymnal Noted."
228
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
So mortify we every sense
By grace of outward abstinence,
That from each stain and spot of sin
The soul may keep her fast within.
Grant, O Thou Blessed Trinity !
Grant, O Essential Unity !
That this our Fast of forty days
May work our profit and Thy praise.
Amen.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over thee.
Answer. ■ To keep thee in all thy
ways.
A7itiphon at the So7tg of the Blessed
Virgin. 1 Then shalt thou call, "^ and
the Lord shall answer : thou shalt cry,
and He shall say : Here I am.
JFirst SunUag 'm Eent.
The First Lord^s Day in the Forty
Days before Easter.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Let it not be vain for
you to rise up early, before the light ^ :
for "^ the Lord hath promised a crown
to them that watch.
Hymn.^
"IVrOW, with the slow revolving year,
Again the Fast we greet ;
Which in its mystic circle moves
Of forty days complete.
That Fast, by Law and Prophet taught.
By Jesus Christ restored ;
Jesus, of seasons and of times
The Maker and the Lord.
Henceforth more sparing let us be
Of food, of words, of sleep ;
Henceforth beneath a stricter guard
The roving senses keep :
And let us shun whatever things
Distract the careless heart ;
And let us shut our souls against
The tyrant tempter's art ;
And weep before the Judge, and strive
His vengeance to appease ;
Saying to Him with contrite voice
Upon our bended knees :
Much have we sinned, O Lord ! and still
We sin each day we live ;
Yet look in pity from on high,
And of Thy grace forgive.
Remember that we still are Thine,
Though of a fallen frame ;
And take not from us in Thy wrath
The glory of Thy name.
Undo past evil ; grant us. Lord,
More grace to do aright ;
So may we now and ever find
Acceptance in Thy sight.
Blest Trinity in Unity !
Vouchsafe us, in Thy love,
To gather from these fasts below
Immortal fruit above.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Second
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Paul
to the Corinthians (vi. i.)
A 1 JE then, as workers together with
Him, beseech you also that ye
receive not the grace of God in vain.
(For He saith : "I have heard thee in
a time accepted, and in the day of sal-
vation have I succoured thee."* Be«
1 Isa. Iviii, 9. 2 Ps. cxxvi. 2.
3 Hymn of the Ambrosian school, very slightly altered ; translation by the late Rev. E.
Caswall. 4 Isa. xlix. 8.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
229
hold, now is the acceptable time ;
behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Giving no offence to any, that our
ministry be not blamed ; but in all
things let us approve ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in
afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,
in labours, in watchings, in fastings, in
purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering,
in kindness, in the Holy Ghost, in love
unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the
power of God : by the armour of right-
eousness on the right hand and on the
left, by honour and dishonour, by evil
report and good report ; as deceivers,
and yet true ; as unknown, and yet
well known ; as dying, and behold, we
live ; as chastened, and not killed ; as
sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing ; as poor,
yet making many rich ; as having no-
thing, and yet possessing all things.
First Responsory.
Behold, now is the acceptable time ;
behold, now is the day of salvation :
let us approve ourselves in much
patience, in much fasting ; in the
power of God, by the armour of right-
eousness.
Verse. In all things let us approve
ourselves as the ministers of God, in
much patience, in much fasting.
Answer. In the power of God, by
the armour of righteousness.
Seco7id Lesso7i.
r\ YE Corinthians, our mouth is open
^■^^ unto you, our heart is enlarged.
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye
are straitened in your own bowels ;
but having the same recompense, (I
speak as unto sons,) be ye also en-
larged. Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers. For what
1 "The destroyer," i.e., Satan.
fellowship hath righteousness with un-
righteousness ? And what communion
hath light with darkness ? And what
concord hath Christ with Belial ? 1 or
what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel ? And what agreement hath
the temple of God with idols ? For ye
are the temple of the living God, as
God hath said : "I will dwell in them,
and walk among them, and I will be
their God, and they shall be My
people." 2
Second RespoJisory.
In all things let us approve our-
selves as the ministers of God, in much
patience ; that our ministry be not
blamed.
Verse. Behold, now is the accept-
able time ; behold, now is the day of
salvation : let us approve ourselves in
much patience.
Answer. That our ministry be not
blamed.
Third Lesson.
T AM filled with comfort, I am ex-
•*■ ceeding joyful in all our tribula-
tion. For when we were come into
Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but
we were troubled on every side : with-
out were fightings, within were fears.
Nevertheless God, That comforteth
those that are cast down, comforted us
by the coming of Titus. And not by
his coming only, but also by the con-
solation wherewith he was comforted
in you, when he told us your earnest
desire, your mourning, your zeal for
me : so that I rejoiced the more. For
though I have made you sorry with a
letter, I repent not ; and, if I had re-
pented, perceiving that the same
epistle made you sorry, (though it
were but for a season,) now I rejoice :
not that ye were made sorry, but that
ye sorrowed to repentance.
2 Exod. xxix. 45 ; Lev. xxvi. 12.
230
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Third Responsory.
^ The Priests shall pray, with fast-
ing and with weeping, and shall say :
Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people ;
and give not Thine heritage to de-
struction.
Verse. The Priests shall weep be-
tween the porch and the altar, and
shall say :
Answer. Spare, O Lord, spare
Thy people ; and give not Thine heri-
tage to destruction.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Afiswer. Spare, O Lord, spare
Thy people : and give not Thine heri-
tage to destruction.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Leo [the Great] (4M
on Lent.^
1"^ EARLY beloved brethren, I am to
preach to you the holiest and
the greatest of Fasts ; and with what
words can I more fitly begin than with
those words of the Apostle, in whom
Christ spake, which have just been
read ? " Behold, now is the accept-
able time ! Behold, now is the day of
salvation ! " It is true that there are
no times which are not rich with God's
gifts ; His grace doth ever give us an
entry unto His mercy ; nevertheless,
more especially at this time doth it
behove that the minds of all men be
earnestly stirred up to make progress
in things spiritual, and to be nerved
by a trust in God stronger than ever ;
for now the anniversary of that day on
which we were redeemed is drawing
near, and thereby moving us to work
all godliness, to the end that we may
be able to celebrate, with clean minds
1 Joel ii. 17.
2 Ps. Ixxviii. 9.
and bodies, that mystery which ex-
ceedeth all others, the mystery of the
Lord's sufferings.
Fourth Responsory.
Let us amend for the better in that
wherein we have sinned unknowingly,
or ever the day of death suddenly pre-
vent us, and we seek a place of repent-
ance, and find none. Give heed, O
Lord, and have mercy upon us, for we
have sinned against Thee.
Verse. 2 Help us, O God of our
salvation, and for the glory of Thy
Name deliver us, O Lord.
Answer. Give heed, O Lord, and
have mercy upon us, for we have
sinned against Thee.
Fifth Lesso7i.
"j\/r YSTERIES so great demand sus-
tained earnestness, and continu-
ous worship, if we would ever abide in
the sight of God, such as it is meet
that He should find us on the Feast of
the Passover. But since few have the
strength to do thus, and the frailty of
the body rebelleth against such hard-
ness, while the divers actions of this
life distract us with their cares, it
necessarily befalleth that the dust of
earth befouleth the hearts even of the
godly. To meet this befoulment there-
fore, and to restore the cleanness of
our souls, it is provided by the health-
ful institution of God, that we should
be purged by an exercise of forty days,
wherein godly works may redeem the
mis-spending of our other time, and
purifying fasts rid us of the same.
Fifth Responsory.
2 Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts,
and let him return unto the Lord, and
He will have mercy upon him ; ^ for the
^ Isa. Iv. 7. . 4 Joel ii. 13.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
231
Lord our God Is gracious, and merci-
ful, and repenteth Him of the evil.
Verse. ^ The Lord hath no pleasure
in the death of the wicked ; but that
he turn from his way and live.
Aftswer. For the Lord our God is
gracious, and merciful, and repenteth
Him of the evil.
Sixth Lesson.
T^HEREFORE, dearly beloved
brethren, as we are now about
to enter upon these mystic days, the
end of whose most holy ordinance is
the cleansing both of our souls and
bodies, let us take heed that we be
obedient unto the command of the
Apostle, putting far away from us
every defilement of flesh and spirit,
ordering the strife which there is be-
tween the two substances whereof we
are compounded ; that the soul, which
is ordained under the rule of God, and
which it beseemeth under His rule to
rule the body, may enjoy the fulness
of her lordship ; giving no offence to
any so that we may give no cause to
such as revile us. For if our ways
during the Fast agree not with the
purity of perfect temperance, the re-
proaches of the unbelievers will be
just, and our sins will arm the tongues
of the ungodly to the harming of our
religion. The sum of our Fast standeth
not only in abstaining from meats ;
neither is it profitable to deny food to
the body, if the mind be not bridled
from iniquity.
Sixth Responsory.
The season of the Fast openeth unto
us the gates of heaven ; let us enter
thereon in prayer and supplication, that
on the day when the Lord riseth again
we may rejoice with Him
Verse. In all things let us approve
ourselves the ministers of God, in
much patience.
Ajtsiver. That on the day when
the Lord riseth again we may rejoice
with Him.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. That on the day when
the Lord riseth again we may rejoice
with Him.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (iv. i.)
A T that time : jESUS was led up of
■^^ the Spirit into the wilderness, to
be tempted of the devil : and when He
had fasted forty days and forty nights,
He was afterward an-hungred. And
so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {idth on the Gospels.)
Some persons are accustomed to
question what Spirit it was of which
Jesus was led up into the wilderness,
on account of the words a little farther
on : " Then the devil taketh Him up
into the holy city " — and again : " The
devil taketh Him up into an exceeding
high mountain." But in truth, and
without any searching, we may very
fitly take it that we are to believe it
was the Holy Ghost Who led Him up
into the wilderness ; His own Spirit led
Him where the evil spirit found Him
to tempt Him. When however it is
said that He, God and man, was taken
up by the devil either into an exceed-
ing high mountain or into the holy city,
the mind shrinketh from believing, and
the ears of man tingle to hear it. Yet
these things we know not to be incred-
ible, when we consider certain other
things concerning Him.
1 Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
232
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Seventh Responsory.
1 Rend your hearts and not your
garments, and turn unto the LORD
your God ; for He is gracious and
merciful.
Verse. Let the wicked forsake his
way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and let him return unto the
Lord, and He will have mercy upon
him.
Answer. For He is gracious and
merciful. -
Eighth Lesson.
T N truth, the devil is the head of all
the wicked, and every wicked man
is a member of this body, of which the
devil is the head. Was not Pilate a
limb of Satan ? Were not the Jews
that persecuted, and the soldiers that
crucified Christ, likewise limbs of
Satan ? Is it then strange that He
should allow Himself to be led up into
a mountain by the head. Who allowed
Himself to be crucified by the mem-
bers ? Therefore it is not unworthy
of our Redeemer, Who came to be
slain, that He was willing to be
tempted. It was meet that He should
thus overcome our temptations by His
own, even as He came to conquer our
death by His own.
Eighth Responsory.
2 Deal thy bread to the hungry,
and bring the poor and the wanderer
to thine house. Then shall thy
light break forth as the morning,
and thy righteousness shall go before
thee.
Verse. When thou seest the naked,
cover him ; and hide not thyself from
thine own flesh.
Answer. Then shall thy light break
forth as the morning, and thy right-
eousness shall go before thee.
1 Joel ii. 13.
3 I.e., the feeling of " How pleasant to do
Ni?tth Lesson.
"VITE ought to know that temptation
worketh through three forms.
There is, first, the suggestion ; then
the delectation ; ^ lastly, the consent.
When we are tempted, it often hap-
peneth that we fall into delectation,
and even into consent, because in the
sinful flesh of which we are begotten,
we carry in ourselves matter to favour
the attack. But God, when He took
Flesh in the womb of the Virgin, and
came into the world without sin, did
so without having in Himself anything
of this lusting of the flesh against the
spirit. It was possible therefore for
Him to be tempted in the first stage,
namely suggestion ; but there was no-
thing in His Mind in which delectation
could fix its teeth. And thus all the
temptation which He endured from the
devil was without, and none within
Him.
Ninth Responsory.
* God hath given His Angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands,
lest haply thou dash thy foot against a
stone.
Verse. Thou shalt tread upon the
adder and the cockatrice, the lion also,
and the dragon shalt thou trample
under feet.
Answer. They shall bear thee up
in their hands, lest haply thou dash
thy foot against a stone.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. They shall bear thee up
in their hands, lest haply thou dash
thy foot against a stone.
LAUDS.
First A7ttiphon. Create in me a
clean heart, * O God, and renew a
right spirit within me.
it."
2 Isa. Iviii. 7, 8.
4 Ps. xc. 11-13.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
233
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Second Antiphon. Save me now, O
Lord ; * O Lord, send Thou pros-
perity.
Psahn CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., (J>. 2>7')
Third Antipho7i. Thus will I bless
Thee, * O Lord, while I live ; and will
lift up my hands in Thy Name.
Psalms LXII. and LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c., (/.
23-)
Fourth A7itiphon. ^ In an humble
spirit ^ and a contrite heart may we
be accepted by Thee, O Lord ; and so
let our sacrifice be this day, that it
may be acceptable and pleasant in Thy
sight, O Lord our God !
The Song of the Three Holy Children.
Fifth A?ztiphon. Praise God, "^ ye
heavens of heavens, and all ye waters. ^
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., {pp. 25,
26.)
Chapter. (2 Cor. vi. i.)
"DRETHREN, we beseech you that
ye receive not the grace of God
in vain. For He saith : I have heard
thee in a time accepted, and in the day
of salvation have I succoured thee.
Hymn.^
'T'HE darkness fleets, and joyful earth
Welcomes the new-born day ;
Jesus ! true Sun of human souls !
Shed in our souls Thy ray !
Thou, Who dost give the accepted time,
Give tears to purify,
Give flames of love to burn our hearts
As victims unto Thee.
The fountain, whence our sins have flowed,
Shall soon in tears distil.
If but Thy penitential grace
Subdue the stubborn will.
The 4 day is near when all re-blooms, —
Thine own blest day, O Lord !
We too would joy, by Thy right hand
To life's true path restored.
All-glorious Trinity ! to Thee
Let earth's vast fabric bend ;
And evermore from souls renewed
The Saints' new song ascend.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over thee.
Ajtswer. To keep thee in all thy
ways.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness, * to be tempted of the
devil : and when He had fasted forty
days and forty nights, He was after-
ward an-hungred.
Prayer throughout the day.
r~\ GOD, Who dost every year purge
^"^ Thy Church by the Fast of Forty
Days, grant unto this Thy family, that
what things soever they strive to obtain
at Thy hand by abstaining from meats,
they may ever turn to profit by good
works. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
prime.
Antiphofi. When jESUS had fasted
forty days * and forty nights, He was
afterward an-hungred.
1 Dan. iii. 40.
2 Possibly, an allusion to the approaching Easter baptisms.
3 Hymn of perhaps twelfth century ; author unknown ; altered almost beyond recognition ;
translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall. '* I.e., Easter.
234
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
TERCE.
A7itiphon. Then the devil taketh
Him up into the holy city, * and set-
teth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
and saith unto Him : If Thou be the
Son of God, cast Thyself down.
Chapter from Lauds.
SEXT.
AnHpho7i. Man shall not live by
bread alone, "^ but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Chapter. (2 Cor. vi, 2.)
■pEHOLD, now is the acceptable
^ time ; now is the day of salvation :
giving no offence to any, that our min-
istry be not blamed.
NONE.
Antiphon. Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, * and Him only shalt
thou serve.
Chapter. (2 Cor. vi. 9.)
A S chastened, and not killed ; as
"^ sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing ;
as poor, yet making many rich ; as
having nothing, yet possessing all
things.
VESPERS.
Chapter and Verse aiid Answer from
Lauds.
Hymn as on Saturday evening.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Behold, now is the accepted
time ; "^ behold, now is the day of sal-
vation ; in these days therefore let us
approve ourselves as the ministers of
God, in much patience, in fastings, in
watchings, and in love unfeigned.
Afterwards are said the Vespers for
the Dead.
Second Day.
MATTINS.
Hym7i as on Sunday.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (xxv. 31.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
'^^ disciples : When the Son of Man
shall come in His' glory, and all the
Angels with Him, then shall He sit
upon the throne of His glory, and be-
fore Him shall be gathered all nations.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {On Faith and Works., xv. 4.)
If, without keeping the command-
ments, it be possible to attain unto life
by faith only, (and "faith, if it hath
not works, is dead," — James ii. 17,)
how can it be true that the Lord will
say to such as He shall have set on
His left hand : " Depart from Me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels ? " He
rebuketh them, not because they have
not believed in Him, but because they
have not wrought good works. Yea,
lest any man should promise himself
life eternal by faith only, (and " faith,
if it hath not works, is dead,") the
Lord saith that He will gather together
all nations, nations who have lived
mingled together in the same countries,
that we may seem to hear them which
have believed indeed in Him, but have
not wrought good works, (as though
that their dead faith could, "being
alone," lead them into life eternal,)
that we may seem to hear such crying
unto Him, — " Lord, when saw we Thee
suffering such and such things, and did
not minister unto Thee ? "
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
235
First Responsory.
Behold, now is the acceptable time,
&c., (A 228.)
Second Lesson.
T F they shall go into everlasting fire
who have not done works of
mercy, shall not they go who have
taken their neighbour's goods ? Or
shall not they go who have outraged
the temple of God in their own selves,
and so been merciless to themselves ?
As if works of mercy could avail any-
thing without love, contrary to the
words of the Apostle : " Though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing." (i Cor. xiii. 3.) And what
manner of love to his neighbour hath
he who loveth him as himself and
loveth not himself ? — remembering that
" he that loveth iniquity hateth his own
soul." (Ps. X. 6.)
Second Respoiisory.
In all things, &c., {p. 228.)
Third Lessoii.
1V[ EITHER, dare we say here that by
which some delude themselves,
namely, that the fire indeed is everlast-
ing, but that they will not burn therein
everlastingly. Such men say that they
whose faith is dead, will pass through
that everlasting fire, and that they are
they to whom it is promised that they
themselves " shall be saved, yet so as
by fire." (i Cor. iii. 15.) So that,
though the fire itself be everlasting, the
burning of the damned therein, that is,
the work of the fire upon them, will
not be everlasting. As though the
Lord were answering this beforehand,
the last words of His Sermon are :
" And these shall go away into ever-
lasting punishment, but the righteous
into life eternal." As the fire, so shall
the burning be ; and the Truth biddeth
us know that they shall burn therein,
who have lacked, not faith, but good
works.
Third Responsory.
The Priests, &c., {p. 229.)
LAUDS.
Chapter. (Isa. Iviii. i.)
r^ RY aloud, spare not ; lift up thy
voice like a trumpet, and show
My people their transgressions, and
the house of Jacob their sins.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as o?t
Su7tday, {p. 233.)
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
Come, ye blessed of My Father, * in-
herit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
Prayer.
n^URN us, O God of our salvation,
and that the Fast of these Forty
Days may profit us, do Thou order
all our thoughts according to Thy
heavenly teaching. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ajuen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^
a7id No7te.
After Lauds is said the Dirge.
VESPERS.
Chapter. (Joel ii. 17.)
'IP HE Priests, the ministers of the
Lord, shall weep between the
porch and the altar, and shall say :
Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people,
and give not thine heritage to reproach,
236
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
that the heathen should rule over
them.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday^ (^.227.)
Prayer.
T COSE us, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, from all bonds of our
sins, and in Thy mercy turn away
from us all pains which for the same
we do justly deserve. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
%\Xtti\iO.'^.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on Sunday.
First Lesso?i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxi.
10.)
A T that time : When jESUS was
"^^ come into Jerusalem, all the
city was moved, saying : Who is
this ? And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow.] {Jth for Le7it^
Tom. vii.)
The same thing which the Lord
showed in a figure by cursing the
barren fig-tree. He afterwards more
plainly put before us by casting the
desecrators out of the temple. The
tree herself had not sinned by bearing
no fruit when the Lord was hungry,
for the time of figs was not yet come,
but those Priests had sinned who were
carrying on worldly business in the
Lord's house, and who neglected to
bring forth that fruit of godliness
which they owed, and which the Lord
was hungry to find in them. The
Lord made the fig-tree to wither away
under His curse, that all men who
saw it, and all men who hear of it,
might know that they will be con-
demned by the judgment of God, if
they content themselves with the talk
of godliness, without the solid fruit of
good works, even as that barren -fig-
tree was clothed only with a rustling
garb of green leaves.
First Responsory.
Let us amend, &c., {p. 229.)
Second Lesson.
TDUT because the buyers and sellers
understood not the parable of
the barren fig-tree, the Lord brought
upon them the stroke of the punish-
ment that they had deserved, and cast
out the traffickers in earthly things,
from that house, wherein it had been
commanded that nothing should be
done save the work of God, sacrifices
and prayers offered up to Him, and
His word read, taught, and sung.
And yet it may be believed that noth-
ing was being sold or bought in the
temple save such things as were need-
ful for the service thereof, as we read
in another place, (John ii. 14,) that
when Jesus went into the temple
"He found those that sold oxen and
sheep and doves," — and all these
things were doubtless there for no
other end but to be offered to God in
that His holy house, and were sold
by the natives to those worshippers
who came from a distance, to be so
used.
Second Responsory.
Let the wicked, &c., {p. 229.)
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
237
Third Lessojt.
T F, therefore, the Lord would not
have to be sold in the temple,
even such things as He willed should
be offered therein, (on account, that
is, of the greed or dishonesty which
is often the stain of such transactions,)
with what anger, suppose ye, would
He visit such as He might find laugh-
ing or gossiping there, or yielding to
any other sin ? If the Lord suffer not
to be carried on in His house such
worldly business as may be freely
done elsewhere, how much more shall
such things as ought never to be done
anywhere, draw down the anger of
God if they be done in His own holy
house ? Lastly ; the Holy Ghost
came down upon the Lord in the
shape of a dove, and by doves there-
fore may be signified the gifts of that
Holy Spirit. They, then, to this day
sell doves in the temple of God, who
take money in the Church for the lay-
ing on of their hands, whereby the
Holy Ghost is given from heaven.
Third Responsory.
The season of the Fast, &c., {p,
230.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on
Mo7iday {p. 234.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Sunday {p, 232.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus went into the temple of God, *
and cast out all them that sold and
bought ; and overthrew the tables of
the money-changers, and the seats of
them that sold doves.
Prayer.
T OOK down, O Lord, on this Thy
family, and grant that our minds,
which, by the chastening of the body,
we seek to purify, may ever more and
more shine in Thy sight by strong
hungering after Thee. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
Unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ame7i.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^
and No7ie,
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. i'] ^ as oft Mon-
day, (p. 234.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday, {p. 227.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgi7t. For it is written that My
house is the house of prayer "^ for all
nations ; but ye have made it a den
of thieves ; and He was daily teach-
ing in the temple.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, may our prayers come
^^^ up before Thy presence, and
do Thou mercifully rid Thy Church
of all wickedness. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. A77ien.
Fourth Day of Quarter- Te7ise.
Before Matti7is are said the Gradual
Psal77is.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on Sunday.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xii.
38.)
A T that time : Certain Scribes and
''^^ Pharisees answered Jesus, say-
■ ing : Master, we would see a sign
from Thee. And so on.
238
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {jth Bk. 07i Liike^ ch. xii.)
After the condemnation of the Jew-
ish people, the mystery of the Church
is plainly declared in the figures of
the repentant Ninevites, and of the
Queen of the South. Like that Queen,
the Church cometh from the uttermost
parts of the earth, to hear the wisdom
of the true Solomon, the Prince of
Peace. 1 A Queen she is, and a
Queen of one indivisible realm,
wrought into one body out of all na-
tions, however divers and distant.
First Responsory.
Rend your hearts, &c., {p. 231.)
Seco7id Lesson.
A ND thus cometh that great mys-
tery of Christ and the Church, a
mystery more excellent now in the
fulness of truth, than in the ancient
type. For there they had in Solomon
only a type of that which Christ is
now in His own Person. And the
Church is of two classes, whereof the
one knoweth not how to sin, and the
other sinneth no more. To wash
away sin is the work of repentance,
to eschew it that of wisdom.
Second Respo7isory .
Deal thy bread, &c., {p. 231.)
of His love ; for, by turning our eyes
on the Ninevites, He showeth us a way
of escape, while He setteth before us
the horror of what will otherwise be
our punishment. Even the Jews
need not cease to hope for pardon,,
if only they would repent.
Third Responsory.
2 Shut up alms in the breast of the
poor, and it shall plead for you with
the Lord. For, ^ as water will quench
fire, so alms maketh an atonement
for sins.
Verse. ^ Give alms, and, behold, all
things are clean unto you.
Answer. For, as water will quench
fire, so alms maketh an atonement for
sins.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. For, as water will quench
fire, so alms maketh an atonement for
sins.
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on
Monday., {p. 234.)
■ Hyin7i a7td Verse a7id A7iswer as 07t
Sunday., {p. 232.)
A7itipho7t at the So7tg of Zacharias.
This evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign ; ^ and there shall
no sign be given to it, but the sign of
the Prophet Jonas.
Third Lesso7i.
T ASTLY, the sign of the Prophet
Jonas, as it was a figure of the
Lord's sufferings, was also a witness to
the gravity of those sins which the
Jews committed. At the same time,
we see in these words of the Lord a
declaration at once of His power, and
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, merci-
^■^^ fully to hear our prayers, and to
stretch forth the right hand of Thy
power against all things that fight
against us. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
1 A play on the meaning in the Hebrew of the name Solomon, i.e., " Peaceful."
2 Ecclus.- xxix. 15. ■ 3 Ecclus. iii. 33. ^ Luke xi. 41.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
239
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^ and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 17, as on
Monday^ {p. 234.)
Hym?t and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday.^ {p. 227.)
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgm. As Jonas was three days and
three nights in the whale's belly, * so
shall the Son of man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth.
Prayer.
r^ LORD, we beseech Thee to cast
^"^^ Thy bright beams of light upon
our mind that we may clearly see
whatsoever things Thou wouldst have
us to do, and have strength to do
always that is pleasing in Thy sight.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
%%\xx^\(x'2^.
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on Suftday^ {p. 227.)
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {Bk. ii. Comm. on
Matth. XV.)
Christ leaveth the Scribes and
Pharisees who had spoken falsely
against Him, and goeth into the
coasts of Tyre and Sidon, that He
may heal the Tyrians and Sidonians.
But a woman of Canaan cometh to
Him out of the land He had left, and
crieth to Him to give health to her
daughter. Remark that the case of
the daughter of this woman of Canaan
is the fifteenth case of healing.
" Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou
Son of David ! " She knew that He
was to be called " Son of David " be-
cause she was come out of His own
country, and had left the errors of the
Tyrians and Sidonians when she
changed her home and her faith. ^
First Responsory.
I had been troubled, but that I
knew Thy mercy, O Lord : Thou hast
said : ^ I have no pleasure in the death
of the wicked, but that he turn from
his way and live. O Thou, Who
didst call the Canaanitish woman and
the Publican unto repentance !
Verse. ^ In the multitude of the
sorrows within my heart, Thy com-
forts delight my soul.
A7tswer. O Thou Who didst call
the Canaanitish woman and the
Publican unto repentance !
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xv.
21.)
A T that time : jESUS went thence,
and departed into the coasts of
Tyre and Sidon. And so on.
Second Lesson.
" 1\/T ^ daughter is grievously vexed
^^^ with a devil." I think that
the daughter of this woman of Canaan,
[whom the Lord at length delivered,]
was a figure of the souls of such as
now believe, but were once grievously
vexed by the devil, knowing not Him
1 "The woman was a Gentile, a Syrophenician by nation." (Mark vii. 26.)
2 Ezek. xxxiii. 11. ^ Vs. xciii. 19.
240
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Who made them, and bowing down
to stocks and stones.
" But He answered not a word " —
not because He was puffed up with
the pride of the Pharisees, or shared
the high looks of the Scribes, but that
He might fulfil His own word that He
had spoken, saying : " Go not into the
way of the Gentiles, and into any city
of the Samaritans enter ye not."
(Matth. X. 5.) He would not give
an occasion to such as spoke falsely
against Him, and He kept back perfect
salvation from the Gentiles until such
time as He should have suffered and
risen again.
Second Resp07isory.
In all things, &c., {p. 228.)
Third Lesson.
" A ND His disciples came and be-
'^^ sought Him, saying : Send her
away; for she crieth after us." The
disciples, knowing not as yet the
mysterious things of the Lord, said
this, either because they were moved
with compassion and so interceded for
this Canaanitish woman, whom another
Evangelist calleth a Syrophoenician,
(Mark vii. 26,) or because she was
crying out that the Lord was an hard,
instead of a merciful physician, and
they desired to be rid of her clamour.
" But He answered and said : I am
not sent but unto the lost sheep of the
house of Israel," — not that He was not
sent unto the Gentiles, but because it
was to Israel in the first instance that
He was sent, whom refusing the Gos-
pel, He might justly pass away from,
and go to the Gentiles.
Third Responsory.
The Priests, &c., {p. 229.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on
Mo7iday^ (^.234.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Sunday., {p. 232.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus went thence, * and departed
unto the coasts of Tyre and Sidon :
and, behold a woman of Canaan came
out of those coasts,^ and cried unto
Him, saying: Have mercy on me.
Thou Son of David !
Prayer.
C\ LORD, look down favourably
^-"^ upon the earnestness of Thy
people, and grant that they being an-
hungred in their bodies, may be spirit-
ually fed by the fruit of good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
At the beginning of the Martyrology
is said,
On the morrow we commemorate
the piercing of the Lord Jesus Christ
with the spear and the nails.
The saine Prayer at Terce., Sext, and
None.
Sixth Day of Quarter-Tense.
Office ijt Memory of the Piercing of
our Lord fES US Christ with the
Spear and Nails.
Greater Double.
All as on Sutiday, except the fol-
lowing.
1 Viz., those of her adopted country, Canaan.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
241
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons^ Chapter^ and Prayer
from Lauds.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxvi. O praise the Lord, &c.,
{p. 186.)
Hymn.
C~\^ Calvary with what a mystery gleams
The spear that at the ninth hour of
the day
Made for the Precious Blood toward the
earth
Out of the pulseless Heart its last strange
way.
As the first Adam by the tree of life
Lay still and silent in sleep's deep repose,
Mother of all that live, from his cleft side
Eve guileful bride to life and beauty rose.
So when upon the Cross's quickening tree
In death's deep sleep the Second Adam
hung,
Mother of all that live by faith, the Church
From His cleft Side in Blood and Water
sprung.
There too the nails that pierced Him — they
they were
Wherewith the Saviour to the bitter wood
Whereto His Hands and Feet were nailed,
nailed too
The dark handwriting that against us
stood.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi?!. 2 Blotting out the hand-
writing of the ordinance that was
against us, He took it out of the way,
naihng it to His Cross.
Comme7noration of the Week-day.
Antiphon. O woman, great is thy
faith : be it unto thee even as thou
wilt.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
r^RANT, O Lord, we beseech Thee,
^^ unto all Christian people, that
what they now believe they may one
day know and may see in love un-
checked, that heavenly gift whereof
now they are the worshippers and the
partakers. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Ai7ien.
At Compline, last verse of the Hy7nn^
Lord Jesu, slain for us, to Thee
Eternal praise be given.
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
Praise to the Father, and the Holy Ghost,
And Him Who, where earth's feeble vision
fails
Amid the glory of the Eternal Throne
Still bears the marking of the spear and
nails.
MATTINS.
Lnvitatory. Christ, Who was pierced
with the Spear and Nails, ^ Him, O
come, let us worship !
Verse. ^ They pierced My Hands
and My Feet.
Answer. They have told all My
Bones.
Hy77tn.^
If the Hy77in at Vespers should 7tot
have been said., it is said instead of this
1 Ps. xxi. 17, 18. 2 Col. ii. 14.
5 Hymn of sixteenth to eighteenth century, author unknown, translation by the late Rev.
E. Caswall.
242
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
one^ and verses 1,2, a7id 3 of this are
prefixed to the Hynm at Lauds.
TTAIL, Spear and Nails, erewhile despised
As things of little worth ;
Now crimson with the Blood of Christ
And famed through heaven and earth.
Chosen by Jewish perfidy
As instruments of sin,
God turned you into ministers
Of love and grace Divine :
For from each several wound ye made
In the Redeemer's Frame,
As from a fount, celestial gifts
And life eternal came.
Thee, Jesu, pierced with Nails and Spear,
Let every knee adore ;
With Thee, O Father, and with Thee,
0 Spirit, evermore. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.l
0?ily three Psahns are said.
First Aiitiphon. But when they
came to jESUS, they brake not His
Legs, but one of the soldiers with a
spear pierced His Side.
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c., {p.
4.)
Second Antiphon. And forthwith
came thereout Blood and Water ; and
he that saw it bare record, and his
record is true.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
(A 4.)
Third Antiphon. Another Scripture
saith : They shall look on Him Whom
they pierced.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., {p. 5.)
Verse. ^ They persecute him whom T N that day there shall be a fountain
Thou hast smitten. opened to the house of David,
Answer. And they embitter the and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
pain of my wounds. for sin and for uncleanness.'^ And
1 Antiphons from John xix. 33-37. ^ Ps. Ixviii. 27.
3 This was the national lamentation for the death; of Josiah. 2 Par. (Ghron.) xxxv. 24, 25..
4 In ablutionem peccatoris et menstruatae.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Zechariah (xii. 10.)
"T^HUS saith the Lord: I will pour
upon the house of David and
upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the
spirit of grace and of supplications ;
and they shall look upon Me Whom
they have pierced ; and they shall
mourn for him, as one mourneth for
his only son, and shall be in bitter-
ness for him, as one useth to be that
is in bitterness for the death of his
first-born. In that day there shall
be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as
the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the
field of Megiddon.^ And the land
shall mourn, every family apart ; the
family of the house of David apart,
and their wives apart ; the family of
the house of Nathan apart, and their
wives apart ; the family of the house
of Levi apart, and their wives apart ;
the family of Shimei apart, and their
wives apart ; all the families that re-
main apart, and their women apart.
First Responsory.
But when they came to Jesus, and
saw that He was dead already, they
brake not His Legs ; but one of the
soldiers with a spear pierced His
Side.
Verse. And he that saw it bare
record, and his record is true.
Aitswer. One of the soldiers with
a spear pierced His Side.
Second Lesson, (xiii. )
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
243
it shall come to pass in that day, saith
the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off
the names of the idols out of the land,
and they shall no more be remem-
bered ; the false prophets and the
unclean spirit will I cause to pass out
of the land. And it shall come to
pass that, when any shall yet prophesy,
then his father and his mother, that
begat him, shall say unto him : Thou
shalt not live, for thou speakest lies
in the name of the LORD. And his
father and his mother, that begat him,
shall thrust him through, when he pro-
phesieth. And it shall come to pass
in that day, that the prophets shall be
ashamed every one of his vision, when
he had prophesied ; neither shall they
wear a rough garment to deceive ; but
he shall say : I am no prophet ; I am
an husbandman ; for Adam hath been
mine ensample from my youth.
Seco7id Respo7tsory.
One of the soldiers with a spear
pierced His Side, and forthwith came
thereout Blood and Water.
Verse. In that day there shall be
a fountain opened to the house of
David and to the inhabitants of Jer-
usalem.
A7iswer. And forthwith came there-
out Blood and Water.
Third Lessojt.
AND one shall say unto him : What
"^^ are these wounds in thine hands ?
Then he shall answer : Those with
which I was wounded in the house of
my friends. 1 Awake, O sword, against
My shepherd, and against the man
that is My fellow, saith the LORD of
hosts ; smite the shepherd, and the
1 Abp. Kenrick says: "The occasion of his wounds is not stated, although he received
them in the house of his friends. They were probably inflicted by his parents, to punish
him for uttering false prophecies "—as he also says before: "The general horror of idolatry
is expressed by the readiness of parents to punish their own son for countenancing it by
false predictions.'.' . . .: ..-
sheep shall be scattered ; and I will
turn Mine hand upon the little ones.
And it shall come to pass that in all
the land, saith the LORD, two parts
therein shall be cut off and die ; but
the third shall be left therein. And I
will bring the third part through the
fire, and will refine them as silver is
refined, and will try them as gold is
tried. He shall call on My Name, and
I will hear him. I will say : Thou
art My people ; and he shall say :
The Lord is my God.
Third Responsory.
In that day there shall be a fountain
opened to the house of David, and to
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin
and for uncleanness.
Verse. This is He That came by
Water and Blood, even Jesus Christ.
A7iswer. For sin and for unclean-
ness.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Aiiswer. For sin and for unclean-
ness.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. They shall look
upon Me Whom they have pierced ;
and they shall mourn for him as one
mourneth for his only son.
Ps.
206.)
iv. When I called, &c., {p.
SecoTid A7itipho7t. What are these
wounds in thine hands ?
Ps. V. Give ear, &c., (/. 88.)
Third A7itiphon. Those with which
I was wounded in the house of my
friends.
244
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Lord, &c.,
(A 7.)
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from a Sermon
by Pope Innocent VL {Decree con-
cerning the Feast of the Spear and
the Nails.)
"\ X rE are behoven so to glory in the
most holy sufferings of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as to
count out one by one all the mysteries
and merits of His Suffering, and even
to glory in every one of their soul-
saving instruments. Among such
mysteries is notable the fact that the
Saviour on the Cross, after that He
had given up the Ghost, bore that
His Side should be pierced with a
spear, to the end that in the stream
of Blood and Water which forthwith
came thereout, there might spring
forth, one, and stainless, and virgin,
His Bride and our holy mother, the
Church. O how blessed is that gap
in the Sacred Side, whence have
rushed for us so many and so great
streams of mercy ! Happy for us
was the lance whose work was to do
us such good, and to add such an-
other glory to such a victory !
Fourth Responsory.
1 This is He That came by Water
and Blood, even Jesus Christ ; not by
Water only, but by Water and Blood.
Verse. ^ There are Three that bear
witness in earth, the Spirit, and the
Water, and the Blood : and these
three are One.
Answer. Not by Water only, but
by Water and Blood.
Fifth Lesson.
T N opening that Side, the lance
opened for us the gates of the
kingdom of heaven. In wounding
Him Who was dead already, (John
xix. 33, 34,) the lance closed our
wounds, and gave us life and health..
In piercing Him Who was harmless,
(Heb. vii. 26,) the lance, by His
Blood, purged our sins of their harm-
fulness ; in trickling down with that
most holy Water, it flooded away from
our eye the beam which had made us
blind, and washed us clean in the
waves of God's mercy. For us are
also sweet the nails wherewith the
Saviour was fastened upon the Cross.
We must clearly -remember that theirs
it was not only to be smeared with
the sinless Blood, not only to bear
up the weight of the Great [Victim of
Atonement], but to open for us, in the
salvation-bringing Wounds, sweet wells
of the goodness of God ; [by going
through His Hands,] to free our hands
from the manacles of sin, and, [by
boring His Feet,] to draw our feet
out of the snares of death.
Fifth Responsory.
^ Many dogs have compassed me :
the assembly of the wicked have in-
closed me. They pierced my hands
and my feet : they have told all my
bones.
Verse. One shall say unto him.
What are these wounds in thine
hands ?
Answer. They pierced my hands
and my feet : they have told all my
bones.
Sixth Lesson.
'yHAN the Cleft in that Side, and
the Wounds in those Hands and
Feet what is there holier ? What is
1 I John V. 6.
2 I John V. 8.
^ Ps. xxi. 17.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
245
there more life-giving ? — out of Them
floweth salvation, and in Them the
souls of believers may for ever find
health. The Lance and Nails hereto-
fore mentioned, and other instruments
employed in the life-giving Sufiferings
of Christ, are everywhere to be held
in reverence of all His faithful people,
and solemn Offices concerning His
Sufferings themselves are held and
kept in the Church ; but We, never-
theless, hold it meet and convenient
that a special Festal Office should be
held and kept concerning these things
in particular, especially in those places
where the instruments themselves are
asserted to be still preserved ; and
We desire by these Offices and In-
dulgences more particularly to provoke
the earnestness in godliness of such
of the faithful as please themselves
with the belief that they have any such
Relique in their possession.
Sixth Responsory.
One shall say unto him : What are
these wounds in thine hands ? Then
he shall answer : Those with which I
was wounded in the house of my
friends.
Verse. ^ Except I shall see in His
Hands the print of the nails, I will not
believe.
Answer. Those with which I was
wounded in the house of my friends.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Those with which I was
wounded in the house of my friends.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First A7itipho7t. They pierced my
hands and my feet : they have told all
my bones.
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 148.)
Second Antiphon. Except I shall
see in His Hands the print of the
nails, and put my finger into the print
of the nails, and thrust my hand into
His Side, I will not believe.
Ps. xcvi. The LORD reigneth, &c.,
{p. 149.)
Third Ajitiphon. Reach hither thy
finger, and behold My Hands ; and
reach hither thy hand, and thrust
it into My Side.
Ps. xcvii. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 157.)
Verse. The chastisement of our
peace was upon Him.
A?tswer. And with His stripes we
are healed.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. 28.)
A T that time : jESUS, knowing that
'^^ all things were now accorh-
plished, that the Scripture might be
fulfilled, saith : I thirst. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {i2oth Tract upon John.)
" One of the soldiers with a spear
pierced His Side, and forthwith came
thereout Blood and Water." The
Evangelist speaketh carefully. He
saith not that he smote the Side, nor
yet that he wounded It, nor yet any-
thing else, but "pierced" — "pierced"
It, to fling wide the entrance unto life,
whence flow the Sacraments of the
Church, those Sacraments without
which there is no entrance into the life
which is life indeed. That Blood,
Which was shed there, was shed for
the remission of sins, that Water is the
Water that mantleth in the cup of
salvation. Therein are we washed^
1 John XX. 25.
VOL. II.
246
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
and thereof do we drink. Of this was
it a type when it was said unto Noah :
" The door of the ark shalt thou set in
the side thereof . . . and of every
living thing of all flesh shalt thou
bring into the ark ... to keep them
alive." (Gen. vi. 16, 19.) A figure
this of the Church.
Seventh Responsory,
These things were done that the
Scripture should be fulfilled : A bone
of Him shall not be broken. And
again another Scripture saith : They
shall look on Him Whom they pierced.
Verse. I will pour upon the house
of David and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of
supplications.
Answer. They shall look on Him
Whom they pierced.
Eighth Lesson.
n^HUS it was that the first woman
was made from the side of her
husband while he slept, and she was
Called [Eve, which is, being inter-
preted,] "Life," "because she was the
mother of all living." (Gen. iii. 20.)
This name set forth a great good,
before it became associated with the
bitter fruit of a great evil. And here
we have the second Adam bowing His
Head, and the deep sleep of death
falling upon Him upon the Cross,
and He sleepeth that the Lord God
may take a thing out of His Side, and
make thereof a wife for Him. O what
a death was His, which quickeneth the
dead ! What is cleaner than His
Blood ? What more health - giving
than His wounding ? " For these
things were done, that the Scripture
might be fulfilled : ' Not a Bone of Him
shall be broken,' — and again, another
Scripture saith : 'They shall look on
Him Whom they pierced.' "
Eighth Responsory.
I will pour upon the house of David
and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem
the spirit of grace and of supplications ;
and they shall look upon Me Whom
they have pierced.
Verse. And they shall mourn for
him as one mourneth for his only son.
Answer. And they shall look upon
Me Whom they have pierced.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A?tswer. And they shall look upon
Me Whom they have pierced.
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word.
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (v. i.)
A T that time : There was a feast of
'^^ the Jews : and jESUS went up to
Jerusalem. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
H ippo. ] {ijth Tract on John. )
Let us see what is mystically signi-
fied by that one infirm man whom
alone the Lord, keeping to a mys-
terious unity, chose out of so many
sufferers, to be the subject of His
healing power. He found in him a
certain number of years of sickness.
He had had an infirmity thirty and
eight years. How this number is
proper rather to weakness than to
health, will now be the subject of a
few careful remarks. I bespeak your
attention ; the Lord will be present,
that I may speak fitly, and you may
understand. The number forty is put
before us as hallowed, and, in a way,
perfect. I think that your love know-
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
247
eth this : God's Scriptures often and
often witness it. Ye well know that
a Fast of this number of days is hal-
lowed. Moses fasted forty days. Elias
did the same. And our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ Himself fasted
this number of days complete. Moses
representeth the Law, Elias the Pro-
phets, and the Lord the Gospel. And
therefore these three appeared on the
Mount of the Transfiguration. There
the Lord showed Himself to His dis-
ciples with His Face shining as the
sun, and His raiment glistering ; and
He stood between Moses and Elias ;
as it were, the Gospel receiving testi-
mony, on the one hand from the Law,
and, on the other, from the Prophets.
Whether, therefore, it be in the Law,
or in the Prophets, or in the Gospel,
the number of forty is recommended
to us for Fast-days. The great and
general Fast is this : to abstain from
the iniquity of the world, and her for-
bidden pleasures. This is the perfect
Fast, "that, denying ungodliness, and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present
world." After such a Fast, what is
the Feast that followeth ? Hear what
the Apostle saith in continuation :
^'Looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of our great
God and Saviour Jesus Christ."
(Titus ii. 12, 13.) We, then, make
our pilgrimage in this world a Lent,
by living good lives, and abstaining
from her iniquities and her forbidden
pleasures. But at the end of this
life-long Lent there will be an Easter
indeed. We " look for that blessed
hope, and the glorious appearing of
our great God and Saviour Jesus
Christ." When that hope is realised,
when that faith is swallowed up in
knowledge, then indeed shall we re-
ceive every man a penny. In good
sooth, it is true that every labourer •
in the vineyard will get his wages — ■■
witness that Gospel which I believe
ye have not forgotten, (Matth. xx. i-
16) and which it is not my business
to quote again as if ye were ignorant
children. Now, the word used in the
original for this penny which the la-
bourers received is " denarion." And
the derivation of the word " denarion "
is the numeral " decem," ten. There
are forty days in Lent, and if we add
ten, we get fifty. So do we toil in
fasting for the forty days of Lent be-
fore Easter, and, then, when we have,
as it were, received our reward, we
keep holiday for the fifty days of
Easter -tide. Remember how I re-
marked, that the man healed by our
Lord at the pool of Bethesda had had
an infirmity thirty and eight years. I
wish to explain why this number of
thirty-eight is proper rather to weak-
ness than to health. " Love is the
fulfiUing of the law" (Rom. xiii. 10;)
to the fulfilling of the law belongeth
in every work the number forty. But
in love we have given us two precepts :
" Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind. This is
the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it : Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets." (Matth.
xxii. 37-40.) When the widow gave
all she had for an offering to God she
gave two mites (Mark xii. 42 ;) the
inn-keeper received two pence where-
with to cure him that had fallen among
thieves (Luke x. 35 ;) Jesus abode for
two days among the Samaritans (John
iv. 40,) that He might establish them
in love. When, then, anything good
is spoken of as two, the two great
divisions of love are the chief mystic
interpretation. If, then, the law is
fulfilled in the number forty, and it
is not fulfilled if there be lacking the
two precepts of love, what wonder is it
248
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
that he was infirm who lacked two of
forty ?
The Hyinii^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antipho7i. One of the soldiers
with a spear pierced His Side, "^ and
forthwith came thereout Blood and
Water.
Second Antiphon. They pierced
my hands aiid my feet, ^ they have
told all my bones.
Third Aittiphon. There are three
that bear witness in earth, ^ the Spirit,
and the Water, and the Blood.
Fourth Antipho7i. ^ Why are ye
troubled ? * and why do thoughts
arise in your hearts ? Behold My
Hands and My Feet, that it is I
Myself.
Fifth Antiphon. Reach hither thy
finger, and behold My Hands ; * and
reach hither thy hand, and thrust it
into My Side.
Chapter, (i John v. 5.)
"PV EARLY beloved brethren. Who is
he that overcometh the world,
but he that believeth that jESUS is the
Son of God ? This is He that came
by Water and Blood, — even JeSUS
Christ — not by Water only, but by
Water and Blood,
Hy 11171.'^
/^H, turn those blessed points, all bathe^
In Jesu's Blood, on me ;
Mine were the sins that wrought His death-
Mine be the penalty.
Pierce through my feet, my hands, my heart —
So may some Drop distil
Of Blood Divine, into my soul,
And all its evils heal.
1 Luke xxiv. 38, 39.
^ 2 Hymn of sixteenth to eighteenth century,
E. Caswall.
So may my feet be slow to sin,
Harmless my hands shall be ;
So, from my wounded heart, shall each
Forbidden passion flee.
Thee, Jesus ! pierced with nails and spear !
Let every knee adore !
With Thee, O Father, and with Thee,
O' Spirit, evermore. Amen.
Verse. They pierced my hands and
my feet.
A7ts'wer. They have told all my
bones.
Antiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
^ His visage was so marred more than
any man, and His Form more than
the sons of men. So shall He sprinkle
many nations.
Prayer throughout the Offt,ce.
C\ GOD, Who didst take our weak
^^^ nature upon Thee, and, inas-
much as Thou didst will it, didst
work salvation for the world by being
crucified with nails and pierced with
a spear, mercifully grant unto all of
us who now on earth are making sol-
emn memorial of the same nails and
spear, that hereafter in heaven we
may be made glad for ever by the fruits
of that glorious victory whereof Thy
piercing was the mean. Who livest
and reignest with God the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. A7ne7i.
Co77i77ie7noratio7i of the Week-day.
Antipho7i. The Angel of the Lord
came down from heaven : and the
water was troubled, and one was
made whole.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
author unknown, translation by the late Rev.
3 Isa. lii. 14, 15.
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
249
Prayer.
p)E gracious unto Thy people, O
Lord, and in Thy mercy help
all such as Thou hast called to be
Thine. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. A7nen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. One of the soldiers,
&c., {First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Ps. liii. and the two sectio7ts of Ps.
cxviii. "Whosoever, &c.," is ?iot said.
In the Short Responsory^ instead of
"Thou That sittest, &c.," is said^
Verse. Thou That wast wounded
for us.
Chapter at the end. (i Pet. ii. 24.)
A^rHO His Own Self bare our sins
in His Own Body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should
live unto righteousness : by Whose
stripes ye were healed.
TERCE.
Antiphoti. They pierced, &c.,
{Second Atitiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
They pierced my hands and my
feet.
Answer. They pierced my hands
and my feet.
Verse. They have told all my
bones.
Atiswer. And my feet.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. They pierced my hands
and my feet.
Verse. They persecute him whom
Thou hast smitten.
Ajtswer. And they embitter the
pain of my wounds.
SEXT.
Antipho7i. There are three, &c.,
{Third Antipho7t at Lauds.)
Chapter, (i Pet. ii. 21.)
"DRETHREN, Christ suffered for
us, leaving you an example, that
ye should follow His steps : Who did
no sin, neither was guile found in His
Mouth., .
Short Resp07isory.
They persecute him whom Thou
hast smitten.
A7iswer. They persecute him
whom Thou hast smitten.
Verse. And they embitter the pain
of my wounds.
Answer. Whom Thou hast smitten.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the " Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. They persecute him
whom Thou hast smitten.
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities.
NONE.
A7ttipho7i. Reach hither, &c.,
{Fifth A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Pri77ie.
Short Respo7isory .
He was wounded for our trangres-
sions.
A7iswer. He was wounded for our
transgressions. .
250
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse, He was bruised for our ini-
quities.
Answer. For our transgressions.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Verse. The chastisement of our
peace was upon Him.
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the First ^ except the following.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxv., I believed, &c., {p. 185.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Surely He hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows : yet
we did esteem Him stricken, smitten
of God and afflicted.
Commemoration of the Week-day.
A?ttiphon. He that made me
whole, the same said unto me : Take
up thy bed, and walk in peace.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee. E^^3^
Answer. To keep Thee in all
Thy ways.
Prayer.
IT EAR us, O merciful God, and
cause the bright beams of Thy
grace to shine upon our souls.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
6m6etr ^a^utr^a^.
The Sabbath of Quarter-Te?tse.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xvii.
I.) '
A T that time : Jesus taketh Peter,
and James, and John his brother,
and bringeth them up into an high
mountain apart, and was transfigured
before them. And so on. .
Homily by Pope St Leo [the
Great.] {On the Tra7tsfguration of
the Lord.)
Dearly beloved brethren, the Lesson
from the Holy Gospel which, entering
in by our bodily ears, hath knocked at
the door of our inner mind, calleth us
to understand a great mystery. This,
by the grace of God, we shall the more
readily do, if we return to consider
what hath been told us just before.
The Saviour of mankind, even Jesus
Christ, laying the foundations of that
faith whereby the ungodly are called
to righteousness and the dead to life,
instilled into the minds of His dis-
ciples, both by the voice of His teach-
ing and the wonder of His works, that
they should believe Him, the one
Christ, to be both the Only-begotten
Son of God and the Son of man.
Had they believed Him one of these
and not the other, it had availed them
nothing to salvation ; and the danger
was equally great, of holding the Lord
Jesus Christ to be God without the
Manhood, or Man only without the
Godhead, since we are constrained
to acknowledge that He is perfect
God and perfect Man, and that as
there is in the Godhead perfect Man-
hood, so there is in the Manhood
perfect Godhead.
First Respofisory.
Hymn as on Sunday.
Rend your hearts, &c., {p. 231.)
FIRST WEEK IN LENT.
251
Second Lesson.
n^O strengthen, therefore, the sav-
ing knowledge of this faith, the
Lord had asked His disciples what,
among the differing opinions of men,
was their own belief and judgment
as to Who He was. Then did the
Apostle Peter, by the revelation of
That Father Who is above all,
rising above fleshly things, yea, out-
stripping the thoughts of men, then
did he fix the eyes of his mind upon
the Son of the living God, and con-
fess the glory of the Godhead, for he
looked not on the substance of the
flesh and blood only. And in all the
exaltation of this faith so well did he
please God, that he was gifted with
that joyous blessing, the hallowed
establishment of that impregnable
rock, whereon the Church being
founded, should prevail against the
gates of hell and the laws of death ;
neither, when anything is to be bound
or loosed, is any bound or loosed in
heaven, otherwise than as the judg-
ment of Peter hath bound or loosed
it upon earth.
Second Responsory .
Deal thy bread, &c., (/. 231.)
Third Lesson.
TI)UT, dearly beloved brethren, it
behoved that the height of this
understanding, which the Lord praised,
should rest upon a foundation, and
that foundation, the mystery of the
lower nature, lest the faith of the
Apostle, carried away by the glorious
acknowledgment of the Godhead in
Christ, should deem it unworthy and
unnatural for the impassible God to
take into Himself the frailty of our
nature ; and should thus believe that
n Christ the Manhood had been so
glorified as to be no longer able to
suffer pain, or be dissolved in death.
And therefore it was that, when the
Lord said how that He must go up
unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things
of the elders and chief priests, and
scribes, and be killed, and rise again
the third day, and the blessed Peter,
bright with heavenly illumination, and
still glowing from the passionate ac-
knowledgment of the Divine Sonship,
by a natural, and, as seemed to him,
a godly shrinking, could not bear the
mention of mockery and insult and a
cruel death, he was corrected by the
merciful rebuke of jESUS, and moved
rather to desire to be a partaker in the
sufferings of his Master.
Third Responsory.
Shut up alms, &c., (/. 237.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on
Monday, (jZ^. 234.)
Hymn and Verse a?td Answer as on
Sunday, [p. 232.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus took His disciples, "^ and went
up into a mountain, and was trans-
figured before them.
Prayer.
T OOK down mercifully, O Lord, we
beseech Thee, upon Thy people,
and graciously turn away from them
the scourges of Thy wrath. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ame7t.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext, and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter a7td Prayer from the follow -
zjig Lauds.
Hymn and Verse a7id Answer as on
the last Saturday, {p. 227.)
252
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgiii. Tell the vision that ye have
seen to no man, * until the Son of man
be risen again from the dead.
SecontJ SuntJag in ?Lmt.
Second Lord's Day in the Forty Days
before Easter.
MATTINS.
Invitatory and Hymn as 07i last
Sunday., {p. 22J.) .
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Genesis (xxvii. i.)
AND it came to pass that when
■^ Isaac was old, and his eyes were
dim, so that he could not see, he called
Esau his eldest son, and said unto
him : My son ? And he said unto
him : Here am I. And his father
said : Behold, now I am old, and I
know not the day of my death. Take
thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow,
and go out to the field ; and take me
some venison, and make me savoury
meat, such as thou knowest that I
love, and bring it to me, that I may
eat, and my soul may bless thee be-
fore I die. And Rebecca heard. And
Esau went to the field to do as his
father had commanded him. And
Rebecca said unto Jacob her son : I
heard thy father speak unto Esau thy
brother, saying : Bring me venison,
and make me savoury meat, that I
may eat, and bless thee before the
Lord, before my death. Now there-
fore, my son, obey my voice, and go
now to the flock, and fetch me from
thence two good kids of the goats, and
I will make them savoury meat for
thy father, such as he loveth ; and
thou shalt bring it to thy father, that
he may eat, and that he may bless
thee before his death.
First Responsory.
Take thy weapons, thy quiver and
thy bow, and bring me some of thy
venison, that I may eat, and my soul
may bless thee.
Verse. And when thou hast taken
somewhat, make me thereof savoury
meat, that I may eat.
Answer. And my soul may bless
thee.
Second Lesson.
A ND he answered : Thou knowest
"^^ that Esau my brother is an hairy
man, and I am a smooth man ; if my
father feel me, and perceive it, I fear
lest he think that I go about to deceive
him, and I shall bring a curse upon
me, and not a blessing. And his
mother said unto him : Upon me be
the curse, my son ; only obey my
voice, and go, fetch me them as I
have said. And he went, and fetched,
and brought them to his mother. And
she made savoury meat, such as she
knew that his father loved. And she
took goodly raiment of Esau, which
were with her in the house, and put
them upon Jacob : and she put the
skins of the kids of the goats upon his
hands, and upon the smooth of his
neck. And she gave the savoury
meat, and the bread which she had
prepared, into his hand. And he
brought it unto his father, and said :
My father ? And he said : I hear ;
who art thou, my son ? And Jacob
said : I am Esau thy first - born ; I
have done according as thou badest
me. Arise, sit, and eat of my veni-
son, that thy soul may bless me. And
Isaac said unto his son again: How
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
253
is it that thou couldest find it so
quickly, my son ? And he said : God
willed that that which I sought should
come to me quickly.
Second Responsory.
See ! the smell of my son is as the
smell of a field which the Lord hath
blessed : may my God multiply thee
as the sand of the sea, and give thee
a blessing of the dew of heaven !
Verse. And God Almighty bless
thee, and multiply thee —
Answer. And give thee a blessing
of the dew of heaven.
Third Lesson.
AND Isaac said : Come near, that I
'^^ may feel thee, my son, whether
thou be my very son Esau or not.
And he went near unto his father, and
Isaac felt him, and said : The voice is
Jacob's voice, but the hands are the
hands of Esau. And he discerned
him not, because his hands were
hairy, as his elder brother's hands.
Therefore, or ever he blessed him, he
said : Art thou my very son Esau ?
And he answered : I am. And he
said : Bring it near to me, my son,
and I will eat of thy venison, that my
soul may bless thee. And he brought
it near to him, and he did eat ; and
he brought him wine also. And when
he had drunk, he said unto him :
Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
And he came near and kissed him.
And as soon as he smelled the smell
of his raiment, he blessed him, and
said : See ! the smell of my son is as
the smell of a field which the LORD
hath blessed. God give thee of the
dew of heaven, and the fatness of the
earth, and plenty of corn and wine.
Let people serve thee, and nations
bow down to thee : be lord over thy
l>rethren and let thy mother's sons
VOL. II.
bow down to thee. Cursed be he that
curseth thee, and blessed be he that
blesseth thee !
Third Resp07isory.
God give thee of the dew of heaven
and the fatness of the earth. Let
people and nations serve thee. Be
lord over thy brethren.
Verse. And let thy mother's sons
bow down to thee.
Answer. Be lord over thy brethren.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Be lord over thy brethren.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
against Lying written by St Austin,
Bishop [of Hippo.] iCh. ix. torn. 4.)
T F we consider faithfully and care-
fully what it was that Jacob did
by the advice of his mother, and where-
in he seemeth to have deceived his
father, it will appear that [it hath an
aspect in which] it is not a lie, but an
allegory. If we denounce this [its
mystic sense] as a lie, then must we
also give the name of lies to even all
parable, and to every figure devised to
set forth the nature of anything, which
is not to be taken in its literal sense,
but in which one thing is to be under-
stood under the name of another.
And this be far from us. Whoso
should do this, would bring the charge
of falsehood against very many figures
of speech, including that one called
metaphor (in which a word is trans-
ferred from that meaning which be-
longeth to it, to some other) to which
would, by such reasoning, be given
the name of a lie.
I 2
254
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Fourth Respo7isory.
^ As Jacob went out from his own
land, he saw the glory of God, and
said : How dreadful is this place !
This is none other but the house
of God ; and this is the gate of
heaven.
Verse. Surely God is in this place,
and I knew it not.
Answer. This is none other but
the house of God; and this is the
gate of heaven.
Fifth Lesso7t.
'X*HE deep meaning is given; but
what is considered is the lie ;
because men do not understand the
way in which that signification, which
is a truth, is set forth ; but the false-
hood is plainly expressed, and be-
lieved. That we may understand this
more plainly by taking some points in
illustration, consider with me what
Jacob did. It is certain that he cov-
ered his limbs with the skins of goats.
If we consider his object in point of
fact, we shall find that it was to lie,
because he did this that he might be
thought to be he who he was not.
But if we consider this his deed in
that deep typical sense which it un-
doubtedly possesseth, we find that by
the goat-skins are represented sins,
and by him who covered himself
therewith Him Who bore not His own
sins, but the sins of others.
Fifth Responsory.
2 If the Lord my God will be with
me, in this way that I go, and will
keep me, and will give me bread to
eat, and raiment to put on, and will
bring me again safely, the Lord shall
be my refuge, and this, stone shall be
a sigfn.
Verse. So Jacob rose up early in
the morning, and took the stone that
he had put for his pillow, and set it
up for a pillar, and poured oil upon
the top of it, and said ; —
A7iswer. The Lord shall be my
refuge, and this shall be a sign.
Sixth Lesson.
T T is impossible to apply the term
" lie " to that mystic aspect of this
transaction in which it was true ; and
such an aspect there is, not only in
the acts, but in the words. When
Isaac said to Jacob: "Who art thou,
my son ? " and Jacob answered : " I
am Esau, thy first-born," — if we take
this in its sense relative to the two
brothers, it will be apparent that it
was a lie. If, however, we look at it
relatively to that for the sake of which
these words and deeds were written
down, we shall see that Christ is here
signified in His mystic body, the
Church. Concerning her, [the young-
er covenant,] He saith [to them of the
older covenant]: "Ye shall see Abra-
ham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the
Prophets in the kingdom of God, and
you yourselves thrust out. And they
shall come from the east, and from
the west, and from the north, and
from the south, and shall sit down in
the kingdom of God. And, behold,
there are last which shall be first, and
there are first which shall be last."
(Luke xiii. 28-30.) Thus did the
younger take away the title and in-
heritance from the elder, and acquire
it to himself.
Sixth Respo7isory»
The Lord shall be my God, and
this stone, which I have set for a
pillar, shall be called God's house,
and of all that Thou shalt give me, I
xxviu. 17.
2 xxviii. 2a, 21, I S
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
255
will offer tithes and peace-offerings to
Thee.
Verse. If I come again to my
father's house in peace.
A7tswer. I will offer tithes and
peace-offerings unto Thee.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. I will offer tithes and
peace-offerings unto Thee.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xvii.
A T that time : jESUS taketh Peter,
'^^ and James, and John his brother,
and bringeth them up into an high
mountain apart, and was transfigured
before them. And so on.
Continuation of the Homily by Pope
St Leo [the Great.]
Jesus took Peter, and James, and
John his brother, and brought them
up into an exceeding high mountain
apart, and manifested forth the bright-
ness of His glory. Hitherto, though
they understood that there was in Him
the Majesty of God, they knew not
the power of that Body which veiled
the Godhead. And therefore He had
individually and markedly promised
to some of the disciples that had stood
by Him (Matth. xvi. 28) that they
should " not taste of death till they
had seen the Son of Man coming in
His kingdom," — that is, in the kingly
splendour, which is the right of the
Manhood taken into God, and which
He willed to make visible to those
three men. This it was that they saw,
for the unspeakable and unapproach-
able vision of the Godhead Himself
which will be the everlasting life of
the pure in heart, (Matth. v. 8,) can
no man, who is still burdened with a
dying body, see and live.
Seventh Responsory .
1 The Angel said unto Jacob : Let
me go, for the day breaketh. And he
said : I will not let thee go, except
thou bless me. And he blessed him
there.
Verse. And wlien Jacob arose,
behold there wrestled a man with him,
until the breaking of the day ; and,
when he saw that he prevailed not, he
said unto him : —
Answer. Let me go, for the day
breaketh. And he said : I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he blessed him there.
Eighth Lesson.
VyHEN the Father saith : "This
is My beloved Son, in Whom I
am well pleased : hear ye Him " — did
they not plainly hear Him say — " This
is My Son, Whose it is to be of Me
and with Me without all time " ? For
neither is He That begetteth, before
Him That is begotten, neither He
That is begotten, after Him That be-
getteth Him. " This is My Son " —
between Whom and Me, to be God is
not a point of difference ; to be Al-
mighty, a point of separation ; nor to
be Eternal, a point of distinction.
"This is My Son" — not by adoption,
but My very Own ; not created from,
or of another substance, or out of
nothing, but begotten of Me ; not of
another nature, and made like unto
Me, but of Mine own Being, born of
Me, equal unto Me.
Eighth Responsory.
I have seen God face to face — and
my life is preserved.
xxxu. 24-32.
256
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse. And he said unto me : Thy
name shall be called no more Jacob,
but Israel shall be thy name.
Answer. And my life is preserved.
Ninth Lesson.
" a^HIS is My Son"— by Whom all
things were made, and without
Whom was not anything made that was
made, (John i. 3 ;) Who maketh like-
wise all things whatsoever I make :
and what things soever I do He doeth
likewise, (v. 19), inseparably and in-
differently. " This is My Son " — Who
thought it not robbery, nor hath taken
it by violence, to be equal with Me,
but, abiding still in the form of My
glory, that He may fulfil Our common
decree for the restoration of mankind,
hath bowed the unchangeable Godhead
even to the form of a servant. (Phil,
ii. 6, 7.) Him therefore in Whom I
am in all things well pleased, by Whose
preaching I am manifested, and by
Whose lowliness I am glorified. Him
instantly hear ye. For He is the Truth
and the Life, (John xiv. 6,) My Power,
and My Wisdom, (i Cor. i. 24.)
Ninth Responsory.
1 When Jacob heard that Esau came
to meet him, he divided his sons and
his wives, saying : If Esau smite the
one company, then the other shall es-
cape. Deliver me, O Lord, Which
saidst unto me : I will multiply thy
seed as the stars of heaven, and as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be num-
bered for multitude.
Verse. O Lord, Which saidst unto
me : Return unto thy country — ^ q
Lord, Which feedest me still from my
youth up —
Answer. Deliver me, O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Which saidst unto me : I
will multiply thy seed as the stars of
heaven, and as the sand of the sea,
which cannot be numbered for multi-
tude.
LAUDS.
First Antiphojt. O LORD, open
Thou my lips, "^ and my mouth shall
show forth Thy praise.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Second Antiphon. The right hand
of the Lord * hath done valiantly, the
right hand of the LORD hath exalted
me.
Psalm CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., (/. ^tl-)
Third A7itiphon. My God "^ hath
been my help.
Psah7is LXII. atid LXVL
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(A 23.)
Fourth Ajitiphon. Let us sing the
Song of the Three Children, "^ even the
Song that they sang when they blessed
the Lord in the burning fiery furnace.
The Song of the Three Holy Children^
(A 24.)
Fifth Antipho7t. He hath estab-
lished them * for ever and ever : He
hath made a decree which shall not
pass.
Psabns CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., {pp. 25, 26.)
Chapter, (i Thess. iv. i.)
^1 rE beseech you, brethren, and ex-
hort you by the Lord jESUS, that
as ye have received of us how ye ought
xxxii. 7, II, 12.
2 xlviii. 15.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
257
to walk and to please God, ye would so
walk, and abound more and more.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ {p. 232.)
Aiitiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus took His disciples, ^ and went
up into a mountain, and was trans-
figured before them.
Prayer.
r\ GOD, Who seest that we have no
power of ourselves to help our-
selves, keep us both outwardly in our
bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that
we may be defended from all adversities
which may happen to the body, and
from all evil thoughts which may as-
sault and hurt the soul. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The sante Prayer throughout the day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Lord, it is good for us
to be here : "^ if Thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles, one for Thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
TERCE.
Ajitiphon from Prime.
Chapter from Lauds.
SEXT.
Antipho7i. Let us make here three
tabernacles, * one for Thee, and one
for Moses, and onie for Elias.
Chapter, (i Thess. iv. 3.)
Tip OR this is the will of God, even
your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication ; that every one
of you should know how to possess his
vessel in sanctification and honour.
NONE.
Antiphon. Tell the vision that ye
have seen to no man, "^ until the Son
of Man be risen again from the dead.
Chapter, (i Thess. iv. 7.)
T7OR God hath not called us unto
uncleanness, but unto holiness,
in Christ jESUS our Lord.
VESPERS,
Chapter from Lauds.
Hyjnn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday., {p. 22y.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin same as that at None.
After Vespers are said the Vespers
of the dead.
Second Day,
MATTINS.
Hymn as o?i the First Sunday, {p.
227.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (viii. 21.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
^^ multitudes of the Jews : I go My
way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall
die in your sins. And so on.
Homily on this passage by St
Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.] {Tract
38 on John.)
The Lord spake unto the Jews, say-
ing : " I go My way " — for, to the Lord
Christ, death was a departure to that
place whence He had come, and
whence He had never departed. " I
go My way," saith He, "and ye shall
seek Me " — not from love, but from
hatred. Yea after He had withdrawn
258
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Himself from the sight of men, two
classes sought Him, even they that
loved, and they that hated Him ; the
one because they longed for His pres-
ence, the other because they were fain
to hunt Him down. In the Psalms the
Lord Himself saith by His Prophet i^
" Refuge failed me, and no man cared
for my soul." (Ps. cxli. 5.) And
again He said in another Psalm : " Let
them be confounded and put to shame
that seek after my soul." (Ps. xxxiv.
4.) - .
First Resp07isory.
2 While as Jacob went from Beer-
sheba, and hasted unto Haran, the
Lord spake unto him, saying : The
land whereon thou sleepest, to thee
will I give it, and to thy seed.
Verse. ^ He built an altar of stones
unto the Name of the Lord, and poured
oil upon the top of it ; and God blessed
him and said:
Answer. The land whereon thou
sleepest, to thee will I give it, and to
thy seed.
Second Lesson.
n^HUS doth He blame them that
seek not, and condemn such as
seek. Yea, it is a good thing to seek
the soul of Christ, as the disciples
sought it ; and an evil thing to seek
it, as the Jews sought it ; the first
sought it to possess, the second to
destroy it. What then doth He bid
us know will be the reward of such as
seek it evilly in a perverse heart ?
"Ye shall seek Me, and" — lest ye
think that ye shall do well so to seek
Me, I tell you that ye — " shall die in
your sins." To seek Christ with bad
intent, is as much as to die in sin, for
it is to hate Him through Whom alone
we can be saved.
Second Responsory.
^ God appeared unto Jacob, and
blessed him, and said : I am the God
of Bethel, where thou anointedst the
pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow
unto Me, ^ I will make thee fruitful,
and multiply thee.
Verse. ^ Surely the LORD is in this
place, and I knew it not.
Answer. I will make thee fruitful,
and multiply thee.
Third Lesson.
"\1 WHEREAS men whose hope is in
God ought to return good even
for evil, those men returned evil for
good. The Lord therefore told them
beforehand, and, because He knew it.
He let them know their coming end,
how that they should die in their sins.
Then He said farther : " Whither I
go, ye cannot come." This He said
in another place (xiii. 33) to His dis-
ciples, but He never said to them :
"Ye shall die in your sins." What
said He ? The same words as to the
Jews : " Whither I go, ye cannot
come." Yet, to the disciples, these
words only deferred, they cut not
away hope — for they, though for a
little while they could not come whither
He was to go, were yet in the end to
go there. Not so they to whom He
foretold and said : " Ye shall die in
your sins."
Third Responsory.
God give thee, &c., {p. 252.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as o?i the
First Mofiday^ {p. 234.)
Hyjnn and Verse a?id Answer as on
the First Sunday {p. 232.)
1 Viz., by inspiring the language of the complaint. The words in both cases were uttered by
David.
2 xxviii. 13. 3 XXXV. 7, 14, 9. ^ xxxi. 13. ^ xlviii. 4. ^ xxviii. 16.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
259
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
Even the Same ^ That I said unto you
from the beginning.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, grant, we be-
^"'^ seech Thee, unto this Thy family,
that as they do abstain from meals to
afflict the flesh, so by following after
righteousness they may fast from sin.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Anie7t.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext^ and
No7ie.
After Lauds is said the Dirge.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 1 7, as o?i the
First Mojiday, [p. 234.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as 07i
the First Saturday^ {p. 227.)
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. He That sent Me is with Me,
* and hath not left Me alone, for I do
always those things that please Him.
Prayer.
/GRACIOUSLY hear our prayers, O
^^ Almighty God, and as Thou dost
give us to look with confidence for Thy
favour for which we hope, so grant us,
in Thy goodness, the manifestation of
Thine accustomed mercy. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A77ie7i.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
Hy7n7i as 07i the First Su7iday^ [p.
227.)
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxiii.
A T that time : Spake Jesus to the
multitude, and to His disciples,
saying : The Scribes and Pharisees sit
in Moses' seat. All therefore whatso-
ever they bid you observe, that ob-
serve and do ; but do not ye after
their works. And so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {^Bk. iv. Co7m7i. 07i
Matth. xxiii.)
Was there ever man gentler and
kinder than the Lord ? The Phari-
sees tempted Him ; their craft was
confounded, and, in the words of the
Psalmist, " The arrows of babes have
pierced them," (Ps, Ixiii. 8,) and
nevertheless, because of the dignity
of their priesthood and name, He
exhorteth the people to be subject to
them, by doing according to their
words, though not according to their
works. By the words " Moses' seat "
we are to understand the teaching of
the law. Thus also must we mysti-
cally take, " Sitteth in the seat of the
scornful," (Ps. i. i,) and likewise,
"overthrew the seats of them that
sold doves," (Matth. xxi. 12,) to de-
scribe doctrine.
First Resp07isory.
As Jacob went, &c., (/. 253.)
Second Lesso7i.
" "C^OR they bind heavy burdens,
and grievous to be borne, and
lay them on men's shoulders, but they
themselves will not move them with
one of their fingers." This is gen-
erally directed against all teachers
who command things hard, and them-
26o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
selves do not even things easy. But
it is to be remarked that the " shoul-
ders," the "fingers," and the "bind-
ing" of the burdens, have a spiritual
interpretation.
" But all their works they do for to
be seen of men." Whosoever there-
fore doth anything for to be seen of
men, the same is, so far, a Scribe and
a Pharisee.
Second Responsory.
If the Lord my God, &c., {Fifth
Responsory on Sunday^ p. 253.)
Third Lesson.
" nPHEY make broad their phylac-
teries, and enlarge the borders
of their garments. And love the
uppermost rooms at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues, and
greetings in the markets, and to be
called of men. Rabbi." Woe to us
miserable sinners who have inherited
the vices of the Pharisees ! When the
Lord had given the commandments of
the law to Moses He added after-
wards : " Thou shalt bind them for a
sign upon thine hand, and they shall
be as frontlets between thine eyes,"
(Deut. vi. 8.) The sense of these
words is : " My Law shall be in thine
hand to order whatsoever thou doest,
and ever before thine eyes that thou
mayest meditate therein day and
night." But the Pharisees, by a
bad interpretation, were accustomed
to write on pieces of parchment the
Decalogue of Moses, that is, the Ten
Words of the Law,i and to tie these
pieces of parchment, plaited in a
peculiar manner, on their foreheads,
so as to make a sort of crown round
their heads, which projected in front
of their eyes, and always moved be-
fore them.
Third Responsory.
The Lord shall be my God, &c.,
U>- 253-)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as 07i the
First Monday^ [p. 234.)
Hy?7in and Verse a?td Answer as on
the First Sunday^ {p. 232.)
A?itiphon at the So?ig of Zacharias.
For One is your Master, * Which is
in heaven, even Christ the Lord.
Prayer.
TENABLE us, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, to carry to a perfect end
this holy and helpful observance, that
what we know we haA'e to do by Thine
ordinance we may be holpen to do
by Thy strength. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Ame7i.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^ a7id
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 1 7, as on the
First Mo7tday, {j). 234.)
Hy77tn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday^ {p. 227.)
A7itipho7i at the So7tg of the Blessed
Virgin. And all ye are brethren, ^ and
call no man your father upon earth :
for One is your Father, Which is in
heaven : neither be ye called masters,
for One is your Master, even Christ.
Prayer.
T END Thy merciful ears, O Lord,
we beseech Thee, unto our
supplications, and heal the sickness
1 St Jerome seems to have been misinformed. The passages inscribed in the phylacteries
are four, and are (i) Exod. xiii. i-io, (2) 11-16 ; (3) Deut. vi. 4-9; (4) xi. 13-21.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
261
of our souls, that we, receiving Thy
pardon, may rejoice for ever in Thy
blessing. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. ATnen.
Fourth Day.
Before Mattins are said the Gradual
Psalms.
MATTINS.
Hymn as 07t the First Sunday^ [p.
227.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xx.
17.)
A T that time : jESUS, going up to
'^^ Jerusalem, took the twelve dis-
ciples apart, and said unto them : Be-
hold, we go up to Jerusalem ; and the
Son of man shall be betrayed unto the
chief priests and unto the Scribes, and
they shall condemn Him to death.
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {^Bk. v. to Graiian^ on Faith.,
c. ii.)
Consider what it was that the mother
of Zebedee's children came to Christ
desiring, with, and for her sons. She
was a mother, who, longing for the
honour of her sons, preferred a request
immoderate, and yet pardonable. She
was a mother who, albeit stricken in
years and comfortless, at an age
when she had sore need of the
strength of her offspring to help and
keep her, was yet so earnest in godli-
ness and motherly love, that she had
liefer suffer the loss of her sons, that
they might gain the reward of follow-
ing Christ still, as we read they had
already done, when, at the first call of
the Lord, they left their nets and their
father, (iv. 21, 22.)
First Respo7isory.
The Angel said, &c., {p. 254.)
Second Lesson.
CHE, then, yielding to the intensity
of her motherly love, besought
the Saviour, saying, " Grant that
these my two sons may sit, the one
at Thy right hand and the other
at Thy left hand, in Thy kingdom."
Although it w^as a mistake, it was
a mistake of love. For a mother's
love knoweth no moderation. Yet,
although it was a greedy prayer,
that was a pardonable greed, which
hungered, not for riches, but for
grace. Neither was that request
shameless which sought, not her own
good, but her children's. Remember
that she was a mother. Think how
that she was a mother.
Second Responsory.
I have seen God, &c., {p. 254.)
Third Lesson.
/'^HRIST took into His considera-
^-^ tion that mother's love of hers,
which made her sons' reward the
comfort of her own old age, and
which could bear the loss of her
loved ones, broken as she was by a
mother's yearnings. Consider also
that she was a woman, that is, of
the weaker sex, to which the Lord
had not yet given strength by His
Passion. Consider, I say, that she
was an heiress of Eve, and weakened
by that transmission of the unbridled
covetousness of the first woman, which
262
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
the Lord had not yet disarmed by His
Blood, even that craving for undue
dignity, wherewith all our natures are
imbued, and which Christ's Blood-
shedding had not yet washed away.
She erred indeed, but the mistake was
an inherited weakness.
Third Respoiisory.
When Jacob heard, &c., (J). 255.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as oil the
First Mofiday^ [p. 234.)
Hyinn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ i^p. 232.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, "^ and
the Son of man shall be betrayed to be
crucified.
Prayer.
T OOK down in mercy upon Thy
people, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, and grant unto them, whom
Thou commandest to abstain from
fleshly meats, power to abstain also
from the corruption of sin. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ameti.
The sajne Prayer at Terce., Sext^ and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 17, as 07i the
First Monday.^ {p. 234.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday^ {p. 227.)
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. For He shall be delivered to
the Gentiles, * to mock, and to scourge,
and to crucify.
^Prayer.
r\ GOD, the Renewer and Lover of
^-^^ innocency, turn the hearts of all
Thy servants to Thyself, that so they,
being enkindled with the fire of Thy
Spirit, may be found ever rooted in
faith, and fruitful in works. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Same Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen,
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Sunday., {jp.
227.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xvi. 19.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
'^^ Pharisees : There was a certain
rich man, which was clothed in purple
and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (40/^ on the Gospels.)
Whom, dearly beloved brethren,
whom are we to understand as signi-
fied by that rich man which was
clothed in purple and fine linen, and
fared sumptuously every day, whom, I
ask, are we to understand, but the
Jewish people, who had all the outward
life of religious ordinances, and who
turned the treasure of the law they had
received to show and not to use ?
What but the herd of the Gentiles is
figured in Lazarus, full of sores ?
Whosoever turneth himself to God and
is not ashamed to confess his sin, hath
his sores on the skin, for in a sore on
the skin breaketh out the corruption,
which is drawn from within.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
263
First Respojisory .
Take thy weapons, &c., (^. 251.)
Second Lesson.
Al^rHAT is, then, the confession of
our sins but the breaking out
of our sores ? The corrupt matter of
sin is heahhily opened in confession,
instead of remaining in the mind to rot
it. Open sores on the skin bring the
poisonous matter to the surface, and
when we confess our sins, what do we
but open up the evil that there is lurk-
ing in us ? But Lazarus desired to be
fed with the crumbs which fell from the
rich man's table, and no man gave
unto him ; even so did that proud
people scorn to admit a Gentile to the
knowledge of their law.^
Second Responsory .
See ! the smell of my son, &c., i^p.
252.)
Third Lesson.
n^HE teaching of the law moved
them to pride, and not to love,
as though they swelled with self-
importance at the thought of their
riches, and the words which some
Gentiles caught of their knowledge
were as crumbs falling frorn their
sumptuous table. On the other hand,
the dogs came and licked the sores of
the beggar that was laid at their gate.
Sometimes in Holy Writ, under the
figure of dogs, preachers are under-
stood. A dog's tongue healeth the
sore which it licketh, and so do holy
teachers, when we confess our sins,
and they speak to us, mollify by their
tongues the sores of our souls.
Third Responsory.
God give thee, &c., {p. i^i.)
^ Gentilium quenique ad cognitionem legis admittere superbus ille populus despiciebat. It
is, however, evident, from John xii. 20, Acts ii. 5, and other places, that Gentile converts to
Judaism were by no means rare.
LAUDS.
Chapter frojn Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Mofiday, {p. 234.)
Hym7i and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ (p. 232.)
Antiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Son, remember ■* that thou in thy life-
time receivedst thy good things, and
likewise Lazarus evil things.
Prayer.
/^RANT unto us, O Lord, we be-
^^ seech Thee, the help of Thy
grace, that we, who are now bent on
fasting and prayer, may be freed from
enemies both of our bodies and of our
souls. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Ame?i.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext,
and None.
At the beginni?ig of the Marty rology^
is said^
On the morrow we commemorate
the Enshroudment of our Lord Jesus
Christ in His Most Holy Winding-
sheet.
Sixth Day.
Office in Memory of the Enshroudme7it
of our Lord fESUS i7i His Most
Holy Wi7idi7ig-sheet.
Greater Double.
All as on Su7idays^ except the follow-
ing.
first vespers.
Antiphons, Chapter, a7id Prayer
from Lauds.
264
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxvi. O praise the Lord, &c.,
{p. 186.)
Hymn?-
JESUS ! when on Thy fatal day
Thy people turn their awe-struck eyes,
Thy latest vesture's history dread
Distinct before their memory lies.
Thy Suffering o'er, from Hands and Feet
They drew the nails who loved Thee well —
Into the linen's spotless folds
Thy Soul-less Body gently fell.
O Word of God ! the conquest won,
Thy trophies still around Thee lay ;
Clothed in a vesture dipped in Blood,
Thou restedst Victor from the fray.
With our salvation's awful Price
Still wet upon Thy gaping Side
And mangled Feet, and Hands, and Brow,
The virgin web was redly dyed.
If Blood from Thee, let tears from us
In spirit on Thy grave-clothes fall :
The price was Thine, the debt was ours ;
For us, for us, was suffered all.
Thou Who Thine own blest life didst give
A sacrifice for ours to be,
Teach us, O God, in least return
Our Blood-bought lives to give to Thee !
Word of the Self-Existent One,
Word uttered with the Breath Divine,
Word clad in vesture dipped in Blood,
All praise eternally be Thine ! Amen.
Verse. We honour Thy Winding-
sheet, O Lord.
Answer. We call to mind Thy
glorious Sufferings.
Antiphon to the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. A man named Joseph, a
good man and a just, went to Pilate,
and begged the Body of jESUS.
[Then Pilate commanded the Body
to be delivered.] And when [Joseph]
had taken [the Body] he wrapped It
in a clean linen cloth.
Coininemoratio7t of the Week-day.
Antiphon. That rich man, who
had refused Lazarus bread - crumbs,
cried for a drop of water.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
"DE Thou, O Lord, the help of Thy
servants, and grant unto their
prayers this abiding effect of Thy
mercy : that as they do make their
boast in Thee, that it is Thou which
hast created and dost govern them, so
Thou wilt renew in them the gifts
wherewith Thou didst bountifully en-
dow them, and wilt preserve what
Thou hast renewed. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ our Lord, Who
recalleth the memory of His Suffer-
ings by the thought of the Holy
Shroud, "^ — Him, O come, let ^us
worship !
Hymn.^
A WONDROUS mystery this day
Reveals itself before our eyes :
The true Son of the living God
Upon the Cross in torment dies.
To advocate a servant's cause.
He takes that servant's guilty guise ;
The Master suffers for the slave,
The just Man for the sinner dies.
1 The original Latin, of sixteenth to eighteenth century, is from the Proprium of the arch-
diocoese of Freiburg.
2 Hymn of sixteenth to eighteenth century, taken from the Proprium of the arch-diocoese
of Freiburg, translation by the Rev. Dr Wallace.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
265
The emblems of His cruel death
And triumph redly were impressed
Upon the robe, which with its folds
His mangled Body did invest.
These were the signs of victory won
O'er Death, o'er Hell, and o'er the World ;
These were the trophies which our Chief
Displays triumphantly unfurled.
This gratitude at least we owe
To Him Who brought eternal life,
That 'neath this banner we should stand,
And fight and conquer in the strife.
Then let us die to all our sin,
And let us rise to life of grace ;
That by the Cross we may deserve
To see the glory of His Face.
Grant this, O Father merciful !
And Thou, His own coequal Son !
Grant this, O Spirit ! Who dost bear
The sceptre, while the ages run. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only three Psahns are said.
First Antiphon. ^ Thou art red in
thine apparel, and thy garment like
their's that tread in the wine-press.
Ps. iv. When I called, &c., {J>.
206.)
Second Antiphon. ^ Blood hath
been sprinkled upon my garments,
and I have stained all my raiment.
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide,
&c., {J>. 10.)
Third Antiphon. ^ They part my
garments among them, and cast lots
upon my vesture.
Ps. XV. Preserve me, &c., (p. 12.)
Verse. We honour Thy Winding-
sheet, O Lord.
Answer. We call to mind Thy
sufferings.
First Lessojt.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah (liii.)
'V^I/'HO hath believed our report?
And to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed ? For he shall grow
up before Him as a tender plant, and
as a root out of a dry ground : he
hath no form nor comeliness ; and when
we shall see him, there is no beauty
that we should desire him. He is
despised and rejected of men ; a man
of sorrows and acquainted with grief ;
and he hid as it were his face from
us ; he was despised, and we esteemed
him not. Surely he hath borne our
griefs and carried our sorrows : yet
we did esteem him stricken, smitten
of God, and afflicted. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he
was bruised for our iniquities : the
chastisement of our peace was upon
him, and with his stripes we are
healed.
First Respoftsory.
Behold, we saw Him as having no
form nor comeliness. There is no
beauty in Him. He hath borne our
sins, and sorroweth for us. He was
wounded for our transgressions, and
with His stripes we are healed.
Verse. Surely He hath borne our
sins, and carried our sorrows.
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed.
Second Lesson.
A LL we, like sheep, have gone
astray ; we have turned every
one to his own way : and the LORD
hath laid on him the iniquity of us
all. He was offered up because he
willed it,^ and he opened not his
1 Isa. Ixiii. 2, 3. 2 Pg. xxi. 19.
3 Oblatus est quia ipse voluit. The present Hebrew is literally, " He was oppressed and
he was afflicted." Jonathan ben Uzziel, " He was required, and he was brought back,
and without opening his mouth, he submitted to the mighty of the people."
266
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
mouth. He is brought as a sheep to
the slaughter, and as a lamb before
his shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth. He was taken from
prison and from judgment : and who
shall declare his generation ? For
he was cut off out of the land of the
living ; for the transgression of my
people have I stricken him. And
he made his grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death ;
because he had done no violence,
neither was -any deceit in his mouth.
Second Responsory.
1 What are these wounds in thine
hands ? Then he shall answer : Those
with which I was wounded in the house
of my friends.
Verse. Awake, O sword, against
My shepherd, and against the man
that is My fellow.
Answer. Then he shall answer :
Those with which I was wounded in
the house of my friends.
Third Lesson.
'\7'ET it pleased the Lord to bruise
him ; He hath put him to
grief; when he hath made his soul
an offering for sin, he shall see his
seed, he shall prolong his days, and
the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper
in his hand. He shall see of the
travail of his soul, and shall be satis-
fied : by his knowledge shall my
righteous servant justify many, for he
shall bear their iniquities. Therefore
will I divide him a portion with the
great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong ; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death ; and
he was numbered with the trans-
gressors ; and he bare the sin of
many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
Third Responsory.
We honour Thy Winding-sheet, O
Lord ; we call to mind Thy glorious
sufferings. Thou that didst suffer for
us, have mercy upon us !
Verse. O that every one who is
here gathered this day to praise Thee
may find that Thou art indeed salva-
tion for him !
Answer. Thou that didst suffer for
us, have mercy upon us !
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou that didst suffer for
us, have mercy upon us !
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. He hid as it
were His Face from us ; He was
despised, — and we esteemed Him
not.
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the Lord's,
&c., (/. 46.)
Second Antiphon. All they that
see Me, laugh Me to scorn ; they
shoot out the lip, and shake the
head.
Ps. xxvi. The LORD is my light,
&c., {p. 73-)
Third Antiphon. He hath poured
out His soul unto death ; [and He was
numbered with the transgressors ;] and
He bare the sin of many.
Ps. cxliv. I will extol Thee, &c.,
(/. 201.)
Verse. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee.
Answer. Because that through
Thy Cross Thou hast redeemed the
world.
1 Zech. xiii. 6, 7.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
267
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Ambrose, Bishop [of Milan.]
{071 Luke xxiii.)
A 1 /"HAT is the meaning of this, that,
not His Apostles but Joseph,
and as saith John, Nicodemus, per-
formed the burial of Christ ? The one
was a just and bold man, the other a
master in Israel. Such it beseemed
Christ to have to lay Him in the grave
even He from whom all justice and all
rule proceed. Hereby no ground is
left for dispute, and the Jews are con-
futed by witnesses from their own
midst. For had the Apostles buried
Him, they might have said that He
had been taken away, rather than
buried. The just man covereth the
Body of Christ with linen, the guile-
less anointeth it with ointment. These
distinctions we find not idle, for the
clothing of the Church is the righteous-
ness of her Saints (Apoc. xix. 8), and
guilelessness bringeth her grace.
Fourth Respojisory.
O wondrous Shroud, wherein was
wrapped up our Treasure, the ransom-
money of the captives.
Verse. The whole world rejoiceth,
redeemed by the Blood of her Lord.
Answer. Our Treasure, the ransom-
money of the captives.
Fifth Lesson.
T^O thou, if thou also wilt be just,
-^^^ clothe [in thy mind's eye] the
Body of the Lord, with that glory
which is Its Own. Though thou be-
lievest It to have been dead, [in thy
faith] cover It with the fulness of the
Godhead Which belongeth unto It.
Anoint It with myrrh and aloes, that
thou mayest be a good savour of .
Christ. The linen which the just
Joseph gave was fine, and perchance
the same as the great sheet knit at
the four corners, and let down to the
earth, wherein were all manner of four-
footed beasts of the earth, and wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls
of the air, figures of the Gentiles,
which appeared unto Peter. (Acts x.
II, 12.) With Christ was mystically
buried in that ointment of spikenard
the Church, who bindeth together in
her Communion all peoples, how
divers soever they be.
Fifth Responsory.
1 And his brethren took Joseph's
coat, and dipped it in the blood of a
kid of the goats, which they had
slaughtered, and they sent one that
brought the coat unto their father,
and said: This have w^e found — see
now whether it be thy son's coat
or no.
Verse. And he knew it, and said :
It is my son's coat ; an evil beast hatji
devoured him.
Answer. This have we found —
see now whether it be thy son's coat,
or no.
Sixth Lesson.
T^HIS Joseph is called by Luke just,
and by Matthew rich. And well
is he called rich which receiveth the
Body of Christ. By receiving [the
source of all] riches, he bade farewell
to lack of faith. He that is just is
rich. A just man therefore wrapped
the Body in the linen, while an Is-
raelite "brought a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, about an hundred pound
weight," — that is to say, the measure
of perfect faith. "Then took they
the Body of jESUS, and wound It in
linen clothes with the spices, as the
manner of the Jews is to bury " —
1 Gen, xxxyii. 31-33.
268
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
(John xix. 38-42,) wound it, not in
the nooses of treachery, but in the
bands of loyalty. And they laid It
in that garden, whereunto the Church
is so oftentimes compared, because of
the manifold and divers fruits of good
works and flowers of grace which do
grow in her.
Sixth Responsory.
1 Christ suffered for us, leaving you
an example,, that ye should follow His
steps. Who did no sin, neither was
guile found in His Mouth.
Verse. Who, when He was reviled,
reviled not again ; when He suffered,
He threatened not.
Answer. Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in His Mouth.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in His Mouth.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. My flesh shall rest
in hope, for Thou wilt not suffer Thine
Holy One to see corruption.
Ps. liii. Save me, O God, &c.,
(A 36.)
Seco7id Antipho7i. Thou hast turned
for me my mourning into rejoicing :
Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and
girded me with gladness.
Ps. Ixxv. In Judah is God known,
&c., (A 130.)
Third Antiphon. I am as a man
that hath no strength, lying nerveless
among the dead.
Ps. Ixxxvii. O Lord God of my
salvation, &c., {p. 145.)
Verse. Let all the earth worship
Thee and sing unto Thee.
Answer. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord.
Seventh Lesson,
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xv. 42.)
A T that time : When the even was
"^^ come, because it was the Pre-
paration, that is, the day before the
Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathsea, an
honourable Counsellor, which also
waited for the kingdom of God, came,
— And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at J arrow.] {^For Tuesday i7i
Holy Week.)
The Greek word "Paraskeue,"
used by the Evangelist, signifieth
" the Preparation," and was the name
by which the Greek-speaking Jews
were used to call Friday, as being the
day whereon those things were got
ready which would be needed during
the rest of the Sabbath, even as it
was antiently commanded concerning
the manna : "On the sixth day they
shall prepare that which they bring in,
and it shall be twice as much as they
gather daily." (Exod. xvi. 5.) Even
thus is it written that on Friday " God
created man." (Gen. i. 27.) And
"thus the heavens and the earth were
finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended
His work which He had made ; and
He rested on the seventh day from
all His work which He had made.
And God blessed the seventh day and
sanctified it, because that in it He
had rested from all His work which
God created and made." (ii. 1-3.)
And He was pleased to call the sev-
enth day the Sabbath, that is to say,
the Day of " Rest." (Exod. xx. 10.)
In like manner also did the crucified
I Pet. ii. 21-23.
SECOND. WEEK IN LENT.
269
Saviour complete upon Friday the
work of the new creation, and "when
. . . He had received the vinegar,
He said: It is finished" — even as it
were "The evening and the morning
are about to be numbered as the sixth
day, and My work whereby I have
re-made the world, I have ended."
And on the seventh day, the Sabbath
Day, He rested from all His work
which He had made, awaiting in the
grave till the eighth day should come,
for him to rise again.
Seventh Responsory.
Joseph bought a clean linen cloth,
to wrap therein the Body of the Lord.
He came therefore, and took the
Body.
Verse. Joseph of Arimathasa be-
sought Pilate that he might take away
the Body of Jesus.
Answer. He came therefore, and
took the Body.
Eighth Lesson.
" JOSEPH of Arimathaea, an honour-
J able Counsellor, which also
waited for the kingdom of God, came,
and went in boldly unto Pilate, and
craved the Body of Jesus." Very
honourable was this Joseph in the
eyes of the world, but his honour now
is because of his good work toward
God. It was meet that he who laid
the Lord in the grave should by his
good life have earned such a ministry,
and by the power of his honourable
position in the world should have been
able to obtain it. A person unknown
or obscure would not have been able
to go unto the President and to obtain
from him the Body of the Crucified.
Eighth Respofisory.
This is that most honourable Wind-
ing-sheet, wherein, when the Author
of salvation was taken down from the
Cross, He was pleased to be wrapped.
Verse. That we being stripped of
the slough of the old Adam and buried
together with [the new Adam] might
be clothed on with the white linen of
His sinlessness.
A7iswer. Wherein when the Author
of salvation was taken down from
the Cross, He was pleased to be
wrapped.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Wherein, when the Au-
thor of salvation was taken down from
the Cross, He was pleased to be
wrapped.
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth Lessofi.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (xxi. 33.)
A T that time : jESUS spake unto
'^^ the multitudes of the Jews and
unto the chief priests this parable :
There was a certain householder,
which planted a vineyard, and hedged
it round about. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. ix. on Luke xx.)
Many derive divers spiritual mean-
ings from the term vineyard, but
Isaias giveth us to know that " the
vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth is
the house of Israel," (v. 7.) Who
but God planted that vineyard ? He
it w^as that let it out to husbandmen,
and went into a far country ; not that
the Lord, Who is everywhere present,
moveth from place to place ; but be-
cause He is nigh unto them that seek
Him, and from such as regard Him
not He standeth afar off. For a long
time He tarried away, lest He might
270
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
seem to ask too early for the fruits
of His vineyard. For where kindness
is greatest, there ingratitude is worst.
Therefore it is well written in Mat-
thew, for our instruction, that He
"hedged it round about," that is. He
girded it with the fortifications of His
own Divine protection, that it might
not easily lie open to the ravages of
spiritual wild beasts.
"And digged a wine-press in it."
What sense are we to put upon the
wine-press,- unless it be that the Psalms
are here described under that title,
because in them the mysteries of the
Lord's Passion flow over like new
wine, working under the power of the
Holy Ghost ? Whence also, they
upon whom the Holy Ghost was out-
poured were deemed to be drunken
(Acts ii. 13.) God therefore digged
a wine-press, whereinto the reasonable
grapes of inward fruitfulness poured
their spiritual richness.
"And built a tower" — that is, He
raised up the goodly structure of the
Law. And so this His vineyard,
thus fortified, furnished, and garnished,
He gave over to the Jews.
"And when the time of the fruit
drew near. He sent His servants to the
husbandmen." Well doth He call it
the time of the fruit, not the time of
the in-gathering. For the Jews yielded
Him no fruit ; the Lord had no in-
gathering from that vineyard of which
He said : " When I looked that it
should bring forth grapes, it brought
forth wild grapes." ^ (Isa. v. 4.) Not
that wine that maketh glad the heart
of man, not with the new wine of the
spirit, reeked that wine-press, but with
the blood of the Prophets, brutally
shed.
The Hy7n7i^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. There was a man
named Joseph, an honourable Coun-
sellor, a good man, and a just ; * (the
same also was rich ;) who also himself
waited for the kingdom of God.
Seco7id Antipho7i. This man went,
in boldly unto Pilate, * and craved
the Body of jESUS.
Thi7'd A7itipho7t. When Pilate
knew of the Centurion that Jesus was
already dead, * he gave the Body to
Joseph.
Fourth A7itipho7t. And Joseph
bought fine linen, "^ and took Him
down, and wrapped Him in the linen.
Fifth A7itipho7i. And laid Him in.
a sepulchre, * wherein never man be-
fore was laid.
Chapter. (Isa. Ixiii. i.)
A 17" HO is This That cometh from
Edom, with dyed garments,
from Bozrah ? This That is glorious
in his apparel, travelling in the great-
ness of His strength ? I, That speak
in righteousness, mighty to save.
Hy 77171.'^
JESUS, as though Thyself wert here,
I draw in trembhng sorrow near ;
And gazing on Thy Form divine,
Kneel down to kiss those Wounds of Thine..
Ah me, how naked art Thou laid,
Blood-stained, distended, cold, and dead, —
Joy of my soul, my Saviour sweet ! —
Upon the sacred Winding-sheet !
Hail, awful Brow ! Hail, thorny wreath !
Hail, Countenance, now pale in death,
Whose glance but late so brightly blazed.
That angels trembled as they gazed.
And hail to Thee, my Saviour's Side —
And hail to Thee, Thou Wound so wide.
Thou Wound more ruddy than the rose,
True Antidote of all our woes.
1 Thus the present text, but that quoted by St Ambrose follows the LXX., " thorns."
2 Hymn, of sixteenth to eighteenth century, from the Proprium of the arch-diocoese of Frei-
burg, translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
271
O by those sacred Hands and Feet
For me so mangled, I entreat,
My Jesus, turn me not away,
But let me here for ever stay. Amen.
Verse. The Lord relgneth, He is
clothed with majesty.
Answer. The Lord is clothed
with strength, and hath girded Himself
with power.
Aiitipho7i at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Joseph, an honourable Counsellor,
which also waited for the kingdom of
God, bought fine linen, and took down
the Body of jESUS, and wrapped It
in the linen.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who hast left unto us [in
^"'^ the] records of Thy Sufferings
[how Thou wast enshrouded] in the
holy linen wherein Joseph wrapped
Thy most sacred Body what time he
had taken It down from the Cross,
mercifully grant that through Thy
Death and Burial we may be brought
unto the glory of Thy Resurrection.
Who livest and reignest with God the
Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ame7t.
Comjnemoration of the Week-day.
Aiitiphon. He will miserably de-
stroy those wicked men, and will let out
His vineyard unto other husbandmen,
which shall render Him the fruits in
their seasons.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
Q ALMIGHTY God, grant, we be-
^"'^ seech Thee, that the Sacred
Fast may so cleanse us that thereby
Thou mayest make us to come with
clean hearts unto those holy ordin-
ances 1 which are now before us.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ameit.
PRIME.
Antiphon. There was a man, &c.,
{First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the e?td. (Isa. Ixiii. 5.)
T LOOKED, and there was none to
help ; I searched, and there was
none to uphold ; therefore Mine Own
arm brought salvation unto Me, and
My fury, it upheld Me.
TERCE.
Antiphon. This man went in, &c.,
{Seco7id A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
We honour Thy Winding-sheet, O
Lord.
A7iswer. We honour Thy Wind-
ing-sheet, O Lord.
Verse. We call to mind Thy
Sufferings.
Answer. O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. We honour Thy Wind-
ing-sheet, O Lord.
Verse. We worship and bless
Thee, O Christ !
A7iswer. For that by Thy death
Thou hast redeemed the world.
1 Viz. , the Sacraments administered at Easter.
272
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
SEXT.
Antipho7i. When Pilate knew,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lands.)
Chapter. (Isa. Ixiii. 2.)
'\A/'HEREFORE art Thou red in
Thine apparel, and Thy gar-
ments like their's that tread in the
wine -fat ? I have trodden the wine-
press alone, and of the people there
was none with Me.
Short Resp07isory.
We worship and bless Thee, O
Christ !
A?iswer. We worship and bless
Thee, O Christ!
Verse. For that by Thy death Thou
hast redeemed the world.
Answer. O Christ !
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. We worship and bless
Thee, O Christ!
Verse. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee.
Answer. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord.
NONE.
Antiphott. And laid Him, &c.,
{Fifth Antipho?i at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the e7id of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Let all the earth worship Thee and
sing unto Thee.
Answer. Let all the earth worship
Thee and sing unto Thee.
Verse. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord.
Answer. And sing unto Thee.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Let all the earth worship
Thee and sing unto Thee.
Verse. The Lord reigneth, He is
clothed with majesty.
A?iswer. The Lord is clothed with
strength, and hath girded Himself
with power.
SECOND VESPERS.
As the First ^ except the following.
Last Psah7t.
Ps. cxli. I cried unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 200.)
A?itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. A certain rich man of Ari-
mathaea, named Joseph, took the Body
of Jesus, and wrapped It in clean
linen.
Coimneinoration of Week-day.
Antiphon. When they sought to
lay hands on Him, they feared the
multitude, because they took Him for
a Prophet.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee.
A?iswer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
/^RANT unto Thy people, O Lord,
^^-^ we beseech Thee, soundness both
of mind and body, that they, cleaving
ever unto good works, may evermore
worthily be defended by the shield of
Thine Almighty arm. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A77ien.
SECOND WEEK IN LENT.
273
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Su7iday.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xv. 11.)
A T that time : Jesus spake this
"^^ parable unto the Pharisees and
Scribes : A certain man had two sons ;
and the younger of them said to his
father : Father, give me the portion of
goods that falleth to me. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. vii. Comment, on Luke
XV.)
Thou seest how that the heavenly
goods are given to such as seek them.
Neither oughtest thou to think the
father to blame, because he gave to
his younger son. In the kingdom of
God there is no age of weakness,
neither doth faith wax infirm with
years. He, surely, who asked, deemed
himself of sufficient age. And would
that he had not left his father ! then
had he been ignorant of the obstacle
of his age ! But after that he had
left his father's house, and had gone
into a far country, he began to be in
want. Well is he said to have wasted
his substance, who hath cut himself
off from the Church !
First Responsory.
Father, I have sinned against heaven
and before thee, and am no more
worthy to be called thy son. Make
me as one of thine hired servants.
Verse. How many hired servants
of my father's have bread enough and
to spare, and I perish with hunger !
I will arise and go to my father and
will say unto him :
Answer. Make me as one of thine
hired servants.
Second Lessoft.
T_T E took his journey into a far
country. No man can go farther
than to abandon his own better self, to
leave, not his country, but his morals,
and, as it were, in an hideous fever of
lust after the world, to divorce himself
from the ties that bind him to holy
things. Yea, he that turneth his back
on Christ, banisheth himself from his
Fatherland, and becometh a citizen of
the world. But we "are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow-
citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God," since we "who
sometimes were afar off, are made nigh
by the Blood of Christ." (Eph. ii. 19,
13.) Let us not envy the pleasures of
them who remain in the far country.
We too have once been there, but, as
saith Isaiah, " they that dwelt in the
land of the shadow of death, upon
them hath the light shined." (ix. 2.)
And that far country is the land of the
shadow of death.
Second Responsory.
I have seen God, &c., {p. 254.)
Third Lesson.
TDUT we to whom the Lord Christ is
the breath of life, are alive under
the shadow of Christ. And therefore
it is that the Church saith : "I sat
down under His shadow with great
delight." (Cant. ii. 3.) The prodigal
son by riotous living wasted all the
gifts of nature. Take warning, O thou
who art made in the image and likeness
of God, lest thou waste the same by
brutish wallowing. Thou art the work
of God; say not "to a stock: Thou
274
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
art my father," (Jer. ii. 27,) lest thou
grow into the likeness of a stock, as it
is written : " They that make them are
like unto them." (Ps. cxiii. 16.)
5C|}trt» Suntrag in ILent.
Third Lord's Day in the Forty Days
before Easter,
Third Responsory.
When Jacob heard, &c., {p. 255.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Monday^ {p. 234.)
Hymn and Verse a7id Answer as on
the First Sunday^ {p. 232.)
Ajttiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
I will arise and go to my father, * and
will say unto him : Make me as one of
thine hired servants.
Prayer,
/^~^RANT, O Lord, we beseech Thee,
^■^ that our Fasts may bring forth
their fruit unto salvation, that so the
affliction which we lay upon our bodies
may quicken our souls unto spiritual
increase. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^ and
None,
VESPERS.
Chapter and Prayer fro7n the follow-
ing Lauds.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday., {p. 227.)
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. But the father said to his
servants : "^ Bring forth the best robe,
and put it on him, and put a ring on
his hand, and shoes on his. feet.
MATTINS.
Invitatory and Hym?i as on the
First Sunday.^ [p. 227.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Genesis (xxxvii. 2.)
JOSEPH, being sixteen years old,
was feeding the flock with his
brethren, for he was yet but a lad ;
and he was with the sons of Bilhah
and Zilpah, his father's wives ; and he
brought unto his father their evil
report. Now Israel loved Joseph more
than all his children, because he was
the son of his old age, and he made
him a coat of many colours. And
when his brethren saw that their father
loved him more than all his brethren,
they hated him, and could not speak
peaceably unto him. And it came to
pass that he dreamed a dream, and he
told it his brethren ; and they hated
him yet the more. And he said unto
them : Hear, I pray you, this dream
which I have dreamed : I thought that
we were binding sheaves in the field,
and my sheaf arose, and stood upright ;
and your sheaves stood round about,
and made obeisance to my sheaf. And
his brethren said unto him : Shalt thou
indeed rule over us 1 or shalt thou
indeed have dominion over us ? And
they hated him yet the more for his
dreams and for his words. And he
dreamed yet another dream, and told
it to his brethren, and said: I beheld
in my dream as though the sun, and
the moon, and the eleven stars made
obeisance to me. And he told it to
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
275
his father and to his brethren ; and his
father rebuked him, and said unto
him : What is this dream that thou
hast dreamed ? Shall I, and thy
mother, and thy brethren indeed come
to bow down ourselves to thee to the
earth ?
First Respo?isory.
And when his brethren saw Joseph
afar off, they said one to another : Be-
hold, this dreamer cometh. Come, let
us slay him ; and we shall see what
will become of his dreams.
Verse. And when his brethren saw
that their father loved Joseph more
than all his brethren, they hated him,
and could not speak peaceably unto
him ; therefore they said :
Answer. Come, let us slay him ;
and we shall see what will become of
his dreams.
Second Lesson.
QO his brethren envied him, but his
father observed the saying, and
spake nothing. And when his brethren
were gone to feed their father's flock in
Shechem, Israel said unto him : Thy
brethren feed the flock in Shechem :
come, and I will send thee unto them.
And he said to him : Here am I. And
he said to him : Go, I pray thee, and
see whether it be well with thy
brethren, and with the flocks ; and
bring me word again what passeth.
So he sent him out of the vale of
Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
And a certain man found him wander-
ing in the field, and asked him what
he sought. And he answered : I seek
my brethren ; tell me, I pray thee,
where they feed their flocks. And the
man said unto him : They are departed
hence ; for I heard them say : Let us
go to Dothan. And Joseph went after
his brethren, and found them in
Dothan. And when they saw him
afar off, before he came near unto
them, they conspired against him, to
slay him, and said one to another :
Behold, this dreamer cometh ; come,
let us slay him, and cast him into some
old cistern, and we will say : Some evil
beast hath devoured him ; and we shall
see what will become of his dreams.
Second Responsory.
Judah 1 said unto his brethren : Be-
hold, the Ishmaelites pass by ; come,
let us sell him, and let not our hands
be defiled. For he is our flesh, and
our brother.
Verse. What profit is it if we slay
our brother, and conceal his blood ?
It is better to sell him.
Answer. For he is our flesh, and
our brother.
Third Lesson.
AND Reuben heard it, and he strove
to deliver him out of their hands ;
and said : Kill him not, nor shed blood,
but cast him into this cistern that is
in the wilderness, and keep your hands
undefiled. This he said, being willing
to rid him out of their hands, and de-
liver him to his father again. And it
came to pass straightway, when Joseph
was come unto his brethren, that they
stripped him out of his coat of many
colours that was on him ; and they
cast him into an old cistern, wherein
was no water. And they sat down to
eat bread ; and, behold, a company of
Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with
their camels bearing spicery, and balm,
and myrrh, going to carry it down to
Egypt. Judah therefore said unto his
brethren : What profit is it if we slay
our brother, and conceal his blood t
1 Judas. Perhaps the passage is chosen for this Responsory with allusion to the selling of
Christ by the Iscariote.
276
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
It is better to sell him to the Ishmael-
ites, and let not our hands be de-
filed ; for he is our brother and our
flesh. And his brethren were con-
tent. Then there passed by Midian-
ites, merchantmen, and they drew
up Joseph out of the cistern, and
sold him to the Ishmaelites for
twenty pieces of silver : and they
brought him into Egypt.
Third Responsory.
They drew up Joseph out of the pit,
and sold him to the Ishmaelites for
twenty pieces of silver. ^ And Reuben
returned unto the pit, and when he
found not Joseph, he rent his clothes,
and wept, and said : The child is not,
and I, whither shall I go ?
Verse. And they took Joseph's coat,
and dipped it in the blood of a kid of
the goats, and they sent one that
brought the coat unto their father, and
said : See now whether this be thy
son's coat or no.
Answer. And Reuben returned
unto the pit, and when he found
not Joseph, he rent his clothes, and
wept.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And Reuben said : The
child is not, and I, whither shall I go ?
SECOND NOCTURN,
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
upon holy Joseph written by St Am-
brose, Bishop [of Milan.] {Ch. i.)
nPHE lives of the saints are the
models for the lives of others.
This is one of the reasons why we
have been given the wise tale of the
Scriptures, that while, by reading
therein, we come to know Abraham,,
and Isaac, and Jacob, and others of
the righteous, we may follow them in
that path of innocency which is opened
to us for our imitation by the record
of their godly conversation. Of them
I have often treated, and to-day the
story of the holy Joseph cometh be-
fore me. In that story there are
patterns of many virtues, but chiefly
is he glorious on account of his clean
living. Right is it then that ye who
have learnt in Abraham the devoted-r
ness of a faith that nothing could
daunt, in Isaac the transparency of an
upright soul, in Jacob a wonderful
patience of spirit in great travails,
should now turn from their worthy
deeds, to see the bright example of
Joseph's self-control.
Fourth Responsory.
When Jacob saw Joseph's coat he
rent his clothes, and mourned ; and he
said : An evil beast hath devoured my
son Joseph.
Verse. And his brethren took his
coat, and sent it to his father : and he
knew it, and said :
Answer. An evil beast hath de-
voured my son Joseph.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HE holy Joseph is put before us as
a pattern of chastity. Modesty
shineth in his manners and in his
deeds, and a certain loveliness, which
is found with chastity, shineth there
also. Hence his parents loved him
more than their other children. But
this love caused him to be the object
of an envy, which we must needs not
pass by, and upon this the whole
story turneth. Yet, at the same time,
we learn how that just man was not
swayed by any desire to avenge his
1 xxxvii. 29«33.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
277
own sufferings, neither repaid evil for
evil. Whence also David saith : " If
I have rewarded evil — " (Ps. vii. 5.)!
Fifth Responsory.
2 When Joseph came into the land
of Egypt, he heard a language that he
understood not ; his hands were bur-
dened with labour ; ^ and his tongue
spake wisdom among princes.
Verse. ^ Whose feet they hurt with
fetters ; the iron entered into his soul,
until the time that his word came —
Answer. And his tongue spake
wisdom among princes.
Sixth Lesso7t.
T N what would Joseph have been
v/orthy to be chosen before others,
if he had harmed them which harmed
him, and loved them which loved him ?
For this do many do. But it is a won-
der if one do that which the Saviour
teacheth, and love his enemy. Well,
then, may we wonder at him who did
this before the Gospel came ; who,
being injured, spared ; being assailed,
forgave ; being sold, returned no evil ;
but repaid insult with favour. We,
from the Gospel, have been taught to
do all this, and we cannot. Let us
also, then, learn how that there was
envy even among some of the holy
[Patriarchs], that we may follow the
example of the patience [wherewith
others of them bore it ;] and let us
feel that they were not men of another
and higher nature than ours, but only
more heedful ; that they were not sin-
less, but that they repented. But if the
passion of envy scorched even some
of the holy race, how much more need
is there for the sinful to take heed lest
it set fire to them ?
Sixth Responsory.
'^ Think on me when it shall be well
with thee, and make mention of me
unto Pharaoh, that he may bring me
out of this prison. For I was stolen
away ; and here have I done noth-
ing, that they should put me into the
dungeon.
Verse. For yet three days, and
then Pharaoh shall remember thy ser-
vice, and restore thee unto thy place ;
then think of me —
Aiiswer. And make mention of
me unto Pharaoh, that he may bring
me out of this prison.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For I was stolen away ;
and here have I done nothing, that
they should put me into the dungeon.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xi. 14.)
A T that time : Jesus was casting
out a devil, and it was dumb.
And it came to pass, when the devil
was gone out, the dumb spake ; and
the people wondered. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow.] {^Bk. iv. <:. 48 on
Luke xi.)
We read in Matthew (xii. 22) that
the devil, by which this poor creature
was possessed, was not only dumb, but
also blind ; and that, when he was
healed by the Lord, he saw as well as
spake. Three miracles, therefore,
were performed on this one man ; the
blind saw, the dumb spake, and the
1 Viz., "I have not rewarded evil," &c. St Ambrose seems to have understood the sense
of the words of David to be — :" If I have rewarded evil unto them that rewarded [evil unto]
■•^ Ps. Ixxx. 6, 7.
3 Ps'. xlviii. 4 ; civ. 22 ; cxviii. 46.
VOL. II.
■i Ps. civ. 18.
5 xl. 14, 15, 13.
K
2/8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
possessed was delivered. This mighty
work was then indeed wrought car-
nally, but it is still wrought spiritually
in the conversion of believers, when
the devil is cast out of them, so that
their eyes see the light of faith, and
the lips, that before were dumb, are
opened that their mouth may show
forth the praise of God.
" But some of them said : He casteth
out devils through Beelzebub, the chief
of the devils.," These some were not
of the multitude, but liars among the
Pharisees and Scribes, as we are told
by the other Evangelist (24.)
Seventh Respoiisory.
1 We are verily guilty concerning our
brother, in that we saw the anguish
of his soul, when he besought us, and
we would not hear. Therefore is this
distress come upon us.
Verse. And Reuben answered his
brethren, saying : Spake I not unto
you, saying: Do not sin against the
child ; and ye would not hear ?
Answer. Therefore is this distress
come upon us.
Eighth Less 077.
"\'\7"HILE the multitude, who were
less instructed, wondered ever
at the works of the Lord, the Pharisees
and Scribes, on the other hand, denied
the facts when they could, and when
they were not able, twisted them by an
evil interpretation, and asserted that
the works of God were the works of an
unclean spirit.
" And others, tempting Him, sought
of Him a sign from heaven." They
would have had Christ either to call
down fire from heaven like Elias, (4
Kings i. 10,) or, like Samuel, (i Kings
vii. 10,) to have made thunder roll,
and lightning flash, and rain fall at
midsummer. And yet and if he had
so done, they had been still able to
explain away these signs also, as being
the natural result of some unusual,
though, till that moment, unremarked
state of the atmosphere. O thou, who
stubbornly deniest that which thine
eye seeth, thine hand holdeth, and
thy sense perceiveth, what wilt thou
say to a sign from heaven ? In
good sooth, thou wilt say that the
magicians in Egypt also wrought
divers signs from heaven. (Ex. vii.,
viii.)
Eighth Responsory.
And Reuben answered his brethren,
saying : Spake I not unto you, saying :
Do not sin against the child ; and ye
would not hear ? Behold, his blood is
required.
Verse. We are verily guilty con-
cerning our brother, in that we saw the
anguish of his soul, when he besought
us, and we would not hear.
A7tswer. Behold, his blood is re-
quired.
Ninth Lesson.
" "DUT He, knowing" their thoughts,
said unto them : Every king-
dom divided against itself is brought
to desolation, and an house divided
against an house falleth." He an-
swered not their words, but their
thoughts ; as though He would com-
pel them to believe in the power
of Him Who seeth the secrets of
the heart. But if every kingdom
divided against itself is brought to
desolation, then have not the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost a
divided kingdom, since His is a
kingdom that, without all contra-
diction, shall never be brought to
desolation by any shock, but abideth
unchanged and unchangeable for ever.
" If Satan also be divided against
1 xlii. 21, 22.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
279
himself, how shall his kingdom stand ?
Because ye say that I cast out devils by
Beelzebub." In saying this, He sought
to draw from their own mouth a con-
fession that they had chosen for
themselves to be part of that devil's
kingdom, which, if it be divided against
itself, cannot stand.
Ninth Responsory.
Jacob lamented for his two sons, say-
ing : Woe is me ; I am bereaved of
Joseph, for he is not ; and afflicted
because of Benjamin, because he is
taken away for bread. I pray the
King of heaven in my distress, that He
may make me to see them yet again.
Verse. And Jacob cast him down
upon his face upon the ground, and
wept sore ; and he prayed, saying —
Answer. I pray the King of heaven
in my distress, that He may make me
to see them yet again.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Ajiswer. I pray the King of heaven
in my distress, that He may make me
to see them yet again.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. O Lord, do good
in Thy good pleasure ^ unto Zion ; to
build the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Second Aiitiphon. The Lord is on
my side ; * I will not fear : what can
man do unto me ?
Psalm CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., {p. 37.)
Third A7ttipho7t. God be merciful "^
unto us, and bless us.
Psalms LXII. and LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(A 23.)
Fourth Antiphon. ^ The fire forgat
his strength * that Thy children might
be delivered therefrom.
The Song of the Three Holy Children.,
{P- 24-)
Fifth Antipho?z. Praise God, O ye
sun and moon, "^ for His Name alone
is exalted !
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the LORD, &c., (pp. 25,
26.)
Chapter. (Eph. v. i.)
T3RETHREN, be ye followers of
God, as dear children ; and walk
in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given Himself for us, an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling savour.
Hymn and Verse aiid A?ts'wer as on
the First Sunday {p. 233.)
A?itipho7i at the So?ig of Zacharias.
When a strong man armed keepeth his
palace, * his goods are in peace.
Prayer throughout the Office.
'YXJ'E, beseech Thee, Almighty God,
look upon the hearty desires of
Thy humble servants, and stretch forth
the right hand of Thy Majesty, to be
our defence against all our enemies.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ame?t.
» PRIME.
Antiphon. When Jesus had cast
out the devil, "^ the dumb spake, and
the people wondered.
1 Cf. Wisdom xvi. 23.
280
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
TERCE.
Antiphon. If I with the finger of
God * cast out devils, no doubt the
kingdom of God is come upon you.
Chapter fr 0771 Lauds,
SEXT.
Antipho7i. He that gathereth not
with Me scattereth, * and he that is
not with Me is agfainst Me.
Chapter. (Eph. v. 5.)
T7OR this know ye, that no whore-
monger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath
any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God.
NONE.
Antipho7t. When the unclean spirit
■^ is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and
finding none.
Chapter. (Eph. v. 8.)
T7OR ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light : for the fruit
of the Spirit is in all goodness, and
righteousness, and truth.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hy77tn and Verse and Answer as 07i
the First Saturday {pp. 227, 228.)
Virgi7i
Aiitipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
A certain woman of the com-
pany lifted up her voice and said : *
Blessed is the womb that bare Thee,
and the paps which' Thou hast sucked.
But Jesus said unto her : Yea, rather,
blessed are they that hear the word of
God, and keep it.
After Vespers are said the Vespers of
the Dead.
Second Day.
MATTINS.
Hy77in as o?t the First Sunday if).
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iv. 23.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
Pharisees : Ye will surely say
unto Me this proverb : Physician, heal
Thyself. Whatsoever we have heard
done in Capernaum, do also here in
Thy country. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. iv. 07i Luke iv.)
Here we have a display of a spite
not very common. Their hatred of
Christ, and their desire to find grounds
for that hatred in what in Him ap-
pealed for their love, had made them
forget their local friendliness to a
fellow-citizen. By this example as well
as by God's declaration, thou mayest
learn that thou wilt wait in vain to be
holpen of His mercy, whilst thou art
envious of the spiritual good of thy
neighbour. Yea, the Lord turneth Him
away from the envious, and will not
show the mighty works of His power
to such as are bitter against His gifts
to others. The example of Himself
which God hath been pleased to set
before us is that of His doings in the
Flesh, and it is by these His doings
which He suffered to be seen, that we
are taught touching those which are
.unseen.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
281
First Responsory.
1 Take hence presents with you, and
go unto the lord of the land, and when
ye be come into his presence, bow
yourselves to him to the earth. And
my God give you mercy before the
man, that he may send away again
this your brother, and him which he
keepeth in ward.
Verse. Take of the best fruits of
the land in your vessels, and carry
down the man a present.
Answer. And my God give you
mercy before the man, that he may
send away again this your brother,
and him which he keepeth in ward.
Second Lesson.
n^HE Saviour then doth not lightly
excuse Himself that He had
wrought none of His mighty works
in His own country, lest perchance
any should thence learn to think
lightly of our duty to love our Father-
land. Neither was it possible that
He Who loved all, should not love
His own countrymen ; they it was
who failed in that love because of
their very envy.
" I tell you of a truth, many widows
were in Israel in the days of Elias."
The days of Elias — not that the said
days belonged to Elias, but either be-
cause those were the days when Elias
lived and worked ; or, else, this is a
mystic phrase, meaning that Elias by
his works made many souls to awake
spiritually from the night of sin to the
day of grace, and turn to the Lord.
In this latter sense that holy Prophet
was a mean whereby heaven was
opened to such as looked to the eter-
nal and mysterious things of God,
and again was shut, (and there was
a famine,) when there were no means
of knowing God through outward or-
dinances. This subject, however, I
have treated before at full length,
when I was writing on the subject of
widows.
Second Responsory.
2 Is this your younger brother, of
whom ye spake unto me ? God be
gracious unto thee, my son. And he
made haste, and entered into the
house, and wept there, for his tears
brake forth, and he could not refrain
himself.
Verse. And Joseph lifted up his
eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin,
and his bowels yearned upon his
brother.
Ajtswer. And he made haste, and
entered into the house, and wept there,
for his tears brake forth, and he could
not refrain himself.
Third Lesson.
"AND many lepers were in Israel
'^^ in the days of Eliseus the Pro-
phet, and none of them was cleansed,
saving Naaman the Syrian." By these
words of the Lord our great Physician,
we are plainly taught and urged to
put our trust in the Adorable God,
since we see that none was healed, or
cleansed from bodily plague - spots,
save him who took a religious means
to regain health. For the blessings
of God are not given to them who
close their eyes in sleep, but to them
that look to Him. We have remarked
in our other book, (alluded to above,)
that the widow to whom Elias was
sent was a type of the Church. And
next after [the mention of the type of]
the Church cometh meetly the [men-
tion of him who was a type of the
1 Cf. xliii. 11-14.
2 xliii. 29, 30.
282
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Gentile] people, [her converts.] ^ Yea,
the Gentiles were a people foreigners
by birth, leprous, and covered with
plague-spots, till they were baptized
in the stream [of the] mystic [Jordan ;]
but from the sacramental waters they
rise, lepers no more, but cleansed in
body and soul, a glorious virgin
Church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing. (Eph. v. 27.)
Third Responsory.
2 Joseph said unto his eleven breth-
ren : I am Joseph whom ye sold into
Egypt ; is our father yet alive, the old
man of whom ye spake unto me ? Go,
bring him down unto me, that he may
live.
Verse. For these two years hath
the famine been in the land ; and
yet there are five years, in the which
there shall neither be earing nor
harvest.
Answer. Go, bring him down unto
me, that he may live.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Go, bring him down unto
me, that he may live.
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Mojtday, {p. 235.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sujiday., {p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Amen I say unto you, ^ No Prophet
is accepted in his own country.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee merci-
^^^ fully to shed abroad Thy grace
into our hearts, that we who are now
denying carnal meats to our bodily
cravings, may have power likewise to
withhold from the same all yielding to
the deathful lusts of sin. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^
and None.
After Lauds is said the Dirge.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 17, as on the
First Monday.^ {p. 235.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday., {pp. 227, 228.)
A7itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. But jESUS, "^ passing through
the midst of them, went His way.
Prayer.
T ET our help, O Lord, be in Thy
mercy, that we over whom Thy
wrath doth most justly hang because
of our sins, may in all dangers worth-
ily be shielded by Thy protection and
delivered by Thy salvation. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A7ne?i.
1 Translated directly from the works of the Saint, which give the following : — " Diximus, in
vidua ilia, ad quam Elias directus est, typum ecclesias praemissum. Populus ecclesiam congruit
ut sequatur, [i.e., congruit ut populus ecclesiam sequatur.) Populus ille ex alienigenis congre-
gatus, populus ille ante leprosus," &c. In the printed text of the Breviary the passage has got
corrupted thus : — " Diximus, in vidua ilia, ad quam Ehas directus est, typum ecclesiae prae-
missum. Populus ecclesiam congregavit ^ ut sequatur populus ille ex alienigenis congregatus.
Populus ille ante leprosus," &c. 2 xlv. 4, 6 ; xliii. 27.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
283
Third Day.
MATTINS.
Hyinii as o?i the First Sunday^ {p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xviii.
15.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
"^^^ disciples : If thy brother shall
trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {i6th Sermon on the Words
of the Lord., vol. x.)
Why tell him his fault ? Because
he hath made thee smart by trespass-
ing against thee ? God forbid. If
thou tell him his fault because thou
lovest thyself, thou dost nothing.
But if thou tell it him because thou
lovest him, then dost thou do exceed-
ing well. Hear now, in the words of
the Gospel itself, for love of whom
thou oughtest to do it, of thyself, or
of him. The Lord saith : "If he
shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother." Therefore it behoveth thee
to do it for his sake, that thou mayest
gain him ; since, if thou so do, haply
thou mayest gain him ; whereas, if
thou do it not, he may haply perish.
Why then are there so many who
reckon lightly of a trespass against
their brother, and say : I have done
no great offence, for I have tres-
passed only against my fellow man ?
Deem it not light ; thou hast tres-
passed, though it be against thy
fellow man.
First Responsory.
1 They told Jacob, saying : Thy son
Joseph is yet alive, and he is gover-
nor over all the land of Egypt ; and,
when he heard it, his spirit revived,
and he said : It is enough ; I will go,
and see him before I die.
Verse. And when Jacob heard
that his son yet lived, he was as one
that awakeneth from a deep sleep,
and said —
Answer. It is enough ; I will go,
and see him before I die.
Second Lesson.
VyOULDEST thou know that thy
trespass against thy brother
hath destroyed thee ? If he against
whom thou hast trespassed tell thee
thy fault between himself and thee
alone, and thou hear him, he hath
gained thee. Gained thee ! And
what signify those words, if it be not
that thou, if thou be not gained, shalt
perish ? For if thou shouldest not
otherwise perish, in what sense can
he be said to gain thee ? Therefore
let no man deem it a light thing when
he trespasseth against his brother.
For the Apostle Paul saith in a cer-
tain place : "When ye sin so against
the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, ye sin against Christ."
(i Cor. viii. 12.) We are all mem-
bers of Christ. How dost thou not
trespass against Christ, which tres-
passest against one of His members ?
Seco7id Responsory.
When Joseph came, &c., {p. 277.)
Third Lesson.
T ET no man therefore say : I have
not trespassed against God, but
only against my brother ; that is, I
1 xlv. 26-28.
284
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
have trespassed against my fellow-
man ; and so the sin is light, if any
at all. And perchance thou wilt ar-
gue that it is light, because it is
quickly mended ; thou hast trespassed
against thy brother, but thou canst
make satisfaction, and be right again ;
thou hast done the deadly thing
quickly, and quickly canst thou find
a remedy. O my brethren, which of
us can hope for the kingdom of heaven,
when we remember that the Gospel
saith : " Whosoever shall say to his
brother : Thou fool : shall be in dan-
ger of hell fire ? " (Matth. v. 22.) It
is a thought full of dread ; but, lo !
the remedy— " If thou bring thy gift
to the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath aught against
thee, leave there thy gift before the
altar, and go thy way ; first be recon-
ciled to thy brother, and then come
and offer thy gift." God is not wroth
that thou tarry or ever thou offer thy
gift ; for God seeketh thyself more
than thy gift.
Third Responsory.
Think on me, &c., {^p. 277.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
first Monday^ [p. 235.)
Hy7n7i and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ [p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
If two of you shall agree on earth *
as touching anything that they shall
ask, it shall be done for them of My
Father, saith the Lord.
Prayer.
fruit of this our healthful Fasting.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. A7ne7t.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sexty
and No7ie.
VESPERS.
Chapter fro77i Joel ii. 1 7, as 07i the
First Mo7iday^ {p. 235.)
Hy7}in and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday., {pp. 227, 228.)
A7itipho7i at the So7tg of the Blessed
Virgi7i. Where two or three are
gathered together in My Name, *
there am I in the midst of them, saith
the Lord.
Prayer.
r\ LORD, shield us by Thy pro-
^-^^ tection, and keep us ever from
all iniquity. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Ame7i.
Fourth Day.
Before Matti7is are said the Grad-
ual Psal77is.
MATTINS.
Hy7ii7i as 071 the First Su7iday, {p.
228.)
First Lesso7z.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xv.
I.)
/GRACIOUSLY hear us, O Al- A T that time : There came to Jesus
^^ mighty and merciful God, and "^^ Scribes and Pharisees which
in Thy goodness enable us to reap the were of Jerusalem, saying : Why do
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
285
Thy disciples transgress the tradition
of the elders ? And so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] (^Bk. ii. Coinm. 07i Matth.
The stupidity of the Pharisees and
Scribes is something extraordinary.
They rebuke the Son of God because
He doth not observe the traditions
and commandments of men : " for
they wash not their hands when they
eat bread." It behoveth us to cleanse,
not the hands of the body, but the
hands of the soul, namely, our works,
that we may do the commandments
of God.
" But He answered and said unto
them : Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God by your tradi-
tion ? " He meeteth here their false
accusation by a true. ' How,' saith
He, 'do ye, who pass over the com-
mandments of God, in order to keep to
the traditions of men, hold that My
disciples are to be rebuked, because
they deem the tradition of the elders
of little moment in comparison with
the doing of what they know to be
the Laws of God ? '
First Responsory.
We are verily guilty, &c., (/. 278.)
Second Lesson.
" "C^OR God commanded, saying,
Honour thy father and mother ;
and, He that curseth father or mother,
let him die the death." But ye say :
" Whosoever shall say to his father
or his mother : It is a gift, by what-
soever thou mightest be profited by
me ; and honour not his father or his
mother, he shall be free." The word
"honour" is used in Scripture, not so
much in the sense of paying saluta-
tions and services, as in that of giving
VOL. IL
alms and gifts. " Honour widows,"
saith the Apostle, "which are widows
indeed." (i Tim. v. 3.) And here
honour signifieth support. So again,
(17, 18): "Let the Priests that rule
well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in
the word and doctrine. For the
Scripture saith : ' Thou shalt not
muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn : ' and : ' The labourer is worthy
of his reward.' "
Second Responsory.
And Reuben answered, &c., {p.
278.)
Third Lesson.
n^HE Lord being mindful of the
helplessness, or age, or poverty
of parents, had commanded their
children to honour them even by giv-
ing them the necessaries of life. The
Scribes and Pharisees, scrupling not
to make of none effect this most be-
nign law, and bringing in ungodliness
under the very form of godliness,
taught, for the benefit of unnatural
children, that if any one vowed to
God, Who is our very Father in
heaven, whatsoever he was bound to
give to his parents, the duty of dis-
charging his debt to his heavenly
Father ought to come before that
which he owed to his earthly father ;
or, at least, that parents in such case
incurred the guilt of sacrilege by tak-
ing for themselves what they knew
had been made a gift to God. And
so parents were left unsuccoured, and
the offerings of such children, under
pretence of being given to God and
His temple, became the gain of the
Priests.
Third Responsory,
Jacob lamented, &c., {p. 279.)
K 2
286
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Monday^ {p. 235.)
Hymn a?td Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ {p. 233.)
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Hear and understand ^ the traditions
which the Lord hath given unto us.
- Prayer.
/^RANT unto us, O Lord, we be-
^"^ seech Thee, that we, being
purged by healthful Fasting, and
mortified to all sinful lusts, may the
more speedily obtain of Thee forgive-
ness. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce., Sext,
and None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 17, as 07i the
First Mo7tday, {p. 235.)
Hynm a?id Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday^ {pp. 227, 228.)
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virs^iii. To eat ^ with unwashen
hands, defileth not a man.
Prayer.
f^ RANT unto us, we beseech Thee,
^-^ O Almighty God, that we who
seek the shelter of Thy protection,
being defended from all evils, may
serve Thee in peace and quietness of
spirit. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. A7ne7t.
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
Hym7i as 07i the Fi7^st Su7tday, {p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iv. 38.)
A T that time : jESUS arose out of
'^^ the synagogue, and entered into
Simon's house. And Simon's wife's
mother was taken with a great fever.
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. iv. 07i Luke iv.)
Behold here how long-suffering is
the Lord our Redeemer ! Neither
moved to anger against them, nor
sickened at their guilt, nor outraged
by their attacks, did He leave the
Jews' country. Nay, forgetting their
iniquity, and mindful only of His
mercy. He strove to soften their hard
and unbelieving hearts, sometimes by
His teaching, and sometimes by free-
ing some of them, and sometimes by
healing them. St Luke doth well
to tell us first of the man wha
was delivered from an unclean
spirit, and then of the healing of
a woman. The Lord indeed came
to heal both sexes, but that must
be healed first which was created
first, and then must not she be
passed by whose first sin arose
rather from fickleness of heart than
from depraved will.
First Responsory.
And when his brethren, &c., (/.
275-)
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
287
Second Lesso?i.
'T^HAT the Lord began to heal on
the Sabbath-day showeth in a
figure how that the new creation be-
ginneth where the old creation ended.
It showeth, moreover, that the Son of
God, Who is come not to destroy the
law but to fulfil the law, (Matth. v.
17,) is not under the law, but above
the law. Neither was it by the law,
but by the Word, that the world was
created, as it is written : " By the
W^ord of the LORD were the heavens
made." (Ps. xxxii. 6.) The law,
then, is not destroyed, but fulfilled,
in the Redemption of fallen man.
Whence also the Apostle saith :
"Put off, concerning" the former con-
versation, the old man, which is cor-
rupt according to the deceitful lusts ;
and be renewed in the spirit of your
mind ; and put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteous-
ness and true holiness." (Eph. iv. 22.)
with things lesser, that He may go on
to things greater. Even men are
able to deliver other men from evil
spirits, albeit with the word of God :
to command the dead to rise again is
for God's power alone. ^ Perchance,
also, this woman, the mother-in-law of
Simon and Andrew, was a type of our
nature, stricken down with the great
fever of sin, and burning with unlawful
lusts after divers objects. Nor would
I say^ that the passion which rageth in
the mind is a lesser fire than that
fever which burneth the body. ■ Cov-
etousness, and lust, and uncleanness,
and vain desires, and strivings, and
anger^-these be our fevers.
Third Responsory .
They drew up Joseph, &c., {p.
276.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on. the
First Monday^ (/• 235.)
Hyimi and Verse and Answer as 07i
the First Sunday^ {p. 233.)
Antiphoji at the Song of Zacharias.
And devils also came out of many, *
crying out and saying : Thou art
Christ the Son of God. And He,
rebuking them, suffered them not to
speak, for they knew that He was
Christ.
Second Responsory.
Judah said, &c., {p. 275.)
Third Lesson.
T T was well that He began to heal on
the Sabbath, that He might show
Himself to be the Creator, weaving in
one with another of His works, and
continuing that which He had already
begun, even as a workman, being to
repair an house, beginneth not to take
down that which is old from the
foundations, but from the roof. Thus
doth the Lord begin to lay to His
hand again, in that place whence last
He hath lifted it ; then He beginneth
1 Divinae solius est potestatis— and yet Scripture attributes this miracle to divers saints under
both covenants.
2 On this day the ."station" at Rome is in the Church of SS. Cosmas and Daraian. It is
not, however, the day of their martyrdom, which the Martyrology distinctly declares to be
Sept. 27, when their Feast occurs. The " beata solemnitas " here spoken of must therefore be
understood of their victory itself. Cf. Cant. iii. 11, " the day of his espousals , the day of the
■Sfladness of his heart."
Prayer.
2 pRAISE be to Thee, O Lord, for
the blessed and solemn victory
of Thine holy servants Cosmas and
Damian, whereby Thou, in Thine un-
speakable Providence, wast pleased to
give unto them everlasting glory, and
288
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
unto us a shield and succour. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
Hveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
At the beginning of the Marty rology,
is said,
On the morrow we commemorate
the Five Most Holy Wounds of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer as above at Terce, Sext, and
None.
Office in honour of the Five Most
Holy Wounds of our Lord JES US
Christ.
Greater Double.
All as on Sundays, except the follow-
ing.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter, and Prayer
from Lauds.
Ps. cxv. I believed, &c., {p. 185.)
Ps. cxix. In my distress, &c., (^.
186.)
Ps. cxxxix. Deliver me, O LORD,
&c., (^. 198.)
Ps. cxl. Lord, I cry unto Thee,
&c., {p. 199.)
Ps. cxli. I cried unto the LORD,
&c., {p. 200.)
Hymn.^
CING, my tongue, the glorious battle,
With completed victory rife :
And above the Cross's trophy
Tell the triumph of the strife :
How the world's Redeemer conquered
By surrendering of His life.
God his Maker, sorely grieving
That the first-made Adam fell.
When he ate the fruit of sorrow
Whose reward was death and hell,
Noted then this Tree, the ruin
Of the ancient tree to quell. 2
For the work of our salvation
Needs would have his order so,
And the multiform deceiver's
Art by art would overthrow,
And from thence ^ would bring the nied'cine
Whence the insult of the foe.
Wherefore, when the sacred fulness
Of th' appointed time was come,
This world's Maker left His Father,
Sent the Heavenly Mansion from,
And proceeded, God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin's Holy Womb.
Weeps the Infant in the manger
That in Bethlehem's stable stands ;
And His Limbs the Virgin Mother
Doth compose in swaddhng bands,
Meetly thus in linen folding
Of her God the Feet and Hands.^
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet :
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, Whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
Verse. ^ They shall look upon Him
Whom they have pierced.
Answer. And they shall mourn for
1 Hymn by Venantius Fortunatus, translated by the late Dr Neale.
2 The Cross, as the mystic "tree of life," (Gen. ii. 9,) is here set by the poet in antithesis
to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "whose mortal taste Brought death into the
world and all our woe." The present translator has taken the liberty to substitute "tree" for
"wood," as a translation of "lignum," — as more conformable to our common phraseology,
and used by Dr Neale himself in the "Royal Banners."
3 I.e., from trees.
4 The poem is here abruptly broken off, the rest being sung at Lauds.
5 Zech. xii. 10.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
289
Him, as one mourneth for the death of garments like their's that tread in the
the first-born. wine-fat ?
A?itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. While as the Only-begotten
Son of God hung upon the Cross, and
was mocked of all. His Virgin Mother
Mary worshipped him in her sorrow as
very God and Man.
CoTnmemoration of the Week-day.
Antiphon. All they that had any
sick brought them unto Jesus, and He
healed them.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Ajiswer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
T ORD, we beseech Thee that Thine
heavenly Peace-Offering may so
effectually work for all Thy people,
which are now bowing themselves
down before Thee, that they may ever
continue in meek obedience to Thy
commandments. Through the Same
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ame7t.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ Who was nailed
to the Cross, pierced with five Wounds,
■^ Him, O come, let us worship !
Hyin7i as at Vespers .^ {p. 288.)
FIRST NOCTURN.l
First Antipho7i. Who is This That
Cometh from Edom, with dyed gar-
ments from Bozrah ?
Ps. X. In the Lord put I, &c., {p.
9.)
Second Antiphon, Wherefore art
Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide, &c.,
{p. 10.)
Third A7itiphon. I have trodden the
wine-press alone, and of the people
there was none with Me.
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the Lord's,
&c., (A 46.)
Verse. ^ They pierced My Hands
and My Feet.
A7ts'wer. They have told all My
Bones.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah (liii.)
A'/W'HO hath believed our report ?
And to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed ? For he shall grow
up before him as a tender plant, and
as a root out of a dry ground : he
hath no form nor comeliness ; and
when we shall see him, there is no
beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men ;
a man of sorrows and acquainted with
grief; and he hid as it were his face
from us ; he was despised, and we
esteemed him not. Surely he hath
borne our griefs and carried our
sorrows : yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our trans-
gressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities : the chastisement of our
peace was upon him, and with his
stripes we are healed.
First Respo7isory.
^ God hath made us acceptable in
His beloved Son, in Whom we have
redemption through His Blood, for the
remission of sins.
Verse. ^ Behold, the fulness of the
1 Antiphons from Isa. Ixiii. 1-3.
2 Ps. xxi. 17.
2 Eph. i. 6, 7.
4 Gal. iv. 4.
290
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
time was come wherein God sent forth
His Son into the world.
Answej\ In Whom we have re-
demption through His Blood, for the
remission of sins.
Second Lesson.
A LL we, like sheep, have gone
"^^ astray ; we have turned every
one to his own way: and the Lord
hath laid on him the iniquity of us
all. He was offered up because he
willed it,^ and he opened not his
mouth. He is brought as a sheep
to the slaughter, and as a lamb before
his shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth. He was taken from
prison and from judgment : and who
shall declare his generation ? For
he was cut off out of the land of the
living ; for the trangression of My
people have I stricken him. And
he made his grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death ; be-
cause he had done no violence,
neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise
him ; He hath put him to grief.
Second Respoitsory.
2 We who sometimes were far off,
are made nigh by the Blood of jESUS
Christ ; for He is our peace. Who hath
made both one.
Verse. This is the Lord's doing,
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
Answer. He is our peace, Who
hath made both one.
W
Third Lesson. (Ixiii. i.)
HO is this that cometh from
Edom, with dyed garments
from Bozrah ?
This, that is glorious
in his apparel, travelling in the great-
ness of his strength ? I that speak
in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine
apparel, and thy garments like their's
that tread in the wine-fat ? I have
trodden the wine-press alone, and of
the people there was none with me.
I trod them in mine anger, and tram-
pled them in my fury ; and their blood
is sprinkled upon my garments, and I
have stained all my raiment. For the
day of vengeance is in mine heart, and
the year of my redemption is come.
I looked, and there was none to help ;
I sought, and there was none to
uphold.
Third Responsory.
3 It pleased [the Father] that in the
first-born from the dead should all the
fulness of the Godhead dwell, and by
Him to reconcile all things unto Him-
self, making peace through the Blood
of His Cross, whether they be things
in heaven or things in earth.
Verse. He is the Head of the Body
of the Church, in all things having the
preeminence.
Answer. Making peace through
the Blood of His Cross, whether they
be things in heaven or things in earth.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Afiswer. Making peace through
the Blood of His Cross, whether they
be things in heaven or things in earth.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. They pierced My
Hands and My Feet ; they have told
all My Bones.
Ps. xxi. My God, my God, &c,, {p.
48.) ■ ■ ■
1 Oblatus est quia ipse voluit. The present Hebrew is literally, "He was oppressed and
he was afflicted." Jonathan ben Uzziel, ''He was required, and he was brought back, and
without opening his mouth, he submitted to the mighty of the people." St Jerome thought it
meant " He was brought before" [Pilate], &c.
2 Eph. ii. 1.4; Ps. cxvii. 23. 3 Col. ii. 9; i. 18, 20.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
291
Second Antipho7i. ^ From the Sole
of the Foot even unto the Head there
is no soundness in Him.
Ps-. Ixv. Make a joyful noise, &c.,
(/• 115.)
Third Antipho7i. ^ Wounds, and
Bruises, and putrefying Sores — they
have not been closed, neither bound
up, neither mollified with ointment.
Ps. Ixxv. In Judah is God known,
&c., {p. 130.)
Verse. Surely He hath borne our
griefs.
A7isiver. And carried our sorrows.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
(yBk. 071 the Passion., ch. 41.)
A FTER much mocking by Jews and
Gentiles, after much Blood-shed-
ing, Jesus is taken, and His Hands
and Feet pierced with hard nails, and
so our Saviour, the gentle jESUS, is
nailed to the tree of the Cross. Look
there, and gaze upon the roses of
bloody suffering — how they shine —
the marks of that love greater than
which hath no man. Suffering and
love strive together whether the one
shall be more excellent for bloodiness
or the other for fieriness.
Fourth Resp07isory.
2 Jesus through death destroyed
him that had the power of death, that
He might deliver them who through
fear of death were all their life-time
subject to bondage.
Verse. Wherefore in all things it
behoved Him to be made like unto
His brethren, that he might be
merciful.
A7is'wer. That He might deliver
them who through fear of death were
all their life-time subject to bondage.
Fifth Lesson.
T O with what red flowers doth
blossom that noble Vine, our
ruddy jESUS ! Look if anywhere on
His Body thou wilt not find those
bloody roses. Look into one Hand
and then into the Other, and thou wilt
find a rose in Either. Look at one
Foot and then at the Other — are They
not rosy ? Look at the Gash in His
Side, and That hath Its rose too —
but a rose pink rather than red this
time, by reason of the Water ; as saith
the Evangelist : " One of the soldiers
with a spear pierced His Side, and
forthwith came thereout Blood and
Water."
Fifth Responsory.
^ By man came death ; by Man
came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all have sinned, even
so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Verse. At last shall be destroyed
the enemy death.
A7iswer. For as in Adam all have
sinned, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive.
Sixth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the same.
((9;z the Passion of the Lord.)
T OOK down, O Lord, Holy Father,
from Thy Sanctuary, even from
heaven Thy dwelling-place, and behold
this Most Holy Oblation Which our
Great High Priest, Thine Holy Child,
the Lord jESUS doth offer unto Thee
1 Isa. i. 6. -2 Heb. ii. 15, 17.
3 I Cor. XV. 21, 22, 26, Notice the curious divergence from the inspired text, which reads.
In Adam all die, &c."
292
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
for the sins of His brethren ; and take
not vengeance upon us for the multi-
tude of our iniquities. Know now, O
Father, whether this be Thy Son
Joseph's coat or no. Alas ! an evil
beast hath devoured Him, and trampled
[Him] in his fury [and stained all] His
raiment. Behold, in five places It is
rent grievously. ^
Sixth Responsory.
2 We see Jesus, [Who was made a
little lower than the angels,] for the
suffering of death, crowned with glory
and honour, that He [by the grace of
God] should taste death for every man.
Verse, For it became Him [for
Whom are all things, and by Whom
are all things,] in bringing many sons
unto glory, to make the captain of their
salvation perfect through sufferings.
Answer. That He [by the grace
of God] should taste death for every
man.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. That He [by the grace
of God] should taste death for every
man.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antipkon. ^What are these
wounds in Thine Hands ?
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., ip. 148.)
Second Antiphon. ^ Those with
which I was wounded in the house of
My friends.
Ps. xcvi. The Lord reigneth, &c.,
ij). 149.)
Third Afttiphon. ^ My complaint is
bitter, and my stroke is heavier than
my groaning.
^ Cf. Gen. xxxvii. 32, 33 ; Isa. Ixiii. 3.
^ Job xxiii. 2.
Ps. xcvii. O sing unto the Lord,
&c. (p. 157.)
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. 28.)
A T that time : jESUS, knowing that
all things were now accom-
plished, that the Scripture might be
fulfilled, saith : I thirst. And so on.
Homily by St Cyril, Pope of Alex-
andria. {Bk. xii. Comment, on John.)
The brutality of the Jews had
already outraged Christ to the full ;
cruelty had nothing left to desire ; and
now at the last moment the Most Holy
Flesh of Christ suffereth a pain spring-
ing naturally from Itself. That Flesh,
fevered by many and divers tortures,
felt thirst. Great pain hath the
property of producing strong thirst,
since by some natural law which I
cannot explain, it drieth up as by heat
the liquids of the body and as it w^ere
setteth on fire the inward parts.
Seventh Responsory.
^ The grace of God is now made
manifest by the appearing of our
Saviour jESUS Christ, Who hath
abolished death, and hath brought life
and immortality to light.
Verse. Who hath saved us and
called us with His holy calling, ac-
cording to grace which was given us
in Christ jESUS.
Answer. Who hath abolished
death, and hath brought life and im-
mortality to light.
2 Heb. ii. 9, 10.
5 2 Tim. i. 10, 9.
3 Zech. xiii. 6.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
293
Eighth Lesson.
"TT is finished." Jewish outrage
against God was finished ; the
power to inflict torture was finished.
What had the Jews left unattempted,
or cruehy left undone ? Did any pain
or insult remain uninflicted ? Rightly
did He say : " It is finished." But
He was come to be the Lord of the
dead as well as of the quick, and the
hour was now calling Him to go and
preach to the imprisoned spirits in the
netherworld. He accepted even death
for our sakes and bore in His Own
Flesh that suffering common to all our
nature. 1 When they saw that the
Head of jESUS had fallen, and deemed
Him to have already given up the
Ghost, they held it pains wasted to
break His Legs. Howbeit, forasmuch
as they were not quite sure that He
was dead, they pierced His Side with
a spear, and there burst forth Blood
mingled with Water, the image and the
first-fruits of the mystic Thankoffering
and of holy Baptism, for holy Baptism
is indeed a thing of Christ and from
Christ, and the virtue of the mystic
Thankoffering proceedeth unto us from
His holy Flesh.
Eighth Responsory.
2 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof,
for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed
us to God by Thy Blood —
Verse. And hast made us unto our
God a kingdom and Priests.
Answer. By Thy Blood.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7iswer. By Thy Blood.
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth LessoJi.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (iv. 5.)
A T that time : Cometh jESUS to a
'^^ city of Samaria which is called
Sychar : near to the parcel of ground
that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (15^/2 Tract 07i Johii.)
"Jesus, wearied with His journey,"
— " Jesus, wearied with His journey,"
— the mysteries are beginning now.
It is not for nothing that jESUS is
wearied. It is not for nothing that
the Mighty One of God is wearied. It
is not for nothing that He is wearied
Who Himself giveth Rest to all them
that are weary and heavy-laden. It is
not for nothing that He is wearied
Whose absence prostrateth us, and
Whose presence maketh us to be
strong.
"Jesus, therefore, being wearied
with His journey, sat thus on the well :
and it was about the sixth hour."
There is a depth in all these details —
they all have something to say for us
to learn. Upon them we gaze.
"Knock," saith the Lord, "and it
shall be opened unto you." Let us
knock then — and, O, may He open to
me and to you, even He Who hath
spoken to us those words : " Knock,
and it shall be opened unto you."
(Matth. vii. 7.) It is for thy sake
that Jesus was wearied with His
journey. We find the strength of
Jesus, and we find Jesus weak ; yea,
strong and weak. Strong, for " In the
beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word
was God : the Same was in the be-
ginning with God." Wouldest thou
know again how that the Son of God
is strong ? " All things were made
1 The lesson now stops here.
2 Apoc. V. 9, 10.
294
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
by Him, and without Him was not
anything made that was made " —
made without effort. (John i. 1-3.)
What then is stronger than He by
Whom all things were made without
effort ? Wouldest thou know His
weakness ? " The Word was made
Flesh and dwelt among us." (14.)
Christ, strong, made thee ; Christ,
weak, redeemed thee. Christ, strong,
made all things out of nothing ; Christ,
weak, so wrought that that that was
made perished not. His strength hath
made us, and His weakness saved us.
He then, being" Himself made Aveak,
is strength to all such as are weak,
gathering them together, to use His
own figure, even as an hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings. " O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem ! how often would
I have gathered thy children together,
even as an hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, and ye would not ! "
(Matth. xxiii. 37.) Consider now, my
brethren, in what bondage is an hen to
her chickens. There is no other bird
in whom motherhood is unmistakeable.
We watch the sparrows building their
nests under our eyes ; we see swallows,
and storks, and pigeons building theirs
every day. But, unless we actually
see them in their nests, we know not
if they have little ones, or no. But
the hen's motherhood is so much a
part of herself, that even if at the
minute we see not her children the
chickens following after her, neverthe-
less we see by her ways if she be a
mother.
The Hymn^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. Surely He hath
borne our griefs * and carried our
sorrows.
^ Isa. XXX. 26.
3 Lam. i. 12.
Seco7id AiitipJi07i. But He was
wounded for our transgressions, "^ He
was bruised for our iniquities.
Third Antiphon. ^ The LORD bind-
eth up the hurt of His people, * and
healeth the stroke of their wound.
Fourth A7itiphon. ^ Every one that
goeth by it shall be astonished * at all
the plagues thereof.
Fzyth Antiphon. ^ O all ye that
pass by ! "^ Behold and see, if there be
any sorrow like unto My sorrow !
Chapter. (Isa. liii. 5.)
[/'~^HRIST] was wounded for our
transgressions. He was bruised
for our iniquities, and with His stripes
we were healed.
Hymn.^
'X'HIRTY years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, He meets His Passion,
For that this He freely willed :
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted,
Where His Life-Blood shall be spilled.
He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed ;
From that Holy Body broken
Blood ^nd water forth proceed :
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,
By that flood from stain are freed.
Faithful Cross ! above all other,
One and only noble Tree !
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peers may be :
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron !
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory !
Thy relaxing sinews bend ;
For a while the ancient rigour,
That thy birth bestowed, suspend ;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend.
2 Jer. xlix. 17.
4 Continuation of the Vespers Hymn.
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
295
Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to uphold ;
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbour, like the ark of old :
With the Sacred Blood anointed
From the smitten Lamb that rolled.
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet :
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, Whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
Prayer.
T ORD, we beseech Thee graciously
to bless this our P'ast, that we
who are now outwardly denying meats
to our bodies, may have power in-
wardly to keep our souls fasting from
all sin. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Ame7i.
Verse. They shall look upon Him
Whom they have pierced.
Answer. And they shall mourn for
Him as one mourneth for the death of
his first-born.
Antiphoji at the Sojig of Zacharias.
One of the soldiers with a spear pierced
His Side, and forthwith came thereout
Blood and Water.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who by the suffering of
^^ Thine Only-begotten Son, and
the outpouring of His Blood through
the Five Wounds, hast made anew the
manhood which sin had lost, grant, we
beseech Thee, that we who on earth do
worship the Wounds Which He re-
ceived may worthily obtain in heaven
the purchase of His Most Precious
Blood. Through the Same our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
Commemoration of the Week-day.
Antipho7i. Whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him, shall
never thirst.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
PRIME.
Antiphon. ' Surely, &c., {First An-
tiphon at Lauds.')
Chapter at the end. (Isa. liii. 12.)
[/^~^HRIST] poured out His Soul unto
^^ death ; and He was numbered
with the transgressors ; and He bare
the sin of many, and made intercession
for the transgressors.
TERCE.
Aittiphon. But He was wounded,
&c., {Seco7id Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
They pierced My Hands and My
Feet.
Answer. They pierced My Hands
and My Feet.
Verse. They have told all My
Bones.
Ajiswer. My Hands and My Feet.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
' Answer. They pierced My Hands
and My Feet.
Verse. O all ye that pass by !
Answer. Behold, and see My
sorrow !
296
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
SEXT.
Ajttipko?t. The LORD bindeth up,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Isa. 1. 6.)
T HID not my face from shame and
spitting ; for the Lord GOD will
help me ; therefore shall I not be
confounded.
Short Responsory.
Surely He hath borne our griefs.
Answer. Surely He hath borne our
griefs —
Verse. And carried our sorrows.
Ajtswer. Our griefs.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Surely He hath borne our
griefs.
Verse. The chastisement of our
peace was upon Him.
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed.
NONE.
Antipho7i. O all ye, &c., {Fifth
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
He was wounded for our transgres-
sions.
A7iswer. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Verse. He was bruised for our ini-
quities.
Answer. For our transgressions.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He was wounded for our
transgressions.
Verse. He was offered up because
He willed it.
Answer. And He opened not His
Mouth.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the Firsts except the
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. I am your Redemption. "^
My Hands, which made you, those
Hands were pierced with the nails. It
Avas for your sakes that I was scourged,
for your sakes that I was crowned with
thorns, for your sakes that as I hung,
I said : "I thirst " — and, for water,
they gave Me vinegar to drink. They
gave Me also gall for My meat, and
pierced My Side with a spear. I died
and was buried, and arose again. I
am with you always and am alive for
evermore.
Cominemoration of the Week-day.
Antipho7z. Sir, I perceive that Thou
art a prophet : our fathers worshipped
in this mountain.
Verse. God hath given His angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^■^ mighty God, that we whose
trust is under the shadow of Thy
wings, may, through the help of Thy
power, overcome all evils that rise up
against us. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Sunday^ {p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (viii. i.)
THIRD WEEK IN LENT.
297
A T that time : Jesus went unto the
■■^^ Mount of OHves. And early in
the morning He came again into the
temple. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {^'^rd Tract 071 Jolm.)
"Jesus went unto the Mount of
Olives " — even unto that fruitful
Mount, that anointing Mount, that
Mount of Chrism. Where else be-
came it Christ to teach if not on the
Mount of Olives ? For the word
" Christ " is derived from " Chrisma,"
and " Chrisma " is the Greek for
" ointment." He hath anointed us
that we may be able to wrestle with
the devil. 1
" And, early in the morning, He
came again into the temple ; and all
the people came unto Him ; and He
sat down, and taught them " — and no
man laid hands on Him, because He
was not yet pleased to suffer. And
now listen how His enemies tried the
Lord's meekness.
First Responsory.
We are verily guilty, &c., {j). 278.)
Second Lesson.
" A ND the Scribes and Pharisees
brought unto Him a woman
taken in adultery ; and when they had
set her in the midst, they say unto
Him : Master, this woman was taken
in adultery, in the very act. Now,
Moses in the law commanded that
such should be stoned ; but what
sayest Thou ? This they said, tempt-
ing Him, that they might have to
accuse Him." Whereof to accuse
Him ? Had they taken Him in any
sin ? Or was the woman said to have
anything to do with Him ?
Second Responsory,
And Reuben answered, &c., (/.
278.)
Third Lesson.
\^E must understand, my brethren,
that there was a wonderful gen-
tleness in the Lord. They knew that
He was most mild and most gentle.
Of Him indeed it had been said of
old time : " Gird Thy sword upon Thy
thigh, O most Mighty ! In Thy come-
liness and Thy beauty go forward, fare
prosperously, and reign, because of
truth, and meekness, and righteous-
ness." (Ps. xliv. 4, 5.) And He
came bringing truth as one that
teacheth, meekness as one that de-
livereth, and righteousness as one that
knoweth. Because of these it was
that the Prophet declared, in the Holy
Ghost, that He was to reign. When-
ever He spake, truth shone forth :
whenever He spared His enemies,
meekness was made glorious. And
His enemies, racked with envy and
hatred by His truth and His meek-
ness, laid a stumbling-block for His
righteousness.
Third Responsory .
Jacob lamented, &c., {p. 279.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Monday^ {p. 235.)
Ny 77171 and Verse and A7iswer as 07t
the First Sunday^ {p. 233.)
A7itiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Jesus stooped down, "^ and wrote on
the ground : He that is without sin,
let him cast a stone at her.
1 The ancient wrestlers had their bodies rubbed with oil.
298
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, grant, we
^^^ beseech Thee, that as many as,
to afflict the body, do abstain from
meats, may, by following after right-
eousness, fast from sin. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
• The same Prayer at Terce., Sext.,
and None.
VESPERS.
Chapter and Prayer from the follow-
ing Lauds.
Hymn and Verse and Ajtswer as on
the First Saturday^ {PP- 227, 228.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Woman, hath no man con-
demned thee ? * No man, Lord.
Neither do I condemn thee : go, and
sin no more.
IVr OW Moses kept the flock of Jethro
his father-in-law, the priest of
Midian : and he led the flock to the
back-side of the desert, and came to
the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
And the LORD 2 appeared to him in a
flame of fire, out of the midst of a
bush : and he looked, and, behold,
the bush burned with fire, and was
not consumed. And Moses said : I
will now turn asi4e, and see this great
sight, why the bush is not burned.
And when the LORD saw that he
turned aside to see, He called unto
him out of the midst of the bush, and
said : Moses ! Moses ! And he said :
Here am I. And He said : Draw not
nigh hither ; put off thy shoes from off
thy feet ; for the place whereon thou
standest is holy ground. Moreover
He said : I am the God of thy father :
the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And
Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid
to look upon God.
First Responsory.
The Lord spake unto Moses, saying :
Go down now into Egypt, and say unto
Pharaoh : Let My people go. And
the heart of Pharaoh shall be hardened,
that he will not let My people go but
by a mighty hand.
Verse. The cry of the children of
Israel is come unto Me, and I have
seen their affliction : come now, there-
fore, and I will send thee unto
Pharaoh, and thou shalt say unto
him —
Answer. Let My people go. And
the heart of Pharaoh shall be hard-
ened, that he will not let My people
go but by a mighty hand.
1 So called because on this day the gladness of the Church at the thought of the consequences
to her of the atonement causes her to use, if possible, rose-coloured (viz. reddish brown) vest-
ments, &c., instead of purple, as well as the altar to be decorated with flowers, the dalmatic and
tunicle to be worn, and the organ played. The observance is a sort of rest in the middle of Lent,
and in some places the Fast undergoes a slight modification for a few days. On this day, at
Rome, the Pope blesses the Golden Rose, which afterwards remains on the altar during Mass.
'- Hebrew, "the angel of the Lord." So also the LXX. and Onkelos.
jEttJ'ILmt Sunttag, calleti also
Jttotljertng SuntJag, anti
Eose SuntJag.^
The Fourth Lord^s Day in the Forty
Days before Easter.
MATTINS.
Invitatory and Hymn as on the First
Sunday^ {p. 228.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Exodus (iii. i.)
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
299
Second Lesson.
AND the Lord said : I have surely
'^^ seen the affliction of My people
which are in Egypt, and have heard
their cry by reason of their task-
masters ; for I know their sorrows ;
and I am come down to deliver them
out of the hand of the Egyptians, and
to bring them up out of that land, unto
a good land and a large, unto a land
flowing with milk and honey, unto the
place of the Canaanites, and the Hit-
tites, and the Amorites, and the
Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
Jebusites. Now, therefore, the cry of
the children of Israel is come unto
Me, and I have also seen the oppres-
sion wherewith the Egyptians oppress
them. Come now therefore, and I
will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou
mayest bring forth My people, the
children of Israel, out of Egypt.
Second Responsory .
1 Moses stood before Pharaoh, and
said : Thus saith the LORD : Let My
people go, that they may hold a feast
unto Me in the wilderness.
Verse. The Lord God of the
Hebrews hath sent me unto thee,
saying :
Answer. Let My people go, that
they may hold a feast unto Me in the
wilderness.
Third Lesson.
A ND Moses said unto God : Who
'^^ am I that I should go unto
Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth
the children of Israel out of Egypt ?
And He said unto him : Certainly I
will be with thee ; and this shall be a
token unto thee that I have sent thee :
when thou hast brought forth My
people out of Egypt, thou shalt serve
God upon this mountain. And Moses
said unto God : Behold, when I come
unto the children of Israel, and shall
say unto them : The God of your
fathers hath sent me unto you : and
they shall say unto me : What is His
Name ? what shall I say unto them ?
And God said unto Moses : I AM
THAT I AM.2 And He said : Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Is-
rael : I AM 3 hath sent me unto you.
And God said moreover unto Moses :
Thus shalt thou say unto the children
of Israel : The Lord God of your
fathers, the God of Abraham, the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath
sent me unto you. This is My Name
for ever, and this is My memorial
unto all generations.
Third Responsory.
4 Let us sing unto the Lord, for He
hath triumphed gloriously ; the horse
and his rider hath He thrown into
the sea. The Lord is my strength
and song, and He is become my
salvation.
Verse. The LORD is a man of war ;
Almighty ^ is His Name.
Answer. The Lord is my strength
and song, and He is become my sal-
vation.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The LORD is my strength,
and my song, and He is become my
salvation.
1 Exod. V. I.
2 EGO SUM QUI SUM. Hebrew, EH'YEH ASHER EH'YEH. LXX., I AM HE
THAT IS. Onkelos does not dare to attempt a translation, and it is indeed unfathomable ;.
though it is generally understood to express the nature of Him Who alone is Self-existent,
Eternal, and Unchangeable.
3 QUI EST. Hebrew, EH'YEH. LXX., HE THAT IS. Onkelos, untranslated, as
before. ^ xv. 1-3. -5 The Name.
300
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of 1 St Basil the Great, Archbishop
[of Csesarea-in-Pontus.] {\st on
Fasting. )
'^ "X rE know that it was with and by
fasting that Moses went up into
the Mount,2 for he had not dared to
go up to that smoking summit, nor to
have entered that darkness, except he
had been made strong by a Fast. It
was with fasting that he received the
commandments, written by the finger
of God upon tables of stone. Upon
the mountain, that Fast made interest
with Him Whose law was given unto
it ; but, below, gluttony was leading
the people to the worship of idols and
polluting them. It is written : "The
people sat down to eat and to drink,
and rose up to play." (Ex. xxxii. 6.)
That one fit of drunken phrenzy, on
the part of the people, made void and
of none effect all the toil and patience
of the forty days, during the which
the servant of God had fasted and
prayed unceasingly. To the Fast
had, been given those tables of stone
written on with the finger of God ; the
Feast's work was to break them, by
the hand of the most holy prophet,
who deemed a nation of drunkards a
nation unmeet to receive law from
God.
Fourth Responsory.
^ Thy way is in the sea, and Thy
paths in the great waters. Thou
leddest Thy people like a flock, by the
hand of Moses and Aaron.
Verse. ^ Thou broughtest them
through the Red Sea, and leddest
them through much water.
Answer. Thou leddest Thy people
like a flock by the hand of Moses and
Aaron.
Fifth Lesson.
T N a moment of time, that people,
who had by great wonders been
taught to worship God, were, by
gluttony, dropped back into the cess-
pool of Egyptian idolatry. The which
things if thou wilt consider, thou shalt
see that the tendency of fasting is to
God-ward, and that that of feasting is
to hell- ward. What was it that de-
graded Esau, and made him a slave to
his brother ? Was it not that one dish
of pottage for which he sold his birth-
right ? (Gen. XXV. 29-34.) Was it
not prayer when joined to fasting that
gave Samuel to his mother ? ( i Kings
[Sam.] i. 7, 19.) What made the
mighty Samson invincible ? Was it
not the fast during the which he was
conceived in his mother's womb ?
The fast it was which made him to be
conceived ; the fast, which fed him ;
the fast, which made a man of him,
even as the Angel of the Lord com-
manded his mother, saying : " She
may not eat of anything that cometh
of the vine, neither let her drink wine
or strong drink." (Judges xiii. 14.)
Fasting is the mother of prophets, the
strength and stay of mighty men.
Fifth Responsory.
O Lord, Thou hast overwhelmed in
the deep of the sea them which perse-
cuted Thy people, even Thy people
which Thou leddest in the pillar of
the cloud.
Verse. Thou leddest Thy people
like a flock, by the hand of Moses and
Aaron.
Answer, Even Thy people, which
Thou leddest in the pillar of the cloud.
1 June 14.
2 See the facts referred to throughout, in Ex. xxiv. 12-18 ; xxxi. 18 ; xxxii. 1-19.
3 Ps. Ixxvi. 20. ^ Wisd. X. 18.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
301
Sixth Lesson.
T T is fasting which giveth wisdom to
lawgivers ; fasting which is the
trustiest keeper of the soul, and the
safest companion for the body. It is
fasting which is strength and armour
to mighty men ; fasting which maketh
supple them which run and which
wrestle. It is fasting which maketh
a man strong to strive against tempta-
tion, and which is to godliness as a
fenced city ; even fasting, whose fellow
is soberness, and her work temperance.
It is fasting which maketh men to
wax valiant in fight ; fasting which
teacheth to rest in time of peace.
Fasting maketh a Nazarite to be holy,
and a priest perfect. Without a fast
it is unlawful to touch the Sacrifice,
not only in that mystic and true wor-
ship of God which now is, but also
according to the law, in those sacrifices
which were offered of old time as
figures of the true. It was fasting
which opened the eyes of Elias to look
upon the visions of GOD, even as it is
written, that when he had fasted forty
days and forty nights he was in the
mount of God, even Horeb, and he
was made able, so far as man may be
made able, to see God. (3 [i] Kings
xix. 8 et seq.) Even so also was
Moses in that Mount forty days and
forty nights, fasting, at what time he
again received the Law. (Ex. xxxiv.
28.) Unless the Ninevites had fasted,
both man and beast, herd and flock,
they had not escaped from the ruin
that hung over them. (Jonah iii. 7-
10.) In the wilderness fell some —
and who were they ? Yea, they
w^ere such as lusted after flesh meat.
(Num. xi. 33.)
Sixth Responsory.
1 Moses, the servant of God, fasted
forty days and forty nights, to make
him meet to receive the Law of
God.
Verse. ^ Moses gat him up unto
the Lord into Mount Sinai, and he
was in the Mount forty days and
forty nights.
Answer. To make him meet to
receive the Law of God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. To make him meet to
receive the Law of God.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vi. i.)
A T that time : Jesus went over the
'^^ Sea of Galilee, which is the sea
of Tiberias. And a great multitude
followed Him, because they saw His
miracles which He did on them that
were diseased. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop ['of
Hippo.] (24M Tract on Johii.)
The miracles which our Lord jESUS
Christ did were the very works of God,
and they enlighten the mind of man by
mean of things which are seen, that he
may know more of God. God is Him-
self of such a Substance as eye cannot
see, and the miracles, by the which He
ruleth the whole world continually, and
satisfieth the need of everything that
He hath made, are by use become so
common, that scarce any will vouch-
safe to see that there are wonderful
and amazing works of God in every
grain of seed of grass. According to
His mercy He kept some works to be
done in their due season, but out of
the common course and order of
nature, that men might see them and
be astonished, not because they are
greater, but because they are rarer
1 Exod. xxxiv. 28.
2 Exod. xxiv. 18.
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
than those which they Hghtly esteem,
since they see them day by day.
Seventh Responsory.
1 After that the Lord had looked
upon him, the face of Moses shone.
And when the elders saw that his face
shone, they marvelled and were sore
afraid.
Verse. And when he came down
from Mount Sinai with the two tables
of testimony- in his hand, he wist not
that his face shone, because that God
had spoken with him.
Answer. And when the elders saw
that his face shone, they marvelled and
were sore afraid.
Eighth Lesson.
T7OR it is a greater miracle to govern
the whole universe, than to satisfy
five thousand men with five loaves of
bread ; and yet no man marvelleth at
it. At the feeding of the five thou-
sand, men marvel, not because it is a
greater miracle than the other, but
because it is rarer. For Who is He
Who now feedeth the whole world,
but He Who, from a little grain that
is sown, maketh the fulness of the
harvest ? God worketh in both cases
in one and the same manner. He
Who of the sowing maketh to come
the harvest, is He Who of the five
barley loaves in His Hands made
bread to feed five thousand men ; for
Christ's are the Hands which are able
to do both the one and the other.
He Who multiplieth the grains of
corn multiplied the loaves, only not by
committing them to the earth whereof
He is the Maker.
Eighth Responsory.
2 Behold, I send My Angel before
thee, to keep thee. Beware, and obey
1 Exod. xxxiv. 29, 30. 2 Exod. xxiii. 20.
My voice ; then I will be an enemy
unto thine enemies, and an adversary
unto thine adversaries ; for Mine Angel
shall go before thee.
Verse. ^ O Israel, if thou wilt
hearken unto Me, there shall no
strange god be in thee, neither shalt
thou worship any strange god : for I
am the LORD.
Answer. Beware, and obey My
voice ; then I will be an enemy unto
thine enemies, and an adversary unto
thine adversaries ; for Mine Angel
shall go before thee.
Ni?ith Lesson.
T^HIS miracle, then, is brought to
bear upon our bodies, that our
souls may thereby be quickened ;
shown to our eyes, to give food to
our understanding ; that, through His
works which we see, we may marvel
at that God Whom we cannot see,
and, being roused up to believe, and
purified by believing, we may long to
see Him, yea, may know by thing's
which are seen Him Who is Unseen.
Nor yet sufficeth it for us to see only
this meaning in Christ's miracles.
Let us ask of the miracles themselves
what they have to tell us concerning
Christ — for, soothly, they have a
tongue of their own, if only we will
understand it. For, because Christ is
the Word of God, therefore the work
of the Word is a Word for us.
Ninth Responsory.
^ Give ear, O My people, to My
law : incline your ears to the words
of My mouth.
Verse. I will open My mouth in
parables : I will utter dark sayings of
old.
Answer. Incline your ears to the
words of My mouth.
3 Ps. ixxx. 10. ^ Ps. Ixxvii. I.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
303
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Incline your ears to the
words of My mouth.
LAUDS.
First A7itipho7i. Then shalt Thou
be pleased * with the sacrifices of
righteousness, when Thou hast hidden
Thy face from my sins.
Psahn L.
Have mercy, &c., {j). 87.)
Second Antiphoii. It is better to
trust "^ in the LORD, than to trust in
princes.
Psalm CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., {p. 37.)
Third A7itiphon. Let God, even
our own God, bless us ; * let God
bless us.
Psalms LXII. and LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c,, {p.
230
Fourth Antiphon. ^ O Lord, Thou
art mighty to save "^ us with a strong
hand : deliver us, O our God.
The Song of the Three Holy Children.
Fifth Antiphon. Kings of the earth,
* and all people, praise God.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &C.5 {pp. 25,
26.)
Chapter. (Gal. iv. 22.)
BRETHREN, It is written that
O
Abraham had two sons ; the one
by a bond-maid, the other by a free
woman. But he who was of the bond-
woman was born after the flesh : but
he of the free woman was by promise ;
which things are an allegory.
Hymn and Verse aitd Answer as 07i
the First Sim day {p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
When Jesus lifted up His Eyes, "^ and
saw a great company come unto Him,
He saith unto Philip : Whence shall
we buy bread that these may eat ?
And this He said to prove him ; for
He Himself knew what He would do.
Prayer.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, Al-
^-^ mighty God, that we who for
our evil deeds are worthily punished,
may, by the comfort of Thy grace,
mercifully be relieved. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer throughout the day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. And Jesus took the
loaves, * and when He had given
thanks, He distributed to them that
were set down.
TERCE.
Aiitiphon. With five loaves and
two fishes * did the Lord satisfy five
thousand men.
Chapter from Lauds.
SEXT.
Saitie Aiitiphon as at Terce.
1 Dan. iii. 17.
304
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Chapter. (Gal. iv. 27.)
"D EJOICE, thou barren, that bearest
not, break forth and cry, thou
that travailest not ; for the desolate
hath many more children than she
which hath an husband.
NONE.
Antiphon. Then those men, * when
they had seen the miracle that Jesus
did, said within themselves : This is of
a truth that Prophet that should come
into the world.
Chapter. (Gal. iv. 31.)
00 then, brethren, we are not child-
ren of the bond-woman, but of
the free : in the liberty wherewith
Christ hath made us free.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday^ ipp. 227, 228.)
Antiphon at the Soiig of the Blessed
Virgin. And jESUS went up into a
mountain, "^ and there He sat with His
disciples.
After Vespers are said the Vespers
of the Dead.
Second Day.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Su?tday, [p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (ii. 13.)
A T that time : The Jews' Passover
■^^ was at hand : and Jesus went
up to Jerusalem, and found in the
temple those that sold oxen, and
sheep, and doves. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
H ippo. ] ( I oth Tract on John. )
What hear we now, my brethren ?
Behold, that temple was still but a
figure, and the Lord drove out there-
from all them that sought their own,
even them that were come to deal in
merchandise. And what was it that
they sold there ? Only such things as
were needful to men for the sacrifices
that then were. For your love know-
eth that, because of that people's
carnal-mindedness and the stoniness
of their heart, there were commanded
unto them such sacrifices as these,
thereby to hold them back from idol-
atry : and there, according, they
offered up oxen, and sheep, and doves.
This ye have read, and know.
First Responsory.
1 When ye be gone over Jordan,
there shall ye build an altar unto the
Lord, of whole stones ; ye shall not
lift up any iron tool upon them ; and
ye shall offer burnt-offerings thereon,
and peace-offerings, unto your God.
Verse. When ye shall pass over
[Jordan] unto the land which the
Lord giveth you, there shall ye build
an altar unto the LORD.
Answer. Of whole stones ; ye shall
not lift up any iron tool upon them ;
and ye shall offer burnt-offerings there-
on, and peace-offerings, unto your God.
Second Lesson.
T T was no great sin, therefore, if they
sold in the temple that which was
bought to be offered in the temple —
and yet He drove them out. If, then,
the Lord drove out of His temple them
which sold such things as are lawful
1 Deut. xxvii. 4-6.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
305
and right (for to buy and sell is lawful,
if only it be done honestly,) and suf-
fered not the house of prayer to be
made an house of merchandise, what
would He have done if He had found
there men drunken ?
Second Respo7isory.
Hear, O Israel, the law of the Lord,
and write it in thine heart as in a
book ; and I will give unto thee a land
flowing with milk and honey.
Verse. Take heed therefore, and
hearken unto My voice : and I will be
an enemy unto thine enemies.
Answer. And I will give unto thee
a land flowing with milk and honey.
Third Lesson.
T F the house of God must not be an
house of merchandise, must it be
an house to drink in ? And yet, when
we say this, men gnash upon us with
their teeth. But we find consolation
in remembering that so far we are
even as the Psalmist, who saith :
" They gnashed upon me with their
teeth." 1 (Ps. xxxiv. 16.) Yea, we
have also learnt to listen to words
that heal us, though, of a verity, the
lashes that are made at His word are
really made at Christ, " Lashes,"
saith He, " were heaped upon Me ;
and they knew not what they did."
(15.)! He was lashed by the scourges
of the Jews, and He is lashed still by
the blasphemies of false Christians ;
they heap lashes upon the Lord their
God ; and know not what they do.
As for us, we will do that which He
hath holpen us to do ; " But as for
me, when they troubled me, my cloth-
ing was sackcloth, and I humbled my
soul with fasting" (is).-"^
Third Responsory.
2 As I was with Moses, so I will be
with thee, saith the Lord. Be strong
and of a good courage, and thou shalt
bring My people into a land flowing
with milk and honey.
Verse. Fear not, for I am with
thee : whithersoever thou goest I will
not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Aiiswer. Be strong and of a good
courage, and thou shalt bring My
people into a* land flowing with milk
and honey.
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Mojtday., {p. 235.)
Hyjnn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Su7tday^ {p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Thus saith the Lord : ^ Take these
things hence ; make not My Father's
house an house of merchandise.
Prayer.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who year
by year do prayerfully renew the holy
observance of this Thy great Fast,
may be acceptable in Thy sight, as
touching both our, bodies and our
souls. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext, a?td
None.
After Lauds is said the Dirge.
VESPERS.
Chapter fro7Jt ]oq\ ii, 17, as on the
First MoJiday^ {p. 235.)
1 The quotation is not from the present Latin Version,
2 Addressed to Joshua. (Josh. i. 5, 6.)
3o6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Hy7mi and Verse and Answer as 07i
the First Saturday^ (J>p. 227, 228.)
Antzpho7t at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Thus saith the Lord : "^
Destroy this temple, and in three days
I will raise it up. But He spake of
the temple of His Body.
Prayer.
f~\ LORD, we beseech Thee graci-
^--^ ously to hear our supplications,
and evermore help and defend all them
to whom Thou hast given the mind to
pray. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ameii.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
Hyinji as on the First Sunday^ {p.
228.)
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vii. 14.)
A T that time : About the midst of
'^ the Feast, jESUS went up into
the temple, and taug'ht. And the
Jews marvelled. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (29M Tract on Joh7i.)
He Who had gone up unto the
Feast, " not openly, but as it were in
secret," the Same taught, and spake
openly, and no man laid hands upon
Him. That He had hid Himself,
was for example's sake ; that He
manifested Himself, was to show His
power. And when He taught, the
1 John vii. 20 ; viii. 40 ; xviii. 23.
Jews marvelled. As seemeth to my
mind, they all marvelled, but were not
all converted. And wherefore mar-
velled they ? Because many of them
knew where He was born, and how
He had been brought up. They had
never seen Him learn letters ; but
they heard Him dispute concerning
the law, and alledge the testimony of
the same, as no man could do who
had not read it ; and no man can read
unless he learn ; and therefore they
marvelled. But their marvelling was
unto the Teacher an occasion for the
revealing of higher truth.
First Respo7isory.
Why go ye about to kill Me, a Man
That hath 1 told you the truth ? If I
have spoken evil, bear witness of the
evil ; but if well, why smitest thou
Me?
Verse. ^ Many good works have I
wrought among you ; for which of
those works go ye about to kill Me ?
A7iswer. If I have spoken evil,
bear witness of the evil ; but if well,
why smitest thou Me ?
Second Lesson.
TJ^OR when they marvelled and whis-
pered, the Lord said a certain
deep thing, yea, a thing worthy of
very careful thought and discussion.
And what was this thing which the
Lord gave for an answer to such as
" marvelled that He knew letters, hav-
ing never learned ? " " jESUS answered
them and said : My doctrine is not
Mine, but His That sent Me." Here
is the first depth, for He seemeth in
these few words to enunciate a contra-
diction. He saith not : This doctrine
is not Mine — but : " My doctrine is
not Mine." If it be not Thine, O
Lord, wherefore dost Thou call it
2 cf, John X. 32.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
307
Thine ? If it be Thine, wherefore say-
est Thou that it is not Thine ? For
Thou sayest : " My doctrine is not
Mine."
Secoftd Respo7isory.
1 I, even I, the Lord, have led you
forty years in the wilderness, and your
clothes are not waxen old upon you.
I rained down manna upon you from
heaven, and ye have forgotten Me,
saith the Lord.
Verse. I led you forth out of the
land of Egypt, and delivered you from
the house of bondage.
Answer. I rained down manna
upon you from heaven, and ye have
forgotten Me, saith the Lord.
Third Lesson.
T ET us then carefully regard what
this same holy Evangelist saith
in the beginning of his Gospel, and we
shall find there wherewith to loose the
knot of this difficulty. There it is
written : "In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God." (i. i.)
What is the doctrine of the Father but
the Word of the Father ? If Christ
therefore be the Word of the Father,
He is the doctrine of the Father.
But a Word cannot be of no one, but
must needs, if it be a Word, have
some one whose word it is. Christ
therefore saith that His doctrine is
Himself, and therefore not His, foras-
much as He is the Word of the
Father. And what hast thou that is
so much thine own as thy self? Or
what is there that is so little thine
own as thyself, if that which thou art
is another's ?
Third Responsory.
Moses, the servant of God, &c., {j).
30I-)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Monday^ {p. 235.)
Hyin?i a?td Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday., {p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Why go ye about to kill Me, * a Man
that hath told you the truth ?
Prayer.
r^ LORD, we beseech Thee that the
^-'^ observance of this holy fast
may avail us both to the increase of
godliness in our conversation, and the
stablishing upon us of the help of Thy
mercy. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Aineit.
The same Prayer at Terce., Sext., aiid
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter frojn Joel ii. 1 7, as on the
First Monday., (^-235.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Saturday, {pp. 227, 228.)
A?2tipho?i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. No man laid hands on Him ;
* because His hour was not yet come.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, have mercy upon Thy
^-^^ people, and be graciously pleased
to grant relief unto the same, who
are ever toiling amid the storms of
divers tribulations. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.
1 Deut. xxix. 5.
3o8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Fourth Day.
Before Mattms are said the Gradual
Psahns.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Sunday^ {p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (ix. i.)
A T that time : As jESUS passed by,
'^^ He saw a man which was blind
from his birth. And His disciples
asked Him, saying : Rabbi, who did
sin, this man, or his parents, that he
was born blind ? And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
H ippo. ] (44//? Tract on John. )
Dread and wondrous are all the
things which our Lord JesUS Christ
did, both His works and His words ;
the works, because He wrought them ;
the words, because they are deep. If,
therefore, we consider the meaning of
this work of His, we see that that
man which was blind from his birth
was a figure of mankind. This spirit-
ual blindness was the consequence of
the sin of the first man, from whom we
all inherit by birth, not death only,
but depravity also. For if blindness
be unbelief, and faith, light, whom,
when Christ came, did He find faith-
ful ? Nay, the Apostle who had him-
self been born of the race of which
the Prophets came, saith : " We also
were by nature children of wrath, even
as others." (Eph. ii. 3.) And if
children of wrath, then children also
of vengeance, children of dam-
nation, children of hell. And where-
fore so " by nature," unless it were
that the sin of the first man had made
all his descendants to be born in sin,
in that they partook of his nature ?
If, then, our nature bring sin with it,
all men, according to the spirit, are
born blind.
First Responsory .
After that the Lord, &c., {p. 302.)
Second Lesson.
'T'HE Lord came; and what did
He ? He set before us a great
mystery. "jESUS spat on the ground,
and made clay of the Spittle " — for
" the Word was made flesh."
" And He anointed the eyes of the
blind man with the clay" — but yet
that man saw not. He was anointed,
indeed, but yet still he saw not.
"And He said unto him : Go, wash
in the Pool of Siloam." Now, it was
the duty of the Evangelist to impress
upon us the name of this Pool, and
therefore he saith : " Siloam, which
is, by interpretation. Sent." Ye, my
brethren, know Who is signified where
it is written: "[The sceptre shall not
depart from Judah, nor a law-giver
from his loins, until] He that shall be
Sent [cometh.]" (Gen. xlix. 10.)
Yea, He it is, Who, if He had not
been sent, we had never been sent
loose out of the prison-house of sin.
The blind man went his way there-
fore, and washed his eyes in that
Pool, which is, by interpretation,
" Sent " — in other words, he was bap-
tized in Christ. When, therefore, he
had figuratively been baptized in Him
Whom the Father hath Sent into the
world "he came seeing." When he
was anointed, he was perchance made
a figure of a Catechumen. 1
1 Oil (specially blest for that purpose by Bishops on Maundy Thursday, and called from its
object the oil of Catechumens) is, of course, still used in so making them, both infants and
adults.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
309
Second Responsory .
Behold I send, &c., (^. 302.)
Third Lessoft.
"W'E have heard this great mystery.
^ Ask of a man : 1 "Art thou a
Christian ? " He answereth thee : " I
am not." Then, if thou ask him :
" Art thou a pagan then, or a Jew ? "
And he still saith unto thee : " Nay "
— and thou say: "Art thou then a
Catechumen, though not yet one of
the faithful?" and he saith: "Yea, a
Catechumen " — then there thou seest
a man anointed, but not yet washed.
With what hath he been anointed ?
Ask of him, and he will tell thee.
Ask of him in Whom he believeth,
and, being a Catechumen, he will
say: "In Christ." But, behold, I
speak before both Faithful and Cate-
chumens. What said I touching the
Spittle and the clay ? I said : " for
'the Word was made flesh.'" This
the Catechumens hear, but it is not
enough for them to be anointed ; they
must make haste to the washing, if
they would have their eyes opened. ^
Third Responsory.
Give ear, O My people, &c., {p..
302.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, <a;j on the
First Moftday^ {J>. 235.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday^ [p. 233.)
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Rabbi, who did sin, this man, or his
parents, "^ that he was born blind ?
Jesus answered, and said : Neither
hath this man sinned, nor his parents ;
but that the works of God shall be
made manifest in him.
Prayer.
^~\ GOD, Who by mean of fasting"
^-"^ dost give unto the righteous the
reward of their good works, and unto
sinners pardon ; have mercy upon us,
we beseech Thee, and grant that we,
humbly confessing our guiltiness, may
so be enabled to obtain Thy forgive-
ness. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Ameii.
The same Prayer at Terce., Sext, and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Joel ii. 17, as on the
First Monday^ {p. 235.)
Hymn a?id Verse and Aftswer as o?t
the First Saturday^ {p. 22J.)
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The Man that is called jESUS
* made clay of His Spittle, and an-
ointed mine eyes, and now I do see.
Prayer.
T ET Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be
open unto the prayers of all them
that entreat Thee, and that Thou
mayest grant us ever such things as
we ask, teach us ever to ask such
things as are pleasing in Thy sight.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
1 The ancient Church, at least in Africa, did not so commonly use infant Baptism as we
do. St Augustine himself was made a Catechumen when an infant, and not baptized till
his conversion to Catholicism from the heresy which he had embraced as a young man and
retained for nine years.
2 A great deal of doctrine and several formularies as well as privileges were concealed from
the Catechumens.
VOL. n. L
3IO
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
Hymn as on the First Sunday^ [p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (vii. 11.)
A T that time : Jesus went into a
^^ city called Naim ; and His dis-
ciples went with Him, and much
people. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] (^Bk. v. Comni. 07i Luke vii.)
The history which we here read in
the Holy Gospel hath for us specially
two gracious lessons, the one from the
literal, the other from the mystic in-
terpretation thereof. According to the
letter then, we see how quickly the
compassion of God was aroused by
the sorrow of this mother, who was a
widow, a widow broken down by nurs-
ing her only son, or by the bitterness
of her grief for his death. She was a
widow also whose worshipful conver-
sation is borne witness to by this,
that, " much people of the city was
with her." Mystically however, this
widow encompassed by the multitude
was something more than a poor
woman whose tears won from the
Lord the resurrection of her young
and only son ; for she is a type of our
holy Mother the Church, who calleth
back her young children to life from
the pursuit of deathly vanities, and
soul-slaying honours, by bidding them
look on those tears which she sheddeth
for such as they, and which it is un-
lawful for her to shed for them of
whom she knoweth that they will rise
again.i
First Responsory.
The Lord spake unto Moses, &c.,
(A 298.)
Second Lesson.
n^HIS man, then, being dead, was
carried out on a bier to the
grave by four bearers, 2 even as the*
sinner is borne to destruction by the
four elements of which he is composed.
But there was hope in his latter end,
from this, that that whereon he was
carried was of wood, and wood, albeit
it had profited us little before, is
become everything to us now since
"Jesus touched it," being a figure of
that gibbet, the Cross, which was
made thereof, and wherefrom salva-
tion floweth unto all people. When,
therefore, the horrid bearers of the
corpse heard the commandment of
God, they stood still, and carried no
farther him who was dead through the
fatal course of a material nature. And
is not our case even as that of the
widow's son, when we lie, as it were,
lifeless, in our spiritual coffin, that is,
in the last bed of our soul's death,
consumed by the fever of unbridled
lust, or frozen by cold-heartedness, or
with our whole manliness sapped by
some degrading habit of this earthly
body, or starved by a spiritual lock-
jaw that shutteth our mouth to the
bright food of our soul ? These, and
such as these, are they which carry us
out to burial.
Second Responsory.
Moses stood, &c., {p. 299.)
Third Lesson.
"DUT even at the last hour, when the
hope of life hath been utterly ex-
tinguished, and the bodies of the dead
are lying by the side of the grave, by
1 Viz. those "who are fallen asleep in Jesus."
2 The Greek uses the Plural, not the Dual.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT,
311
the word of God those carcases live
again, yea, arise and speak. Then
doth Jesus deHver the son to his
mother, for Jesus calleth him out of
the grave, and deHvereth him from
death. O, what is the grave of the
soul but a bad life ? Sinner ! thy
*grave is unbelief, and thy throat is a
sepulchre ! Even so is it written :
"Their throat is an open sepulchre,"
(Ps. V. II,) whereout breathe their
pestilential words. Lo ! Christ mak-
eth thee free from that grave ! If
only thou wilt hear the word of God,
thou shalt yet arise from that sepul-
chre ! Yea, though thy sin be ex-
ceeding weighty, so that the tears of
thine own sorrow cannot wash it away,
let thy Mother the Church weep for
thee, that longing Mother who weepeth
for every one of her children as though
he were "the only son of his mother,
and she was a widow." Believe me,
her spiritual anguish is keen like the
anguish of nature, when she seeth her
children dead in sin, and carried out
to be buried for ever.
Third Responsory.
Let us sing, &c., {p. 299.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as on the
First Monday^ (p. 235.)
Hyimi a?id Verse and Answer as o?z
the First Sunday^ {p. 233.)
Afitiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus went into a city called Naim ; "^
and, behold, there was a dead man
carried out, the only son of his
mother.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, grant, we be-
^-"^ seech Thee, that we who are
chastened by this hallowed fast, may
be gladdened by holy earnestness, and
that as earthly attractions grow dim-
mer, things heavenly may grow clearer.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
At the beginning of the Martyr ology
is said^
On the morrow we commemorate
the Most Precious Blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
The same Prayer at Terce.^ Sext^ a7id
None.
Sixth Day.
Office in honour of the Most Precious
Blood of our Lord jESUS Christ.
Greater Double.
All as on Sundays, except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST VESPERS.l
First Aiitiphon. Who is this that
Cometh from Edom, with dyed gar-
ments from Bozrah ? this, that is
glorious in His apparel ?
Second Antiphon. I that speak in
righteousness, mighty to save.
Third Antipho7i. He was clothed
with a vesture dipped in blood, and
His name is called " The Word of
God."
Fourth Antiphon. Wherefore art
Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy
garments like him that treadeth in the
wine-fat ?
Fifth Antipho7i. I have trodden
the wine - press alone, and of the
people there was none with Me.
Chapter ajid Prayer from Lauds.
1 Antiphons from Isa. Ixiii. 1-3 except the 3rd, which is Apoc. xix. 13.
312
THE PROI^ER QEFICE or THE SEASON.
Hyinn?-
"pORTH let the long procession stream
And through the streets in order wend ;
Let the bright waving line of torches gleam,
The solemn chant ascend.
While we, with tears and sighs profound,
That memorable Blood record.
Which, stretched on His hard Cross, from
many a Wound,
The dying Jesus poured.
By the first Adam's fatal sin
Came death upon the human race ;
In this new Adam doth new life begin,
And everlasting grace.
For scarce the Father heard from heaven
The cry of His expiring Son,
When in that cry our sins were all forgiven,
And boundless pardon won.
Henceforth, whoso in that dear Blood
Washeth, shall lose his every stain,
And, in immortal roseate beauty robed,
An Angel's likeness gain.
Only, run thou with courage on
Straight to the goal set in the skies ;
He Who assists thy course will give thee
soon
The everlasting prize.'
Father Supreme ! vouchsafe that we,
For whom Thine only Son was slain,
And whom Thine Holy Ghost doth sanc-
tify.
May heavenly joys attain. Amen.
. Verse. ^ Lord, Thou hast redeemed
us by Thy Blood.
Answer. And hast made us unto
our God a kingdom.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^Ye are come unto Mount
Sion and unto the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
Jesus the Mediator of the New Cove-
nant, and to the Blood of sprinkling
That speaketh better things than that
of Abel.
Commemoration of the Week-day.
Antipho7i, A great Prophet is risen
up among us, and God hath visited
His people.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
r\ GOD, the Teacher and Shepherd
^-^^ of all Thy people, free the same
from all sins which do assail them,
that so they may ever be pleasing in
Thy sight and safe under Thy shelter.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ the Son of God
hath redeemed us by His Own Blood.
* O come, let us worship Him.
Hym,n.^
TTE Who once, in righteous vengeance.
Whelmed the world beneath the flood,
Once again in mercy cleansed it
With the stream of His Own Blood,
Coming from His Throne on high
On the painful Cross to die.
5 Blest with this all-saving shower
Earth her beauty straight resumed ;
In the place of thorns and briars.
Myrtles sprang and roses bloomed :
Flowers surprised the desert waste,
Wormwood lost her bitter taste.
1 Sixteenth to eighteenth century, author unknown, translation by the late Rev. Father
Caswall. 2 Apoc. v. 9, 10. 3 Heb. xii. 22, 24.
■* Anonymous hymn of eighteenth century translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
5 These two verses are apparently founded on such passages as Isa. xxxv. ; xi. 8 ; Mark
xvi. 18, &c. , , .
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
313
Scorpions ceased ; the slimy serpent
Laid his deadly poison by ;
Savage beasts of cruel instinct
Lost their wild ferocity ;
Welcoming the gentle reign
Of the Lamb for sinners slain.
O the wisdom of the Eternal !
O its depth and height Divine !
O the sweetness of that mercy
Which in Jesus Christ doth shine !
Slaves we were condemned to die,
Our King pays the penalty.
When before the Judge we tremble,
Conscious of His broken laws,
May this Blood in that dread hour.
Cry aloud and plead our cause —
Bid our guilty terrors cease —
Be our pardon and our peace.
Prince and Author of Salvation !
Lord of Majesty Supreme !
Jesu, praise to Thee be given
By the world Thou didst redeem !
Who with the Father and the Spirit
Reignest in eternal merit. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only three Psalms are said.
First Antiphon. ^ And when eight
days were accomplished, for the cir-
cumcising of the child, His Name was
called Jesus.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
{P- 4.)
Second Antiphon. ^ And being in
an agony, He prayed more earnestly,
and His Sweat was as it were great
drops of Blood falling down to the
ground.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., {p. S')
Third Antiphon. ^ Judas, which
had betrayed Him, repented himself,
and brought again the thirty pieces of
silver, saying : I have sinned, in that I
have betrayed the innocent Blood.
Ps. XV. Preserve me, O Lord, &c.,
(A 12.)
Verse. Lord, Thou hast redeemed
us —
Answer. By Thy Blood.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Hebrews (ix. 11.)
/^^HRIST being come an High
^-^ Priest of good things to come,
by a greater and more perfect taber-
nacle, not made with hands, that is to
say, not of this building, neither by
the blood of goats and calves, but by
His own Blood, He entered in once
into the Holy Place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. For if the
blood of goats or of bulls, and the
ashes of an heifer sprinkling the un-
clean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh, how much more shall the
Blood of Christ, Who, through the
Holy Spirit, offered Himself without
spot to God, purge our conscience
from dead works to serve the living
God ? And for this cause. He is the
Mediator of the New Testament, , that,
by means of death, for the redemption
of the transgressions that were under
the first Testament, they, which are
called, might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance.
First Responsory.
4 Jesus also, that He might sanctify
the people with His own Blood, suf-
fered without the gate. Let us go
forth therefore unto Him without . the
camp, bearing His reproach.
Verse. Ye have not yet resisted
unto blood, striving against sin.
Aiiswer. Let us go forth therefore
unto Him without the gate, bearing
His reproach.
1 Luke ii. 21. 2 Luke xxii. 44. 3 Matth. xxvii. 3, 4. * Heb. xiii. 12, 13; xii. 4.
314
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Second Lesson.
T7OR where a testament is, there
must also of necessity be the
death of the testator. For a testa-
ment is of force after men are dead :
otherwise it is of no strength at all
while the testator liveth. Wherefore
neither the first Testament was dedi-
cated without blood. For when Moses
had read every precept of the law to
all the people, he took the blood of
calves and of goats, with water, and
scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled
both the book and all the people,
saying : This is the blood of the
Testament which God hath enjoined
unto you. Moreover, he sprinkled
likewise with blood both the Taber-
nacle and all the vessels of the minis-
try. And almost all things are by the
law purged with blood ; and without
shedding of blood is no remission.
Second Respo7isory.
1 Moses took the blood, and sprin-
kled all the people, saying : This is the
blood of the Testament which God
hath enjoined unto you.
Verse. Through faith he kept the
Passover, and the sprinkling of blood,
lest he that destroyed the first-born
should touch them.
Answer. Saying' : This is the blood
of the Testament which God hath
enjoined unto you.
Third Lessoii. (x. 19.)
TTAVING therefore, brethren, bold-
ness to enter into the holiest by
the Blood of Christ, by a new and liv-
ing way which He hath consecrated
for us, through the veil (that is to say,
His Flesh,) and having an High
Priest over the house of God, let us
draw near with a true heart and full
assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water ;
let us hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering ; (for He is
faithful That promised,) and let us
consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works.
Third Responsory.
2 Ye, who sometimes were far off,
are made nigh by the Blood of Christ.
For He is our Peace, Who hath made
both one.
Verse. ^ It pleased [the Father that
in Him should all fulness dwell, and,]
having made peace through the Blood
of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all
things unto Himself, [by Him, I say,]
whether they be things in earth or
things in heaven.
Answer. For He is our Peace,
Who hath made both one.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. For He is our Peace,
Who hath made both one.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. ^ Pilate, willing to
content the people, delivered Jesus,
when He had scourged Him, to be
crucified.
Ps. xxii. The LORD is my Shep-
herd, &c., {p. 47.)
Second Antiphon. ^ When Pilate
saw that he could prevail nothing, he
took water, and washed his hands
before the multitude, saying : I am
innocent of the Blood of this just
Person.
Ps. xxix. I will extol Thee, &c.,
(A 75.)
1 Heb. ix. 19, 20 ; xi. 28.
■* Mark xv. 15.
2 Eph. ii. 13, 14.
5 Matth. xxvii. 24, 25.
3 Col. i. 19, 20.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
315
Third A7itipho7i. Then answered
all the people and said : His Blood be
on us, and on our children.
Ps. Ixiii. Hear my voice, &c., (/.
114.)
Verse. 1 The Blood of jESUS Christ,
the Son of God, —
A?tswer. Cleanseth us from all sin.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St John Chrysostom, Archbishop
[of Constantinople.]
Ai;^OULDEST thou hear
the
power
of the Blood of Christ ? Then
let us look at the figure thereof, let us
call to mind the old type, and tell the
story written in the antient Scriptures.
The Egyptians would not let God
take away Israel His firstborn,^ " And
Moses said : Thus saith the Lord —
About midnight will I go out into the
midst of Egypt, and all the first-born
in the land of Egypt shall die, from
the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth
upon his throne unto the first-born of
the maid-servant that is behind the
mill, and all the first-born of beasts.
And there shall be a great cry
throughout all the land of Egypt, such
as there was none like it, nor shall be
like it any more. But against any of
the children of Israel shall not a dog
move his tongue, against man or
beast ; that ye may know how that
the Lord hath put a difference be-
tween the Egyptians and Israel."
(Ex. xi. 4-7.) "Then Moses called
for all the elders of Israel, and said
unto them : Draw out and take you a
lamb according to your families and
kill the Passover. And ye shall take
a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the
blood that is in the basin, and strike
the lintel and the two side-posts with
the blood .... and when He seeth
the blood upon the lintel and on the
two side-posts, the LORD will pass
over the door, and will not suffer the
destroyer to come in unto your houses
to smite you." (xii. 21-23.) And
could the blood of a sheep save a
man ? Yea, in good sooth ; not be-
cause it was blood, but because it
represented in a figure the Blood of
the Lord.
Fourth Respo7isory .
^ Pass the time of your sojourning
here in fear ; forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed with cor-
ruptible things, as silver and gold —
Verse. But with the Precious Blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without spot.
Answer. Ye know that ye were not
redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HE statues of monarchs, mindless
and speechless images though
they be, have sometimes been an
helpful refuge to men endowed with
soul and reason, not because they are
works of the brazier's skill, but because
the likeness they bear is a King's.
And just so did this unconscious blood
deliver the lives of men, not because
it was blood, but because it fore-
shadowed the shedding of the Blood
of Jesus. On that night in Egypt,
when the destroying Angel saw the
blood upon the lintel and on the two
side-posts, he passed over the door,
and came not in unto the house.
Even so now much more will the
destroyer of souls flee away when he
1 I John i. 7.
2 The description in the Latin is a sort of oratorical paraphrase of the account in the
Pentateuch, which I have thought it best to represent by two simple quotations.
2 I Peter i. 17-19.
3i6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
seeth, not the lintel and the two side-
posts sprinkled with the blood of a
lamb, but the ^ mouth of the faithful
Christian, the living dwelling of the
Holy Ghost, shining with the blood of
the True Messiah. If the Angel let
the type be, how shall not the enemy
quail before the Reality ? Wouldest
thou hear more of the power of that
Blood ? I am willing. Consider from
what source it welleth, from what foun-
tain it springeth. Its fountain is the
Heart of the Lord, pierced for us
upon the Cross. "Then came the
soldiers, and brake the legs of the
first, and of the other which was cruci-
fied with Him ; but when they came to
Jesus, and saw that He was dead
already, they brake not His Legs, but
one of the soldiers with a spear
pierced His Side, and forthwith came
thereout Blood and Water," (John xix.
32-34,) whereof the One is a figure of
Baptism, and the Other of the Sacra-
ment [of the Altar.] ^
Fifth Responsory.
2 Ye are bought with a great price,
therefore glorify God and bear Him in
your body.
Verse. Ye are bought with a price
— be not ye the servants of men.
Answer. Glorify God and bear
Him in your body.
Sixth Lesson.
/^NE of the soldiers with a spear
^■^^ pierced His Side — the veil of
the Temple of His Body was rent in
twain. (John ii. 19-21, Matth. xxvii.
51.) O how glorious is the treasure
that is laid open to me therein ! How
noble the riches that it is my joy there
to have found ! Thus was it with the
Paschal lamb. The Jews slew the
typical sheep, but to me also is it
given to know the worth of the thing
typified. " One of the soldiers with a
spear pierced His Side, and forthwith
came thereout Blood and Water." I
would not, O my hearer, that thou
shouldest pass by the depths of such
a mystery as this without pausing. I
have some mystic and hidden words to
say. I have said that that Blood and
Water were a figure of Baptism and
of the Mysteries [of the Altar,] These
are the foundations of the Church,
" the washing of regeneration, and re-
newing of the Holy Ghost." (Tit. iii.
5.) I say [that the Church is founded
in these things, whereof the substance
came out of the Redeemer's Side,
namely,] in Baptism and the Mysteries
[of the Altar.] It was therefore out of
the Side of Christ that the Church was
created, just as it was out of the side
of Adam that Eve was raised up to be
his bride. (Gen. ii. 21, 22.) This is
the reason why Paul saith, no doubt
in allusion to the [bride of the Second
Adam, even the Holy Church to which
we belong, coming, like the bride of
the first Adam, out of the] Side [of
her Husband] : " We are members of
His Body, [of His Flesh,] and of His
bones." (Eph. v. 30.) For even as
God made the woman Eve out of the
rib which He had taken out of the side
of Adam, so hath Christ made the
Church out of the Blood and Water
Which He made to flow for us out
of His Own Side.
Sixth Responsory .
4 God commendeth His love toward
us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
in due time Christ died for us.
Verse. Much more then being now
1 I.e., probably, as wet from the Eucharistic chalice.
2 After this comes a passage which I omit, as it relates to a reading in the Gospel of St John,
used by St Chrysostom, but rejected by the present Greek and Latin texts.
3 I Cor. vi. 20 ; vii. 23. ^ Rom. v. 8, 9, 6.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
317
justified by His Blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through Him,
Answer. In that, while we were yet
sinners, in due time Christ died for us.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. In that, while we were yet
sinners, in due time Christ died for us.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. 1 Then came jESUS
forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and
the purple robe. And Pilate saith
unto them : Behold the Man !
Ps. Ixxiii. O God, why hast Thou,
&c., (/. 128.)
Second Antipho7i. And He, bearing
His Cross, went forth into a place
called "the place of a Skull," where
they crucified Him.
Ps. Ixxxvii. O Lord God, &c., {j).
I45-)
Third Antiphon. [But] when they
[came to Jesus, and] saw that He was
dead already, they brake not His
Legs ; but one of the soldiers with a
spear pierced His Side, and forthwith
came thereout Blood and Water.
Ps. xciii. The LORD God to Whom
vengeance, &c., {p. 147.)
Verse. ^ Christ loved us —
Answer. And washed us from our
sins in His Own Blood.
Seventh Lesso?t.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. 29.)
A T that time : When Jesus had re-
^^ ceived the vinegar, He said : It
is finished. And He bowed His
Head, and gave up the ghost. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {i2oth Tract on John.)
" One of the soldiers with a spear
pierced His Side, and forthwith came
thereout Blood and Water." The
Evangelist speaketh carefully. He
saith not that he smote the Side, nor
yet that he wounded It, nor yet any-
thing else, but "pierced" — "pierced"
It, to fling wide the entrance unto life,
whence flow the Sacraments of the
Church, those Sacraments without
which there is no entrance unto the
life which is life indeed. That Blood
which was shed there was shed for the
remission of sins, that Water is the
water that mantleth in the cup of
salvation. Therein are we washed,
and thereof do we drink. Of this was
it a type when it was said unto Noah :
" The door of the ark shalt thou set
in the side thereof . . . and , of
every living thing of all flesh shalt
thou bring into the ark ... to keep
them alive." (Gen. vi. 16, 19.) A
figure this of the Church. Thus was
it that the first woman was made from
the side of her husband while he slept,
and she was called [Eve, which is,
being interpreted,] "Life," "because
she was the mother of all living,"
(Gen. iii, 20,) This name set forth a
great good, before it became associ-
ated with the bitter fruit of a great
evil. And here we have the Second
Adam bowing His Head, and the
deep sleep of death falling upon Him
upon the Cross, and He sleepeth, that
the Lord God may take a thing out of
His side, and may make thereof a wife
for Him, O what a death was His,
which quickeneth the dead ! What is
cleaner than His Blood ? What more
health-giving than His wounding ?
1 John xix. 5, 17, 33, 4.
VOL. II.
2 Apoc, i. 5.
L 2
3i8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Seventh Responsory.
1 This is He That came by Water
and Blood, even jESUS Christ ; not by
Water only, but by Water and Blood.
Verse. ^ jn that day there shall be
a fountain opened to the house of
David and to the inhabitants of Jeru-
salem, for sin and for uncleanness.
Answer. Not by Water only, but
by Water and Blood.
Eighth Lesson.
TV/TEN were being held bondsmen to
the devil, slaves to evil spirits.
But they have been redeemed from
that bondage. They had been able to
sell themselves, but they were not able
to redeem themselves. A Redeemer
came and paid the price for them.
He shed His Blood, and at that cost
bought the world. Ye ask what He
bought ? Look what He paid, and ye
shall see what He bought. Christ's
Blood was the price. What is His
Blood worth ? What, but the whole
world ? What but all men ? They
are very unthankful for His redemp-
tion, or very proud, who say that It is
only precious enough to buy the
Africans, or that they themselves are
so precious that It was shed only for
them! Let there be an end to such
conceit, an end to such vain-glory.
What He paid, He paid for all.
Eighth Responsory.
^ God hath predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ, in Whom we have redemption
through His Blood.
Verse. The forgiveness of sins, ac-
cording to the riches of His grace,
wherein He hath abounded toward us.
A7iswer. In Whom we have re-
demption through His Blood.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. In Whom we have re-
demption through His Blood.
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xi. i.)
A T that time : A certain man was
'^^ sick, named Lazarus, of Beth-
any, the town of Mary, and her sister
Martha. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (49//? Tract on Johit.)
Ye remember that in our last read-
ing we learnt how that the Lord
" escaped out of the hands " of them
which " took up stones to stone Him,"
" and went away again beyond Jordan,
into the place where John at first
baptized." (John x. 31, 39, 40.)
While, then, the Lord still tarried
there, Lazarus was sick at Bethany,
which was a town near to Jerusalem.
" It was that Mary which anointed
the Lord with ointment, and wiped
His Feet with her hair, whose brother
Lazarus was sick. Therefore his
sisters sent unto Him." We know
already whither it was that they sent,
for we know where jESUS was : "He
was gone away again beyond Jordan."
" His sisters sent unto Him, saying :
Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is
sick " — in order that, if He so pleased,
He might come and free him from his
sickness. But jESUS healed not, that
He might afterward quicken. What
therefore sent his sisters to say ?
1 I John V. 6,
" Zech. xiii. i.
Eph. i. 5-7.
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
319
" Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest
is sick" — and no more. They said
not : " Come : " — for jESUS loved
him ; and to tell Him that he was
sick was enough. They dared not to
say : " Come, and heal him : " — they
dared not to say : " Speak the M^ord
where Thou art, and it shall be done
here." And wherefore should they not
have said this if they had the faith
which won the Centurion so much
praise ? He had said : " Lord, I am
not worthy that Thou shouldest come
under my roof; but speak the word
only, and my servant shall be healed."
(Matth. viii. 8.) But they said none
of these things, only : " Lord, behold,
he whom Thou lovest is sick " — " It is
enough that Thou shouldest know it :
Thou art not one that lovest and
leavest." But some man will say:
" How shall Lazarus be a type of the
sinner, and yet the Lord so love him ? "
Let such an one hear the words of the
same Lord, which He said : " I am
not come to call the righteous, but
sinners." (Matth. ix. 13.) For if
God had not loved sinners. He had
not come down from heaven to earth.
" When Jesus heard that. He said :
This sickness is not unto death, but
for the glory of God, that the Son of
God might be glorified thereby." Such
a glorification is no increase of majesty
for Him, but of profit for us. He
therefore meaneth to say : " This
sickness is not unto death, but for the
working of a miracle, the which being
wrought, if men will thereby believe in
Christ, they shall escape the real
death." Note especially how the Lord
doth in this place declare Himself to
be God, as it were by implication, for
the sake of some which say that He is
not the Son of God.
The hyinn "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS. 1
First Antiphon. Who are these *
that are arrayed in white robes ?
And whence came they ?
Second Ajttiphon. These are they
which came out of great tribulation,
* and have washed their robes [and
made them white] in the Blood of the
Lamb.
Third Antipho7t. Therefore are
they before the throne of God, "^ and
serve Him day and night.
Fourth Antiphon. And they over-
came the dragon * by the Blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testi-
mony.
Fifth Antiphon. Blessed are they
* that wash their robes in the Blood
of the Lamb.
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 11.)
"DRETHREN, Christ being come an
High Priest of good things to
come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building ; neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but
by His Own Blood, He entered in once
into the Holy Place, having obtained
eternal redemption.
Hyjnn.'^
TLJAIL, Holy Wounds of Jesus, hail !!
Sweet pledges of the saving Rood f
Whence flow the streams that never fail —
The purple streams of His dear Blood.
Brighter than brightest stars ye show,
Than sweetest rose your scent more rare.
No Indian gem may match your glow,
No honey's taste with yours compare.
Portals are ye to that dear Home,
Wherein our wearied souls may hide.
Whereto no angry foe can come,
The Heart of Jesus Crucified.
1 Antiphons from Apoc, vii. 13-15 ; xii. 11 ; xxii. 14.
2 Translation extracted from the Hymnal Noted.
320
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
What countless stripes our Jesus bore,
All naked left in Pilate's hall,
What copious floods of purple gore
Through rents in His torn garments fall.
His comely brow, O shame and grief,
By the sharp thorny crown is riven,
Through Hands and Feet, without relief
The cruel nails are deeply driven.
But when for our poor sakes He died,
A willing Priest, by love subdued,
The soldier's spear transfixed His Side —
Forth flowed the Water and the Blood.
Beneath the winepress of God's wrath,
To save our souls from endless pains.
Still hour by hour His Blood flows forth
Till not a single drop remains.
Come, bathe you in that healing flood,
All ye who mourn with sin opprest,
Your only hope in Jesus' Blood,
His Sacred Heart your only rest.
All praise to Him, the Eternal Son,
At God's right hand enthroned above.
Whose Blood the world's redemption won.
Whose Spirit seals the gifts of love.
Amen.
Verse. Being justified by the Blood
of Christ —
Answer. We shall be saved from
wrath through Him.
A?itipho?t at the Song of Zacharias.
The blood shall be to you for a token,
saith the Lord, and when I see the
Blood I will pass over you, and the
plague shall not be upon you to
destroy you.^
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ ALMIGHTY and Everlasting
^^ God, Who hast appointed Thine
Only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer
of the world, and hast been pleased to
be reconciled unto us by His Blood,
grant us, we beseech Thee, so to use
this solemn worship of the price of our
salvation, that the Power thereof may
here on earth keep us from all things
that may hurt us, and the purchase of
the same may gladden us for ever
hereafter in Heaven. Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
Commemoration of the Week-day.
Antiphon. Our friend Lazarus
sleepeth : let us go and awake him
out of sleep. 2
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all
Thy ways.
Prayer.
/^ GOD, who dost quicken the
^-^ whole world anew by Thine
unspeakable Sacraments, grant, we
beseech Thee, that Thy Church may
both profit by whatsoever Thou hast
ordained touching the things which
are eternal, nor be comfortless of such
help as is needful unto her touching
the things which are temporal.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. A^nen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Who are these, &c.,
{First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Ps. liii. and the two first sectio?ts
of cxviii. In the Short Responsory^
instead of "Thou That sittest, &c.,"
is said,
Verse. Thou That hast redeemed
us by Thy Blood.
1 Ex. xii. 13.
2 A curious divergence from the words of the inspired text, which are :
awake him, &c."
I go, that I may
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
321
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 19.)
1\/rOSES took the blood of calves
and of goats, with water, and
scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled
both the book, and all the people,
saying : This is the blood of the
Testament which God hath enjoined
unto you.
TERCE.
Antiphon. These are they, &c.,
(^Seco72d Ajitiphon at Lands.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
Lord, Thou hast redeemed us by
Thy Blood.
Answer. Lord, Thou hast redeemed
us by Thy Blood.
Verse. Out of every kindred, and
tongue, and people.
Aiiswer. By Thy Blood.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ajiswer. Lord, Thou hast redeemed
us by Thy Blood.
Verse. The Blood of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God —
Answer. Cleanseth us from all sin.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Therefore are they, &c.,
[Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 13.)
T F the blood of bulls and of goats, and
the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling
the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying
of the flesh, how much more shall the
Blood of Christ, Who through the*
Holy Spirit offered Himself without
spot to God, purge our conscience
from dead works, to serve the living
God?
Short Responsory*
The Blood of jESUS Christ, the Son
of God, cleanseth us.
Answer. The Blood of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth us.
Verse. From all sin.
Answer. Cleanseth us.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost,
Answer. The Blood of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth us.
Verse. Christ loved us —
Answer. And washed us from our
sins in His Own Blood.
NONE.
Ajttiphon. Blessed are they, &c.,
[Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Christ loved us, and washed us from
our sins in His Own Blood.
Ajiswer. Christ loved us, and
washed us from our sins in His Own
Blood.
Verse. And hath made us unto our
God and Father a kingdom and
priests.
Answer. In His Own Blood.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Christ loved us, and
washed us from our sins in His Own
Blood.
Verse. Being justified by the Blood
of Christ, —
Aitswer. We shall be saved from
wrath through Him.
SECOND vespers.
Same as the First except the follow-
inp:
322
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
• Last Psalm.
Ps. cxlvii. Praise the LORD, O
Jerusalem, &c., (/. 203.)
Verse. We pray Thee therefore,
help Thy servants.
Answer. Whom Thou hast re-
deemed by Thy Precious Blood.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. This day shall be unto you
for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a
Feast to the Lord throughout your
generations ; ye shall keep it a Feast
by an ordinance for ever.
Coimnemoration of the Week-day.
Antipho7t. Lord, if Thou hadst
been here, Lazarus had not died ; be-
hold, by this time he stinketh, for he
hath lain in the grave four days al-
ready.
Verse. God hath given His Angels
charge over Thee.
Answer. To keep Thee in all Thy
ways.
Prayer.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^"^ mighty God, unto all us who
know that we are weak, and who trust
in Thee, because we know that Thou
art strong, the gladsome help of Thy
loving-kindness, both here in time and
hereafter in eternity. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A?nen.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
■ Hy7nn as on the First Sunday.^ {p.
228.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (viii. 12.)
A T that time : jESUS spake unto the
'^^ multitudes of the Jews, saying ;
I am the Light of the world : He that
followeth Me, walketh not in dark-
ness ; but shall have the Light of life.
And so on.
Homily on this passage by St
Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.] {'^\th
Tract on Joh7i.)
I take it that these words of the
Lord — " I am the Light of the world "
— are sufficiently clear to all men who
have eyes which see that Light. At
the same time, such men as have no
eyes except those which are in their
bodies, are surprised to find our Lord
Jesus Christ saying, " I am the Light
of the world." And that we might
not want somebody to say, "Is our
Lord Jesus Christ, then, the same
sun that riseth and setteth every
day ? " there have actually been
heretics who did say it. The Mani-
chaeans believed that that sun which
we see with our bodily eyes, and to
see which is plain and common to
beasts as well as men, was the Lord
Christ.
First Respo?isory.
After that the Lord, &c., (/. 302.)
Second Lesso?i.
"pUT the right faith of the Catholic
Church damneth such comment,
and recogniseth in it a doctrine of
devils. And as it is her practice not
only to brand errors by the difference
of her own Creed, but also to remove
them, if possible, by dint of argument,
let us take up arms against this false-
hood, which hath from the very begin-
ning been the object of the curse of
FOURTH WEEK IN LENT.
323
the Holy Church. God forbid that
we should believe that our Lord jESUS
Christ is this sun whose apparent
movement is to rise every day in the
East, and set every day in the West ;
which when we see no more, night
Cometh over us ; and whose rays are
sometimes intercepted by clouds : and
which hath some law of motion of its
own whereby it describeth an orbit.^
The planet is not the same thing as
our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord
Jesus Christ is not that created sun,
but He by Whom that sun was
created ; for " all things were made
by Him, and without Him was not
anything made that was made." (John
i.3.)
Second Responsory.
Behold I send, &c., (/. 302.)
Third Lesson.
T T E is therefore the Light by Whom
the material light was made.
Him may we love, Him may we long
to know, Him may we thirst after ; to
Him may His own beams one day
lead us, and in Him may we so live
that we shall never die ! For He,
even He, and none other, He is that
Light, of Whom the Prophet that was
given of old time sang in the Psalms,
when he said : " For with Thee is the
fountain of life, and in Thy Light shall
we see light." (Ps. xxxv. 10.) Re-
member ye likewise what the word of
God's ancient saints saith of such
Light : " O Lord, Thou preservest
man and beast — How excellent is Thy
loving-kindness, O God!" (7, 8.)
Third Responsory.
Give ear, &c., {p. 302.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Isa. Iviii. i, as oil the
First Monday., {p. 235.)
Hymn a?id Verse and Answer as on
the First Sunday., {p. 233.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Thus saith the Lord : "^ He that fol-
loweth Me walketh not in darkness,
but shall have the Light of life.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we pray Thee, that Thy
^~^^ grace may make fruitful the toil
of this our godly exercise, since it shall
nothing avail us to have fasted, if our
Fast be not pleasing in Thy most gra-
cious sight. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce., Sext^ and
None.
Before Vespers all Crosses., images.,
and pictures are covered with purple
veils. "^
VESPERS.
From these Vespers till the Vespers
of Low Sunday., both inclusive., the
Week-day Commemoration of the Cross
is not made., and at and after the Lauds
of the Monday in Low Week it is made
in the maniier peculiar to Easter-tide
till the Lauds of the Eve of the Ascen-
1 Modern astronomers believe the centre of its orbit to be a star (Alaj'^one) in the constellation
Pleiades.
2 The extremely sorrowful tone of the Church throughout the early part of the month Nisan,
(and that Passiontide is to be so translated is evident from the First Responsory on Passion
Sunday,) is not explained by any custom of the Synagogue, and is perhaps intended in honour
of our Lord's last sojourn in Judaea, during which the plots for His death were in development.
He seems, from the Gospel and tradition, to have arrived at Bethany, from the neighbourhood
of Jordan, on the Friday, and the Church, in deference to the " Day of Dehght," postpones her
commemoration of these woeful days till the close of the Sabbath which began on Friday evening,
and during which He rested with those He loved, the last Sabbath but one before His death.
324
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
sion^ inclusive^ save on Doubles and
days within an Octave. Likewise,
from these Vespers inclusive, till Lauds
of the Monday after Trinity Suiiday
exclusive, the Coinmo7i Commemora-
tions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of
St Joseph, of the Holy Apostles Peter
and Paid, of the local Patron, and for
Peace are omitted.
Chapter a7id Prayer from the follotv-
ing Lauds.
Hyinn.^
'X'HE Royal Banners forward go ;
The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,
Where Life for sinners death endured,
And life by death for man procured.
Where deep for us the spear was dy'd.
Life's torrent rushing from His Side,
To wash us in that precious flood
Where, mingled, Water flowed, and Blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told
In true Prophetic song of old ;
"Amidst the nations, God," saith he,
"Hath reigned and triumphed from the
Tree." 2
O Tree of Beauty ! Tree of Light !
O Tree with Royal Purple dight !
Elect on whose triumphal breast
Those holy Limbs should find their rest !
On whose dear arms, so widely flung,
The weight of this world's ransom hung :
The price of human kind to pay.
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
3 O Cross, our one reliance, hail !
This holy Passiontide, avail
To give fresh merit to the Saint,
And pardon to the penitent.
To Thee, Eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done ;
Whom by the Cross Thou dost restore,
Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
Verse. Deliver me, O LORD, from
the evil man.
A7iswer. Preserve me from the
wicked man.
Aiitiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgi7z. I am One "^ That bear wit-
ness of Myself, and the Father That
sent Me beareth witness of Me.
COMPLINE.
Note that the Verse, " Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost," is 07>iitted i7i the Short
Respo7isory, a7id is not said agai7i ex-
cept 071 Festivals, till the Saturday
eve7ii7ig before Low Stmday. Also
that the sa77ie change is 77iade i7i all the
other Short Resp07isories, viz., those at
Pri77ie, Terce, Sext, a7id No7ie, till
Low Stmday. The Respo7tsory there-
fore rirns as follows :
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I com-
mend my spirit.
A7iswer. Into Thy hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Verse. Thou hast redeemed us, O
Lord God of truth.
A77swer. I commend my spirit.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend
my spirit.
Verse. Keep us, O Lord, as the
apple of the eye.
A7iswer. Hide us under the shadow
of Thy wings.
A7id it is thus said daily until
Maimdy - Thursday, exclusive, except
on Festivals, whe7i it is said as
usual.
1 Translation by the late Rev. Dr Neale. It was composed by Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop
of Poictiers, (whose life extended from a.d. 530 to 609,) on occasion of the reception of certain
Reliques by St Gregory of Tours and St Radegund, previously to the consecration of a Church
at Poictiers. It is therefore strictly and primarily a processional hymn. (Neale's Mediaeval
Hymns, i, 6.)
2 So-called Italic for Ps. xcv. 10.
3 " These two verses were added when the Hymn was appropriated to Passiontide."
PASSION WEEK.
325
The Lord's Day in time of the
Passion.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. To-day if ye will hear
the voice of the Lord, * harden not
your hearts.
In Ps. xciv. the words., " To-day, if
ye will hear His voice, harden not your
hearts," are ojnitted, and in place of
them., the Invitatory is repeated again
by the Choir., {or others who may be
ayiswerijtg,) after luhich the Cantors or
Officiant begin., " As in the Provoca-
tion, &c."
At the end of the Psalm the clause
beginning " Glory be to the Father,
&c." is also omitted., nor are the words
" Harden not your hearts " said., but
the efitire Invitatory is si?nply repeated
again.
Hymn?-
CING, my tongue, the glorious battle,
With completed victory rife :
And above the Cross's trophy
Tell the triumph of the strife :
How the world's Redeemer conquered
By surrendering of His life.
God his Maker, sorely grieving
That the first-made Adam fell,
When he ate the fruit of sorrow
Whose reward was death and hell,
Noted then this Tree, the ruin
Of the ancient tree to quell. 2
For the work of our salvation
Needs would have his order so,
And the multiform deceiver's
Art by art would overthrow,
And from thence 3 would bring the med'cine
Whence the insult of the foe.
Wherefore, when the sacred fulness
Of th' appointed time was come,
This world's Maker left His Father,
Sent the Heavenly Mansion from,
And proceeded, God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin's Holy Womb.
Weeps the Infant in the manger
That in Bethlehem's stable stands ;
And His Limbs the Virgin Mother
Doth compose in swaddling bands,
Meetly thus in linen folding
Of her God the Feet and Hands. ^
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet :
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, Whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth
the
the Book of
Prophet^ Jeremiah (i. i.)
n^HE words of Jeremiah the son of
Hilkiah, of the Priests that were
in Anathoth, in the Land of Benjamin :
to whom the word of the LORD came
in the days of Josiah the son of Amon
king of Judah, in the thirteenth year
1 Also by Venantius Fortunatus, and translated by the late Dr Neale.
2 The Cross, as the mystic " tree of life," (Gen. ii. 9,) is here set by the poet in antithesis to
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "whose mortal taste Brought death into the world
and all our woe." The present translator has taken the liberty to substitute "tree" for
"wood," as a translation of "lignum," — as more conformable to our common phraseology,
and used by Dr Neale himself in the "Royal Banners."
3 I.e., from trees. ^ The poem is here abruptly broken off, the rest being sung at Lauds.
^ Abp. Kenrick says : "This Prophet was a son of Hilkiah, a Priest of Anathoth, a village in
the tribe of Benjamin, about three miles from Jerusalem. He prophesied in Judea, from the
thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah, about 629 years before Christ, until the eleventh year of
Zedekiah, during a period of forty years. Subsequently, also, he prophesied both in Judea and
in Egypt, where he is believed to have died, although the circumstances of his death are not
ascertained. St Epiphanius states that he was stoned by the people of Taphne." (So the
Roman Martyrology, on May i ; and it is generally believed that he was martyred for protest-
ing against idolatry.) "The Prophet was, in several respects, a type of our Redeemer, of
Whose wonderful Conception, Life, and Sufferings, striking predictions and figures are found in
this Divine book. The Church borrows his lamentations to express her anguish and desolation
in contemplating the Passion and Death of her Divine Spouse." For some account of the
events of his time, see the Eleventh Week after Pentecost.
326
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
of his reign. 1 It came also in the
days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah
king of Judah, unto the end of the
eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of
Josiah, king of Judah, unto the carry-
ing away of Jerusalem captive in the
fifth month. Then the word of the
Lord came unto me, saying : Before
I formed thee in the belly I knew
thee ; and before thou earnest forth
out of the womb I sanctified thee ;
and I ordained thee a prophet unto
the nations.- Then said I : Ah ! Lord
God ! ^ behold, I cannot speak, for I
am a child ! ^
First Responsory.
■* These are the days to be observed
of you in their seasons. In the four-
teenth day at even is the Lord's
Passover, and on the fifteenth day ye
shall keep a Feast unto the LORD, the
Most High.5
Verse. The LORD spake unto
Moses, saying : Speak unto the chil-
dren of Israel, and say unto them :
Answer. In the fourteenth day at
even is the Lord's Passover, and on
the fifteenth day ye shall keep a Feast
unto the Lord, the Most High.
Second Lesson.
"DUT the Lord said unto me: Say
not, I am a child : for thou shalt
go to all that I shall send thee ; and
whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt
speak. Be not afraid of their faces,
for I am with thee to deliver thee,
saith the LORD. Then the LORD put
forth His hand, and touched my
mouth ; and the LORD said unto me :
Behold, I have put My words in thy
mouth. See, I have this day set thee
over the nations and over the king-
doms, to root out and to pull down,
and to destroy and to throw down, and
to build and to plant. Moreover the
word of the LORD came unto me,
saying : Jeremiah, what seest thou ?
And I said : I see a rod of the watch-
early [tree.*^] Then said the Lord
unto me : Thou hast well seen : for I
will watch over My word to perform it
early. And the word of the LORD
came unto me the second time, say-
ing : What seest thou ? And I said :
I see a seething pot, and the face
thereof is from the face of the North.'''
Seco7id Responsory.
s They be increased that trouble me,
and that say : There is no help for
him in his God. Arise, O LORD !
Save me, O my God !
Verse. ^ Lest mine enemy say : I
have prevailed against him.
A7iswer. Arise, O Lord ! Save
me, O my God !
Third Lesson.
HTHEN the Lord said unto me:
Out of the North an evil shall
break forth upon all the inhabitants of
the land. For, lo, I will call all the
families of the kingdoms of the North,
saith the Lord : and they shall come,
and they shall set every one his throne
at the entering of the gates of Jerusa-
lem, and against all the walls thereof
round about, and against all the cities
2 The Name.
^ Lev. xxiii. i-6.
1 About the year B.C. 629.
3 He is thought to have been about fifteen years of age.
5 The 14th day is Holy Saturday, and at Even (the hour of Even Song) is the joyful ceremony
peculiar to that day. The 15th day is Easter Day.
6 This is the Hebrew name of the almond-tree, "so called because it is the first to arouse and
awake from the sleep of winter." (Gesenius.)
"^ "This boiling caldron is used to represent the elements of excitement on the part of the
Babylonians and Chaldeans who were about to invade Judah."
8 Ps. iii. 2, 3, 7. "^ Ps. xii. 5.
PASSION WEEK.
327
of Judah. And I will utter My judg-
ments with them, touching all their
wickedness who have forsaken Me, and
have made offerings unto other gods,
and worshipped the works of their own
hands. Thou, therefore, gird up thy
loins, and arise, and speak unto them
all that I command thee. Be not dis-
mayed at their faces ; for I will not
make their countenance fearful unto
thee. For, behold, I have made thee
this day a fenced city, and an iron
pillar, and brazen walls against the
whole land, against the kings of
Judah, against the princes thereof,
and against the priests thereof, and
against the people of the land. And
they shall fight against thee, and they
shall not prevail against thee ; for I
am with thee, saith the Lord, to
deliver thee.
to come to this one in worthy and
meet manner. But these days, which
now are, are they which ought most
especially to stir up a godly mind in
us, seeing that they are they which
are nearest to that most glorious
mystery of God's mercy. In these
days the holy Apostles, taught by the
Holy Ghost, ordered the chiefest store
of Fasting, that we, sharing His Cross
with Christ, might, albeit we are what
we are, in Him, do some of the same
things which He did for our sakes,
and so realise the saying of the
Apostle : "If we suffer with Him, we
shall be also glorified together."
(Rom. viii. 17.) He that is "par-
taker of the sufferings" (2 Cor. i. 7)
of the Lord hath a sure and certain
hope of that blessedness which He
hath promised unto us.
Third Responsory.
1 How long shall mine enemy be ex-
alted over me ? Consider, and hear
me, O Lord my God !
Verse. Those that trouble me will
rejoice when I am moved : but I have
trusted in Thy mercy.
Aiiswer. Consider and hear me, O
Lord my God ! How long shall mine
enemy be exalted over me ? Consider
and hear me, O Lord my God !
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Leo [the Great] (9//?
for Lent. )
"p\ EARLY beloved brethren, we
know that of all the solemn
Feasts which are kept by Christians
the Passover is the chief. The ordi-
nances of the whole rest of the year
are ordered to the end of preparing us
Fourth Respotisory.
2 Thou art my God — be not far from
me : for trouble is near ; for there is
none to help.
Verse. But be not Thy strength
far from me ; O Lord, haste Thee to
help me.
Answer. For trouble is near ; for
there is none to help.
Fifth Lesson.
"Py EARLY beloved brethren, there is
no man to whom the state of the
age in which he liveth denieth a share
in this glory of partaking, first the suf-
ferings, and then the triumph and joy,
of Christ. It is not as though this
time of peace were barren in occasions
of valour. The Apostle giveth us this
warning: "All that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
(2 Tim. iii. 12.) And therefore, as
long as godliness is watchful, persecu-
tion will never be asleep. The Lord
1 Ps. xii. 3-6.
2 Ps. xxi. II, 12, 20.
328
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Himself saith in one of His own ex-
hortations : " He that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after Me, is not
worthy of Me." (Matth. x. 38.) And
we must not doubt that these words of
Christ apply not only to His immedi-
ate disciples, to whom He spoke them,
but belong to all the faithful and to
the whole Church, who, whosoever be
the believers of whom she is for the
time composed on earth, heareth in
these words the way to be saved which
her Lord hath appointed for them.
Fifth Responsory.
^ I was cast upon Thee from the
Avomb ; Thou art my God from my
mother's belly ; be not far from me.
For trouble is near, and there is none
to help.
Verse. Save me from the lion's
mouth, and mine affliction from the
horns of the unicorns.
Aiiswer. For trouble is near, and
there is none to help.
Sixth Lesso7i.
A S, then, it is the duty of the whole
body of the Church to live godly,
so is it her right at all times to be
a-bearing of her Master's Cross, and
that not only in her general body, but
individually in the person of each one
of her members, who differ every one
from another in the way in which they
have to carry it, and the shape in
which it is laid upon them. The one
common name for all their carrying of
the Cross is persecution, but the man-
ner of his wrestling is special to each ;
and there is often more danger in the
ambush than in the pitched field of
battle. Blessed Job, who had tried
both the goods and the ills of this
world, said : "Is not the life of man
upon earth a warfare?" (vii. i.)
The attack upon the faithful soul
arrayeth itself not alone in bodily
torture and punishment ; yea, when
the limbs are sound enough, fearful is
the ravage that threateneth us when
the lusts of the flesh unman us. But
when " the flesh lusteth against the
spirit, and the spirit against the
flesh" (Gal. iv. 7) the reasonable mind
findeth her reinforcement in the help-
ful Cross of Christ, and though she be
lured by foul cravings, yet refuseth to
give her consent, for God maketh her
pure thoughts to tremble for fear of
Him. (Ps. cxviii. 120.)
Sixth Respo?isory.
2 O Lord, my trouble is near, and
there is none to help me ; or ever
they pierce my hands and my feet,
save me from the lion's mouth ! — that
I may declare Thy Name unto my
brethren.
Verse. O God, deliver my soul
from the sword, and my darling from
the power of the dog.
Answer. That I may declare Thy
Name unto my brethren. O Lord, my
trouble is near, and there is none to
help me ; or ever they pierce my hands
and my feet, save me from the lion's
mouth ! that I may declare Thy Name
unto my brethren.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (viii. 46.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
'^^ multitudes of the Jews : Which
of you convinceth Me of sin ? And, if
I say the truth, why do ye not believe
Me ? And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (i8//z on the Gospels.)
1 Ps. xxi. II, 12, 22.
2 Ps. xxi. 12, 17, 22, 23, 21.
PASSION WEEK.
329
Dearly beloved brethren, consider
the gentleness of God. He came to
take away sins, and He saith : "Which
of you convinceth Me of sin ? " He
Who, through the might of His God-
head, was able to justify sinners, was
contented to show by argument that
He was not Himself a sinner. But
exceeding dread is that which follow-
eth. " He that is of God heareth
God's words ; ye, therefore, hear them
not, because ye are not of God." If,
then, whosoever is of God heareth
God's words, and whosoever is not of
Him cannot hear His words, let each
one ask himself if he, in the ear of his
heart, heareth God's words, and under-
standeth Whose words they are ? The
Truth commandeth us to long for a
Fatherland in heaven, to bridle the
lusts of the flesh, to turn away from
the glory of the world, to seek no
man's goods, and to give away our
own.
Seventh Responsory.
1 O Lord, I go mourning all the day
long, for my soul is filled with a loath-
some disease : they also that sought
after my life have used violence
against me.
Verse. My friends and my neigh-
bours draw near, and stand over
against me ; and they that are nearest
to me stand afar off.
Answer. They also that sought
after my life have used violence
against me.
Eighth Lesson.
T ET each of you, therefore, think
within himself if this voice of
God is heard in the ear of his heart,
and if he knoweth already if he is of
God. For some there be, whom it'
pleaseth not to hear the command-
ments of God even with their bodily
ears. And some there be, who receive
the same with their bodily ears, but
whose heart is far from them. And
some also there be, who hear the
words of God with joy, so that they
are moved thereby even to tears ; but
when their fit of weeping is past they
turn again to iniquity. They hear not
the words of God, who despise to do
them. Therefore, dearly beloved bre-
thren, call up your own life before
your mind's eye, and then ponder
with trembling those awful words
which the mouth of the Truth spake :
" Ye therefore hear them not, because
ye are not of God."
Eighth Responsory.
2 O Lord, hide not Thy face from
Thy servant, for I am in trouble ; hear
me speedily.
Verse. Draw nigh unto my soul,
and redeem it ; deliver me, because -of
mine enemies.
Answer. For I am in trouble ;
hear me speedily.
Ninth Lesson.
'T^HE Truth speaketh these words
concerning the reprobate ; but
the reprobate make manifest the same
thing concerning themselves, by their
evil works. Thus immediately fol-
loweth : — " Then answered the Jews,
and said unto Him : Say we not well
that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a
devil ? " But let us hear what the
Lord said to this insult. " I have not
a devil, but I honour My Father, and
ye do dishonour Me." The Lord
said : " I have not a devil," but He
did not say : "I am not a Samaritan,"
for in a sense a Samaritan He was
1 Ps. xxxvii. 7, 8, 13, 12.
2 Ps. Ixix. 17.
330
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
indeed,! since the word Samaritan, in
the Hebrew tongue, signifieth, being
interpreted, " a Watcher," and the
Lord is that Watcher, of Whom the
Psalmist saith (cxxviii. 2) that unless
He keep the city, other watchman
waketh but in vain. He also is that
Watchman unto Whom crieth Isaiah
(xxi. 11): — "Watchman, what of the
night ? Watchman, what of the
night ? " Therefore the Lord said : —
" I have not a devil," but not : " I
am not a Samaritan," Of the two
things brought against Him He denied
one ; but by His silence, admitted the
other.
Ninth Responsory.
O 2 that my head were waters, and
mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I
might weep day and night ! for my
nearest brother hath supplanted me,
and my neighbour hath walked with
slanders against me.
Verse. ^ Let their way be dark and
slippery, and let the Angel of the LORD
persecute them.
Answer. And my neighbour hath
walked with slanders against me. O
that my head were waters, and mine
eyes a fountain of tears, that I might
weep day and night ! for my nearest
brother hath supplanted me, and my
neighbour hath walked with slanders
against me.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. * O LORD, behold
my affliction ; * for the enemy hath
magnified himself
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Second Antipho7i. I called upon the
Lord "^ in my distress ; and He an-
swered me, and set me at large.
Psalm CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., ij). 27-)
Third Antiphon. ^ O Lord, Thou
hast pleaded the cause of my soul ; "^
Thou hast redeemed my life, O Lord
my God.
Psahjis LXII. and LXVI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c., {p.
Fourth Antipho7i. ^ O My people,
what have I done unto thee ? * or
wherein have I wearied thee ? testify
against Me.
The Song of the Three Holy Children^
ip. 24.)
Fifth Antiphon. '^ Shall evil be re-
compensed for good ? ^ for they have
digged a pit for My soul.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., {p. 25.)
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 11.)
"DRETHREN, Christ being come an
High Priest of good things to
come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building, neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but
by His Own Blood, He entered in once
into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us.
1 The Jews, however, of course meant that He was one of those heretics whose headquarters
were at Samaria, and who still exist there, of whom He had Himself said, " Ye worship ye
know not what." (John iv. 22.)
■2 Jer. ix. I, 4. — Lit., ''Who will give my head," &c. " Ps. xxxiv. 6.
4 Lam. 1. 9. . - ^ Lam. iii. 58. ^ Mjcah vi. 3., / ' Jer. xviii. 20.
PASSION WEEK.
331
Hymn?-
T^HIRTY years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, He meets His Passion,
For that this He freely willed :
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted.
Where His Life-Blood shall be spilled.
He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed ;
From that Holy Body broken
Blood and water forth proceed :
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,
By that flood from stain are freed.
Faithful Cross ! above all other,
One and only noble Tree !
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peers may be :
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron !
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory !
Thy relaxing sinews bend ;
For a while the ancient rigour,
That thy birth bestowed, suspend ;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend.
Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to uphold ;
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbour, like the ark of old ;
With the Sacred Blood anointed
From the smitten Lamb that rolled.
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet :
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, Whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
Verse. ^ Deliver me from mine
enemies, O my God, —
Ajtswer. And defend me from them
that rise up against me.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus said * unto the multitudes of
the Jews and unto the Chief Priests :
He that is of God heareth God's
1 Continuation of the Mattins Hymn.
words ; ye, therefore, hear them not,
because ye are not of God.
Prayer throughout the day.
"\'\7'E beseech Thee, Almighty God,
mercifully to look upon this
Thy family, that by Thy great good-
ness they may be governed and pre-
served evermore, both in body and
soul. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antipho7i. I have not a devil ; *
but I honour My Father, and ye do
dishonour Me, saith the Lord.
The Short Respoiisory is said as fol-
lows : —
Christ, Thou Son of the Living- God,
have mercy on us.
Answer. Christ, Thou Son of the
Living God, have mercy on us.
Verse. Thou, that sittest at the
right hand of the Father.
Answer. Have mercy on us,
Christ, Thou Son of the Living God,
have mercy on us.
Verse. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
Answer. And deliver us for Thy
Name's sake.
And it is thus said daily imtil
Maundy -Thursday.^ exclusive., except on
Festivals, when it is said as usual.
TERCE.
Antiphon. I seek not Mine Own
glory ; "^ there is One That seeketh
and judgeth.
Chapter from Lauds,
2 pg, iviii. 2.
332
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
SEXT.
Antiphoii. Amen, Amen, "^ I say
unto you : If a man keep My saying,
he shall never see death.
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 13.)
T7OR if the blood of goats and of
bulls, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to
the purifying of the flesh, how much
more shall the Blood of Christ, Who
through the Holy Spirit offered Him-
self without spot to God, purge our
conscience from dead works, to serve
the living God ?
NONE.
Antiphon. Then took the Jews up
stones "^ to cast at Him : but Jesus hid
Himself, and went out of the temple.
Chapter. (Heb. ix. 15.)
A ND for this cause He is the Medi-
•■^^ ator of the New Testament, that,
by means of death, for the redemption
of the transgressions that were under
the first Testament, they which are
called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance, in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
vespers.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday evening.^ {p. 324.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Your father Abraham rejoiced
to see My day : * and he saw it, and
was glad.
After Vespers are said the Vespers of
the Dead.
Second Day.
MATTINS.
Invitatory and alterations in Ps.
xciv., and Hymn, as yesterday.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vii. 32.)
A T that time : The chief priests and
the Pharisees sent officers to take
Jesus. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 3 1 i"/ Tract on fohn. )
How could they take Him until such
time as He willed to be taken ? If,
then, they could not take Him until
He willed to be taken, were they sent
to watch His teaching ? " Then said
Jesus unto them : Yet a little while
am I with you " — what ye now seek
to do, ye shall do ; but not yet, for I
will not so yet. And why will I not
so yet ? Because " yet a little while
am I with you, and then I go unto
Him that sent Me " — I must fulfil that
which I am sent to do, and so go to
suffer.
First Respo7isory.
'^ Deliver me, O my God, out of the
hand of the wicked, and out of the
hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
For Thou art my hope.
Verse. O my God, be not far from
me : O my God, make haste for my
help.
Answer. For Thou art my hope.
Second Lesson.
" VE shall seek Me, and shall not
find Me, and where I am
thither ye cannot come." In these
1 Ps. Ixx. 4, 5, 12.
PASSION WEEK.
333
words He foretold already His rising
again from the dead. While He was
with them they would not know Him ;
and afterwards they sought Him, when
they saw that a multitude already be-
lieved in Him. For great signs were
wrought also when the Lord rose
again, and ascended up into heaven.
Then were great signs again wrought
through the Disciples, (that is, through
them by Him Who worketh the same
directly also by Himself,) according
as He had said unto them : " Without
Me ye can do nothing." (John xv. 5.)
When that lame man that was laid
daily at the Beautiful Gate of the
Temple stood up at the voice of Peter
(Acts iii.) and walked, and all the
people were filled with wonder, Peter
bade them know that it was not by
his own power that he had made him
to walk, but by the power of Him
Whom they had killed. And when
they heard this, many were pricked
in their heart, and said : What shall
we do ? (Acts ii. 37.)
Second Responsory.
1 They that lay wait for my soul
take counsel together, saying : God
hath forsaken him ; persecute and
take him, for there is none to de-
liver him. O my God, be not far
from me : O my God, make haste
for my help.
Verse, ^ ^n \}^2X hate me whispered
together against me ; against me did
they devise my hurt, saying :
Answer. Persecute and take him,
for there is none to deliver him. O
my God, be not far from me : O my
God, make haste for my help.
Third Lessoji.
117 OR they saw that they were bur-
dened with the guilt of an ex-
ceeding great sin, in that they had
killed Him, Whom it was their duty
to worship and adore : and for that
guilt they knew of no propitiation.
Yea, their sin was indeed exceeding
great ; and the consideration of it
made them to despair for whom the
Lord, when He hung upon the Cross,
had been willing to pray, as it is
written : " Then said Jesus : Father,
forgive them, for they know not what
they do." (Luke xxiii. 34.) At that
hour He had seen among many aliens
some that were His Own ; for them
He asked forgiveness, while yet He
suffered at their hand, nor considered
that they were putting Him to death,
but only that He was dying for them.
Third Responsory.
^ Mine enemies spoke to me peace-
ably, but in wrath they troubled me.
This Thou hast seen, O Lord ; keep
not silence : be not far from me.
Verse. But as for me, when they
troubled me my clothing was sackcloth,
and I humbled my soul with fasting.
Answer. This Thou hast seen, O
Lord ; keep not silence : be not far
from me. Mine enemies spoke to me
peaceably, but in wrath they troubled
me. This Thou hast seen, O Lord ;
keep not silence : be not far from me.
LAUDS.
Chapter. (Jer. xi. 19.)
/'~^OME, let us put [poison of a
^^ deadly] tree * into his bread, and
let us cut him off from the land of the
2 Ps. xl. 8.
1 Ps. Ixx. 10, II.
3 Ps. xxxiv. 20, 22, 13. (Other version than the present.)
^ The present Hebrew is, literally, "Let us destroy . . . tree in his bread," i.e., "Let us
destroy him by putting the juice of some poisonous tree into his food." LXX., " Let us put
tree into his bread." Jonathan ben Uzziel, "Let us cast poison of death into his food." For
the context regarding this plot to assassinate Jeremiah, see the First Lesson on Tuesday in
Holy Week. This passage seems to have been selected with an eye to a mystic allusion to the
"fatal tree " of the Cross, as the instrument of death.
334
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
living, that his name may be no more
remembered.
Hymn and Verse mid Answer as 07i
Sie?tday, {p. 331.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
In the last day, that great day of the
Feast, "^ Jesus stood and cried, saying :
If any man thirst, let Him come unto
Me, and drink.
Prayer.
T_J ALLOW, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, this our Fast, and merci-
fully grant us forgiveness of all our
trespasses. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext^ and
None.
After Lauds is said the Dirge.
VESPERS.
Chapter. (Jer. xi. 20.)
T)UT, O Lord of Sabaoth, That
judgest righteously, and triest
the reins and the heart, let me see
Thy vengeance on them : for unto
Thee, have I revealed my cause, [O
Lord my God.]
Hym7i and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday, {p. 324.)
Antiphon at the Sojtg of the Blessed
Virgin. If any man thirst, let him
come unto Me, * and drink : and out
of his belly shall flow living water,
saith the Lord.
' Prayer.
/^^RANT unto Thy people, we be-
^^ seech Thee, O Lord, health both
of mind and body, that they, ever
cleaving unto good works, may under
Thy shadow be ever worthily defended.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
Third Day,
MATTINS.
l7ivitatory ., alteration in Ps. xciv.,
and Hymn as on Sunday.^ {p. 325.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vii. i.)
A T that time : Jesus walked in Gali-
^^^ lee ; for He would not walk in
Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill
Him. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 2 8//2 Tract on John. )
In this chapter of the Gospel, my
brethren, our Lord jESUS Christ hath
much commended Himself unto our
faith, as touching His Manhood. At
the same time. His words and works
were alway such as to give us to be-
lieve that He is both God and Man,
yea, that God Who made us, and that
Man Who hath sought us, yea, God
the Son, Who, as touching His God-
head, is alway with the Father, (John
i. 18; iii. 13,) and, as touching His
Manhood, hath been with us in time,
(Matth. i. 23.) For He had not
sought the work of His hands unless
He had been made His own work.
(John i. 14.) Keep this well in mind,
and let your hearts never forget it,
namely, that Christ was not made
Man so as to cease to be God. He,
Who made the Manhood, took It into
PASSION WEEK.
335
that Godhead Which is His from ever-
lasting to everlasting. 1
First Responsory.
2 Thou art my Helper and my Pro-
tector, O Lord, and in Thy word do I
hope. Depart from me, ye evil doers,
for I will keep the commandments of
my God.
Verse. I hate the unrighteous, but
Thy law do I love.
Answer. Depart from me, ye evil
doers, for I will keep the command-
ments of my God.
Second Lesson.
Al^HILE therefore He lay hid in the
Manhood, we must not think
that He had suffered any lessening of
power, but that He was giving en-
sample to our weakness. When He
willed it, He was taken ; when He
willed it. He was put to death. (John
X. 1 8.) But, since He was to have
members, that is. His faithful people,
who would not have that power over
their lives which He, our God, had
over His, He hid Himself, He con-
cealed Himself, as if it were to escape
being put to death, to show what
should be done by those His members
in whom He should dwell.
Seco7id Responsory.
3 1 will teach transgressors Thy
ways, and sinners shall be converted
unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-
guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my
salvation.
Verse. O Lord, open Thou my lips,
and my mouth shall show forth Thy
praise.
1 The Creed of St Athanasius is as felicitous as usual in the expression of this dogma — '' One ;
not by conversion of the Godhead into Flesh ; but by taking of the Manhood into God." See
the whole passage beginning, " For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess that our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man, &c., &c."
2 Ps. cxviii. 114, 115, 113. 3 Ps. 1. 15-17. 4 Ps. XXV. 9. ^ Ps. cxxxix. 2.
Anszver. Deliver me from blood-
guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my
salvation.
Third Lesson.
T7OR Christ is not the Head of His
Church in such sense that He is
not in her Body ; but the whole Christ
is in the Head, and the whole Christ
is in the Body. That, then, which
His members are is Himself, (though
That Which He is. That are not there-
fore His members.) For if His mem-
bers had not been indeed His Own,
how had He said unto Saul, (Acts ix.
4): "Why persecutest thou Me?" —
since Saul was not persecuting Him
in Himself, but in His members, that
is, in His faithful ones which were
upon earth. He said not, " Why per-
secutest thou My holy ones," nor,
" My servants," no, nor yet called He
them by that more honourable name,
— "My brethren," but, "Why perse-
cutest thou Me?" — that is, "the mem-
bers of My Body, whose Head I am."
Third Responsory.
4 Make not my soul to perish with
sinners, O God, nor my life with
bloody men. Redeem me, O Lord !
Verse. ^ Deliver me^ O LORD, from
the evil man, preserve me from the
wicked man.
A7iswer. Redeem me, O Lord !
make not my soul to perish with sin-
ners, O God, nor my life with bloody
men. Redeem me, O Lord !
LAUDS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 19, as yester-
day, (A 333.)
Hynin and Verse ajtd Answer as on
Sunday., {p. 331.)
336
THE PROPER OFFICE OF fUE SEASON.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
My time is not yet come : "^ but your
time is alway ready.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, that
^-"^ this our Fast may be acceptable
in Thy sight, and may, through Thy
blessing, effectually work in us, making
us meet here to receive Thy grace and
hereafter the everlasting glory which
Thou hast promised. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext, and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 20, as yester-
day, {p. 334.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Saturday., {p. 324.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Go ye up unto this Feast : *
I go not up [yet] unto this Feast, for
My time is not yet full come.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee to give
^-"^ us grace to endure to the end in
doing of Thy will, that in our days
Thy people which serve Thee may
have increase, both as touching better-
ing of their works, and multiplying of
their numbers. ^ Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Fourth Day.
Before Mattijts are said the Gradual
Psalms.
MATTINS.
Bivitatory, alteration in Ps. xciv.,
a7id Hymji as on Sunday.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (x. 22.)
A T that time : It was at Jerusalem
'^^ the Feast of the Dedication, and
it was winter. And jESUS walked
in the Temple in Solomon's Porch.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 4 8 ^'/z Tract on John. )
The Greek word " Enkainia," used
by the Evangelist,^ signifieth the Feast
of the Dedication of the Temple. The
derivation thereof is " kainon," which
is, being interpreted, "new;" and the
Dedication of anything new is thence
called Enkainia. The use of this word
is still preserved among ourselves ; ^ if
any man put on his new coat for the
first time we say that he enkainiateth.'*
It was the use of the Jews to keep
solemn holiday upon the Anniversary
of the Dedication of the Temple, and
this was the Feast-day which was be-
ing observed when the Lord spake the
words which have been read.-^
First Responsory .
O Lord, I go mourning, &c., if). 329.)
1 An allusion to those who are to be baptised on the approaching Holy Saturday.
2 And preserved in the Latin, probably because it was the regular name for the Feast among
the Greek-speaking Jews. It was the Feast now commonly called " Chanucah," which is kept
on Casleu 25, (about the beginning of December,) with an Octave. See Monday in the
Second week of October.
3 Viz., in Africa in the fifth century. ■^ Encasniare dicitur.
o The discourse was perhaps delivered after the Gospel at High Mass.
PASSION WEEK.
337
Secoftd Lesson.
"TT was winter. And jESUS walked
in the Temple in Solomon's
Porch. Then came the Jews round
about Him, and said unto Him : How
long dost Thou make us to doubt ?
If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly."
They sought not to know the truth,
but to have whereof to accuse Him.
It was winter, and they were cold ;
for they were slow to draw near to
God's fire. If to believe is to draw
near thereto, then he which believeth
draweth near thereto : and he which
denieth, goeth away therefrom. The
feet of the soul, by which it moveth,
are the affections thereof.
Seco7id Responsory.
O Lord, hide not, &c., (/. 329.)
Third Lesson.
'T^HEY were frozen with want of love,
and at the same time on fire with
thirst to do injury. They stood afar
off, and yet came near ; for though
they drew not near by faith, they
were eager to persecute. They sought
to hear the Lord say : "I am the
Christ ; " and perchance they knew
somewhat concerning Christ, as touch-
ing His Manhood, for the Prophets
had prophesied of Christ. But the
Godhead of Christ even some heretics
do not see witnessed either in the
Prophets or in the Gospel ; how much
less the Jews, as long as " the veil is
upon their heart." (2 Cor. iii. 15.)
Third Resp07isory .
O that my head, &c., i^p. 330.)
LAUDS.
Chapter fro7n Jer. xi. 19, as on Mon-
day, {p. 333.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Simday., (/• 33I-)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
My sheep hear My voice, "^ and I, the
Lord, know them.
Prayer.
r~\ GOD, be mercifully pleased,
through the hallowing of this
Fast, to shed light upon the hearts
of Thy faithful people, and since Thou
hast given them the mind to pray, let
Thy pitiful ears be opened graciously
to hear their supplications. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce., Sext, and
None.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 20, as o?i Mo7i-
d^y^ ()■ 334-)
Hy 77171 a7id Verse a7id A7ts%ver as 07i
Saturday., {p. 324.)
A7itiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi72. Many good works have I
wrought "^ among you, and for them
ye go about to kill Me.
Prayer.
/^~^RACIOUSLY hear our prayers, O
^^ Almighty God, and as Thou dost
give us to look with confidence for Thy
favour for which we hope, so grant us,
in Thy goodness, the manifestation of
Thine accustomed mercy. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A77ten.
338
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
J^z/^/i Day.
MATTINS.
Invitatory^ alteration in Ps. xciv.,
and Hymn as on Sunday.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Luke (vii. 36.)
A T that time : One of the Pharisees
^^^ desired jESUS that He would
eat with him. And He went into the
Pharisee's house, and sat down to
meat. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {-^^rd on the Gospels.)
When I think of the repentance of
Mary Magdalene I feel nigher to weep
than to say ought. Is there indeed
any man, however stony his heart, who
is not somewhat moved to follow the
ensample of her repentance by the tears
of that poor sinful woman ? She
weighed what she did, and would not
that what she did should be niggardly.
She came unbidden among the guests,
and obtruded her tears upon the ban-
quet. Ye may hence gather her
sorrow, that she was content to weep
at a feast.
First Responsory.
Deliver me, &c., {j). 332.)
Second Lesson.
"XirE believe that this woman, of
whom Luke saith that she w^s
" a woman in the city, which was a
sinner," and whom John nameth Mary,
(xi. 2,) was the same as she of whom
it is written in Mark (xvi. 9) that the
Lord had cast out of her seven devils.
And what signify seven devils but all
manner of sin ? For even as seven
days do represent all time, so doth
the number seven stand for all. There-
fore is it said that Mary had seven
devils, because she was full of all sin.
Second Responsory.
They be increased, &c., {p. 326.)
Third Lessoji.
"DUT see how she realized the depth
of her own filthiness, and came to
be washed to the Well of Mercy, before
all them which were bidden to the
feast. The bitterness of her inward
shame made her esteem it a light thing
to be despised outwardly. At what
then do we marvel, my brethren?
That she came, or that the Lord wel-
comed her ? Or would it be truer for
me to say that He drew her to Him
and welcomed her when she came ?
for His mercy inwardly drew her, and,
when she came. His gentleness openly
welcomed her.
Third Respoiisory.
How long, &c., {p. 327.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 19, as on Mon-
day, {p. 333-)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Sunday., (P- 331.) •
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
The Master saith, My time is at hand ;
* I will keep the Passover at thy house
with My disciples.
Prayer.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that the honour of
man's nature, which gluttony hath de-
graded, may be seasonably renewed by
PASSION WEEK.
339
strictness in keeping of this healthful
Fast. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity, of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. A7ne7i.
At the beginning of the Mar tyro logy,
is said,
The morrow is the Feast of the
Seven Sorrows of the Most Blessed
Virgin Mary.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext, a?id
None.
Vespers are of the Feast.
^ompaeeton of out Ba^^.
Sixth Day.
Greater Double.
Office of the Seven Sorrows of the
Blessed Virgiti Mary.
All from the Cojumon Office for
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
except what is given here.
Note, ( I st) That should this Feast
be prevented by one of higher dignity,
it is tra7isferred to the Saturday, a?id
should it be again prevented, it is
omitted. {27tdly) If, for any reason,
the First Vespers are not said, the
Hymn proper to them is prefixed to the
Hymn at Mattins.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons,
froin Lauds.
Chapter, and Prayer
Psalms.
I. Psalm CXV.
I believed, therefore have I spoken,
&c., {p. 185.)
2. Psalm CXIX.
In my distress, &c., {^p. 186.)
3. Psalm CXXXIX.
Deliver me, O Lord, &c., (J). 198,)
4. Psalm CXL.
Lord, I cry unto Thee, &c., {p.
I99-)
5. Psahn CXLI.
I cried unto the Lord, &c., if.
200.)
Hymn.'^
A T the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last :
Through her heart His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Lo ! the piercing sword had passed !
O, how sad, and sore distressed,
Now was she, that Mother Blessed
Of the Sole-begotten One ;
Woe-begone, with heart's prostration,
Mother meek, the bitter Passion
Saw she of her glorious Son.
Who could mark, from tears refraining,
Christ's dear Mother uncomplaining.
In so great a sorrow bowed?
Who, unmoved, behold her languish
Underneath His Cross of anguish,
'Mid the fierce unpitying crowd?
1 This, with the Hymns at Mattins and Lauds, constitutes the master-piece of Jacopone
da Todi, the " Stabat Mater," called by Dr Neale the most pathetic, as the "Dies Irae" is
the most sublime, of Mediaeval poems. The translation is extracted from " Hymns for the
Year," except verses 8 and 9, which are omitted in that compilation, and which are taken
from the "Hymnal Noted." The "People's Hymnal" contains an extract from the same
translation, and attributes it to Bp. R. Mant. The readings of these Hymnals differ con-
siderably from one another.
340
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
For His people's sins rejected,
She her Jesus unprotected,
Saw with thorns, with scourges rent ;
Saw her Son from judgment taken,
Her beloved in death forsaken,
Till His Spirit forth He sent.
Fount of love and holy sorrow,
Mother ! may my spirit borrow
Somewhat of thy woe profound ;
Unto Christ, with pure emotion,
Raise my contrite heart's devotion, —
Love to read in every Wound. Amen.
Verse. Pray for us, O Virgin most
sorrowful.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Antiphon at the Soiig of the Blessed
Virgi?i. 1 Simeon said unto Mary :
Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine
own soul also.
Prayer as at Lauds.
The following Commemoration is
made of the Week-day.
Antiphojt. 2 With desire I have
desired to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer.
Verse. Deliver me, O Lord, from
the evil man.
Answer. Preserve me from the
wicked man.
Let us pray.
t~\ LORD, we beseech Thee deal
^^^ mercifully with Thy people, and
fill plentifully with the rich things of
Thy commandments all them who at
this time do, to fulfil Thy will, turn
away from that which displeaseth
Thee. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
.1 Luke ii. 34, 35.
At Coi7ipline the last verse of the
Hymn is altered in honour of the
Incarjtation, a?td so at Prime^ Terce.,
Sext, No?te, and the Second Coinpli7ie.
As the Office is of a Festal form.^
the Verse., " Glory," &c., is said as
usual in the Responsory, and so
throughout.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. When we remember
the sorrows of the most glorious Vir-
gin, * O come, let us worship the
Lord, Who suffered for us !
Hy77in.
'X'HOSE five Wounds on Jesus smitten,
Mother ! in my heart be written,
Deep as in thine own they be :
Thou, my Saviour's Cross who bearest.
Thou, thy Son's rebuke who sharest,
Let me share them both with thee !
In the Passion of my Maker
Be my sinful soul partaker,
Weep till death, and weep with thee ;
Mine with thee be that sad station,
There to watch the great Salvation
Wrought upon the atoning Tree. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The kings of the
earth set themselves, and the rulers
take counsel together against the
Lord, and against His Anointed.
Psalm II.
Why do the heathen rage? &c.,
if>' 4.)
Secojid Antiphon. I cried unto the
Lord with my voice, and He heard
me out of His holy Kill.
Psalm III.
Lord, how are they increased, &c.,
(/. 50
2 Luke xxii. 15,
PASSION WEEK.
341
Third Aiiiiphon. My heart is like
melting wax in the midst of my bowels.
Psalm XII.
How long wilt Thou forget me, &€.,
(/■ 9.)
Verse. ^ He hath made me deso-
late.
Anstver. And faint with sorrow all
the day.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Prophet Isaiah (liii.)
"XTtTHO hath believed our report ?
And to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed ? For he shall grow
up before Him as a tender plant, and
as a root out of a dry ground : he
hath no form nor comeliness ; and
when we shall see him, there is no
beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men ;
a man of sorrows and acquainted with
grief; and he hid as it were his face
from us ; he was despised, and we
esteemed him not. Surely he hath
borne our griefs and carried our
sorrows : yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our trans-
gressions, he was bruised for our ini-
quities : the chastisement of our peace
was upon him, and with his stripes
we are healed.
sight of Him doth altogether breathe
of love, and stirreth up to love in
return ; His Head is bowed down.
His Hands are stretched out, and His
Side is opened.
Verse. Maiden and Mother, thou
didst look upon Him with eyes full of
tenderness, and there thou sawest not
only that thy Son was smitten, but
that the world was saved.
Answer. For the sight of Him
doth altogether breathe of love, and
stirreth up to love in return ; His
Head is bowed down, His Hands are
stretched out, and His Side is opened.
Second Lesson.
A LL we, like sheep, have gone
astray ; we have turned every
one to his own way : and the Lord
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was offered up because he willed
it,^ and he opened not his mouth.
He is brought as a sheep to the
slaughter, and as a lamb before his
shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth. He was taken from
prison and from judgment : and who
shall declare his generation ? For
he was cut off out of the land of the
living ; for the transgression of my
people have I stricken him. And he
made his grave with the wicked, and
with the rich in his death ; because
he had done no violence, neither was
any deceit in his mouth.
First Responsory.
2 My Beloved is white and ruddy,
yea. He is altogether lovely ; for the
Second Responsory.
His hands are like rings,* pierced
with the points of the nails ; set with
1 Lam. i. 13. 2 Cant. v. 10.
3 Oblatus est quia ipse voluit. The present Hebrew is literally, " He was oppressed and he
was afflicted." Jonathan ben Uzziel, " He was required, and he was brought back, and without
opening his mouth, he submitted to the mighty of the people." St Jerome, whose version this
is, takes the words in the sense of "brought before" the several tribunals.
4 Viz., with the centres removed so as to make the outside of the hand surround a void space,
as a ring does, instead of the palms. The woi-ds of the original, (Cant. v. 14,) however, are—
' ' His hands are like gold rings, set with gems of Tarshish " — viz., according to Gesenius, " The
fingers when bent are like gold rings, the dyed nails are compared to gems," — the Easterns, as
VOL. IL M
342
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
price of man's salvation, as it were
with jacinths.
Verse. ^ He had horns coming out
of His hands : there was the hiding
of His power : for His Hands are —
Answer. Set with the price of
man's salvation, as it were with
jacinths.
Third Lesson.
"VT'ET it pleased the Lord to bruise
him ; He hath put him to
grief; when he hath made his soul
an offering for sin, he shall see his
seed, he shall prolong his days, and
the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper
in his hand. He shall see of the
travail of his soul, and shall be
satisfied : by his knowledge shall
My righteous Servant justify many,
for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion
with the great, and he shall divide
the spoil with the strong ; because he
hath poured out his soul unto death ;
and he was numbered Avith the trans-
gressors ; and he bare the sin of
many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
Third Responsory.
Jesus loved John because his singu-
lar gift of purity made him more worthy
of love. He chose him for a virgin
unto Himself, and he remaineth a
virgin for ever.
Verse. At the end, when He was
dying upon the Cross, to him did
He commit His mother, maiden to
maiden.
Answer. He chose him for a
virgin unto Himself, and he remaineth
a virgin for ever.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He chose him for a
virgin unto Himself, and he remain-
eth a virgin for ever.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Mine enemies
speak evil of me : When shall he
die, and his name perish ?
Psalm XL.
Blessed is he that considereth, &c.,
(/• 94.)
Seco7id Aiitiphon. O God, I have
declared my life unto Thee, Thou
hast put my tears in Thy sight.
Psahn LV.
Be merciful unto me, &c., (/. iio.)
Third Antiphojt. As for the sons
of men, their teeth are spears and
arrows, and their tongue a sharp
sword.
Psahn LVI,
Be merciful unto me, &c., {p. no.)
Verse. 2 My fa^g jg swollen with
weeping.
Answer. And on mine eyelids is
the shadow [of death.]
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
( On the twelve stars. )
nr^HE Martyrdom of the Virgin is
set before us, not only in the
prophecy of Simeon, but also in the
is well known, being accustomed to dye their nails red, or rather orange, with henna. What
particular stone is to be understood by "gems of Tarshish " is not certain. Jacinth is the Latin,
and it is of a purple colour with reddish flashes, so that it might, by a violent figure, be com-
pared to the appearance of an inflamed wound. The LXX. and others understand the topaz,
which is found of a pinkish and yellowish tinge, and thus would answer to the effect (viz., like
Homer's "rosy-fingered Dawn ") of finger nails died with henna.
1 Hab. iii. 4, p. 87. 2 job xvi. 17.
PASSION WEEK.
343
story itself of the Lord's Passion.
The holy old man said of the Child
Jesus (Luke ii. 34,) "Behold, this
Child is set for the fall and the
rising again of many in Israel ; and
for a sign which shall be spoken
against; yea," (said he unto Mary,)
"a sword shall pierce through thine
own soul also " — Even so, O Blessed
Mother ! The sword did indeed
pierce through thy soul ! for nought
could pierce the Body of thy Son,
nor pierce thy soul likewise. Yea,
and when this jESUS of thine had
given up the ghost, and the bloody
spear could torture Him no more,
thy soul winced as it pierced His
dead Side — His Own Soul might
leave Him, but thine could not.
Fourth Responsory.
1 The Jews crucified jESUS ; and
there was darkness ; and about the
ninth hour jESUS cried with a loud
voice : My God, why hast Thou for-
saken Me ? And He bowed His
Head, and gave up the Ghost.
Verse. ^ O what a sickening at
heart was thine at that moment, O
Mother !
Aitswer. And He bowed His
Head, and gave up the Ghost.
Fifth Lesson.
'HP HE sword of sorrow pierced
through thy soul, so that we
may truly call thee more than martyr,
in whom the love, that made thee
suffer along with thy Son, wrung thy
heart more bitterly than any pang of
bodily pain could do. Did not that
word of His indeed pierce through
thy soul, sharper than any two-edged
sword, even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit, (Heb. iv. 12,) —
" Woman, behold thy son ! " (John
xix. 26.) O what a change to thee!
Thou art given John for jESUS, the
servant for his Lord, the disciple for
his master, the son of Zebedee for
the Son of God, a mere man for
Very God. O how keenly must the
hearing of those words have pierced
through thy most loving soul, when
even our hearts, stony, iron, as they
are, are wrung at the memory thereof
only !
Fifth Responsory.
The suffering of the Lord was a
sorrow exceeding sorrowful to her.
His Mother, crushed by a natural
bereavement.
Verse. The iron of the soldier's
lance pierced through the Side of the
Redeemer, and through the soul of the
Virgin Mother.
Answer. A sorrow exceeding sor-
rowful to her. His Mother, crushed
by a natural bereavement.
Sixth Lesson.
IX/TARVEL not, my brethren, that
Mary should be called a Martyr
in spirit. He indeed may marvel who
remembereth not what Paul saithy
naming the greater sins of the Gen-
tiles, that they were " without natural
affection," (Rom. i. 31.) Far other
were the bowels of Mary, and far
other may those of her servants be I
But some man perchance will say :
Did she not know that He was to
die ? Yea, without doubt, she knew
it. Did she not hope that He was
soon to rise again ? Yea, she most
faithfully hoped it. And did she still
mourn because He was crucified ?
Yea, bitterly. But who art thou, my
brother, or whence hast thou such
wisdom, to marvel less that the Son
of Mary suffered than that Mary suf-
fered with Him ? He could die in
1 Matth. xxvii. 35, 45, 46 ; John xix. 30.
2 An Hexameter line.
344
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
the Body, and could not she die with
Him in her heart ? His was the deed
of that Love, greater than which hath
no man (John xv. 13;) hers, of a love,
like to which hath no man, save He.
Sixth Responsory,
1 O that Thou wert my brother, that
sucked the breasts of my mother, that
I might cleave unto Thy Side, till
Thy Blood touched my blood, and
cleansed it ! O that the Fountain of
Water 2 Which floweth from the
Well-head of Thy Righteous Heart,
(through Thy Veins, Who hast done
all things well,^) may at the last
spring up for us into everlasting
blessedness !
Verse. *Thy sons shall come from
far, and Thy daughters shall be nursed
at Thy Side.
Answer. O that the Fountain of
Water Which floweth from the Well-
head of Thy Righteous Heart, (through
Thy Veins, Who hast done all things
well,) may at the last spring up for us
into everlasting blessedness !
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. O that the Fountain of
Water Which floweth from the Well-
head of Thy Righteous Heart, (through
Thy Veins, Who hast done all things
well,) may at the last spring up for
us into everlasting blessedness !
THIRD NOCTURN.
First A7itipho7i. They bend their
bow, even bitter words, that they may
shoot in secret at the perfect.
Psalm LXIII.
Hear my voice, &c., {j). 114.)
Seco7id A7itipho7i. I am as a man
that hath no strength, lying nerveless
among the dead.
Psahn LXXXVII.
O Lord God of my salvation, &c.,
(/. I45-)
Third A7itipho7i. ^ He hath filled
me with bitterness, he hath made me
drunken with wormwood.
Psahn CVIII.
Hold not Thy peace, &c., {p. 168.)
Verse. O God, I have declared my
life unto Thee —
A7iswer. Thou hast put my tears
in Thy sight.
Seve7ith Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. 25.)
A T that time : There stood by the
-^ Cross of Jesus His Mother, and
His Mother's sister Mary the wife of
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] ( 1 1 9//? Tract 07i Joh7i. )
This is that hour whereof jESUS,
when He was about to turn water into
wine, had said unto His Mother :
" Woman, what have I to do with
thee ? Mine hour is not yet come."
(John ii. 4.) He had spoken of this
hour, which then was not yet come,
wherein, being about to die, it should
be His duty to acknowledge her of
whom He had been born in a dying
Body. Then, since He was about to
work the works of God, He thrust
1 Cant. viii. i. 2 Cf. John iv. 14.
3 Lit., through the veins of good work. Cf. Mark vii. 37.
^ Isa. Ix. 4. 5 Lam. iii. 15.
PASSION WEEK.
345
from Him,i as though He knew her
not, her who was His Mother, not
in that nature as touching which He is
equal to the Father, but in that as
touching which He is inferior to the
Father. But now, since He is suffer-
ing the pains of Man, He careth, with
a Man's love, for her of whom He
hath been made Man. And herein
He giveth us a lesson. He doth that
which He would have us to do. The
Good Master, by His Own example,
commandeth that among His disciples,
dutiful children should succour their
parents, as though even that Tree
whereupon His dying Limbs were
nailed, even that Tree were to be a
pulpit for His teaching.
Seventh Responsory.
2 I am distressed for Thee, my Son
Jesus, very pleasant hast Thou been
unto me ; Thy love to me was wonder-
ful, passing the love of women ; for
even as a mother loveth her only Son,
so loved I thee.
Verse. ^ My life is spent with grief,
and my years with sighing.
Answer. For even as a mother
loveth her only Son, so loved I Thee.
Eighth Blessing.
She whose Feast-day we are keeping —
Mary, Blessed Maid of Maidens,
Be our advocate with God.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND of this teaching by jESUS
"^^ Crucified cometh that which the
Apostle Paul commandeth, where he
saith, (i Tim. v. 8 :) " If any provide
not for his own, and specially for
those of his own house, he hath
denied the faith, and is worse than
an infidel." But what is so much of
a man's own house, as children are
of their parents' ? and parents of their
children's ? Of this most healthy law
the Master of the Saints was pleased
Himself to give an example, when,
being God, He treated not as His
handmaid her of whom He was the
Maker and the Lord, but, being
also Man, gave another to be as
a son in His stead, to her of whom
as Man He had been made,* and
whom He was leaving.
Eighth Responsory.
Fount of love and holy sorrow.
Mother ! may my spirit borrow
Somewhat of thy woe profound ;
^ Unto Christ, with pure emotion.
Raise my contrite heart's devotion, —
Love to read in every Wound.
Verse. That as thy Son jESUS for
our sakes died and rose again, so we
also who have died with Him ^ may
rise again with Him.
Answer. Unto Christ, with pure
emotion.
Raise my contrite heart's devotion, —
Love to read in every Wound.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Aiiswer. Unto Christ, with pure
emotion.
Raise my contrite heart's devotion, —
Love to read in every Wound.
1 Tunc, ergo, divina facturus, non divinitatis sed infirmitatis matrem velut incognitam re-
pellebat, lit. " the Mother, not of His Divinity but of His weakness." To translate this passage,
I have made use of the exact words of the Athanasian Creed. (Tr.)
2 2 Kings (Sam.) i. 26. It is from the lament of David over Saul and Jonathan, and is, in
the original place, " I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan, &c."
3 Ps. XXX. II. -4 Creatus.
•5 These words are not in the original from the Hymn, as is the beginning of the Responsory,
but they rhyme with it, and express the same idea.
6 Commortui, i.e., in baptism. Rom. vi. 4; Col. ii. 12; 2 Tim. ii. 11.
346
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Ninth Blessing.
May the Gospel's glorious word
Cleansing to our souls afford.
Ninth Lesso7i. {Of the Week-day ^)
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xi. 47.)
A T that time : Gathered the chief
-^^ Priests and the Pharisees a
council against jESUS, and said :
What do we ? For this Man doeth
many miracles. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {^()th Tract 071 John.)
The chief Priests and the Pharisees
took counsel together, but " Let us
believe in Him " was not one of the
suggestions offered. Those lost crea-
tures thought much more how they
might hurt and undo Him, than how
they might save themselves from
perishing. And yet they were afraid,
and took counsel together, " and said :
What do we ? For this Man doeth
many miracles. If we let Him thus
alone, all men will believe on Him ;
and the Romans shall come and take
away both our place and our nation,"
They were afraid of losing temporal
things, but they gave no thought to
ieternal life, and so they lost both.^
{Second Lesson of the Week-day.)
For, after that the Lord had suffered
and been glorified, first came the
Romans, and took away both their place
and nation, prevailing against them
and leading them away captive, and
secondly there followeth them that
which is written : " But the children
of the kingdom shall be cast out into
outer darkness." (Matth. viii. 12.)
But their fear was that, if all men
should believe on Christ, none would
remain to defend the city of God and
His Temple against the Romans,
since they deemed that Christ's teach-
ing was against the Temple itself,
and against the laws of their fathers.
{Third Lesson of the Week-day.)
" And one of them, named Ca'iphas,
being the High Priest that same year,
said unto them: "Ye know nothing
at all, nor consider that it is ex-
pedient for us that one man should
die for the people, and that the whole
nation perish not. And this spake he
not of himself : but being High Priest
that year, he prophesied — " Here
we will learn that bad men are en-
abled by the spirit of prophecy to
foretell the future ; which, at the same
time, the Evangelist attributeth to an
ordinance of God, namely, that he was
the High Priest,
The Hyjnn, "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First A?ztipho7t. ^ I will get me to
the mountain of myrrh, * and to the
hill of frankincense.
Seco7id A7ttipho7i. My beloved "^ is
white and ruddy : the hair of his head
is like kingly purple, bound in tresses.*
Third A7itipho7i. ^ Whither is thy
beloved gone, "^ O thou fairest among
women ? Whither is thy beloved
turned aside ?
1 If it be transferred to Saturday, of course it is the Homily for that day.
2 A person bound to the Office may satisfy by ending the Ninth Lesson here.
3 Cant. iv. 6.
4 Canalibus, ht., streamlets. Cant. vii. 5, The allusion of the Office is evidently to the
Hair of our Lord when on the Cross, darkened with the Precious Blood, and hanging in long
masses from under the cincture of His thorny crown. The Latin translator seems to have used
a different vocalisation of the Hebrew text to that which we now have, and which makes the
sense somewhat thus: "The hair of thine head is like purple" — (alluding perhaps to the
appearance of very black hair, especially in sunlight ; and the Bride of the Canticles was
swarthy, i. 4) — "the King is captivated by thy tresses." ^ Cant. v. 17.
PASSION WEEK.
347
Fourth Aiitiphon. ^ A bundle of
myrrh is my well-beloved unto me ; he
shall lie betwixt my breasts.
Fifth Antiphoii. ^ Revive me with
flowers, * stay me up with apples, for
I am swooning with love.
Chapter. (Isa. liii. i.)
AirHO hath believed our report?
And unto whom is the arm of
the Lord revealed ? For he shall
grow up before Him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of a dry ground.
Hymn.
■\7IRGIN, thou, of virgins fairest,
May the bitter woe thou bearest
Make on me impression deep ;
Thus Christ's dying may I carry,
With Him in His Passion tarry,
And His Wounds in memory keep.
May His Wounds transfix me wholly,
May His Cross and Life-Blood holy
Ebriate my heart and mind :
Thus inflamed with pure affection,
In the Virgin's Son protection
May I at the Judgment find.
When in death my limbs are failing
Let Thy Mother's prayer prevailing
Lift me, Jesus ! to Thy throne :
To my parting soul be given
Entrance through the gate of heaven ;
There confess me for Thine own !
Amen.
Verse. Pray for us, O Virgin most
sorrowful !
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
When Jesus saw His Mother, "^ and
the disciple whom He loved, standing
by the Cross, He saith unto His
Mother : Woman, behold thy Son I
Then saith He to the disciple : Behold
thy Mother !
1 Cant. i. 12.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r^ GOD, at Whose Passion, accord-
^■^^ ing to the prophecy of Simeon,
a sword of sorrow pierced through the
gentle soul of the glorious Maiden and
Mother Mary, mercifully grant to as
many as do ever remember with awe
how that her soul was pierced and
Thou didst suffer, — even for all such
be Thou entreated, for the sake and
by the prayers of all Thy glorious and
holy servants who stood so leally by
Thy Cross, and grant unto the same,
that for them Thy life-giving Death
may not have been in vain. Who
livest and reignest with God the
Father, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
The following Coinineinoration is
7nade of the Week-day.
Antiphon. Now the Jews' Feast-
day was at hand, and the chief Priests
sought how they might kill jESUS ;
but they feared the people.
Verse. Deliver me from mine ene-
mies, O my God.
Answer. And defend me from
them that rise up against me.
Let us pray.
A"\rE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour
Thy grace into our hearts, that
all we who of our own will do check
our sins with the curb of mortification,
may suffer here, and escape condem-
nation to eternal punishment hereafter.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Arne7t.
{The Penite7itial Psahns and the
Litany are not said., because of the
Feast. )
2 Cant. ii. 5. • '^
348
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
PRIME.
Antiphon. I will get me, &c.
{First A7itiphon at Lauds.)
In the Short Respo?7sory, instead
of the words., " Thou that sittest at
the Right Hand of the Father," is
said :
Verse. Thou That didst suffer for
man's sake.
And the Verse., " Glory be, &c.," is
said as usual out of Passio7itide.
Chapter at the end. (Isa. liii. 8.)
"\"\ /"HO shall declare his generation ?
For he was cut off out of the
land of the living ; for the transgres-
sion of My people have I stricken
him.
TERCE.
Antiphon. My beloved, ^ &c.
{Second Antiphojt at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
He hath made me desolate.
Answer. He hath made me des-
olate.
Verse. And faint with sorrow all
the day.
Answer. Desolate.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A?tswer. He hath made me des-
olate.
Verse. My face is swollen with
weeping.
Answer. And on mine eyelids is
the shadow [of death.]
After Terce, in coimnunity Churches.,
is said or sinig the Mass of the Feast.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Whither, &c. {Third
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Isa. liii. 5.)
T_J E was wounded for our transgres-
sions ; he was bruised for our
iniquities : the chastisement of our
peace was upon him, and with his
stripes we are healed.
Short Responsory.
My face is swollen with weeping.
Answer. My face is swollen with
weeping.
Verse. And on my eyelids is the
shadow [of death.]
Answer. Swollen with weeping.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Anszuer. My face is swollen with
weeping.
Verse. O God, I have declared my
life unto Thee, —
A7tswer. Thou hast put my tears
in Thy sight.
NONE.
Ajitiphon. Revive me, &c. {Fifth
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
O God, I have declared my life unto
Thee —
Aiiswer. O God, I have declared
my life unto Thee —
Verse. Thou hast put my tears in
Thy sight.
Ajiswer. I have declared my life
unto Thee.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. O God, I have declared
my life unto Thee.
PASSION WEEK.
349
Verse. Pray for us, O Virgin most
sorrowful !
Ansiuer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
After Noiie^ in coimnunity Churches.,
is said or sung the Mass of the Week-
day,
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at the First., except the
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin, which is the sa7Jie as that at
the Song of Zacharias at Lauds, and
the following
Commemoration of the Week-day.^
Antiphon. The chief Priests con-
sulted that they might kill Jesus, but
they said : Not on th^ Feast-day, lest
there be an uproar among the people.
Verse. Deliver me, O Lord, from
the evil man.
Answer. Preserve me from the
wicked man.
Let us pray.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who seek
the grace of Thy protection, being
delivered from all evils, may serve
Thee ever in peace and quietness of
spirit. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS,
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xii. lo.)
A T that time : The chief Priests
consulted that they might put
Lazarus also to death ; because that
by reason of him many of the Jews
went away and believed on Jesus.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 5 oth Tract o?i John. )
When they saw Lazarus who had
been raised from the dead, and knew
that the miracle which the Lord had
worked was so great, spread about by
so many witnesses, and so plain and
manifest that it could neither be con-
cealed nor denied, they invented an
expedient ; and see here what it was
— " But the chief Priests consulted
that they might put Lazarus also to
death." What stupidity of thought,
what blindness of cruelty is here ! If
the Lord Christ had raised up again
a man who had died a natural death,
could He not also raise up one that
had died by violence ? Would killing
Lazarus paralyse the Lord ? But if ye
consider that there is a difference be-
tween a man dead of disease, and a
man killed, behold, the Lord hath
raised up both : for He first raised
up Lazarus, who had died a natural
death, and then Himself, after a vio-
lent one.
First RespoJtsory.
O Lord, I go mourning, &c., {p.
329-)
Second Lesson. ( 5 i J"^ Tract. )
Invitatory and alteration in Ps. " C\^ the next day much people
xciv. and Hymn as on last Simday, ^^^ that were come to the feast,
(^. 325.) ' when they heard that Jesus was com-
1 Supposing the Feast not to be transferred to Saturday.
VOL. II.
M 2
350
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
ing to Jerusalem, took branches of
palm-trees, and went forth to meet
Him, and cried : Hosanna ! Blessed
is the King of Israel That cometh
in the Name of the Lord ! " Palm-
branches are glorious boughs which
tell of victory ; yea, the Lord was now
ready by His Own Death to trample
down death, and to carry the victori-
ous banner of His Cross in triumph
over the devil, the prince of death.
The cry with which He was greeted,
namely " Hosanna," hath not, as we
are assured by some who are ac-
quainted with the Hebrew language,
any meaning in particular, but is a
shout after the manner of interjections,
as they are called, just as in Latin
when we lament we say " Heu," or
when we are pleased, " Vah." ^
Seco7id Responsory.
O Lord, hide not, &c., {j). 329.)
Third Lessofi.
T~*HESE were the shouts of applause
■^ with which the crowd greeted
Him, " Hosanna ! Blessed is the King
of Israel That cometh in the Name of
the Lord ! " What inward torture
must the jealousy of the Jewish leaders
have caused them, when they heard
that great multitude hailing Christ as
their King ! But, for the Lord, what
was it to be King of Israel ? To the
Eternal ^ King what mattered it to be-
come a King of men ? And Christ is
not King of Israel in the sense of
monarchs who exact tribute, or arm
hosts with steel to conquer enemies
that are seen. But King of Israel He
is, as He Who is Lord of our intellect,
a Ruler Whose power shall never wane,
and Who openeth a Kingdom in heaven
to all such as centre in Him their faith,
their hope, and their love.
Third Responsory.
O that my head, &c., {p. 330.)
LAUDS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 19, as on
Mo7tday, {p. 333.)
Hyum and Verse and Answer as on
Su?iday, {p. 331.)
Antiphon at the So?ig of Zacharias.
0 Father, glorify Thou Me * with
Thine Own Self, with the glory which
1 had with Thee before the world was.
Prayer.
r^ LORD, we beseech Thee that
^■^^ Thy people, since they are hal-
lowed as Thine Own, may grow ever
in godly love toward Thee their Father
Who art in heaven, and may so be
schooled by holy works, that being-
more and more pleasing in the sight
of Thy Divine Majesty, they may ever
receive more and more of Thy gifts.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
At the beginning of the. Martyr-
ology^ is said.,
The morrow is the Lord's Day of
the Palms, on the which day our
Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem
1 So in English " Hurrah," " Ha, ha, ha," and so on. Heu is generally translated "Alas,"
and Vah, "Aha." "Hosanna," however, means "Save, I pray," or "O save !" i.e., " I pray
[God] save [you]." It is said to have been a common Hebrew cry, answering to " Long live — "
or more nearly "God save — e.^., the King." The actual phrase occurs in Ps. cxvii. 25, 26,
where it possibly hails the King's entrance into the temple. "Save now, O Lord ! O Lord,
send Thou prosperity! Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord!" — "Anna,
Adonai, hosMah na ; anna, Adonai, hatzlichah na."
' Rex saeculorum, " King of the ages," or, " King of the worlds."
HOLY WEEK.
351
sitting upon the foal of an ass, as had
been foretold in the prophecy of Zach-
arias, and the multitude came forth to
meet Him carrying branches of palm-
trees.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext,
and No7ie.
VESPERS.
Chapter and Prayer from the Lauds
of the following morning.
Hyinii and Verse and Ajiswer as on
last Saturday.^ {p. 324.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgi7i. O righteous Father, the world
hath not known Thee ; ^ but I have
known Thee, because Thou hast sent
Me.
Palm Suntrag*^
The Lord's Day among the Palms.
MATTINS.
Invitatory^ alter atioit in Ps. xciv.,
and Hymn^ as on the last Sunday^ {p.
3250
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Jeremiah (ii. 12.)
"DE astonished, O ye heavens, at this,
and ye gates thereof, be ye very
desolate, saith the Lord. For My
people have committed two evils.
They have forsaken Me, the. Fountain
of living waters, and hewed them out
cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold
no water. Is Israel a servant ? Is he
an home -born slave? Why is he
spoiled ? The young lions roared upon
him and yelled,^ and they made his
land waste : his cities are burned, with-
out inhabitant. Also, the children of
Memphis ^ and Tahapanes have pol-
luted '^ thee up to the crown of thy
head. Hast thou not procured this
unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken
the Lord thy God, when He led thee
by the way ?
First Responsory.
5 O Lord, in the day that I called
upon Thee, Thou saidst : Fear not.
Thou hast pleaded my cause, and hast
redeemed me, O Lord my God.
Verse. ^ In the day of my trouble
I called upon Thee, for Thou hast
heard me.
A^iswer. Thou hast pleaded my
cause, and hast redeemed me, O Lord
my God.
Seco7id Lesson.
A ND now what hast thou to do in
'^^ the way of Egypt, to drink the
waters of the "Miry"?"^ Or what
hast thou to do in the way of Assyria,
to drink the waters of the river ? ^
Thine own wickedness shall correct
thee, and thy back-slidings shall re-
prove thee. Know, therefore, and see,
that it is an evil thing and bitter, that
thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God,
and that My fear is not in thee, saith
the Lord God of hosts. Of old time
thou hast broken My yoke, and burst
My bands ; and thou saidst : I will
not serve. Yea, upon every high hill,
and under every green tree, thou wan-
derest playing the harlot. Yet I had
planted thee a noble vine, wholly a
right seed : how then art thou turned
1 Called also Flowering Sunday, and Fig Sunday.
■^ Lit., gave out their voice. • ^ Hebrew name, Noph.
•* Constupraverunt : but the Hebrew is, "devour the crown, &c."
5 Lam. iii. 57, 58. ^ pg, ixxxv. 7.
7 Shichor, "miry," an abusive nick-name for the Nile. ^ Euphrates.
352
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
into the degenerate plant of a strange
vine unto Me ? For though thou wash
thee with nitre, and take thee much
soap, yet thine iniquity is marked be-
fore Me, saith the Lord GoD.i
Second Respoitsory.
My brethren stand afar off from me,
and they which have known me —
make themselves strange unto me, and
leave me. '
Verse. My neighbours forsake me,
and mine acquaintance —
Answer. Make themselves strange
unto me, and leave me.
Third Lesso7i. (29.)
Vy HE RE FORE will ye plead with
Me ? Ye all have forsaken
Me, saith the Lord. In vain have I
smitten your children ; they received
no correction ; your own sword hath
devoured your Prophets, the genera-
tion of you hath been as a lion unto
them to destroy them. See ye the
word of the LORD : Have I been a
wilderness unto Israel ? a land of
darkness ? Wherefore say My people :
We have forsaken Thee ; we will come
no more unto Thee ? Can a maid
forget her ornaments or a bride her
attire ? ^ Yet My people have for-
gotten Me, days without number.
Third Responsory.
^ Give heed to me, O Lord, and
hearken to the voice of them that con-
tend with me. Shall evil be recom-
pensed for good ? for they have digged
a pit for my soul.
Verse. Remember that I stood
before Thee to speak good for them,
and to turn away Thy wrath from
them.
Ajiswer. Shall evil be recompensed
for good ? for they have digged a pit
for my soul. Give heed to me, O
Lord, and hearken to the voice of
them that contend with me. Shall
evil be recompensed for good ? for
they have digged a pit for my soul.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of Pope St Leo [the Great]
{Seco7id on the Passion of the
Lord.)
T^ EARLY beloved brethren, the
■^ jubilant and triumphal day
which ushereth in the commemoration
of the Lord's Passion is come ; even
that day for which we have longed so
much, and for whose yearly coming
the whole world may well look.
Shouts of spiritual exultation are
ringing, and suffer not that we should
be silent. It is indeed hard to preach
often on the same Festival, and that
always meetly and rightly, but a
Priest is not free, when we celebrate
so great and mysterious an out-pouring
of God's mercy, to leave his faithful
people without the service of a dis-
course. Nay, that his subject-matter
is unspeakable should in itself make
him eloquent, since where enough can
never be said, there must needs ever
be somewhat to say. Let man's weak-
ness, then, fall down before the glory
of God, and acknowledge herself ever
too feeble to unfold all the works of
His mercy. We may jade our emo-
tions, break down in our understand-
ing, and fail in our speech : it is good
for us, that even what we truly feel in
presence of the Divine Majesty is
but little, [compared to the vastness of
the subject]
1 The Name.
2 Fascia pectoralis — breast-knot.
3 Jer. xviii. ig.
HOLY WEEK.
353
Fourth Responsory.
1 The enemy hath enclosed my
ways : he lay in wait for me as a lion
in secret places : he hath filled me and
made me drunken with bitterness :
they have cut off my life in the dun-
geon, and cast a stone upon me. O
Lord, behold all their iniquity, and
plead the cause of my soul, Thou That
art the Redeemer of my life !
Verse. I was a derision to all my
people, and their song all the day.
A7is'wer. O Lord, behold all their
iniquity, and plead the cause of my
soul. Thou That art the Redeemer of
my life !
Fifth Lesso7i.
"PPOR when the Prophet saith :
" Seek the Lord and be strong ;
seek His face evermore," (Ps. civ. 4,)
let no man thence conclude that he
will ever have found all that he seeketh,
lest he which hath ceased to come
near should cease to be near. But
among all the works of God which foil
and weary the steadfast gaze of man's
wonder, what is there that doth at
once so ravish and so exceed the
power of our mind's eye as do the
sufferings of the Saviour ? He it was
Who, to loose man from the bands
wherewith he had bound himself by
the first death-dealing transgression,
spared to bring against the rage of the
devil the power of the Divine Majesty,
and met him with the weakness of our
lowly nature. For if our proud and
cruel enemy had been able to know
the counsel of God's mercy, it had
been his task rather to have softened
the minds of the Jews into gentleness,
than to have inflamed them with un-
righteous hatred ; and so lost the
service of all his slaves, by pursuing
for his Debtor One That owed him
nothing.
1 Lam. iii. 9, 10, 15, 53, 58, 14.
3 Jer. xvii. 17, i8, (LXX.)
Fifth Respo7isory.
^ Save me, O God, for the waters
are come in unto my soul : hide not
Thy face from me ; for I am in
trouble. Hear me speedily, O Lord
my God.
Verse. Draw nigh unto my soul,
and redeem it : deliver me because of
mine enemies.
Answer. For I am in trouble.
Hear me speedily, O Lord my God.
Sixth Lesson.
"DUT his own hate dug a pit-fall for
him : he brought upon the Son
of God that death which is become
life to all the sons of men. He shed
that innocent Blood, Which hath re-
conciled the world unto God, and
become at once the price of our re-
demption and the cup of our salvation.
The Lord hath received that which
according to the purpose of His Own
good pleasure He hath chosen. He
hath let fall on Him the hands of
bloody men : but while they were bent
only on their own sin, they were ser-
vants ministering to the Redeemer's
work. And such was His tenderness
even for His murderers that His prayer
to His Father from the Cross, as
touching them, was, not that He
might be avenged upon them, but
that they might be forgiven.
Sixth Responsory.
3 O Lord, be not Thou far from me :
spare me in the day of evil : let them
be confounded that persecute me ; but
let not me be confounded.
Verse. * Let all mine enemies which
seek after my soul be confounded.
Afiswer. But let not me be con-
founded. O Lord, be not Thou far
- Ps. Ixviii. 2, 18, 19.
^ Cf. Ps. xxxiv. 4.
354
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
from me : spare me in the evil day : let
them be confounded that persecute me,
but let not me be confounded.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy-
Gospel according to Matthew (xxi.
, I.)
A T that time : When Jesus drew
'^^ nigh unto Jerusalem, and was
come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of
Olives, then He sent two disciples. ^
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] (9//^ Book on Luke.)
Beautiful is the type, when the
Lord, about to leave the Jews, and to
take up His abode in the hearts of the
Gentiles, goeth up into the Temple ; a
figure of His going to the true Temple
wherein He is worshipped, not in the
deadness of the letter, but in spirit and
in truth, even that Temple of God
whereof the foundations are laid, not
in buildings of stone, but in faith. He
leaveth behind Him such as hate Him,
and getteth Him to such as will love
Him. And therefore cometh He unto
the Mount of Olives that He may
plant upon the heights of grace those
young olive-branches, whose Mother
is the Jerusalem which is above.
Upon this mountain standeth He, the
Heavenly Husbandman, that all they
which be planted in the House of the
Lord may be able each one to say :
" But I am like a fruitful olive-tree in
the House of God." (Ps. li. 10.)
Seventh Responsory.
2 The Lord is with me as a Mighty
Terrible One ; therefore have they
persecuted me, and have not been able
to understand. O Lord, Thou triest
the reins and the heart — unto Thee
have I opened my cause.
Verse. ^ O Lord, Thou hast seen
my wrong that they do me ; judge
Thou my cause.
Answer. Unto Thee have I opened
my cause.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND perchance that mountain doth
'^^ signify Christ Himself. For
what other is there that beareth such
fruit of olives as He doth, not rich with
store of loaded branches, but spiritu-
ally fruitful with the fulness of the
Gentiles ? He also it is on Whom we
go up, and unto Whom we go up ; He
is the Door ; He is the Way ; He is
He Which is opened and Which
openeth ; He is He upon Whom
knocketh whosoever entereth in, and
to Whom they that have entered in,
do worship.
A figure also was it that the dis-
ciples went into a village, and that
there they found an ass tied and a colt
with her : neither could they be loosed,
save at the command of the Lord. It
was the hand of His Apostles which
loosed them. He whose work and
life are like theirs will have such
grace as was theirs. Be thou also
such as they, if thou wouldest loose
them that are bound.
Eighth Responsory.
* The ungodly said, reasoning with
themselves, but not aright ; Let us lie
in wait for the righteous, because he is
clean contrary to our doings : he pro-
fesseth to have the knowledge of God,
he calleth himself the Son of God, and
boasteth that he hath God to his
1 Here follow the two v/ords "dicens eis" which I omit, as they would produce an odd
sense in English,
2 Jer. XX. II, 12. 3 Lam. iii. 59. ■* Wisd. ii. r, 12, 13, 17, 16, 20.
HOLY WEEK.
355
Father. Let us see if his words be
true ; and, if he be indeed the Son of
God, let Him deliver him from our
hand ; let us condemn him with a
shameful death.
Verse. We are esteemed of him as
counterfeits, and he abstaineth from
our ways as from filthiness, and com-
mendeth the end of the just.
Answer. Let us see if his words be
true ; and, if he be indeed the Son of
God, let Him deliver him from our
hand ; let us condemn him with a
shameful death.
Verse. For trouble is near, and
there is none to help.
Answer. But do Thou, O Lord
my Redeemer, avenge me ! Liars are
come round about me, they have
fallen upon me with scourges without
a cause. But do Thou, O Lord my
Redeemer, avenge me !
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ The Lord God
will help me : "^ and therefore I am
not confounded.
Ninth Lesson.
TVr OW, let us consider who they
were, who, being convicted of
transgression, were banished from their
home in the Garden of Eden into a
village, and in this thou wilt see how
Life called back again them whom
death had cast out. For this reason,
we read in Matthew that there were
tied both an ass and her colt ; thus, as
man was banished from Eden in a
member of either sex, so is it in
animals of both sexes that his re-call
is figured. The she-ass is a type of
our sinful Mother Eve, and the colt
of the multitude of the Gentiles ; and
it was upon the colt that Christ took
His seat. And thus it is well written
of the colt, (Luke xix. 30,) that thereon
never yet had man sat, for no man
before Christ ever called the Gentiles
into the Church — which statement
thou hast in Mark also (xi. 2) :
"Whereon never man sat."
Ninth Respo7isory.
Liars are come round about, they
have fallen upon me with scourges
without a cause. But do Thou, O
Lord my Redeemer, avenge me !
Psahn L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Seco7id Antiphon. They compassed
me about, ^ yea, they compassed me
about : but in the Name of the Lord !
I will destroy them.
Psahn CXVII.
O give thanks, &c., {p. 37.)
Third Antiphon. Judge Thou my
cause, * and redeem me, O Lord, for
Thou art mighty to save.
Psalms LX I I. and LX VI.
O God, Thou art my God, &c., (/.
23-)
Fourth Antiphon. ^ Fare we with
Angels and men in faith to meet the
Redeemer, "^ hailing the Slayer of
death with joyful shouts of ' Hosanna
in the highest ! '
The So7tg of the Three Holy Chil-
dren.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ Let them be
confounded that persecute me ; * but
let not me be confounded, O Lord my
God.
1 Isa. 1. 7.
2 This is the fifth Antiphon sung during the Procession. It has a sort of cadence like two
Hexameter lines, ending with 'Hosanna.' ^ Jer. xvii. 18.
356
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., {pp. 25,
26.)
Chapter. (Phil. ii. 5.)
"DRETHREN, Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ
Jesus, Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with
God : but emptied Himself, and took
upon Him the form of a servant, and
was made in. the likeness of men, and
found in fashion as a man.
Hyjnn and Verse and Answer as on
last Sunday.^ {p. 331.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Much people that were come to the
Feast, cried "^ unto the Lord : Blessed
is He That cometh in the Name of the
Lord ! Hosanna in the highest ! ^
Prayer throughout the Office.
A LMIGHTY and everlasting God,
Who, of Thy tender love to-
wards mankind, hast sent Thy Son
our Saviour jESUS Christ to take upon
Him our flesh and to suffer death
upon the Cross, that all mankind
should follow the example of His
great humility ; mercifully grant, that
we may both follow the example of
His patience, and also be made par-
takers of His resurrection. Through
the Same our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. The Hebrew children
took branches of olive-trees, * and
went forth to meet the Lord, crying
and saying : Hosanna in the highest !
TERCE.
Antiphon. The Hebrew children
spread their garments in the way, *
and cried, saying : Hosanna to the
Son of David ! Blessed is He that
cometh in the Name of the Lord !
Chapter from Lauds.
After Terce., a?id, in Parish
Churches., the blessing and sprinkli7ig
of the Holy Water., there follows the
ceremony of blessiiig the palms., or other
boughs of trees., during which is read
the Less 071 from Exod. xv. xvi. and the
Gospel from Matth. xxi., which is the
subject of the Homily at Mattins.
When the bra?zches have been distrib-
uted to the people., follows the pro-
cessioji, which represents the Trium-
phal Entry of our Lord i7ito the Holy
City. After the processio7i the Liturgy
is i77imediately celebrated., with the rites
peculiar to the day., and i7icludi7ig the
Epistle froi7i Phil, ii. a7id the Passio7i
accordi7tg to Matthew (xxvi. xxvii.)
SEXT.
Antipho7i. 2 Unto Thee have I
opened my cause, ^ O Lord my God,
Which art the Redeemer of my life.
Chapter. (Phil. ii. 8.)
T T E humbled Himself and became
obedient unto death, even the
death of the Cross, wherefore God also
hath highly exalted Him, and given
Him a Name which is above every
name.
NONE.
A7itipho7i. ^ I will call upon Thy
Name, "^ O LORD ; hide not Thy face
at my cry.
1 That is, either "Save [Him,] we pray [Thee, O Thou That dwellest] in the highest," or
"O send [Him] health from heaven."
2 Jer. XX. 12; Lam. iii. 58. 3 Lam. iii. 55, 56.
HOLY WEEK.
357
Chapter. (Phil. ii. lo.)
A T the Name of jESUS let every
knee bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under
the earth : and let every tongue con-
fess that our Lord jESUS Christ is in
the glory of God the Father.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn and Verse a7id Answer as 07i
Saturday before Passio?i Sunday^ {p.
324-)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
VirgtJi. 1 It is written : I will smite
the Shepherd, "^ and the sheep of the
flock shall be scattered abroad : but
after I am risen again, I will go before
you into Galilee : there shall ye see Me,
saith the Lord.
Second Day in the Great Week.
MATTINS.
Invitatory, alteration in Ps. xciv.,
a7id Hymn as on Passion Su7iday^ {p.
325.)
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xii, i.)
T^HEN Jesus, six days before the
Passover, came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, which had been
dead, whom Jesus raised from the
dead. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
H ippo. ] ( 5 oth Tract 07i Joh7t. )
" There they made Him a supper "
— and " Lazarus was one of them that
sat at the table " — lest men should
deem that it was but by an ocular
delusion that they had seen him arise
from the dead. He lived therefore,
spake, and ate ; to the manifestation
of the truth, and the confusion of the
unbelieving Jews. jESUS, then, sat
down to meat with Lazarus and others,
and Martha, being one of Lazarus'
sisters, served. But Mary, Lazarus'
other sister, " took a pound of oint-
ment of spikenard, very costly, and
anointed the Feet of jESUS, and wiped
His Feet with her hair ; and the house
was filled with the odour of the oint-
ment." We have now heard that
which was done ; let us search out
the mystic meaning thereof
First Resp07isory.
^ The ungodly said : Let us oppress
the righteous man without cause, and
swallow him up alive, as the grave : let
us make his memorial to perish from
the earth, and cast lots among us for
his spoils : and those murderers laid
by store for themselves, but of evil.
Fools and haters loathe wisdom, and
are guilty in their thoughts.
Verse. Such things they did im-
agine, and were deceived, for their
own wickedness blinded them.
A7iswer. Fools and haters loathe
wisdom, and are guilty in their
thoughts.
Second Lesson.
^lyHOSOEVER thou art that wilt
be a faithful soul, seek with
Mary to anoint the Feet of the Lord
with costly ointment. This ointment
was a figure of justice, and therefore
is there said to have been a pound
thereof, [a pound being a weight used
in scales.] The word "pistikes" used
1 Matth. xxvi. 31, 32 ; Zech. xiii. 7.
2 Called also Fig Monday, in certain parts of England, because on this day our Lord desired
to eat figs. 3 Wisd. ii. i, 10 ; Prov. i. 12.
358
THE PROPER, OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
by the Evangelist as the name of this
ointment, we must believe to be that
of some place, from which this costly
perfume was imported, ^ Neither is
this name meaningless for us, but
agreeth well with our mystic interpre-
tation, since " Pistis " is the Greek
word which signifieth " Faith," and
whosoever will do justice must know
that: "The just shall live by faith."
(Rom. i. 17; Hab. ii. 4.) Anoint
therefore the Feet of Jesus by thy
good life, following in the marks which
those Feet of the Lord have traced.
Wipe His Feet likewise with thy hair ;
that is, if thou have aught which is
not needful to thee, give it to the poor ;
and then thou hast wiped the Feet of
Jesus with thy hair, that is, with that
which thou needest not, and which
is therefore to thee as is hair, being
a needless out -growth to the body.
Here thou hast what to do with that
which thou needest not. To thee it is
needless, but the Lord's Feet have
need of it ; yea, the Feet which the
Lord hath on earth are sorely needy.
Second Resp07isory.
2 1 became a reproach unto mine
enemies : they looked upon me and
shaked their heads. Help me, O
Lord my God !
Verse. They have spoken against
me with a lying tongue : they com-
passed me about also with words of
hatred.
Answer. Help me, O Lord my
God!
Third Lesson.
TI^OR of whom save of His members,
will He say at the latter day :
" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these My brethren,
ye have done it unto Me " — ? (Matth.
XXV. 40.) That is — "ye have spent
nothing save that which ye needed
not, but ye have ministered unto My
Feet."
"And the house was filled with the
odour of the ointment." That is, the
fragrance of your good example filleth
the world ; for this odour is a figure of
reputation. They which are called
Christians, and yet live bad lives, cast
a slur on Christ : and it is even such
as they unto whom it is said : " The
Name of God is blasphemed among
the Gentiles through you." (Rom. ii.
24 ; Ezek. xxxvi. 20, 23.) But if,
through such, the Name of God be
blasphemed, through the godly is
praise ascribed to the Same His Holy
Name, as the Apostle doth likewise
say : "In every place we are unto
God a sweet savour of Christ, [in them
that are saved, and in them that
perish."] (2 Cor. ii. 14, 15.)
Third Responsory.
3 False witnesses are risen up against
me, and such as breathe out cruelty :
they have gone about to kill me,
neither spared they to spit in my face ;
their spears have wounded me, and
all my bones are out of joint. But as
for me, I counted myself as one that
is dead upon the earth.
Verse. They poured forth their fury
upon me, they gnashed upon me with
their teeth.
Answer. But as for me, I counted
myself as one that is dead upon the
earth. False witnesses are risen up
against me, and such as breathe out
cruelty ; they have gone about to kill
me, neither spared they to spit in my
face ; their spears have wounded me,
1 But it is now orenerally believed that this word is either (i) From "pino," to drink, and
means liquid; (2) From "pistis," faith, and means genuine, unadulterated; or (3) From the
Latin "spicata," and means " spike"-nard.
spicata," and means
2 Ps. cviii. 25, 3.
3 Cf. Ps. xxvi. 12.
HOLY WEEK.
359
and all my bones are out of joint. But
as for me, I counted myself as one
that is dead upon the earth.
LAUDS.
First Antipho7i. ^ I hid not my
face ^ from shame and spitting.
Second Antiphon. ^ Awake, O
sword, "^ against them that scatter
my flock.
Third Aiitiphon. ^ They took the
thirty pieces of silver, ^ my price, that
I was prized at of them.
Fourth A7itiphon. ^Waters flowed
over mine head ; * I said : I am cut
off; I will call upon Thy Name, O
Lord God.
Fifth Afitiphoii. O Lord, behold ^
the lips "^ of those that rose up against
me, and their device.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 19, as o?t Mon-
day after Passion Sunday^ {p. 333.)
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Passion Sii7iday^ {p. 331.)
A?2tipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me *
with Thine Own Self, with the glory
which I had with Thee before the
world was.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, Which know-
^-"^ ' est that we be set in such straits
that we have no power of ourselves to
help ourselves, we pray Thee merci-
fully to relieve us for whom continually
pleadeth the Suffering of Thine Only-
Begotten Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
A7ne?t.
The sa77ie Prayer at Terce^ Sext, and
No7ie.
The Antipho7ts at Pri77te, Terce, '
Sext, a7id No7ie are the First., Seco7id^
Third., and Fifth., at Lauds., respec-
tively.
VESPERS.
Chapter fro77i Jer. xi. 20, as 07i the
Mo7iday after Passio7i Su7iday., {p.
334-)
Hy 77171 a7id Verse a7id A7iswer as 07i
Saturday before Passion Stmday^ {p.
324.)
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7i. Thou couldest have no power
■^ at all against Me, except it were
given thee from above.
Prayer.
TJELP us, O God of our salvation,
and grant us grace to draw
near with joy to the memorial of Thy
great mercies whereby Thou wast
pleased to make us new creatures.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. A77ie7i.
Third Day i7i the Great Week.
MATTINS.
hivitatory., alteration in Ps. xciv.,
a7id Hy77i7i., as 07i Passion Sunday., [p.
3250
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Jeremiah (xi. 15.)
AirHY hath My beloved wrought
many iniquities in Mine house?
Will holy meats ^ make atonement for
thy perverseness, whereof thou boast-
est ? The Lord called thy name, A
1 Isa. 1. 6.
4 Lam. iii. 54, 55.
- Cf. Zech. xiii. 7.
•5 Lam. iii. 62.
3 Zech. xi. 12, 13.
6 Apparently the sacrifices.
36o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
green olive tree, fair, fruitful, goodly :
as soon as He had spoken, a great
fire was kindled in her, and the
boughs thereof are burnt up. And
the Lord of hosts. That planted thee,
hath pronounced evil against thee, for
the evil of the house of Israel, and of
the house of Judah, which they have
done against themselves, to provoke
Me to anger, in making offerings unto
Baalim. But Thou, O Lord, hast
given me knowledge of it, and I
know it : then Thou showedst me
their doings. But I was like a
gentle lamb, that is brought to the
slaughter : and I knew not that they
had devised devices against me, say-
ing : Come, let us put [poison of a
deadly] tree into his bread, and let
us cut him off from the land of the
living, that his name may be no more
remembered. But, O Lord of Saba-
oth, That judgest righteously, and
triest the reins and the heart, let me
see Thy vengeance on them ; for unto
Thee have I revealed my cause.
First Respo7isory,
1 I have suffered defaming and fear
from them that were my familiars :
they watched for my halting, ^ saying :
Let us entice him, and prevail against
him. But Thou, O LORD, art with
me, as a Mighty Terrible One. Let
them stumble into everlasting con-
fusion, that I may see Thy vengeance
upon them, for unto Thee have I
opened my cause.
Verse. ^ O Lord, plead Thou the
cause of my soul. Thou That art the
Redeemer of my life.
Answer. Let them stumble into
everlasting confusion, that I may see
Thy vengeance upon them, for unto
Thee have I opened my cause.
Second Lesson, (xii. i.)
"DIGHTEOUS art Thou, O Lord,
and I plead with Thee ; yet let
me talk with Thee of Thy judgments :
wherefore doth the way of the wicked
prosper ? Wherefore are all they
happy that lie and work iniquity ?
Thou hast planted them ; yea, they
have taken root : they grow ; yea,
they bring forth fruit. Thou art near
in their mouth, and far from their
reins. But Thou, O Lord, knowest
me ; Thou hast seen me, and tried
mine heart toward Thee. Pull them
out like sheep for the shambles, and
prepare ^ them for the day of slaughter.
How long shall the land mourn, and
the herbs of every field wither, for the
wickedness of them that dwell therein ?
The beasts are consumed and the
birds, because they said : He shall
not see our last end.
Second Responsory.
5 For Thy sake, O God of Israel, I
have borne reproach ; shame hath cov-
ered my face ; I am become a stranger
unto my brethren, and an alien unto
my mother's children. For the zeal of
Thine house hath eaten me up.
Verse. Draw nigh unto my soul,
and redeem it ; deliver me, because of
mine enemies.
Answer. For the zeal of Thine
house hath eaten me up.
Third Lesson. ( 7 . )
T HAVE forsaken Mine house ; I
have left Mine heritage, I have
given the dearly beloved of My soul ^
into the hand of her enemies. Mine
heritage is become unto Me as a lion
in the forest ; it crieth out against Me,
therefore have I hated it. Is not
1 Cf. Jer. XX. 10, II.
3 Lam. iii. 58.
5 Ps. Ixviii. 8-10, 19.
.2 Custodientes latus meum, lit., watching my side.
J Sanctifica, lit., devote them.
6 Dilectam animam meam, lit, , my dearly beloved soul.
HOLY WEEK.
361
Third Antiphoii, -'I cried by reason
of mine affliction unto the LORD, "^ and
He heard me out of the belly of hell.
Foicrth Antipho7i. ^ O LoRD, I am
oppressed — * undertake Thou for me ;
for I know not what to say unto mine
enemies.
Fifth Antiphofi. " The ungodly
said : Let us oppress the righteous
man, "^ because he is clean contrary
to our doings.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 1 9, as on Mon-
day in Passion Week, {p. 333.)
Hy7nn and Verse aitd Aiiswer as on
Passion Sunday, {p. 331.)
A7itipho7i at the So?ig of Zacharias.
Now, before the Feast of the Passover,
as Jesus knew that His hour was
come, * having loved His Own which
were in the world. He loved them
unto the end.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everiasting
^"^^ God, give us grace so to use
the solemn and mysterious memorial
of the Lord's Suffering, that the same
may be unto us a mean whereby
worthily to win Thy forgiveness.
Through the Same our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Arneti.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext, aiid
None.
The Aiitiphons at Prime, Terce,
Sext, and None, are the First, Second,
Third, a7id Fifth^ at Lauds, respec-
tively.
1 " Numquid avis discolor haereditas Mea Mihi ? Numquid avis tincta per totum ? " Hebrevi^,
lit., "Is Mine heritage unto Me an hideous [flock of] vultures? Is the flock of vultures all
round it?" LXX., "Is not Mine heritage an hyaena's den unto Me? or a den [of them] ail
round it?" Jonathan ben Uzziel: " Like a flock of birds scattered about, thus is Mine heritage
scattered about before Me. And like a bird that has been shot at, thus collect themselves upon
it those who murder with the sword ; all around, the kings of the nations ; and their camps
Mine heritage unto Me as an hideous
bird [of prey] ? Is not the unseemly
bird everywhere throughout itP^ Come
ye, assemble yourselves together, all
ye beasts of the field, hasten to de-
vour. Many pastors have destroyed
My vineyard, they have trodden My
portion under foot, they have made My
pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
They have made it desolate, and
[being desolate] it mourneth unto
Me. With desolation is the whole
land made desolate, because there is no
man that considereth in the heart.
Third Responsory,
2 The congregation of the people
hath compassed me about, but I re-
warded no evil unto him that rewarded
evil unto me. O Lord, let the wicked-
ness of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the just.
Verse. Judge me, O Lord, accord-
ing to my righteousness, and accord-
ing to mine integrity that is in me.
A7iswer. O Lord, let the wicked-
ness of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the just. The congrega-
tion of the people hath compassed me
about, but I rewarded no evil unto
him that rewarded evil unto me. O
Lord, let the wickedness of the wicked
come to an end, but establish the just.
LAUDS.
First Antipho7i. ^ Behold, O LORD,
and see : "^ for I am in trouble : hear
me speedily.
Seco7id A 7itipho7i. * Plead my cause,
■^ O Lord : deliver me from the unjust
and deceitful man.
come upon it for plunder.
2 Cf. Ps. vii. 8, 5, 10, 9.
•5 Jonah ii. 3.
3 Lam. i. 20 ; Ps. Ixviii. ]
6 Isa. xxxviii. 14. Cf. 15.
4 Ps. xlii. I.
'7 Wisd. ii. 12.
362
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Afte7 None is celebrated the Liturgy^
mcluding the Passion according to
Mark (xiv. i-xv. 46.)
VESPERS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 20, as on
Monday in Passion Week^ {p. 334.)
Hymn a7id Verse and Answer as on
Saturday before Passion Sunday^ {p.
324-)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. I have power to lay down
My life, * and I have power to take it
again.
Prayer.
"D ID us, O God, by Thy mercy, of
all deceitfulness of the old man,
and make us meet to become a new
creature in our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
Fourth Day in the Great Week.
MATTINS.
Invitatory^ alteration i7i Ps. xciv.,
a7id Hy77in as 07i Passio7i Stwday, {J).
325.)
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Jeremiah (xvii. 13.)
r\ LORD, the Hope of Israel, all
^-^^ that forsake Thee, shall be
ashamed : they that depart from Thee,
shall be written in the earth ; because
they have forsaken the LORD, the
fountain of living waters. Heal me,
O Lord, and I shall be healed ; save
me, and I shall be saved ; for Thou
art my praise. Behold, they say unto
me : ' Where is the word of the
Lord ? let it come now.' As for me,
I was not turned aside from following
after Thee, Which art my Shepherd : ^
neither have I desired the day of
man ; Thou knowest. That which
came out of my lips was right before
Thee. Be not a terror unto me :
Thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Let them be confounded that perse-
cute me, but let not me be con-
founded : let them be dismayed, but
let not me be dismayed : bring upon
them the day of evil, and destroy them
with double destruction.
First Resp07isory.
2 They have spoken against me with
a lying tongue ; they compassed me
about also with words of hatred : in
return for my love they were my
adversaries : but I gave myself unto
prayer ; and Thou hast heard me, O
Lord my God !
Verse. And they have rewarded
me evil for good, and hatred for my
love.
A7is'wer. But I gave myself unto
prayer ; and Thou hast heard me, O
Lord my God !
Seco7id Lesso7i. (xviii. 13.)
^^/"HO hath heard such things as the
virgin of Israel hath done most
horribly ? Will the snow of Lebanon
fail from the rock of the field ? ^ or
can a man root up the source of a
fountain of cold flowing waters ? Be-
cause My people hath forgotten Me,
they have offered sacrifices to lies, and
stumbled in their ways, their ancient
ways, to turn aside therefrom into
paths untried ; to make their land
1 I.e., that in which the veracity of the Prophet would be proved by the destruction of
his people. 2 pg. cviii. 3, 4, 5.
3 I.e., will snow ever cease to He among the wild crags of Lebanon?
HOLY WEEK.
363
desolate, and a perpetual hissing.
Every one that passeth thereby shall
be astonished, and wag his head. I
will scatter them as with an east wind
before the enemy ; I will show them
the back, and not the face, in the day
of their calamity. Then ^ said they :
Come, and let us devise devices
against Jeremiah ; for the law shall
not perish from the Priest, nor counsel
from the wise, nor the word from the
Prophet. Come, and let us smite him
with the tongue, and let us not give
heed to any of his words.
Second Responsory.
The ungodly said, &c., ij). 354.)
Third Lesson.
/^IVE heed to me, O Lord, and
^-^ hearken to the voice of them
that contend with me. Shall evil be
recompensed for good ? For they
have digged a pit for my soul. Re-
member that I stood before Thee to
speak good for them, and to turn away
Thy wrath from them. Therefore de-
liver up their children to the famine,
and give them over to the edge of the
sword : let their wives be bereaved of
their children and be widows, and let
their men be put to death ; let their
young men be slain by the sword in
battle. Let a cry be heard from their
houses ; for Thou wilt bring the
robbers suddenly upon them ; because
they have digged a pit to take me,
and hid snares for my feet. Yet,
Lord, Thou knowest all their counsel
against me to slay me ; forgive not
their iniquity, neither blot out their sin
from Thy sight ; let them be over-
thrown before Thee : deal with them in
the time of Thine anger.
Third Respojisory.
Liars are come, &c., {p. 355.)
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Deliver me from
blood-guiltiness, O God, * Thou that
art my God, and my tongue shall sing
aloud of Thy righteousness.
Seco7id Antiphon. ^ I have suffered
defaming "^ and fear from them : but
the Lord is with me as a Mighty
Terrible One.
Third Antiphon. ^ But in vain
have they sought my soul ; "^ they
shall go into the lower parts of the
earth.
Fourth Antiphon. All mine ene-
mies heard of my affliction : "^ O
Lord, they rejoiced that thou hadst
done it.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ O Lord, bind
the Gentiles "^ with chains, and their
kings with fetters.
Chapter froin Jer. xi. 19, as on
Monday i7i Passion Week., {p. 2>3o-)
Hy 17171 a7id Verse a7id Answer as on
Passion Simday, {p. 331.)
Aiitiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Simon, sleepest thou ? * Couldst not
thou watch one hour with Me ?
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, we beseech
^-'^ Thee that we whose transgres-
sions do unceasingly harm us, may
find freedom in the Suffering of Thine
Only-begotten Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. A77ien.
1 That is, when the Saint had delivered the preceding prophecy, his fellow-townsmen deter-
mined to put him down as a young upstart.
Ps. 1. 16.
Jer. XX. 10, II.
4 Ps. Ixii. 10.
5 Ps. cxlix. 8.
3^4
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
At the begi7ini7ig of the Marty ro logy,
is said,
On the morrow is commemorated
the Lord's Supper, whereat Christ
Jesus, upon the day before He was
crucified for our salvation, committed
to His disciples the celebration of the
mysteries of His Body and Blood.
After the Martyrology on this day,
the Martyrology is not read again till
Easter Su?iday.
The same Prayer at Terce, Sext, and
None.
The Antiphons at Prime, Terce,
Sext, and No?te are the First, Second,
Third, a?id Fifth at Lauds, respec-
tively.
After Nofie is celebrated the Liturgy,
including the Passio?i accordi?tg to
Luke (xxii. i-xxiii. 55.)
VESPERS.
Chapter from Jer. xi. 20, as on
Monday in Passion Week, (J). 334.)
Hymn and Verse a?id A?tswer as on
Saturday before Passion Sunday, {p.
324-)
Aiitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The damsel said unto Peter :
* Surely thou art one of them, for thy
speech bewrayeth thee.
Prayer.
T ORD, we beseech Thee, behold
this Thy family, for which our
Lord Jesus Christ was contented to
be betrayed, and given up into the
hands of wicked men, and to suffer
death upon the Cross : Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Fifth Day of the Great Week, whereon
was instituted the Lords Supper.
MATTINS.
071 this and the two following
7iights Matti7is a7id Lauds are always
said together, and these Three Services
are commo7ily called the Three Nights
of Darkness.^ L7i Choir six lights are
lighted up 071 the Altar, and fiftee7i
{seven 071 each side and 07te at the top)
i7i a tria7igle-shaped ca7idlestick before
the Epistle cor7ier. As each A7itipho7t
is repeated the second tii7te, one of the
fiftee7i ca7idles is put out.
The A7itipho7ts are all doubled, a7id
the Hy 77171, " Glory be to the Father,"
&c., is everywhere omitted.
After the Lord's Prayer, the A7igelic
Salutatio7i, and the Apostles'' Creed
have been said i7iaudibly, all else is
077iitted, and the First A7itipho7i be-
gins at once.
FIRST NOCTURN.
F'irst A7itiphon. The zeal of Thine
house hath eaten me up, and the re-
proaches of them that reproached Thee
are fallen upon me.
Psahn LXVIIL
Save me, O God, &c., {p. 123.)
Seco7id A7itipho7i. Let them be
turned backward and put to confusion,
that desire my hurt.
Psalm LXIX.
Make haste, O God, &c., {p. 125.)
Third A7itipho7t. Deliver me, O my
God, out of the hand of the wicked.
1 Tenebrae.
HOLY WEEK.
365
Psalm LXX.
In Thee, O Lord, &c., {p. 125.)
Verse. Let them be turned back-
ward and put to confusion.
Answer. That desire my hurt.
The whole of the LorcTs Prayer is
then said inaudibly^ and the Reader at
once begifis the First Lesson. Thus is
it done 07i each of the three nights; no
Absolution or Blessing is asked or
given i7i a?iy Nocturn or before a?ty
Lesson.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Lamentation ^ of
Jeremiah the Prophet (i. i.)
A LEPH.2 How doth the city sit
solitary that was full of people !
How is she become as a widow, she
that was great among the nations !
She that was Princess among the pro-
vinces, how is she become tributary !
Beth. She weepeth sore in the
night, and her tears are upon her
cheeks : among all her lovers, she hath
none to comfort her ; all her friends
have dwelt treacherously with her, and
are become her enemies.
Ghimel. Judah is gone into cap-
tivity, because of affliction, and because
of great servitude : she dwelleth among
the heathen, and findeth no rest : all
her persecutors overtook her between
the straits.
Daleth. The ways of Zion do
mourn, because none come to the
solemn Feasts ; all her gates are
desolate, her Priests sigh, her virgins
are afflicted, and she weighed down
with bitterness.
He. Her adversaries are the chief,
her enemies prosper : for the Lord
hath afflicted her for the multitude of
her transgressions ; her children are
gone into captivity before the enemy.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return unto
the Lord thy God I
The Reader does 7iot say, " But
Thou," &c., ?wr is " Thanks be to
God " a?tswered after this or any other
Lesson 071 these three 7iights., but the
Responsory begi7is at 07ice.
First Respo7isory.
^ At the Mount of Olives He prayed
unto the Father : O My Father, if it
be possible, let this cup pass from Me !
The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak.
Verse. Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation.
A7iswer. The spirit indeed is will-
ing', but the flesh is weak.
Second Lessoji.
"\ 7'AV. And from the daughter of
Zion all her beauty is departed :
her princes are become like harts that
find no pasture, and they are gone
without strength before the pursuer.*
Zain. Jerusalem remembereth, in
the days of her affliction and of her
miseries, all her pleasant things that
she had in the days of old, when
her people fell into the hand of the
enemy, and none did help her : the
adversaries saw her, and did mock
at her Sabbaths.
Heth.^ Jerusalem hath grievously
sinned ; therefore she is removed. All
that honoured her, despise her, because
they have seen her nakedness. Yea,
she sigheth and turneth backward.
1 Over the ruins of Jerusalem, after it had been sacked and burnt by the Assyrians.
2 This composition is A B C Darian. The letters are those of the Hebrew alphabet.
3 Matth. xxvi. 42, 41.
4 The simile is a sporting one, taken from wretched animals subjected to the chase, but which
are too feeble to run well.
5 Rather, Cheth, or Kheth,— a strong guttural, like Scotch " ch "in " loch."
366
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Teth. Her filthiness is in her
skirts ; she remembereth not her last
end : therefore she came down wonder-
fully, she had no comforter. O LORD,
behold my affliction, for the enemy
hath magnified himself
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return unto
the Lord thy God.
Second Respoiisory.
1 My Soul is exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death : tarry ye here and
watch with Me ; yet a little while, and
ye shall see the multitude close Me in.
Ye shall flee ; and I will go to be
offered a sacrifice for you.
Verse. Behold, the hour is at hand,
and the Son of man is betrayed into
the hands of sinners.
Answer. Ye shall flee ; and I will
go to be offered a sacrifice for you.
Third Lesson.
T 0D.2 The enemy hath spread out
his hand upon all her pleasant
things ; for she hath seen the heathen
enter into her Sanctuary, concerning
whom Thou didst command that they
should not enter into Thy congregation.
Caph. All her people sigh, they seek
bread : they have given their pleasant
things for meat to relieve the soul.
See, O Lord, and consider, for I am
become vile.
Lamed. Is it nothing to you, all ye
that pass by ? Behold, and see if there
be any sorrow like unto my sorrow,
which is done unto me ; wherewith the
Lord hath afflicted me in the day of
His fierce anger.
Mem. From above hath He sent
fire into my bones, and it prevaileth
against them : He hath spread a net
for my feet. He hath turned me back :
He hath made me desolate and faint
all the day.
Nun. The yoke of my trans-
gressions is bound by His hand ; they
are wreathed and come up upon my
neck. He hath made my strength to
fall : the Lord hath delivered me into
their hands, from whom I am not able
to rise up.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return unto
the Lord thy God !
Third Responsory.
2 Behold, when we shall see Him, He
hath no form nor comeliness : there is
no beauty in Him : this is He Which
hath borne our griefs and carried our
sorrows ; but He was wounded for our
transgressions, and with His stripes we
are healed.
Verse. Surely He hath borne our
griefs and carried our sorrows.
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed. Behold, when we shall see
Him, He hath no form nor comeliness :
there is no beauty in Him ; this is He
Which hath borne our sins and carried
our sorrows : but He was wounded for
our transgressions, and with His stripes
we are healed.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The Lord shall de-
liver the needy from the strong : the
poor also, that hath no helper.
Psalm LXXI.
Give the king, &c., (/. 126.)
Second A7ttipho7i. The ungodly think
and speak wickedness : they speak
loftily concerning oppression.
Psalm LXXII.
Truly God is good, &c., {p. 127.)
Third Antipho7t. Arise, O Lord, and
judge my cause.
1 Matth. xxvi. 38, 45.
2 Or, Yod.
3 Isa. liii. 2, 4.
HOLY WEEK.
367
Psalm LXXIIL
O God, why hast Thou cast us off ?
&c., {p. 128.)
Verse. Deliver me, O my God, out
of the hand of the wicked.
Answer. Out of the hand of the un-
righteous and cruel man.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Treatise
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo,]
upon the Psalms (liv. i.)
" C^ IVE ear to my prayer, O God,
^^ and despise not my supplica-
tion : attend unto me and hear me."
These are the words of a man tra-
vailing, anxious, and troubled. He
prayeth in the midst of much suffer-
ing, longing to be rid of his affliction.
Our part is to see what that his
affliction was, and when he hath told
us, to acknowledge that we also suffer
therefrom ; that so, partaking in his
trouble, we may take part also in his
prayer. He saith : " I mourn in my
exercise, and am troubled." Where-
in mourned he ? Wherein was he
troubled ? He saith : "In my exer-
cise." In the next words he giveth
us to know that his affliction was the
oppression of the wicked, — (" Because
of the voice of the enemy, and because
of the oppression of the wicked,") —
and this suffering which came upon
him at the hands of wicked men, he
hath called his exercise. Think not
that wicked men are in this world
for nothing, or that God doth no good
with them. Every wicked man liveth,
either to repent, or to exercise the
righteous.
Fourth Responsory.
^ Mine own friend hath betrayed Me
by the sign of a kiss : "Whomsoever I
shall kiss, That Same is He — hold
Him fast." This was the traitorous
sign which he gave, even he who
murdered with a kiss. Woe unto that
man ! He cast down the price of
blood, and went, and hanged him-
self.
Verse. It had been good for that
man if he had not been born.
Answer. Woe unto that man ! He
cast down the price of blood, and
went, and hanged himself.
Fifth Lesson.
VyOULD to God that they which
now exercise us were converted
and exercised with us ! Yet, while
they are as they are, and exercise us,
we will not hate them : for we know-
not of any one of them whether he
will endure to the end in his sin.
Yea, oftentimes, when thou deemest
that thou hatest thine enemy, he
whom thou hatest is thy brother,
and thou knowest it not. The Holy
Scriptures show us that the devil and
his angels are already damned unto
everlasting fire, and therefore of their
repentance it behoveth us to despair ;
but of theirs only. These are they
against whom we wrestle within ; to
the which wrestling the Apostle stir-
reth us up where he saith : " We
wrestle not against flesh and blood,"
— (that is, not against men whom we
see,) — "but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world." (Eph.
vi. 12.) He saith not "the rulers of
this world," lest perchance thou
shouldest deem that devils are the
lords of heaven and earth ; what he
doth say is, "rulers of the darkness
of this world," of that world which
they love who love the world, of that
world wherein the ungodly and un-
righteous do prosper, of that world.
1 Matth. xxvi. 48, 24 ; xxvii. 5.
368
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
in fine, of which the Gospel saith :
"And the world knew Him not."
(John i. lo.)
Fifth Responsory.
1 The vile trader Judas came to the
Lord to kiss Him, and He, as a guile-
less Lamb, refused not a kiss to Judas,
who, for a certain number of pence,
betrayed Christ to the Jews.
Verse. It had been good for that
man if he had not been born.
Aiiswer. Who, for a certain number
of pence, betrayed Christ to the Jews.
Sixth Lesson.
" T HAVE seen iniquity and strife in
-*■ the city." (v. lo.) Behold, the
glory of the Cross. That Cross which
was the object of the insults of God's
enemies, is established now above the
brows of kings. The end hath shown
the measure of its power : it hath
conquered the world, not by the
sword, but by its wood. The enemies
of God thought the Cross a meet
object of insult and ridicule, yea, they
stood before it, " wagging their heads
and saying : If He be the Son of God,
let Him come down from the Cross ! "
(Matth. xxvii. 39, 40.) And He
stretched forth His Hands unto a
disobedient and gainsaying people.
(Rom. X. 21.) If he is just which
liveth by faith, (Rom. i. 17; Hab. ii.
4,) he is unjust that hath not faith.
Therefore where is written " iniquity "
we may understand "unbelief." The
i.ord therefore saith that He " saw
iniquity and strife in the city," and
that He " stretched forth His Hands
unto that disobedient and gainsaying
people," — and, disobedient and gain-
saying as they were, He was hungry
for their salvation, and said : "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what
they do." (Luke xxiii. 34.)
Sixth Responsory.
2 One of My disciples shall betray
Me this night. Woe unto that man
by whom I am betrayed ! It had
been good for that man if he had not
been born.
Verse. He that dippeth his hand
with Me in the dish, the same shall
betray Me into the hands of sinners.
A?iswer. It had been good for that
man if he had not been born. One of
My disciples shall betray Me this
night. Woe unto that man by whom
I am betrayed. It had been good for
that man if he had not been born.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First A7itipho7i. I said unto the
wicked : Speak not wickedness against
God.
Psalm LXXIV.
Unto Thee, O God, &c,, {p. 129.)
Seco7id Aiitiphon. The earth trem-
bled and was still, when God arose to
judgment.
Psalm LXXV.
In Judah is God known, &c., (/.
130-)
Third Antiphon. In the day of my
trouble I sought God with my hands. ^
Psalm LXXVI.
I cried unto the Lord, &c., {p. 130.)
Verse. Arise, O Lord.
A?iswer. Judge Thou my cause.
1 Cf. Matth. xxvi. 48-50, 15, 24 ; Jer. xi. 19. 2 Matth. xxvi. 21, 24, 23, 45.
3 In its original place the meaning would be, "hands lifted up in prayer;" here it is
probably meant to refer to our Lord's, lifted up and stretched out upon the Cross.
HOLY WEEK.
369
Seve7ith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Paul
to the Corinthians (ii. 17.)
N
OW, in this that I command, I
praise you not, that ye come to-
gether, not for the better, but for the
fc worse. For, first of all, when ye come
together in the Church, I hear that
there be divisions among you, and I
partly believe it. For there must be
also heresies, that they which are ap-
proved may be made manifest among
you. When ye come together, there-
fore, into one place, this is not to eat
the Lord's Supper. For every one
taketh before his own supper to eat,
r and one is hungry, and another is
drunken. What ! have ye not houses
to eat and to drink in ? or despise ye
the Church of God, and shame them
that have not ? What shall I say
to you? Do I praise you? In this
I praise you not.
Seventh Responsory.
1 I was like a gentle lamb that is
brought to the slaughter, and I knew
not that mine enemies had devised de-
vices against me, saying : Come, let
us put [poison of a deadly] tree into
his bread, and let us cut him off from
the land of the living.
Verse. 2 All they that hate me de-
vised my hurt against me : they plotted
together to do me evil, saying :
Answer. Come, let us put [poison
of a deadly] tree into his bread, and
let us cut him off from the land of the
living.
Eighth Lesson.
T7OR I have received of the Lord
that which also I delivered unto-
you, That the Lord Jesus, the same
Jer. xi. 19. 2 Ps_ xl. 8, 9
night in which He was betrayed, took
bread ; and, when He had given
thanks, He brake it, and said : Take,
eat : This is My Body, Which shall
be given for you ; this do in remem-
brance of Me. After the same manner
also He took the cup, when He had
supped, saying : This Cup is the New
Testament in My Blood. This do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance
of Me, For as often as ye eat this
Bread and drink this Cup, ye do show
the Lord's death till He come.
Eighth Respojisory.
^ Could ye not watch with Me one
hour, ye that called one on the other
to die for Me ? Or see ye not Judas,
how that he sleepeth not, but maketh
haste to betray Me to the Jews ?
Verse. ^ Why sleep ye ? Rise, and
pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Answer. Or see ye not Judas, how
that he sleepeth not, but maketh haste
to betray Me to the Jews ?
Ninth Lesson.
VXyTHEREFORE, whosoever shall
eat this Bread, or drink the
Cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the Body and Blood of the
Lord. But let a man examine him-
self, and so let him eat of that Bread,
and drink of that Cup. For he that
eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not
discerning the Lord's Body. For this
cause many are weak and sickly
among you, and many sleep. For if
we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged. But when we are
judged we are chastened of the Lord,
that we should not be condemned with
the world. Wherefore, my brethren,
when ye come together to eat, tarry
one for another. If any man hunger.
3 Matth. xxvi. 40.
^ Luke xxii. 46.
370
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
let him eat at home, that ye come not
together unto condemnation. And the
rest will I set in order when I come.
Ninth Responsory.
1 The elders of the people consulted
that they might take jESUS by subtilty,
and kill Him : they came out, as
against a thief, with swords and
staves.
Verse. ^ The chief Priests and the
Pharisees gathered a council.
Answer. That they might take
Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him : they
came out, as against a thief, with
swords and staves. The elders of the
people consulted that they might take
Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him : they
came out, as against a thief, with
swords and staves.
lauds.
This part of the Service begins at
07ice with the First A?itipho7i.
First Aiitiphon. O Lord, Thou
shalt be justified when Thou speakest,
and be clear when Thou art judged.
Second A7itiphon. ^ The Lord was
brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and He opened not His mouth.
Third Antiphon. Mine heart is
broken within me ; all my bones
tremble.
Fourth Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast spoken unto us in Thy strength,
and in Thy Holy Banquet.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ He was offered
up because He willed it, and He bore
our sins.
No Chapter or Hymn are said either
on this or the two following nights.
Verse. * Mine Own familiar friend,
in whom I trusted, —
Ajiswer. Which did eat of My
bread, hath lifted up his heel against
Me.
By this time all the candles on the
triangular candlestick have been put
out^ except the one at the top., and.,
while the So?tg of Zacharias is being
su7tg^ every light throughout the
Church is put out., as are also the six
071 the Altar., 07te by 07ie., so that the
last is put out at the words., " To give
light to them that sit in darkness, &c."
As the A7itiphon, "Now he that be-
trayed Him, &c,," is repeated the seco7id
ti77ie, the ca7idle at the top of the tri-
a7igular candlestick is take7i and hidden
imder the Altar., at the Epistle cor7ier.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Now he that betrayed Him gave them
a sign, saying : Whomsoever I shall
kiss. That Same is He : hold Him fast.
The7i is said the followi7tg se7tte7ice.,
a7id as it begins., all k7ieel dow7i :
Christ, for our sakes, became obedi-
ent unto death.
The7i is said :
1. The Lord's Prayer, inaudibly.
2. Ps. Z., " Have mercy upon me,
&c.," ij). 87,) i7i a to7ie which ca7i just
be heard.
3. The Prayer., " Lord, we beseech
Thee, behold this Thy family, &c.,"
{f). 364.) Neither " Let us pray " 7ior
a7iythi7ig else is said before it. It is
said in the sa7ne to7ie as Ps. Z., except
the last clause., " Who liveth and reign-
eth, &c.," which is said i7iaudibly.
Whe7i it is over so77ie 7ioise is 77iade,^
the hidde7i light is put back 07i the
tria7igular ca7idle stick., and all prese7it
i7n77iediately rise and depart i7i sile7ice.
3 Isa. liii.
1 Matth. xxvi. 3, 4, 55. 2 John xi. 47. ^ isa. 1111. 7
5 That is, the Officiant, to announce that the Prayer is over, gives one or two taps
■i Ps. xl. 10.
HOLY WEEK.
371
PRIME.
After the Lord's Prayer^ the A?igelic
Salutation^ aftd the Apostles^ Creed
have been said inaudibly, all else is
omitted^ a?td the Psahfis begin at once.
No Antiphojt is said, and the Hymn,
" Glory be to the Father, &c.," is
everywhere omitted.
The Psalms themselves are as on
Feasts, viz. Ps. LIII. " Save me, O
God, &c.," a7td the two first parts of
Ps. CXVIII., "Blessed are the unde-
filed, &c.," arid " Deal bountifully,
&c."
As soon as the Psalms are over, the
Office cofitimtes, " Christ, for our sakes,
&c.," to the e7id, as at Lauds. Ajtd so
terminates the Service.
The Martyrology is not read i7i
Choir, and whether iii or out of Choir,
what follows it, beginning " Precious
in the sight of the Lord," is omitted.
TERCE, SEXT, AND NONE.
After the Lords Prayer a?id the
A?igelic Salutation have beeii said in-
audibly, all else is omitted, and the
usual portions of Ps. CXVLII. begirt at
07ice.
No Aiitiphon is said, and the Hymn,
" Glory be to the Father, &c.," is
everywhere omitted.
As S0071 as the appoijited portio7is oj
Ps. CXVLII. are over, the Office con-
tinues, " Christ, for our sakes, &c.," to
the end, as at Lauds. And so termin-
ates the Service. This e?iding must
be said complete after each Office,
whether they be said at one time or
not.
After Nojie the Altar is vested in
white, aiid ador7ied as for a sole77i7i
Feast, but without r cliques, pictures, or
images. The Cross is covered with a
white veil over the purple 07ie; six
lights are lighted, and the organ plays
while the Priest a7id his 7}ii7iisters pro-
ceed to the Sa7ictuary, dressed i7i white
vest77ients. The Liturgy is the7i cele-
brated, i7t 77ie7nory of the First Euchar-
ist, celebrated by our Lord Hi7nself 07i
this eve7ti7ig. After the Liturgy, the
Co7isecrated Host Which is to be co7t-
su77ied 071 the next day, goes i7i Proces-
sion to the place prepared for It. The
Processio7i over, all retur7i to their
places, except the Priest a7id his 77ii7iis-
ters, who go to the Sacristy. In their
absence Vespers are begU7i, a7id they
meanwhile take off their white vest-
7ne7its, the celebrant and deaco7i putting
on purple stoles and retur7ii7ig to the
Choir towards the end of the Miserere,
in ti77ie to assist at the latter part of
the Service.
VESPERS.
After the Lord^s Prayer a7td the
Angelic Salutatio7i have bee7i said i7i-
audibly, all else is 077iitted, a7id the
First Antipho7i begins at 07tce.
The Antipho7is are all doubled, and
the Hy77in, " Glory be to the Father,
&c.," is everywhere 07nitted.
First A7itipho7i. I will take the
cup of salvation, and call upon the
Name of the LORD.
Psahn CXV.
I believed, therefore have I spoken,
&c., {p. 185.)
Seco7id A7itipho7t. With them that
hate peace, I was peaceable ; when I
spoke unto them they fought against
me without a cause.
Psahn CXIX.
In my distress, &c., {f. 186.)
Third A7itipho7i. O Lord, pre-
serve me from the wicked man.
Psahn C XXXIX.
Deliver me, O Lord, &c., {p. 198.)
372
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Fourth Antiphon. Keep me from
the snare which they have laid for me,
and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
Psalm CXL.
Lord, I cry unto Thee, &c., {p.
I99-)
Fifth Antiphon. I looked on my
right hand, and beheld : but there was
no man that would know me.
Psalm CXLI.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice,
&c., {p. 200.)
No Chapter, Hynui, ?ior Verse and
Answer are said.
A?itiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi?t. And, as they were eating,
Jesus took bread, and blessed, and
brake, and gave to His disciples.^
Then, "Christ, for our sakes, &c.,"
to the eftd, as at Lauds.
After Vespers, the Priest in his
purple stole, and with the help of his
vmiisters, strips the Altar quite bare,
171 remembrance of the Nakedtiess of our
Lord Jesus Christ duriiig great part
of His Passion. During the ceremony
is recited Ps. XXL, " My God, My
God, &c.," without the Hymn, " Glory
be to the Father, &c.," but with this
Antiphon, both before and after: "They
part My garments among them, and
cast lots upon My vesture." There
remain only on the Altar the Cross
under its purple veil, and the un-
lighted candles i7i the ca7idlesticks.
This is the e7id of the Service.
At a later hour i7i the day is per-
for7nedthe Mau7tdy, that is, the " Man-
datum," or " Commandment of the
Lord," that is to say, Superiors wash
the feet of their i7iferiors, i7i obedie7ice .
to the C077i7na7id a7id exai7iple of our
Lord, Who, on this eveni7ig. Himself
first perfornied this cere7Ji07iy for His
disciples.
COMPLINE.
The early part of the Service is e7i-
tirely 077iitted, except the Co7ifessio7i a7id
Absolutio7i, after which begin the usual
Psal77is, without a7zy A7itipho7i, or the
Hy 17171, " Glory be to the Father, &c.,"
which is everywhere 077iitted.
L7}i77iediately after Ps. CXXXHL.,
" Behold, bless ye the Lord, &c.," is
said the So7ig of Sii7ieo7i, without any
A7itipho7i, a7id i77i77iediately after " the
glory of Thy people Israel" is said :
" Christ, for our sakes, &c.," to the end,
as at Lauds.
Thus e7id Lauds, Pripie, Terce, Sext,
No7ie, Vespers, a7id Co77ipli7ie, fro77i the
Lauds of Mau7idy Thursday to the No7ie
of Holy Saturday, both i7iclusive.
Sixth Day of the Great Week.
The Preparatio7i of the Passover. ^
MATTINS.
This is the Seco7id Night of Dark-
ness. The cere77io7iial is the sa77ie as
before, as are also the 077iissio7is in the
Service.
The A7itipho7is are all doubled, a7id
the Hy 77171, " Glory be to the Father,
&c.," is everywhere 07nitted.
After the Lords Prayer, the A7igelic
Salutatio7i, a7id the Apostle^ Creed have
bee7i said i7iaudibly, the First A7itipho7i
begi7is at 07ice.
1 MaUh. xxvi. 26.
2 In Parasceve, i.e., Paraskeud. This is the Greek word used by all the Evangelists to
designate this day ; by St John three times. The work is retained in the Latin, probably
because it was the common name of the day among Greek-speaking Jews.
HOLY WEEK.
373
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The kings of the
earth set themselves, and the rulers
take counsel together, against the
Lord, and against His Anointed.
Psalm II.
Why do the heathen rage, &c., {p. 4.)
Second Antiphon. They part my gar-
ments among them, and cast lots upon
my vesture.
Psahn XXI.
My God, My God, &c., {p. 48.)
Third Antiphon. False witnesses
are risen up against me, and iniquity
hath belied itself.
Psalm XXVI.
The Lord is my light, &c., ij). 73.)
Verse. They part my garments
among them.
Answer, And cast lots upon my
vesture.
Then., the Lords Prayer haviitg beeii
said inaudibly^ the First Lesson begins
at once.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Lamen-
tations of Jeremiah the Prophet
(ii. 8.)
TTETH.i The LORD hath purposed
to destroy the wall of the
daughter of Zion : He hath stretched
out His line, He hath not withdrawn
His hand from destroying : the ram-
part doth lament, and the wall lan-
guisheth with it.
Teth. Her gates are sunk into the
ground. He hath destroyed and broken
her bars ; her king and her princes
are among the Gentiles. The law is
no more ; her Prophets also find no
vision from the LORD.
lOD. The elders of the daughter of
Zion sit upon the ground, and keep
silence : they have cast up dust upon
their heads ; they have girded them-
selves with sack-cloth : the virgins of
Jerusalem hang down their heads to
the ground.
Caph. Mine eyes do fail with tears,
my bowels are troubled, my liver is
poured upon the earth, for the destruc-
tion of the daughter of my people, be-
cause the children and the sucklings
swoon in the streets of the city.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return unto
the Lord thy God.
The First Responsory begi7ts at 07ice.
First Responsory.
All my friends have forsaken me, and
mine enemies have prevailed against
me ; he whom I loved hath betrayed
me. Mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes
upon me ; he breaketh me with breach
upon breach : and [in my thirst] they
gave me vinegar to drink. 2
Verse. I am numbered with the
transgressors ; and my life is not
spared.
Answer. Mine enemy sharpeneth
his eyes upon me ; he breaketh me
with breach upon breach ; and [in
my thirst] they gave me vinegar to
drink.
Second Lesson.
T AMED. They say to their mothers :
Where is corn and wine ? When
they swooned as the wounded in the
streets of the city, when their soul was
poured out into their mother's bosom.
1 This commences in the middle of another ABC Darian composition.
2 Et terribilibus ocuUs plaga crudeli percutientes, aceto potabant me. This appears to be a
sort of compound of Job xvi. 10, 15, and Ps. Ixviii. 22, and the passage in the text is accordingly
constructed from those passages, but the quotation is either very inexact or from a very different
version to the present.
VOL. II. N
374
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Mem. What thing shall I take to
witness for thee ? What thing shall I
liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem ?
What shall I equal to thee, that I may
comfort thee, O virgin daughter of
Zion ? For thy breach is great like
the sea : who can heal thee ?
Nun. Thy Prophets have seen vain
and foolish things for thee, and they
have not discovered thine iniquity, to
stir thee up to repent, but have seen
for thee false burdens and causes of
banishment.
Samech. All that pass by clap their
hands at thee : they hiss and wag
their head at the daughter of Jerusalem,
saying : Is this the city that men call
" The Perfection of beauty," " The joy
of the whole earth ! "
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return un-
to the Lord thy God !
Aleph. Surely against me is He
turned : He turneth His hand against
me all the day.
Beth. My skin and my flesh hath
He made old ; He hath broken my
bones.
Beth. He hath builded round
about me, and compassed me with
gall and travail.
Beth. He hath set me in dark
places, as they that be dead of old.
Ghimel. He hath hedged me
about, that I cannot get out : He hath
made my chain heavy.
Ghimel. Also when I cry and
shout, He shutteth out my prayer.
Ghimel. He hath inclosed my
ways with hewn stone : He hath made
my paths crooked.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return un-
to the Lord thy God.
Second Responsory.
1 The veil of the Temple was rent in
twain, [from the top to the bottom,]
and all the earth did quake : ^ the thief
on the cross cried, saying : Lord, re-
member me when Thou comest into
Thy kingdom !
Verse. ^ The rocks rent, and the
graves were opened, and many bodies
of the Saints, which slept, arose.
Answer. And all the earth did
quake : the thief on the cross cried,
saying : Lord, remember me when
Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Third Lesson, (iii. i.)^
A LEPH. I am the man that hath
seen affliction by the rod of His
wrath.
Aleph. He hath led me, and
brought me into darkness, but not
into light.
Third Responsory.
4 I had planted thee a noble vine.
How then art thou turned into a de-
generate plant, which wiliest that
Barabbas should be released unto
thee, and that I should be crucified?
Verse. ^ I fenced thee, and gath-
ered out the stones from thee, and
built a tower in [the midst of] thee.
Answer. How then art thou turned
into a degenerate plant, which wiliest
that Barabbas should be released unto
thee, and that I should be crucified "^
I had planted thee a noble vine.
How then art thou turned into a de-
generate plant, which wiliest that
Barabbas should be released unto
thee, and that I should be crucified?
second nocturn.
First Antiphon. They that sought
after my life have used violence against
me.
1 Matth. xxvii. 51, 52. 2 Luke xxiii. 42.
3 Here begins a third ABC Darian poem, but each letter has three, instead of one verse.
4 Jer. ii. 21. 5 isa. v. 2.
HOLY WEEK.
375
Psalm XXXVI L
0 Lord, rebuke me not, &c., (/.
83-)
Second Antiphon. Let them be
ashamed and confounded together
that seek after my soul, to destroy it.
Psahti XXXIX.
1 waited patiently, &c., i^p. 93.)
Third Antiphon. Strangers are
risen up against me, and oppressors
seek after my soul.
Psalm Lin.
Save me, O God, &c., {p. 36.)
Verse. ^ False witnesses are risen
up against me.
Answer. And iniquity hath belied
itself.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Treatise
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo,]
upon the Psalms (Ixiii. 2.)
'"T^HOU hast hidden me from the
secret counsel of the wicked,
from the insurrection of the workers
of iniquity." Now let us fix our eyes
upon our Head. Many martyrs have
suffered such things as He suffered,
but God's hiding of His suffering ser-
vants is not so well seen in the
Martyrs, as it is in the Captain of
the Martyrs. And it is in Him that
we best see how it fared with them.
He was hidden from the secret coun-
sel of the wicked ; hidden by God,
being Himself God ; hidden, as touch-
ing the Manhood, by God the Son,
and the very Manhood, Which is taken
into God the Son ; because He is the
Son of man, and He is the Son of
God — Son of God, as being in the
form of God ; Son of man, as having
taken upon Him the form of a ser-
vant, (Phil. ii. 6, 7,) Whose life no
man taketh from Him, but Who
layeth it down of Himself He hath
power to lay it down, and He hath
power to take it again, (John x. 18.)
What then was all that they which
hated Him could do ? They could
kill the Body, but they were not able
to kill the Soul. 2 Consider this very
earnestly. It had been a small thing
for the Lord to preach to the Martyrs
by His word, if He had not also
nerved them by His example.
Fourth Responsory.
^Are ye come out, as against a
thief, with swords and staves, for to
take Me ? I sat daily with you,
teaching in the Temple, and ye laid
no hold on Me ; and, now when ye
have scourged Me, ye lead Me away
to crucify Me ! ^
Verse. ^ And when they had laid
hands on Jesus, and taken Him, He
said unto them :
Answer. I sat daily with you,
teaching in the Temple, and ye laid
no hold on Me ; and now, when ye
have scourged Me, ye lead Me away
to crucify Me !
Fifth Lesson.
A/E know what secret counsel was
that of the wicked Jews, and
what insurrection was that of the
workers of iniquity. Of what iniquity
were they the workers ? The murder
of our Lord Jesus Christ. " Many
good works," saith He,^ "have I
showed you — for which of those works
go ye about to kill Me ? " He had
borne with all their weaknesses : He
had healed all their diseases : He
1 Ps. xxvi. 12.
^ Matth. xxvii. 26, 31.
2 Cf. Matth. X. 28.
5 Mark xiv. 46, 48, 49.
3 Matth. xxvi. 55.
6 John X. 32 ; vii. 20.
376
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
had preached unto them the king-
dom of heaven : He had discovered to
them their iniquities, that they might
rather hate them, than the Physician
That came to cure them. And now
at last, without gratitude for all the
tenderness of His healing love, like
men raging in an high delirium,
throwing themselves madly on the
Physician, Who had come to cure
them, they took counsel together how
they might kill Him, as if to see if
He were a Man and could die, or
Something more than a man, and
That would not let Himself die. In
the Wisdom of Solomon we recognise
their words, (ii. i8, 19, 20,) "Let us
condemn Him with a shameful death
— Let us examine Him ; for, by His
own saying. He shall be respected.
If He be the Son of God, let Him
help Him."
Fifth Responsory.
1 The Jews crucified Jesus : and
there was darkness [over all the land,
unto the ninth hour] : and about the
ninth hour jESUS cried with a loud
voice, [saying] : My God, [My God,]
why hast Thou forsaken Me ? ^ And
He bowed His Head, and gave up
the Ghost.
Verse. 3\Yhen jESUS had cried
with a loud voice, He said : Father,
into Thy hands I commend My
Spirit.
Answer. And He bowed His Head,
and gave up the Ghost.
Sixth Lesson.
" 'T^HEY whet their tongue like a
sword." The Jews cannot
say : " We did not murder Christ "
— albeit they gave Him over to Pilate
His judge, that they themselves might
seem free of His death. For when
Pilate said unto them, " Take ye Him
and kill Him,"'* they answered, "It
is not lawful for us to put any man
to death." They could throw the
blame of their sin upon a human
judge : but did they deceive God, the
Great Judge ? In that which Pilate
did, he was their accomplice, but in
comparison with them, he had far the
lesser sin. (John xix. 11.) Pilate
strove as far as he could, to deliver
Him out of their hands ; for the which
reason also he scourged Him, (John
xix. I,) and brought Him forth to
them (4). He scourged not the Lord
for cruelty's sake, but in the hope that
he might so slake their wild thirst for
blood : that, perchance, even they
might be touched with compassion,
and cease to lust for His death, when
they saw What He was after the flag-
ellation. Even this effort he made.
" But when Pilate saw that he could
not prevail, but that rather a tumult
was made," (Matth. xxvii. 24,) ye
know how that "he took water, and
washed his hands before the multi-
tude, saying : I am innocent of the
Blood of this Just Person." And yet,
"he delivered Him to be crucified!"
(26). But if he were guilty who did
it against his will, were they innocent
who goaded him on to it ? No.
Pilate gave sentence against Him,
and commanded Him to be crucified,
but ye, O ye Jews, ye also are His
murderers ! Wherewith ? With your
tongue, whetted like a sword. And
when ? But when ye cried, " Crucify
Him ! Crucify Him ! " (Mark xv. 13,
14 ; Luke xxiii. 21 ; John xix. 6.)
Sixth Respo7isory.
^ I have given the dearly-beloved of
My soul into the hand of her enemies,
1 Matth. xxvii. 35, 45, 46. 2 John xix. 30. 3 Luke xxiii. 46.
4 This is not in the Gospels. There are words like it in John xix. 6, but the whole passage
seems a loose quotation from xviii. 31. ^ Jer. xii. 7, 8 ; cf. 9-11.
HOLY WEEK.
377
and Mine heritage is become unto Me
as a lion in the forest ; the enemy
crieth out against Me, saying : As-
semble yourselves together, hasten to
devour Him : they have made My
portion a desolate wilderness, and
the whole land mourneth unto Me :
because there is none found that will
know Me, nor do well.
Verse. There be risen up against
me such as breathe out cruelty, and
they have not spared my soul.
Answer. Because there is none
found that will know Me, nor do well.
I have given the dearly-beloved of
My soul into the hand of her enemies,
and Mine heritage is become unto Me
as a lion in the forest : the enemy
crieth out against Me, saying : Assemble
yourselves together, hasten to devour
Him : they have made My portion
a desolate wilderness, and the whole
land mourneth unto me : because there
is none found that will know Me, nor
do well.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. O Lord, defend
me from them that rise up against me,
for they lie in wait for my life.
Psahn L VIII.
Deliver me, &c., (/. iii.)
Second Antiphon. Thou hast put
away mine acquaintance far from me ;
I am shut up, and cannot come forth.
Psalm LX XXVII.
O Lord God of my salvation, &c.,
(/. I45-)
Third Antiphon. They gather
themselves together against the soul
of the righteous, and condemn the
innocent blood.
Psalm XCIII.
The Lord God, to Whom vengeance,
(A 147.)
Verse. ^ They have spoken against
me with a lying tongue.
A7iswer. They compassed me about
also with words of hatred, and fought
against me without a cause.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Hebrews (iv. 1 1.)
T ET us labour to enter into that
rest, lest any man fall after the
same example of unbelief. For the
Word of God is quick and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow ; and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that' is
not manifest in His sight : but all
things are naked and opened unto the
eyes of Him with Whom we have to
do. Seeing then that we have a great
High Priest That is passed into the
heavens, jESUS the Son of God, let
us hold fast our profession. For we
have not an High Priest, Which can-
not be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities : but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Seventh Responsory.
2 They have turned me over into the
hands of the wicked : they also have
numbered me with the trangressors,
neither have they spared my life : the
mighty are gathered together against
me, and stand up against me like
giants.
Verse. ^ Strangers are risen up
1 Ps. cviii. 3.
2 Cf. Job xvi. 12, 14, 15 ; Isa. liii. 12.
3 Ps. liii. 5.
378
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
against me, and oppressors seek after
my soul.
Answer. And stand up against
me like giants.
Eighth Lesson.
T ET us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need, (v.) For every High
Priest taken from among men is or-
dained for men in things pertaining
to God, that he may offer both gifts
and sacrifices for sins : who can have
compassion on the ignorant, and on
them that are out of the way ; for
that he himself also is compassed
with infirmity. And by reason here-
of he ought, as for the people, so
also for himself, to offer for sins.
Eighth Responsory.
1 That wicked one betrayed jESUS
to the chief-priests and elders of the
people : but Peter followed Him afar
off, to see the end.
Verse. And they led Him away to
Caiphas the High Priest, where the
Scribes and Pharisees were assembled.
Aiiswer. But Peter followed Him
afar off, to see the end.
Ninth Lesson.
A ND no man taketh this honour un-
to himself, but he that is called
of God, as was Aaron. So, also, Christ
glorified not Himself to be made an
High Priest, but He That said unto
Him : " Thou art My Son, to-day have
I begotten Thee." (Ps. ii. 7.) As He
saith also in another place : " Thou art
a Priest for ever, after the order of
Melchisedeck." (Ps. cix. 4.) Who, in
the days of His flesh, when He had
offered up prayers and supplications,
with strong crying and tears, unto
Him That was able to save Him from
death, was heard, in that He feared. ^
And though He was the Son of God,
yet learnt He obedience by the things
which He suffered : and being made
perfect. He is become the Author of
Eternal Salvation unto all them that
obey Him — called of God an High
Priest after the order of Melchisedeck.
Ninth Responsory.
^ Mine eyes do fail with tears, be-
cause the Comforter that should relieve
me is far from me. Behold, O all
ye nations, if there be any sorrow like
unto my sorrow.
Verse. O all ye that pass by, be-
hold, and see —
Answer. If there be any sorrow
like unto my sorrow. Mine eyes do
fail with tears, because the Comforter
that should relieve me is far from me.
Behold, O all ye nations, if there be
any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
LAUDS.
This part of the Service begins at
07ice with the First Antiphon.
First Antiphon. ^ God spared not
His Own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all.
Second Antiphon. My spirit is over-
whelmed within me : my heart within
me is troubled.
Third Antiphon. ^ One thief said
unto the other : We indeed receive the
due reward of our deeds, but what
hath this Man done ? Lord, remember
me, when Thou comest into Thy
kingdom.
Fourth A?itiphon. Lord, when my
1 Cf. Matth. xxvi. 47, 48, 57, 58.
^ Lam. ii. 11 ; i. 16, 12.
2 Or, " on account of His reverent submission."
4 Rom. viii. 32. ^ Luke xxiii. 40-42.
HOLY WEEK.
379
soul is troubled, Thou wilt remember
mercy.
Fifth Antiphon. Lord, remember
me, when Thou comest into Thy
kingdom.
No Chapter or Hymn is said.
Verse. ^ He hath set me in dark
places.
Aiiswer. As they that be dead of
old.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
2 They set up over His Head His
accusation written : JESUS OF
NAZARETH THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
The Service finishes as yesterday., ex-
cept that the sentejice^ " Christ, for our
sakes, &c.," is read thus :
Christ, for our sakes, became obedi-
ent unto death, even the death of the
Cross.
The whole of the other Offices are
precisely the same as yesterday., with
the exception of the above addition to
the sente7ice., " Christ, for our sakes,
&c.," which addition is made through-
out the day., and the Antiphon at the
Song of the Blessed Virgin at Vespers.,
which is :
When He had received the vinegar,
He said : It is finished ! and He
bowed His Head, and gave up the
Ghost.=^
The Liturgy is celebrated after None.
At its conclusio7i the Priest and his
ministers go to the Sacristy to u?zvest^
and Vespers are begu?i in their absence.,
just as yesterday. The Priest and min-
isters in the sajne way returti to Choir,
before Vespers are over.
The Holy Sabbath.
MATTINS.
This is the Third Night of Darkness.
The Ceremonial is the same as before., as
are also the omissions i?t the service.
The Antiphons are all doubled^ ajid
the Hym?!., " Glory be to the Father,
&c.," is everywhere omitted.
After the Lords Prayer^ the Angelic
Salutation., and the Apostles' Creed have
bee7t saidi7taudibly., the First Antipho7t
begins at once.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. I will both lay
me down in peace, and sleep.
Psahn LV.
When I called, &c., {p. 206.)
Seco7td A7itipho7i. He shall abide
in Thy tabernacle : He shall dwell in
Thy holy hill.
Psahn XLV.
Lord, who shall abide, &c., {p. 10.)
Third A?ttipho7t. My flesh shall
rest in hope.
Psalm XV.
Preserve me, O Lord, &c., {p. 12.)
Verse. I will both lay me down in
peace.
A7iswer. And sleep.
Then., the Lord^s Prayer havi7tg bee7i
said i7iaudibly, the First Lesso7i begins
at once.
1 Lara. iii. 6.
2 Matth. xxvii. 37.
3 John xix. 30.
38o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Lamen-
tation of Jeremiah the Prophet (iii.
22.)
TTETH.i It is of the LORD'S mer-
cies that we are not consumed :
because His compassions fail not.
Heth. They are new every morn-
ing ; great is Thy faithfulness.
Heth. The Lord is my portion,
saith my soul : therefore will I hope
in Him.
Teth. The Lord is good unto
them that wait for Him, to the soul
that seeketh Him.
Teth. It is good that a man
should quietly wait for the salvation
of the Lord.
Teth. It is good for a man that
he bear the yoke in his youth.
lOD. He sitteth alone and keepeth
silence, because he hath borne it upon
him.
lOD. He putteth his mouth in the
dust, if so be there may be hope.
lOD. He giveth his cheek to him
that smiteth him : he is filled full with
reproach.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return un-
to the Lord thy God !
The First Responsory begins at once.
2 He hath been brought as a lamb
to the slaughter, and while he was
evil- entreated he opened not his
mouth : he was delivered up to death,
that he might quicken his people.
Verse. ^ He hath poured out his
soul unto death, and he was numbered
with the transgressors.
Answer. That he might quicken
his people.
Second Lesso7i. (iv. i.)
A LEPH.4
^^ dim!
How is the gold become
How is the most fine,
gold changed ! The stones of the
Sanctuary are poured out in the top
of every street !
Beth. The precious sons of Zion,
clad in fine gold, how are they es-
teemed as earthen pitchers, the work
of the hands of the potter !
Ghimel, Even the most savage
beasts ^ draw out the breast, they give
suck to their young ones : the daugh-
ter of my people is cruel, like the-
ostrich in the wilderness !
Daleth. The tongue of the suck-
ing child cleaveth to the roof of his.
mouth for thirst : the young children
ask bread, and no man breaketh it
unto them !
He. They that did feed delicately,,
are dead of famine in the streets : they
that were brought up in scarlet em-
brace dung-hills !
Vav. For the iniquity of the^
daughter of my people is greater than
the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown
in a moment, and no hands stayed
on her.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return un-
to the Lord thy God !
Second Respofisory.
^ Arise, O Jerusalem, and put oif
thy garments of rejoicing : cover thee
with sack -cloth and ashes : for the
Saviour of Israel hath been slain in
the midst of thee.
Verse. ^ Let thy tears run down
like a river day and night, and let not
the apple of thine eye cease.
Answer. For the Saviour of Israel'
hath been slain in the midst of thee.
1 This is the continuation of the ABC Darian poem begun last night, omitting the letters-
Daleth, He, Vav, and Zain. 2 Q{^ jsa., liii. 7 ; i Mace. vi. 44.
3 Isa. liii. 12. ^ This is the beginning of another ABC Darian poem.
5 Lamiae, pr. a kind of vampire, or night-wandering spectre. Hebrew, Tanin — a word of
indeterminate meaning, expressing generally savage wild beasts. Gesenius supposes jackals.
6 Cf. Jonah iii. 6. • '' Lam. ii. 18.
HOLY WEEK.
381
Third Lesso7i. (Lam. v. i.)
Here beginneth the Prayer of Jeremiah
the Prophet.
"p EMEMBER, O Lord, what is
come upon us : consider and
behold our reproach. Our inheritance
is turned to strangers, our houses to
aliens. We are orphans and father-
less ; our mothers are as widows. We
have drunken our water for money ;
our wood is sold unto us. Our necks
are in jeopardy ; we are weary, and
have no rest. We have given the
hand to the Egyptians, and to the
Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
Our fathers have sinned, and are not ;
and we have borne their iniquities.
Servants have ruled over us : there is
none that doth deliver us out of their
hand. We gat our bread with the
peril of our lives, because of the sword
of the wilderness. Our skin was black
like an oven, because of the terrible
famine. They ravished the women in
Zion, and the maids in the cities of
Judah.
Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! Return un-
to the Lord thy God !
Third Respofisory.
1 O my people ! lament, like a virgin
[girded with sack-cloth for the husband
of her youth,] ^howl, ye shepherds, in
sack-cloth and ashes,i for the day of
the Lord is at hand, and it is great
and very terrible.
Verse. Gird yourselves, ye Priests,
and howl, ye ministers of the altar :
cast up ashes upon you.
Answer. For the day of the LORD
is at hand, and it is great and very
terrible. O my people ! lament, like
a virgin, [girded with sack-cloth for
the husband of her youth,] howl, ye
shepherds, in sack-cloth and ashes, for
the day of the LORD is at hand, and
it is great and very terrible.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. Be ye lift up, ye
everlasting doors,^ and the King of
glory shall come in.
Psalm XXIII.
The earth is the Lord's, &c., {p.
46.)
Second Antiphon. I believe that I
shall yet see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Psalm XXVI
The Lord is my light, &c., {p. 73.)
Third Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast brought up my soul from the
grave.
Psalm XXIX.
I will extol Thee, &c., {p. 75.)
Verse. * But Thou, O Lord, be
merciful unto me.
A?tswer. And raise me up ; and I
will requite them.
Fourth lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Treatise
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo,]
upon the Psalms (Ixiii. 7.)
" IV/r AN shall attain to thoughts that
are very deep : but God shall
still be exalted." The enemies of our
Lord had communed of laying snares
privily; they had said, "Who shall see.
them ? " They had searched out in-
iquities ; they had accomplished a dil-
1 Joel i. 8, 15 ; ii. 11 ; i. 13. • 2 jer. xxv, 34.
3 Probably here referring to the "gates of death" entered by Christ when He "descended
into hell," The other Antiphons seem put in the mouth of "the spirits in prison." (i Pet.
iii. 19.) * Ps. xl. II.
VOL. II. N 2
382
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
igent search. And Man attained even
unto [the realisation of] their counsels,
for the Lord, as Man, suffered Himself
to be taken. For He had not been
taken at all, unless He had been a
Man, or seen, unless He had been a
Man, or smitten, unless He had been
a Man, or crucified, unless He had
been a Man, or have died, unless He
had been a Man. Man therefore. He
attained unto all those sufferings,
which had had nothing in Him,
unless He had been a Man, But if
He had not been Man, man had not
been redeemed. And the Lord as Man
attained to thoughts that were very
deep, yea, secret ; showing the Man-
hood to the eyes of men, and keeping
the Godhead within Him ; veiling the
form of God, as touching Which, He
is Equal to the Father, and manifest-
ing the form of a servant, as touching
which, He is inferior to the Father.
Fourth Responsory.
Our Shepherd, even the Fountain of
living waters, is gone from us ; He
passed away, and the sun was dark-
ened. For now hath our Saviour
bound him captive, which bound the
first man captive ; this day hath He
burst the gates and bars of death.
Verse. The bands of hell He hath
utterly abolished, and hath done away
the power of the devil.
Answer. For now hath our Saviour
bound him captive, which bound the
first man captive ; this day hath He
burst the gates and bars of death.
Fifth Lesson.
T T OW far did the accomplishment
of their diligent search reach ?
Even to the setting a watch of soldiers
at the sepulchre, to guard the Lord,
even after He was dead and buried.
For "they said unto Pilate : Sir, we
remember that that deceiver — "
(Matth. xxvii. 63.) This was the
term by which they designated the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the remem-
brance that He was so named is a
sweet consolation to us His servants,
when we are called impostors. So
they said unto Pilate, " that deceiver
said, while He was yet alive : After
three days I will rise again. Com-
mand therefore that the sepulchre be
made sure until the third day, lest His
disciples come and steal Him away,
and say unto the people : He is risen
again from the dead ; so the last error
shall be worse than the first. Pilate
said unto them : Ye have a watch ; go
your way ; make it as sure as ye can.
So they went and made the sepulchre
sure, sealing the stone, and setting a
watch. "
Fifth Responsory.
O all ye that pass by, behold and
see if there be any sorrow like unto
my sorrow.
Verse. O all ye nations, behold,
and see my sorrow, —
A?iswer. If there be any sorrow-
like unto my sorrow.
Sixth Lesson.
" 00 they went, and made the sepul-
chre sure, sealing the stone,
and setting a watch" — and anon,
" behold, there was a great earth-
quake," and the Lord arose. So
great wonders were wrought about
the sepulchre that the very soldiers,
which were put to guard it, were
witnesses thereto, if only they would
have told the truth. But the same
love of money which had made a slave
of that disciple who was a companion
of Christ, made slaves also of the
soldiers that were put to watch His
sepulchre. " Some of the watch came
into the city, and showed unto the
HOLY WEEK.
383
chief- priests all the things that were
done : and when they were assembled
with the elders, and had taken coun-
sel, they gave large money unto the
soldiers, saying : Say ye, His disciples
came by night and stole Him away
while we slept." In good sooth, their
diligent search had been accomplished
and ended before this. What didst
thou say, O stupid cunning ? Wast
thou indeed so utterly void of the light
of godly wisdom, and confounded in
the bottomless pit of thine own false-
hood as to tell them to say : " His
disciples came by night, and stole Him
away while we slept ? " Part of the
testimony of thine eye-witnesses was
that they were asleep at the time :
thou thyself wast asleep not to be able
to see that on their own testimony,
their testimony must have been worth-
less.
Sixth Responsory.
1 Behold how the righteous dieth,
and no man taketh it to heart ; and
the just are taken away, and none
Iconsidereth. From the midst of sin-
ners is the righteous translated ; and
his memory is in peace.
Verse. As a lamb before his
shearers is dumb, so He opened not
His mouth ; He was taken from prison
^ and from judgment.
Answer. And his memory is in
peace. Behold how the righteous
dieth, and no man taketh it to heart ;
and the just are taken away, and none
considereth. From the midst of sin-
ners is the righteous translated ; and
his memory is in peace.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. God is my helper,
and the Lord upholdeth my soul.
Psabji LI II.
Save me, O God, &c,, (^p. 36.)
Second Antipho7i. His place is in
"Peace," 2 and His dwelling-place in
Zion.
Psalm LXXV.
In Judah is God known, &c., {p.
130-)
Third Antiphon. I am as a man
that hath no strength, lying nerveless
among the dead.
Psalm LXXXVII.
O Lord God of my salvation, &c.,
{p. I45-)
Verse. His place is in " Peace." ^
Answer. And His dwelling-place
in Zion.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Hebrews (ix. 11.)
/"^HRIST being come an High Priest
of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands, that is to say,
not of this building, neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by His
own blood. He entered in once [for
all] into the Holy Place, having ob-
tained eternal redemption for us. For
if the blood of goats or of bulls, and
the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the
unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying
of the flesh, how much more shall the
Blood of Christ, Who, through the
Holy Spirit, offered Himself without
spot to God, purge our conscience
from dead works to serve the living
God?
1 Cf. Wisd. iv. 10, 14 ; Isa. Ivii. i.
2 Lit., Salem, a play upon the meaning of that name, viz., Peace. Of our Lord in the grave
it was true in both senses.
384
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Seventh Responsory.
1 The kings of the earth set them-
selves, and the rulers take counsel
together against the LORD, and
against His Anointed.
Verse. Why do the heathen rage ?
and the people imagine a vain thing,
A?tswer. Against the LORD, and
against His Anointed ?
Eighth Lesson.
A ND for this cause, He is the Medi-
'^^ ator of the New Testament, that,
by means of death, for the redemption
of the transgressions that were under
the first Testament, they, which are
called, might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance. For where a
testament is, there must also of neces-
sity be the death of the testator. For
a testament is of force after men are
dead : otherwise it is of no strength at
all while the testator liveth. Where-
fore neither the first Testament was
dedicated without blood.
Eighth Responsory.
I am counted with them that go
down into the pit, I am as a man
that hath no strength, lying nerveless
among the dead.
Verse. They have laid me in the
lowest pit, in darkness, and in the
shadow of death.
Answer. I am as a man that hath
no strength, lying nerveless among
the dead.
Ninth Lesson.
117 OR when Moses had read every
precept of the law to all the
people, he took the blood of calves
and of goats, with water, and scarlet
wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both
the book and all the people, saying :
This is the blood of the Testament
which God hath enjoined unto you.
Moreover, he sprinkled likewise with
blood both the Tabernacle and all the
vessels of the ministry. And almost
all things are by the law purged with
blood ; and without shedding of blood
is no remission.
Ninth Responsory.
2 After that the Lord was buried,
they sealed the sepulchre, rolling a stone
to the door of the sepulchre ; and set-
ting a watch to keep Him.
Verse. The chief priests came to-
gether unto Pilate, and made that re-
quest unto him.
Answer. Setting a watch to keep
Him. After that the Lord was buried,
they sealed the sepulchre, rolling a
stone to the door of the sepulchre,
and setting a watch to keep Him.
LAUDS.
This part of the Service begifts at
once with the First Antiphon.
First Atitiphon. ^ O death, I will
be thy death ; O grave, I will be thy
destruction.
Psalm L.
Have mercy upon me, &c., {p. 87.)
Second Antiphon. ^ They shall
mourn for Him, as one mourneth for
his only son, for the innocent Lord
hath been put to death.
Fsalm XLH.
Judge me, O God, &c., {p. 105.)
Third Antipho7i. O all ye nations,
behold, and see my sorrow.
1 Ps. ii. 2, I.
2 Matth. xxvii. 66, 62.
3 Hos. xiii. 14.
■* Zech. xii. 10.
HOLY WEEK.
385
Psalms LXIL, LXVL
O God, Thou art my God, &c.,
(A 23.)
Fourth Antiphon. O Lord, deliver
my soul from the gates of the grave.
The Song of Hezekiah^ {p. i o 5 • )
Fifth Antiphon. O all ye that pass
by, behold, and see if there be any
sorrow like unto my sorrow.
Psalms CXLVIIL, CXLIX., CL.
Praise ye the Lord, &c., (jpp.^z,^ 26.)
Verse. ^ My flesh shall rest in hope.
Answer. Neither wilt Thou suffer
Thine Holy One to see corruption.
Antipho7t at the So?tg of Zacharias.
There were women sitting over against
the sepulchre, weeping, and making
lamentation for the Lord. 2
The Service fiitishes as on Thursday.^
.except that the sentence., " Christ, for
our sakes, &c.," is read thus :
Christ, for our sakes, became obedi-
ent unto death, even the death of the
Cross, wherefore God also hath highly
exalted Him, and given Him a Name
which is above every name.
Before Prime the altar is vested^
with a purple fro?ital^ and furnished
with white wax tapers., but they are
not lit till the Liturgy is on the point
of commencing.
Prime., Terce., Sext^ and Nofie^ are
precisely the same as on Thursday., with
the exception of the above addition to
■the sentence., " Christ, for our sakes,
.&c.," which is made at all of them.
After None the Priest and his min-
isters put on purple vestments., and he
blesses S07ne Holy Water ; afterwards
they go to the Porch of the Church.,
where they begin the long series of cere-
monies peculiar to the day. i. The
New Fire and the hicense is blessed.
2. Light from the new fire is brought
into the Church in procession. 3. The
Paschal candle is blessed and lighted^
as well as all other lights in the Church.,
except those on the altar, 4. The
Twelve Lesso?ts from the Old Testa-
me7tt are read., and the correspojiding
Prayers and Tracts sung. 5. A Pro-
cession is made to the Font. 6. The
Font is blessed., and (7) the Baptisms
take place. 8. The Procession returns.,
commencing the Litany., which is con-
tinued while all kneel or lie prostrate
before the altar. At the words., " We
sinners do beseech Thee to hear us "
the Priest and his mi7iisters rise a7id
go to the Sacristy., where they put 07i
white vest77ients. At the sa7ne ti77ie.,
and while the Litany is still going on.,
the altar is vested in white., and the
tapers are lighted,. After the words
" Graciously hear us, O Christ " the
" Kyrie eleison " is begim., a7id while
it is i7i si7iging the Priest a7id 77ii7tisters
proceed to the Sa7ictuary and at once
begi7i the Liturgy. At the Hy 77171.,
" Glory be to God on high, &c.," the
bells are rimg., the orga7i plays., a7td
the i77iages and pictures are U7icovered.
The Liturgy goes on., with the observ-
a7ices peculiar to the day., and as soo7i
as the Priest has dru7ik the wine after
the Co77i77iunion., Vespers are su7ig in a
particular 77ia7i7ter., i7tterwove7i with
the latter part of the Mass. Those
who have not the happiness to be
present at these services say in the
following 77ia7i7ier the
1 Ps. XV. 9. 10.
2 Not in Scripture. The nearest approach to it is Matth. xxvii. 61.
386
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Jirst Fespers of faster.
1. The Lord's Prayer and the An-
gelic Salutation are said inaudibly.
2. Antiphon, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Psalm CXVI.
O praise the Lord, &c., {j). i86,)
with the Hy7nn^ " Glory be to the
Father, &c."
Antiphon.
luia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
3. Antiphon. ^ But in the end of
the Sabbath, as it began to dawn to-
ward the first day of the week, came
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary,
to see the sepulchre. Alleluia.
The Song of the Blessed Virgin with
the Hymn^ " Glory be to the Father,
&c."
Then the Antiphon., " But in the
end of the Sabbath, &c.," is repeated.
4. Verse.
Answer.
unto Thee.
Hear my prayer, O LORD.
And let my cry come
Let us pray.
"DOUR forth, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, the Spirit of Thy love into
our hearts, and by Thy mercy make all
them to be of one mind to whom Thou
hast given to eat of Thy mystic Pass-
1 Matth.
over. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Same
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O LORD.
Answer. And let my cry come un-
to Thee.
Verse. Bless we the Lord — Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Answer. Thanks be to God — Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
5 . The Lord's Prayer is said inaud-
ibly.
Lt is forbidden to add anything else
whatsoever.
COMPLINE.
Compline begins as usual ^ and " Alle-
luia " is again said instead of " Cease-
less praise, &c."
No Antiphon is said at the Psalms.
No Hymn., Chapter., nor Short Re-
sponsory are said.
The Antiphon at the Song of Simeon
is " But in the end of the Sabbath, ^
&c.," the " O Lord, save us, &c.," being
omitted.
Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin at
the end — "Rejoice, Rejoice, &c."
No kneeling during Eastertide.
xxviii. I.
38;
^f)£ ILorti's ©ag infjereon ?^e l^ose again.
Double of the First Class,
All as on ordinary Sundays^ except
what is otherwise given here.
. MATTINS.
Invitatory. i The Lord is risen in-
deed. * Alleluia.
No Hymn is said.
There is 07ily ofie Nocturn^ and that
with three Psalms.
First Antipho7i. 2 1 AM THAT
AM "^ — and My counsel is not with
the ungodly, but My delight is in the
Law of the Lord.
Psalm I.
Blessed is the man, &c., {J). 4.)
Second Antiphon. I have asked of
My Father. Alleluia "^ — and He hath
given me the heathen. Alleluia — for
Mine inheritance — Alleluia.
Psalm II.
Why do the heathen rage ? &c.,
(A 4.)
Third Antiphon. I laid me down,
and slept ; I awaked, * for the Lord
sustained Me. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm III.
Lord, how are they increased, &c.,
(^- 5.)
Verse. The Lord is risen from the
grave — Alleluia.
Answer. Who hung for us upon
the tree — Alleluia.
Absolution. Graciously hear, &c.
First Blessing.
May the Gospel's holy lection
Be our safety and protection.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi. i.)
A T that time : Mary Magdalene,
■^^ and Mary the mother of James,
and Salome had bought sweet spices,
that they might come and anoint
Jesus. And so on.
Homily by Pope Gregory [the
Great.] {2.1 st on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, ye have
heard the deed of the holy women
which had followed the Lord ; how
1 Luke xxiv. 34.
2 Ex. iii. 14. Or I AM BECAUSE I AM, or I WILL BE THAT I WILL BE, R. V.
388
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
that they brought sweet spices to His
sepulchre, and, now that He was dead,
having loved Him while He was yet
alive, they followed Him with careful
tenderness still. But the deed of these
holy women doth point to somewhat
which must needs be done in the holy
Church. And it behoveth us well to
give ear to what they did, that we may
afterward consider with ourselves what
we must do likewise after their en-
sample. We- also, who believe in Him
That was dead, do come to His
sepulchre bearing sweet spices, when
we seek the Lord with the savour of
good living, and the fragrant report
of good works. Those women, when
they brought their spices, saw a vision
of Angels, and, in sooth, those souls
whose godly desires do move them to
seek the Lord with the savour of good
lives, do see the countrymen of our
Fatherland which is above.
First Responsory.
1 The Angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back
the stone, and sat upon it, and said
unto the women : Fear not ye ; for
I know that ye seek Him That was
crucified : He is risen already. Come,
see the place where the Lord was
laid. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ And entering into the
sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a
long white garment, and they were
affrighted ; and he saith unto them :
Answer. Fear not ye : for I know
that ye seek Him That was crucified :
He is risen already ; come, see the
place where the Lord was laid. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and
rolled back the stone and sat upon it,
and said unto the women : Fear not
ye : for I know that ye seek Him
That was crucified : He is risen
already : Come, see the place where
the Lord was laid. Alleluia.
Second Blessing.
God's most mighty strength alway
Be His people's staff and stay.
Second Lesso?i.
T T behoveth us to mark what this
meaneth, that they saw the Angel
sitting on the right side. For what
signifieth the left, but this life which
now is ? or the right, but life ever-
lasting ? Whence also it is written in
the Song of Songs (ii. 6) : "His left
hand is under my head, and His right
hand doth embrace me." Since,
therefore, our Redeemer had passed
from the corruption of this life which
now is, the Angel which told that His
undying life was come, sat, as became
him, on the right side. They saw
him clothed in a white garment, for he
was herald of the joy of this our great
solemnity, and the glistering whiteness
of his raiment told of the brightness of
this holy Festival of ours. Of ours,
said I ? or of his ? But if we will
speak the truth, we must acknowledge
that it is both his and ours. The
Again-rising of our Redeemer is a
Festival of gladness for us, for us it
biddeth know that we shall not die for
ever ; and for Angels also it is a
festival of gladness, for it biddeth them
know that we are called to fulfil their
number in heaven.
Second Responsory.
2 When the Sabbath was passed,
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James, and Salome, had
^ Matth. xxviii. 2, 5, 6.
2 Mark xvi. 5, 6.
3 Mark xvi. 1-3.
EASTER WEEK.
389
bought sweet spices, that they might
come and anoint Jesus. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. And very early in the morn-
ing, the first day of the week, they
came unto the sepulchre, at the rising
of the sun.
Answer. That they might come
and anoint Jesus. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. That they might come
and anoint Jesus. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels' King-
To that high realm His people bring.
Third Lesson.
/^N this glad Festival then, which is
^~^ both his and ours, the Angel ap-
peared in white raiment. For as the
Lord, rising again from the dead, lead-
eth us unto the mansions above. He
repaireth the breaches of the heavenly
Fatherland. But what meaneth this,
that the Angel said unto the women
which came to the sepulchre : " Fear
not ? " Is it not as though he had said
openly : " Let them fear which love
not the coming of the heavenly country-
men ; let them be afraid who are so
laden by fleshly lusts, that they have
lost all hope ever to be joined to their
company. But as for you, why fear
ye, who, when ye see us, see but your
fellow - countrymen ? " Hence also
Matthew, writing of the guise of the
Angel, saith (xxviii. 3) : " His coun-
tenance was like lightning, and His
raiment [white] as snow." The light-
ning speaketh of fear and great dread,
the snow of the soft brilliancy of
rejoicing.
The Hym?i, " We praise Thee, O
God," is said.
LAUDS.
1 First Antiphon. For the Angel
of the Lord descended from heaven,
and came and rolled back the stone,
and sat upon it, * Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second A?itiphon. And, behold,
there was a great earthquake : * for
the Angel of the Lord descended from
heaven. Alleluia.
Third Antiphon. And his coun-
tenance * was like lightning, and his
raiment [white] as snow. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Fourth Antiphon. And for fear of
him "^ the keepers did shake, and be-
came as dead men. Alleluia.
Fifth Antipho7i. And the Angel an-
swered * and said unto the women :
Fear not ye : for I know that ye seek
Jesus. Alleluia.
No Chapter., Hymn^ nor Verse and
Answer are said., but this sentence is
read :
2 This is the day which the Lord
hath made : let us rejoice and be glad
in it.
Antiphon at the Sofig of Zacharias.
^ And very early in the morning, the
first day of the week, they came unto
the sepulchre, at the rising of the sun.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
/~\ GOD, Who, through Thine Only-
^-^^ begotten Son, hast on this day
overcome death, and opened unto us
the gate of everlasting life, we humbly
beseech Thee that, as, by Thy special
grace preventing us. Thou dost put
into our minds good desires, so by
Thy continual help, we may bring the
same to good effect. Through the
Same our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
1 All the Antiphons are from Matth. xxviii. 2-5.
2 Ps. cxvii. 24.
3 Mark xvi. 2.
390
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
A double "Alleluia" is added to
" Bless we the Lord," and to " Thanks
be to God."
PRIME.
No Hyimi is said., or any Antiphon
zvith the Psahns.
The Psahns are as on Festivals.,
viz. the Llllrd., and two parts of the
CXVIIIth., and immediately after the
Psalms is said., " This is the day, &c.,"
as at Lands, and then., {after Verse.,
" Hear my prayer, O LORD," aitd An-
swer., " And let my cry come unto
Thee," and "Let us pray,") the
Prayer.^ " O Lord God Almighty, Who
hast safely brought us, &c."
Before reading the Martyrology, the
reader says,
This is the day which the Lord
hath made. This day is the most
solemn of all solemnities. This day
is our Passover. Upon this day did
our Saviour Jesus Christ, according
to the flesh, rise again from the dead.
Then is read as usual the Martyr-
ology for the following day, a7id the
service concludes as usual.
TERCE, SEXT, NONE.
No Hymn is said, or aiiy A7itipho7i
with the parts of Ps. C XVI II.
After the sections of the Psalm, is
said, "This is the day, &c.," as at
Lauds, a7td the7i {after the usual Verse
a7id A7iswer, a7id " Let us pray,")
follows the Collect of the day fro77t
Lauds.
VESPERS.
Antiphons and Prayer fro7n Lauds.
No Chapter, IIy7n7i, or Verse a7id
Answer are said, but " This is the
day, &c.," as at Lauds.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7t. 1 And when they looked, they
saw that the stone was rolled away,
for it was very great. Alleluia.
A double " Alleluia " is added to
" Bless we the Lord " a7id to " Thanks
be to God."
COMPLINE.
The Psal77is and So7ig of Si7neon are
said without A7itiphons.
After the Psal77is is said the four-
fold "Alleluia."
The Hymn, Chapter, a7td Short Re-
sp07tsory are 07nitted.
After the So7ig of Si7neo7i is said,
" This is the day, &c.," then, " Hear
my prayer, &c."
Second Day within the Octave of the
Passover.
Double of the First Class.
All precisely the sa77ie as 07i Easter
Sunday, except the following.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xxiv. 13.)
A T that time : Two of Jesus' dis-
"^^ ciples went that same day to a
village, called Emmaus, which was
from Jerusalem about threescore fur-
longs. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great,] {2'^rd on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, ye hear
how that while two of His disciples
walked together in the way, not be-
lieving in His Resurrection, but talking
1 Mark xvi. 4.
EASTER WEEK.
391
together concerning Him, the Lord
manifested Himself unto them, but
yet held their eyes that they should
not know Him. This holding of the
eyes of their body, wrought by the
Lord, was a figure of the spiritual
veil which was yet upon the eyes of
their heart. For in their heart they
loved and yet doubted : even as the
Lord drew near to them outwardly,
but showed not Who He was. To
them that talked together of Him, He
revealed His immediate presence ; but
hid, from them that doubted, the
knowledge of His Person.
First Respoiisory,
Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary went very early to the sepulchre.
That Jesus Whom ye seek, is not
here : for He is risen, as He said :
He goeth before you into Galilee ;
there shall ye see Him. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ And very early in the
morning, the first day of the week,
they came unto the sepulchre, at the
rising of the sun ; and, entering into
the sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting upon the right side, who saith
nnto them :
A7iswer. That jESUS Whom ye
seek is not here : for He is risen, as
He said : He goeth before you into
Galilee : there shall ye see Him. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Seco7id Lesson.
T T E spoke to them ; He rebuked
the hardness of their heart ;
" He expounded unto them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning Him-
self : " and, nevertheless, seeing that
He was yet a stranger to faith in
their hearts, " He made as though
He would have gone further." These
words — "He made as though " —
would here seem to mean " He
feigned," but^ He Who is simple
Truth doth nothing with feigning : He
only showed Himself to them in bodily
manners, as He was towards them
spiritually ; but they were put to the
proof whether, though they loved Him
not yet as their God, they could love
Him at least as a wayfarer.
Second Responsory.
3 The Good Shepherd, Who laid
down His life for the sheep, yea. Who
was contented even to die for His
flock, the Good Shepherd is risen
again.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. * For even Christ our Pass-
over is sacrificed for us.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
T)UT since it was impossible, that
they with whom Truth walked,
should be loveless, they asked Him as
a wayfarer to take of their hospitality.
But why say we that they asked Him,
when it is written: "And they con-
strained Him ? " From their ensam-
ple we learn that we ought not only
to bid, but also to urge, wayfarers to
our hospitable entertainment. They
laid a table therefore, and set before
Him bread and meat ; and that God
Whom they had not known in the
expounding of the Holy Scripture,
they knew in the breaking of bread.
1 Mark xvi. 2, 5-7.
2 Here are omitted six words, containing an untranslat cable allusion to the Latin word for a
potter. 3 Cf. John x. 11. •^ i Cor. v. 7.
392
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
In hearing the commandments of God
they were not enlightened, but they
were enlightened in the doing of them :
as it is written : "Not the hearers of
the law are just before God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified."
(Rom. ii. 13.) Whosoever therefore
will understand that which he heareth,
let him make haste to practise in his
works that which he hath already been
able to hear. Behold, the Lord was
not known .while He spake, but He
was contented to be known when He
brake bread.
LAUDS.
Aiitiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 While they walked, Jesus drew near,
and went with His disciples : but their
eyes were holden that they should not
know Him : and He rebuked them,
saying : O fools, and slow of heart to
believe all that the Prophets have
spoken ! Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ GOD, Who dost heal the sick
^■^^ world by the solemn gladness
of the Passover, continue, we beseech
Thee I to pour forth Thine heavenly
gifts upon Thy people, till the same
shall bring them into perfect liberty,
and finally avail them unto life ever-
lasting. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
VESPERS.
Virgin.
Antiphon at the So?tg of the Blessed
2 What manner of communi-
cations are these that ye have one to
another, as ye walk, and are sad ?
Alleluia.
Third Day within the Octave of the
Passover.
Double of the First Class.
All precisely the same as on Easter
Sunday^ except the following.
MATTINS.
Verse. The Lord is risen indeed —
Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared to
Simon — Alleluia.
Absolution. May His loving-kind-
ness, &c.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xxiv.
36.)
A T that time : Jesus stood in the
"^^ midst of His disciples, and said
unto them : Peace be unto you ; it is
I ; be not afraid. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. x. Com7n. on Luke
xxiv. )
We see here the marvellous nature
of the Lord's glorified Body. It could
enter unseen, and then become seen.
It could easily be touched, but Its
nature is hard to understand. The
disciples were affrighted, and supposed
that they had seen a spirit. And there-
fore the Lord, that He might show us
the evidence of His Resurrection, said :
" Handle Me, and see ; for a spirit
hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me
have." Therefore it was not by being
in a disembodied state, but by the
peculiar qualities of the risen and
glorified Body that He had passed
1 Luke xxiv. 15, 16, 25.
2 Luke xxiv. 17.
EASTER WEEK.
393
through closed doors. (John xx. 19.)
For that which is touched or handled
is a body.
First Resp07isory.
1 With great power gave the Apostles
witness of the Resurrection of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. They were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word
of God with boldness.
Answer. Witness of the Resur-
rection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesson,
A"X rE shall all rise again with our
bodies. But " it is sown a
natural body ; it is raised a spiritual
body." (i. Cor. xv. 44.) The spirit-
ual body is the finer, and the natural
body is the grosser, besodden as yet
by the corruption of earth. Was not
That a real Body, wherein remained
those marks of His Wounds, those
holes of the nail -prints, which the
Lord bade His disciples to handle ?
Hereby, also. He hath not only
strengthened our faith, but also
quickened our love, since we know
that it has been His will to carry
to heaven those Wounds which He
bore for our sake, and wherewith He
would not make away ; but plainly
showeth to His Eternal Father the
price of our freedom. It is as marked
with these Wounds and embracing the
trophy of our salvation that the Father
hath said to Him, " Sit Thou at My
right Hand : " and it is, like Him,
marked with their wounds, that He
hath shown us that the Martyrs,
whose Crown He is, are, and will be
with Him there.
Second Responsory.
From the mouth of the wise doth
proceed honey, Alleluia : the sweetness
of honey is under his tongue. Alleluia.
His lips drop as the honey-comb. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.2
Verse. Wisdom doth abide in his
heart, and out of his mouth cometh
understanding.
Aitswer. His lips drop as the
honey-comb. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thy lips drop as the
honey-comb. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesso7i.
A ND now, since our Lesson from
Luke here faileth, let us have
recourse to John, and consider how
that, according to him, (xx. 20,) "then
were the disciples glad when they saw
the Lord," and received the grace of
faith. According to Luke, "He up-
braided them with their unbelief," ^
but according to John He said also,
" Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Luke,
not John, hath, " Tarry ye in the city
of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high." Indeed, to
me it seemeth as though the one
Evangelist had busied himself with
the greater and higher matters, and
the other with the narrative, and
such things as are more human :
the one with the course, the other
with the essence, of history. For as
it is impossible to doubt the word
of him "who testifieth of these
things," (John xxi. 24,) and "who
saw " (xix. 3 5 ) these things, and con-
cerning whom " we know that his
testimony is true," (xxi. 24,) so is it
1 Acts iv. 33, 31.
2 Cant. iv. 11. The reader will of course perceive the allusion to our Lord's eating some
honey. (Luke xxiv. 42, 43.)
3 Such is no doubt imphed in Luke, but the actual words, " He upbraided them, &c.," are in
Mark xvi. 14.
394
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
sinful to think of negligence or false-
hood as attaching to the other, even
Luke, who earned to himself to be
an Evangelist, [albeit he was not an
Apostle,] and therefore we hold that
both are truthful, neither are they
at variance one with the other,
either in the difference of the words
they use, or in the sacredness of
their characters as Evangelists. For
though Luke saith that at the first
the Apostles believed not, yet he
showeth that afterward they believed :
and although, if we regard only the
first fact, the Evangelists seem diverg-
ent one from the other, yet, when
M^e consider what cometh afterward,
we see that they are at one.
LAUDS.
Antipho7t at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Jesus stood in the midst of His dis-
ciples, and said unto them : Peace be
unto you. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ GOD, Who art ever multiplying
^-^ the Children of Thy Church,
grant unto the same Thy servants that
they may lead the rest of their lives
according to this beginning wherein
Thou hast given them faith to receive the
Sacrament of the New Birth.2 Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Aine7i.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ Behold My Hands and My
Feet, that it is I Myself. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Fourth Day within the Octave of the
Passover.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as Easter
Simday^ except that the Antiphons
are not doubled^ and what else is
given here.
Verse. * Then were the disciples
glad — Alleluia.
Answer. When they saw the Lord
— Alleluia.
Absolution. May the Almighty, &c.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xxi. i.)
A T that time : jESUS showed Him-
"^^ self again to the disciples at the
Sea of Tiberias. And on this wise
showed He Himself: There were to-
gether Simon Peter, and Thomas called
Didymus.^ And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (24/^ on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, the portion
of the Holy Gospel which hath but
now been read in your ears, knocketh
loudly at the door of your heart, with
a certain question, the answer whereto
calleth for thought. This same ques-
tion is : Wherefore did Peter, who had
before his conversion been a fisher,
wherefore did he, after his conversion,
again go a-fishing ? — since the Truth
hath said : " No man, having put his
hand to the plough, and looking back,
is fit for the kingdom of God ? "
(Luke ix. 62.) Wherefore did Peter
return to that which he had left ? But
1 Luke xxiv. 36.
2 This is a prayer for those who have been baptized on Hol}'^ Saturday.
3 Luke xxiv. 39. ^ Jolin xx. 20. ^ I.e., Twin.
EASTER WEEK.
395
with thought we see the answer to
this question. The trade which was
harmless before his conversion, did not
become harmful because he had been
converted.
First Responsory.
1 Behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the Root of David, hath pre-
vailed to open the Book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Worthy is the Lamb That
was slain to receive power, and riches, ^
and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing.
Afiswer. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Seco7td Lesson.
\1 rE know that Peter had been a
fisherman, and Matthew a
publican, and that Peter after his con-
version went back to his fishing, but
Matthew did not return to the receipt
of custom. It is one thing to seek a
livelihood by fishing, and another to
amass money by farming of taxes.
There are many kinds of business in
which it is difficult or impossible to
be engaged without committing sin,
and to such kinds of business as these,
he which hath once been converted
must not again betake himself.
Second Responsory.
^ I am the True Vine, and ye are the
branches : he that abideth in Me, and
I in him, the same bringeth forth much
fruit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. As the Father hath loved
Me, so have I loved you.
Answer. He that abideth in Me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
1 Apoc. V. 5, 12.
3 John XV. I, 5, 9.
2 So the Greek,
4 John xxi. 6.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ajtswer. He that abideth in Me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lessoit.
T T may likewise be asked why, when
the disciples were toiling in the
sea, the Lord, after His Resurrection,
stood on the shore, whereas, before
His Resurrection, He had walked on
the waves before them all. The
reason of this is quickly known if we
will think of the end which it then
served. The sea is a figure of this
present world, tossed to and fro by
changing fortune, and continually ebb-
ing and flowing with the divers tides
of life. The stableness of the shore is
an image of the never-ending rest of
the eternal home. The disciples
therefore, for that they were yet tossed
to and fro upon the waves of a dyin^'
life, were toiling in the sea, but He
our Redeemer, Who had already laid
aside that which in this body is subject
to corruption, and had risen again from
the dead, He stood upon the shore.
LAUDS.
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
* Cast the net on the right side of the
ship, "^ and ye shall find. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
C\ GOD, Who dost every year fill us
^^^ with holy gladness for the Again-
rising of the Lord, mercifully grant
that these Feast-days which we are now
keeping here in time, may be to us a
mean whereby in the end we may wor-
thily attain unto those pleasures which
are at Thy right hand for evermore
' Plouton ; " Latin translation, Divinitatem.
396
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Through the Same our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen,
VESPERS.
Antipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ jESUS saith unto His dis-
ciples : Bring of the fish which ye have
now caught ; * Simon Peter went up,
and drew the net to land, full of great
fishes. Alleluia.
Fifth Day within the Octave of the
Passover.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as on Easter
Sujiday., except that the Antiphons are
not doubled.^ and what else is give?i here.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xx. ii.)
\ T that time : Mary stood without
"^^ at the Sepulchre, weeping. And
as she wept, she stooped down, and
looked into the sepulchre, and saw
two Angels in white, sitting. And
so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great] (25M on the Gospels.)
Mary Magdalene, " a woman in the
city, who was a sinner," through love
of the truth washed away by her tears
the befoulment of her sin, and the word
of the Truth was fulfilled which He
spake : " Her sins, which are many,
are forgiven : for she loved much."
(Luke vii. 47.) She that had re-
mained cold while she sinned, became
burning when she loved. For after
that she had been to the Sepulchre,
and had not found there the Body of
the Lord, and had believed that It
had been taken away, and had told
His disciples, they came and saw, and
thought it was even as the woman had
said : and it is written — " Then the
disciples went away again unto their
own home — but Mary stood without at
the sepulchre, weeping."
First Responsory.
2 They have taken away my Lord,
and I know not where they have laid
Him. The Angels say unto her : Wo-
man, why weepest thou ? He is risen,
as He said. He goeth before you into
Galilee ; there shall ye see Him.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And as she wept, she
stooped down and looked into the
Sepulchre, and saw two Angels in
white, sitting ; and they say unta-
her :
Answer. He goeth before you inta
Galilee ; there shall ye see Him.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
T N connection with this matter, we
ought to ponder what great store
of love there was in that woman's
heart, who, when even His disciples
were gone away, could not tear herself
from the grave of the Lord. She
sought Him Whom she had not found
there, and as she sought, she wept,
and the fire of love in her heart
yearned after Him, Who she believed
had been taken away. And so it came
to pass that she, who had lingered to
seek Him, was the only one who then
1 John xxi. 10, II.
2 John XX. 13, 12, II ; Matth. xxviii. 6, 7.
EASTER WEEK.
397
saw Him, since the back-bone of a
good work is endurance, and the voice
of the Truth Himself hath said : " He
that endureth to the end shall be
saved." (Matth. x. 22; xxiv. 13.)
Second Responsory.
Rejoice with me, all ye that love the
Lord : for I sought Him and He hath
appeared unto me ; and while as I was
weeping at the Sepulchre, I saw the
Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When His disciples were
gone away, I tarried still ; and the
fire of love in mine heart glowed
for Him.
Answer. And while as I was weep-
ing at the Sepulchre, I saw the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And while as I was
weeping at the Sepulchre, I saw the
Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
A S Mary wept there, she stooped
"^^ down and looked into the Sepul-
chre. It was but a little while and
she had seen how the Sepulchre was
empty, and had told that the Lord
was taken away. Why then should
she stoop down and look in again ?
But she loved Him so well, that one
look was not enough ; the energy of
her affection constrained her to search
again and again. She began by
searching and not finding ; but she
endured in her search, and, behold, it
came to pass that she found. And
this was done that our own longings
for Christ's presence might be taught
to expand, and know that as they ex-
pand they will meet with Him to
Whom they aspire.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Mary stood without at the Sepulchre
weeping, "^ and saw two Angels in
white, sitting, and the napkin that
had been about the Head of jESUS.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r~\ GOD, Who dost make all nations,
^-^^ how diverse soever they be, to
become one family in giving of praise
to Thy Name, grant unto all them
that are born again in the fountain
of baptism to live ever in oneness
of faith, and godliness of works.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. They have taken away my
Lord, "^ and I know not where they
have laid Him : if thou have borne
Him hence, tell me, — Alleluia, — and I
will take Him away — Alleluia.
Sixth Day withiji the Octave of the
Passover.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as on Easter
Sunday.^ except that the Antiphons are
not doubled^ and what else is given
here.
MATTINS.
Verse. The Lord is risen indeed —
Alleluia.
Answer. And hath appeared to
Simon — Alleluia.
Absolution. May His loving-kind-
ness, &c.
398
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xxviii. 1 6.)
A T that time : The eleven disciples
went away into Galilee, into a
mountain where Jesus had appointed
them. And so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {Bk. iv. Comvi. on the
end of Matth. )
After His Resurrection Jesus was
seen on a mountain in Galilee, and
there He was worshipped ; and,
albeit some doubted, their doubts
have led to a further establishing
of our faith. Then He showed Him-
self more openly unto Thomas, and
made him handle the Side That
was pierced with the spear, and the
Hands wherein were the holes of
the nails.
"And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying : All power is given
unto Me in heaven and in earth."
Yea, all power is given unto Him
Who but a little while before had
been crucified, and buried in the
grave, and had lain among the
dead, but Who also had risen again.
Power is given unto Him in heaven
and in earth, that He Who of ever-
lasting had been King of heaven,
might have a Monarchy on earth
also, through the faith of them
which believe in Him.
First Responsory.
1 After that our Lord Jesus was
risen again, He came and stood in
the midst of His disciples, and said
unto them : Peace be unto you.
Alleluia. Then were the disciples
glad, when they saw the Lord.
Alleluia.
Verse. The first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the
disciples were assembled, came jESUS,
and stood in the midst, and said unto
them :
Answer. Peace be unto you. Al-
leluia. Then were the disciples glad,
when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.
Second Lesson,
" C^O ye therefore and teach all na-
^^ tions, baptizing them in the
Name of the J'ather, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost." First, they
teach all nations ; then, they wash
with water them whom they have
taught. For it is impossible for the
body to receive the Sacrament of
Baptism, unless the mind first receive
the truth of the faith. And they are
baptized "In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost" — for, even as the Godhead
of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, is all One, so is the
one grace of Baptism the gift of all
the Three Divine Persons : and the
Name of the Trinity is the Name
of One God.
Second Responsory.
2 Purge out the old leaven, that ye
may be new dough : for even Christ
our Passover is sacrificed for us :
therefore let us keep the Feast, in the
Lord. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ He died for our offences,
and rose again for our justification.
Ajiswer. Therefore let us keep the
Feast, in the Lord. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Therefore let us keep the
Feast, in the Lord. Alleluia.
1 John XX. 19, 20.
2 I Cor. V. 7,
3 Rom. iv. 25.
EASTER WEEK.
399
Third Lesson.
" T^EACHING them to observe all
things whatsoever I have com-
manded you."
The order of the Lord's commands
to the Apostles is markedly this.
First, to teach all nations ; secondly,
to make them partake in the Sacra-
ment of the faith ; thirdly, when they
had believed and been baptized, to
teach them what to observe. And
lest we should think that He com-
manded things light and few. He hath
said: "All things whatsoever I have
commanded you," — so that all, who
have believed and been baptized in
the Name of the Trinity, are bound
to observe all things whatsoever He
hath commanded.
" And, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world."
He Who promiseth that He will be
with His disciples even unto the end
of the world, doth give them thereby
to know that they will be alway con-
querors, and that He will never fail
any which believe in Him.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
When the eleven disciples * saw the
Lord in Galilee, they worshipped Him.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^^^ God, Who hast made the
Mystery of the Passover the seal of
the Covenant of man's Redemption,
grant unto our souls that we may
not only outwardly observe the same,
but may effectually bring forth the
fruits thereof. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song oj the
Blessed Virgin. All power is given
unto Me * in heaven and in earth.
Alleluia.
The Sabbath in White. '^
Semidouble.
Mattins, Lauds^ Prime^ Terce^ Sext,
and None are all precisely the same as
on Easter Sunday., except that the An-
tipho7is are not doubled., and what else
is give?! here.
MATTINS.
Verse. The disciples were glad —
Alleluia.
A7iswer. When they saw the Lord
— Alleluia.
Absolution. May the Almighty,
&c.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xx. i.)
A T that time : On the first day of the
^^ week Cometh Mary Magdalene
early, when it was yet dark, unto the
Sepulchre. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {7.ind 07i the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, the portion
of the Holy Gospel which hath just
now been read in your ears, is exceed-
ing simple on the face of it, which is
its historical sense ; but the mystic
1 So called because those who had been baptized on Holy Saturday wore the white raiment
assumed for that ceremony till Low Sunday inclusive.
400
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
sense, which underHeth that other, re-
quireth from us a little searching.
Mary Magdalene came unto the
Sepulchre when it was yet dark.
The historic sense telleth us what
was the hour of day ; the mystic sense,
the state of her understanding who
sought. Mary Magdalene sought for
Him, by Whom all things were made,
and Whom she had seen die, as con-
cerning the flesh ; she sought for Him,
I say, in the grave, and finding Him
not, she believed that He had been
stolen away. Yea, it was yet dark,
when she came unto the sepulchre.
Then she ran and told the disciples,
but they who had loved Him most,
namely Peter and John, did outrun
the others.
First Responsory.
1 Christ, being raised from the dead,
dieth no more ; death hath no more
dominion over Him : for in that He
died. He died unto sin once ; but in
that He liveth. He liveth unto God.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He died once for our
offences, and rose again for our justi-
fication.
Answer. But in that He liveth, He
liveth unto God. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
"CO they ran both together, but
John did outrun Peter, and
came first to the Sepulchre," but yet
took he not upon himself to go in first.
"Then cometh Peter following him,
and went in." What, my brethren,
what did the racing of these Apostles
signify ? Can we believe that the
description given by the deepest of
the Evangelists is .without a mystic
1 Rom. vi. 9, lo.
2 Cf. Gen. xxix. lo. The same allusion occurs in the fifth verse of the Hymn at the ensuing
Mattins. 3 Cf. Apoc. vii. 9.
interpretation ? By no means. John
had never told how that he did out-
run Peter, and yet went not into
the Sepulchre, if he had not be-
lieved that his hesitation veiled some
mystery. What signifieth John but
the Synagogue ? or Peter, but the
Church ?
Second Respo7isory.
2 These are the new lambs, who
have proclaimed — Alleluia : they
came but just now to the well : they
are all filled with light. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ In the presence of the
Lamb they are clothed with white
robes, and hold palms in their
hands.
Answer. They are all filled with
light. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. They are all filled with
light. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
IVT EITHER must ye take it as
strange that the elder Apostle
should represent the Church, and the
younger the Synagogue : for although
the Synagogue was first to worship
God, yet the herd of Gentiles is in the
world older than the Synagogue, as
witnesseth Paul where he saith : " That
was not first which is spiritual, but that
which is natural." (i Cor. xv. 46.)
By Peter, then, who was the elder,
is signified the Church of the Gentiles ;
and by John, who was the younger,
the Synagogue of the Jews. They run
both of them together, for from the
time of her birth until now, (and so
EASTER WEEK.
401
will it be until the end,) the Church
of the Gentiles hath run in a parallel
road and [manywise] a common road
with the Synagogue, albeit not with
equal understandings. The Syna-
gogue came first to the Sepulchre, but
she hath not yet entered in ; for,
though she hath received the command-
ments of the law, and hath heard the
Prophets tell of the Incarnation and
Passion of the Lord, she will not
believe in Him Who died for her.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Sofig of Zacharias.
They ran * both together, and that
other disciple did outrun Peter, and
came first to the Sepulchre. Alleluia.
Prayer.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who have
kept worshipfully the Passover holi-
days, may at last worthily pass from
keeping Feasts unto Thee here to
the everlasting jubilation hereafter.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
The same Prayer at Terce^ Sext^ and
None.
Psalter^ where the Office peculiar to
Paschal Tiiiie is marked. Co7tsequently
the Psalms are CXLIIL, CXLIV.,
CXLV., CXLVL, and CXLVIL, with
the Antiphon^ " Alleluia, Alleluia, Al-
leluia."
The Antipho?is are doubled.
Chapter and Prayer from the follow-
ing Lauds.
Hymn.^
T
"■HE Lamb's high banquet we await,
In snow-white robes of royal state,
And now, the Red Sea's channel past,
To Christ our Prince we sing at last.
Upon the Altar of the Cross
His Body hath redeemed our loss :
And tasting of His roseate 2 Blood,
Our life is hid with Him in God.
3 That Paschal Eve God's arm was bared:
The devastating Angel spared ;
By strength of hand our hosts went free
From Pharaoh's ruthless tyranny.
Now Christ our Paschal Lamb is slain,
The Lamb of God That knows no stain,
The true Oblation offered here,
Our own unleavened Bread sincere.
O Thou, from Whom hell's monarch flies,
O Great, O Very Sacrifice,
Thy captive people are set free,
And endless life restored in Thee.
VESPERS.
At these Vespers the ordinary course
of the services is resumed^ as in the
For Christ, arising from the dead,
From conquered hell victorious sped :
And thrust the tyrant down to chains,
And Paradise for man regains.
1 An early hymn of the Ambrosian school ; translation by the late Rev. Dr Neale, except the
seventh verse, which is not in his translation, and which is extracted from the " People's
Hymnal," where it occurs in several Hymns, (201, &c.,) marked " Cento" in the Appendix.
2 "The poet," says Dr Neale, (Preface to Mediaeval Hymns, VH.,) "would tell us that,
though one Drop of our Lord's Blood was sufficient to redeem the world, yet out of the great-
ness of His love to us He would shed all. As every one knows, the last drainings of life-blood
are not crimson, but of afar paler hue: strictly speaking, roseate.'" For the doctrine, he cites
the sixth verse of the " Adoro Te devote " of Sf Thomas Aquinas.
3 The Hymn is in the mouth of the Neophytes baptized on Holy Saturday, comparing
themselves to the Israelites, passing out of Egypt through the sea, (i Cor. x. 2.) Cf. for the
allusions Exod. xii. 23 ; vi. i, &c.
402
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Author of all, be Thou our Guide
In this our joy of Eastertide ;
Whene'er the assaults of death impend,
Thy people strengthen and defend.
To Thee, Who, dead, again dost hve,
All glory, Lord, Thy people give ;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.
Hob) SuttUag.
The Lord's Day in White^ being the
Eighth Day of the Passover.
Double.
This day commence the Paschal An-
tiphons., &^c.^ in the Psalter.
Verse. Lord, ^ abide with us — Alle-
luia.
MATTINS.
Answer.' For it is toward evening Invitatory. The Lord is risen in-
-Alleluia. deed. * Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ At evening, being the first
day of the week, * when the doors
were shut where the disciples were
assembled, Jesus stood in the midst,
and said unto them : Peace be unto
you. Alleluia.
The Commemoration of the Cross is
not made.
" Bless we the Lord " and " Thanks
be to God " are this evening and hence-
forward said without " Alleluia."
At Compline., the Preces are omitted.
Note. That at Compline on this
night the last Verse of the Hymn is
altered i7i ho?iour of the Resurrection^
and the same is the case he?iceforward
zuith the Hymns at Cojnpiine, Prime^
Terce, Sext, and None^ on all days,
Feasts included^ until the First Vespers
of the Ascension., exclusive. The only
exception is where the Hyjnris may be
specially altered in honour of the
Incarnation (for i7ista?ice, those in
any Office i7i honour of the Blessed
Virgin. )
Hymn.^
pTERNAL King of heaven, Whose Word,
Called forth creation from its rest,
Before the ages Thou art Lord
In Thine Eternal Father's breast.
Thou, when earth's dawning sun began
To chase the chaos-shades away,
In Thine own image madest man,
And didst inspire the senseless clay.
But Satan's craft, and Satan's wile
Could mar that work so very good ;
And Eden's wood must man beguile
That God may reign from off the wood.
O born of Mary's virgin womb,
4 First-fruits of death's dark womb to be,
Thou bidd'st us waken from the tomb,
And rise to hght and life with Thee.
2 Eternal Shepherd of the sheep,
The stone lay heavy on the well ;
The clear Baptismal spring lies deep,
But Thou hast helped Thine Israel !
Redeemer of the sons of men,
Thou hungest dying on the Rood
That Thou might'st pay the price again
Of our salvation in Thy Blood.
1 Luke xxiv. 29. ' 2 John xx. 19.
3 A hymn of the Ambrosian school; translation e^ftracted from the "People's Hymnal"
(where it is referred to "Hymns and Lyrics") except the last verse, which is not in the
"People's Hymnal" and is taken from the Hymn at Lauds.
^ I Cor. XV. 20.
5 Cf. Gen. xxix. i-io, where Jacob opening the well to the flock seems to be taken as a type
of our Lord opening the Font to those baptized on Holy Saturday.
LOW WEEK.
403
O Jesus, Saviour, lead us in
With Thee in safety to abide,
And call us from the grave of sin
To rise with Thee this Eastertide.
Now to the Father, and the Son
Who rose from death, be glory given ;
With Thee, O holy Comforter !
Henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Colossians (iii. i.)
T F ye be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand
of God. Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid
with Christ in God. When Christ,
Who is your life, shall appear, then
shall ye also appear with Him in
glory. Mortify, therefore, your mem-
bers which are upon the earth,
fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil con-
cupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry : for which things' sake the
wrath of God cometh on the children
of disobedience ; in the which ye also
walked some time, when ye lived in
them.
First Respojisory.
The Angel of the Lord, &c.. First
Responsory on Easter Sunday., {j>. 348,)
omitting the last Verse and Answer.
Second Lesson.
"DUT do ye also put off all these ;
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your
mouth. Lie not one to another, see-
ing that ye have put off the old man
with his deeds, and have put on the
new man, which is renewed in know-
ledge after the image of Him That
created him : where there is neither
Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor un-
circumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond
nor free ; but Christ is all and in all.
Put on, therefore, as the elect of God,
holy and beloved, bowels of mercy,
kindness, humbleness, meekness, long-
suffering : forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any ; even as the Lord
hath forgiven you, so also do ye.
Second Responsory.
^ The Angel of the Lord spake unto
the woman, saying : Whom seek ye ?
Seek ye Jesus ? He is risen now :
come and see. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Seek ye Jesus of Nazareth,
Which was crucified ? He is risen,
He is not here.
Answer. Come and see. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
A ND above all these things, &c.,
conti7tuation of the preceding., and
the next Lesso?t as far as " thanks to
God and the Father by Him."
Third Responsory .
When the Sabbath was passed, &c.,
(/. 388.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
( I j/ Sermon for the Octave of the
Passover^ being the I'^'jth for the
Seasons. )
n^HE Feast of this day is the end of
the Paschal solemnity, and there-
fore it is to-day that the Newly-Bap-
tized put off their white garments :
1 Cf. Matth. xxviii. 5, 6.
404
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
but, though they lay aside the outward
mark of washing in their raiment, the
mark of that washing in their souls
remaineth to eternity. Now are the
days of the Pass-over, that is, of God's
Passing-over 1 our iniquity by His
pardon and remission ; and therefore
our first duty is so to sanctify the mirth
of these holy days, that our bodily
recreation may be taken without de-
filement to our spiritual cleanness.
Let us strive that our relaxation may
be sober and our freedom holy, hold-
ing ourselves carefully aloof from
anything like excess, drunkenness or
lechery. Let us try so to keep in
our souls their Lenten cleansing, that
if our Fasting hath left us aught yet
unwon, we may still be able to seek it.
of my labour, my brethren dearly be-
loved and longed for, my joy and my
crown, all ye who now stand so fast in
the Lord. (Phil. iv. i.) To you I
address the words of the Apostle
(Rom. xiii. 12.) "Behold! the night
is past ! the day is come ! Cast off
therefore the works of darkness, and
put on the armour of light. Let us
walk honestly, as in the day ; ^ not
in rioting and drunkenness, not in
chambering and wantonness, not in
strife and envying : but put ye on the
Lord Jesus Christ."
Fifth Responsory.
The Good Shepherd, &c., (/. 391,)
omitting the last Verse a?zd Answer.
Fourth Responsory.
Mary Magdalene, &c., {p. 391.)
Fifth Lesson.
IV/TY discourse conceraeth all them
which are committed unto my
spiritual charge ; but, nevertheless,
since the first happy week of your
Sacramental life draweth this day to a
close, I address myself in especial to
2 you who are the new olive-plants of
holiness round about the Table of the
Lord, (Ps. cxxvii. 4,) to you, who have
but a little while been born again of
water and the Holy Ghost, (John iii.
5,) to you, O holy generation (i Pet.
ii. 9) to you, O new creation, (Gal. vi.
15,) to you, the excellency of my
dignity, (Gen. xlix. 3,) and the fruit
Sixth Lesson.
"V\/'Ehave," saith Peter, (2 Peter
i. 19,) "a more sure word of
Prophecy, whereunto ye do well that
ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day
dawn, and the day-star arise in your
hearts." "Let your loins therefore
be girded about, and your lights burn-
ing in your hands, and ye yourselves
like unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding." (Luke xii. 36.) Behold, the
days come, whereof the Lord saith,
(John xvi. 16, 17, 19,) " A little while,
and ye shall not see Me, and again a
little w^hile and ye shall see Me." Now
is the hour whereof He said (20), " Ye
shall weep and lament, but the world
shall rejoice " — that is to say, this
1 This is not a pun, but literally correct. God Himself gave this name to this Festival,
(Exod. xii. 11-13,) as it is written: "It is the Lord's Passover (Pesach.) For I will pass
through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both
man and beast ; and against all the gods of Egypt will I execute judgment : I am the Lord.
And the blood " (of the Paschal lamb sprinkled on the hntel and door-posts) "shall be unto you
for a token upon the houses where ye are ; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you
(w-PHASACH-Tl,) and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land
of Egypt." ^ Those baptized on Holy Saturday.
3 When the Saint uttered these words to the Neophytes he must have keenly remembered the
part they had played in his own life. Conf. viii. 12. Aiban Butler, Aug. 28. (Vol. viii. p. 417.)
LOW WEEK.
405
present life, wherein we walk as
strangers and pilgrims, (i Pet. ii. 11,)
far away from Him Who is our Home,
this present life is very full of trials.
" But," saith Jesus, " but — I will see
you again, and your heart shall re-
joice, and your joy no man taketh
from you." (22.)
Sixth Responso7y.
With great power, &c., {J). 393,)
with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Witness of the Resur-
rection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson,
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xx. 19.)
A T that time, being the same day
"^^ at evening, the first day of the
week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear
of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood in
the midst, and said unto them : Peace
be unto you. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {2.6th on the Gospels.)
When we hear this passage of the
Gospel read, a question straightway
knocketh at the door of our mind.
How was it that the Body of the
Risen Lord was a real Body, if It was
able to pass through closed doors into
the assembly of His disciples ? But
we ought to know that the works of
God are no more wonderful when they
can be understood by man's reason,
and faith has lost her worth when her
subject-matter is the subject-matter of
human demonstration. Nevertheless,
VOL. II.
those very works of our Redeemer
which are in themselves impossible to
be understood, must be thought over
in connection with other of His works,
that we may be led to believe in things
wonderful, by mean of things more
wonderful still. That Body of the
Lord, Which came into the assembly
of the disciples through closed doors,
was the Same, Which at Its birth, had
become manifest to the eyes of men
by passing out of the cloister of the
Virgin's womb without breaking the
seal thereof What wonder is it if
that Body Which had come out of
the Virgin's womb, without opening
the matrix, albeit It was then on Its
way to die, now that It was risen
again from the dead and instinct for
ever with undying life, what wonder is
it, I say, if that Body passed through
closed doors ?
Seventh Responsory.
From the mouth, &c., {p. 393,)
omitting the last Verse a?td Answer.
Eighth Lessojt.
11) UT since the beholders doubted of
^ the reality of that Body Which
they saw, "He showed unto them His
Hands and His Side," and allowed
them to handle that Same Flesh
Which had just passed through the
closed doors. (Luke xxiv. 39,) In
this there were two strange things
manifested, yea, things which accord-
ing to our understanding are contrary
the one to the other. His Risen Body
was incorruptible and yet palpable.
For whatever can be touched, must
needs be subject to corruption ; and
whatever is not subject to corruption,
cannot be touched. But, in a way
altogether wonderful and incompre-
hensible, our Redeemer after His
Resurrection revealed Himself in a
O
4o6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Body at once palpable and incorrupt-
ible : revealed Himself in an incor-
ruptible Body, that we might learn to
seek a like glorification ; and in a
palpable Body, for the strengthening
of our faith. He revealed Himself in
a Body at once incorruptible and palp-
able, that He might thereby make
manifest the fact that His Risen Body
was unaltered in nature, albeit trans-
figured in glory.
Eighth Respo7tsory.
After that our Lord, &c., (/. 398,)
with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Peace be unto you.
Alleluia. Then were the disciples
glad, when they saw the Lord.
Alleluia.
Ninth Lesson.
the wild storm of persecution, I love
you all the same, I love you, yea, I
love you with a love like that where-
with the Father loveth Me, Who sent
Me into the world to bear agony
therein.
The Hymn^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Chapter, (i John v. 4.)
T~\ EARLY beloved brethren, what-
soever is born of God over-
cometh the world ; and this is the
victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.
Hytnn^
'T^HE dawn was redd'ning in the sky,
With "Alleluias" rang the air;
Earth held a glorious jubilee,
Hell gnashed its teeth in fierce despair
" T^HEN said Jesus to them agam :
Peace be unto you. As My
Father hath sent Me, even so send I
you" — that is, as My Father, Who
is God, hath sent Me, Who am God,
even so do I, Who am Man, send
you, who are men. The Father sent
the Son, Whom He appointed to be
made Man for the redemption of man.
Him He willed to send into the world
to suffer, albeit He Whom He sent
to suffer was the Son of His love.
The Lord sendeth His chosen Apostles
into the world, not to be happy in the
world, but, as He had been Himself
sent, to suffer. As the Father loveth
the Son and yet sendeth Him to suffer,
even so doth the Lord love His dis-
ciples, albeit He sendeth them into
the world, to suffer therein ; and
therefore it is well said : "As My
Father hath sent Me, even so send I
you" — that is, while I send you into
1 An early hymn of the Ambrosian school ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall
When our most valiant mighty King
From death's abyss in dread array
Led the long-prisoned Fathers forth
Into the beam of light and day :
When He Whom stone, and seal, and guard,
Had safely to the tomb consigned
Triumphant rose and buried death
Deep in the grave He left behind :
"Calm all your grief and still your tears," —
Hark, the descending angel cries, —
' ' For Christ is risen from the dead,
And death is slain, no more to rise."
O Jesus, from the death of sin
Keep us, we pray ; so shalt Thou be
The everlasting Paschal joy
Of all the souls new-born in Thee.
Now to the Father, and the Son
Who rose from death, be glory given ;
With Thee, O Holy Comforter !
Henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
LOW WEEK.
407
Verse. Let the heavens and the
earth be glad. Alleluia.
A7iswer. For Thou art risen again,
O Christ ! Alleluia.
Aiitiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
Then the same day at evening, being
the first day of the week, when the
doors were shut where the disciples
were assembled, for fear of the Jews,
Jesus stood in the midst, and said
unto them : Peace be unto you.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day and week.
/^RANT, we beseech, O Almighty
^^ God, that we for whom the
Feast of the Passover hath now drawn
to an end, may in our life and manner
ever keep new the healthful influence
of the same. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ameii.
At Prime., 7iote the observances pe-
culiar to Easter-tide., especially that
though the Creed of St Athanasius is
said., the Psahns are 07ily the Llllrd.,
a7id the two first parts of the
CXVIIIth, a7id the cha7ige i7i the
Short Respo7isory. It is 07ily because
this day is a Double that Preces are
07nitted. Chapter at the e7id frofn
Col. iii. I.
I7i Terce., Sext, No7ie, a7id Co77ipli7te,
note the Short Responsories.
Chapter at Terce fro77t Lauds.
Chapter at Sext. (i John v. 5.)
T7OR who is he that overcometh the
world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the son of God ? This is He
That came by Water and Blood, even
Jesus Christ ; not by Water only, but
by Water and Blood.
Chapter at No7ie. (i John v. 9.)
T F we receive the witness of men, the
witness of God is greater, since
this is the witness of God that is
greater, that He hath testified of His
Son. He that believeth on the Son
of God, hath the witness of God in
himself.
vespers.
Chapter and Prayer fr 0771 Lauds.
LIy77in a7id Verse a7id A7iswer as
yesterday eve7ii7ig.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7i. After eight days came the
Lord, the doors being shut, and said
unto them : Peace be unto you. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
Second Day.
l7ivitatory
Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, *
Hy 77171 as yesterday.
First Lesso7i.
Here beginneth the ^ Book of the Acts
of the Apostles (i. i.)
'T'HE former Treatise 2 have I made,
O Theophilus,3 of all that Jesus
began both to do and to teach, until
the day in which He was taken up,
after that He through the Holy Ghost
had given commandments unto the
Apostles whom He had chosen : to
whom also He showed Himself alive
after His Passion, by many infallible
proofs, being seen of them forty days.
1 Abp. Kenrick says : "This book, by the acknowledgment of all, is the work of St Luke,
■and forms the sequel to his Gospel."
^ /.(?., his Gospel. ^ Nothing is known of this person.
4o8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
and speaking of the things pertaining
to the kingdom of God, and, eating
together with them. He commanded
that they should not depart from Jeru-
salem, but wait for the Promise of the
Father, "Which," saith He, "ye have
heard by My Mouth : for John truly
baptized with water, but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence." They therefore
that were come together, asked of
Him, saying : Lord, wilt Thou at this
time restore again the kingdom to
Israel ? And He said unto them : It
is not for you to know the times or
the seasons, which the Father hath
put in His Own power ; but ye shall
receive the power of the Holy Ghost
coming upon you, and ye shall be
witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem
and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth.
First Responsory.
With great power, &c., (/. 393.)
Seco7id Lesson.
A ND when He had spoken these
"^^ things, while they beheld. He
was taken up, and a cloud received
Him out of their sight. And while
they looked up steadfastly toward
heaven, as He went up, behold two
men stood by them in white apparel,
which also said : Ye men of Galilee,
why stand ye gazing up into heaven ?
This same jESUS, Which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen Him
go into heaven. Then returned they
unto Jerusalem from the Mount called
Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem,
about a Sabbath-day's journey. And
when they were come into the Supper-
room, they went up where abode Peter
and John, James and Andrew, Philip
and Thomas, Bartholomew and Mat-
thew, James the son of Alphaeus, d:nd
Judas the -brother of James. These
all were continuing with one accord in
prayer with the women, and Mary
the Mother of jESUS, and with His
brethren.
Second Respojtsory.
From the mouth, &c., (/. 393.)
Third Lesso?t.
T N these days Peter stood up in the
midst of the brethren, and said,
(the number of the names together
were about an hundred and twenty) :
Men and brethren, this Scripture must
needs be fulfilled, which the Holy
Ghost by the mouth of David spake
before concerning Judas, which was
guide to them that took jESUS : for he
was numbered with us, and had ob-
tained part of this ministry. Now
this man purchased a field with the
reward of iniquity ; and he hanged
himself, 1 and burst asunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
And it was known unto all the
dwellers at Jerusalem, insomuch as
that field is called in their proper
tongue, "Aceldama," that is to say,
The field of blood. For it is written
in the Book of Psalms : " Let their
habitation be desolate, and let none
dwell therein," (Ixviii. 26,) and: "Let
another take his office," (cviii. 8.)
Wherefore, of these men which have
companied with us all the time that
the Lord jESUS went in and out
among us, beginning from the Bap-
tism of John, unto that same day that
He was taken up from us, must one
become a witness with us of His
Resurrection. And they appointed
two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was
1 Suspensus. But the Greek is, "falling headlong." See Matth. xxvii. 5.
LOW WEEK.
409
surnamed Justus,^ and Matthias. And
they prayed and said : Thou, Lord,
Which knowest the hearts of all men,
show whether of these two Thou hast
chosen, that he may take part of this
ministry and Apostleship ; from which
Judas by transgression fell, that he
might go to his own place. And they
gave forth their lots, and the lot fell
upon Matthias, and he was numbered
with the eleven Apostles.
The Hymn^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said every day in Pas-
chal-time.
LAUDS.
Note that the Psalms for Lands on
Sunday are used every day in Paschal-
time.
Chapter. (Rom. vi. 9.)
/^^HRIST, being raised from the
^^ dead, dieth no more, death hath
no more dominion over Him. For in
that He died. He died unto sin once :
but in that He liveth, He liveth unto
God.
Hymn., Verse and Answer.^
Prayer as on Sunday.
a?td
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
2 When Jesus was risen early the first
day of the week ^ He appeared first to
Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had
cast seven devils. Alleluia.
This mornijig is made for the first
ti?ne the Paschal Commemoration of the
Cross.
At Prime., ?tote that the Psalms used
on Festivals are used every day in Pas-
chal-time.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn and Verse a?td Answer as on
Saturday.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgijt. ^ Peace be unto you, * it is I,
Alleluia. Be not afraid. Alleluia.
Paschal Commemoration of the Cross.
Week-days in Easter-tide.
Throughout the whole of Paschal-
time., till the First Vespers of the As-
cension., exclusive., o?i every Week-day
are used the same Invitatory a7id Hymn
at Mattins., a7id the sai7ie Chapter.,
Hy7nji, a7id Verse a7id Answer .^ at
Lauds a7id Vespers., as 07i this Monday
just give7i. The rest of the observances
peculiar to Paschal-ti77ie are give7i i7i
the Psalter.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (ii. i.)
A ND when the day of Pentecost
^^^ was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place : and
suddenly there came a sound from
heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they
were sitting. And there appeared
unto them cloven tongues, as it were
of fire, and it sat upon each of them ;
and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Holy Spirit gave them
utterance. And there were dwelling
at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, of
every nation under heaven. Now
when this was noised abroad, the
multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man
1 Greek, loustos, — a proper name, not his title.
2 Mark xvi. 9. 3 John xx. 19 ; Matth. xiv. 27.
4IO
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
heard them speak in his own lang-
uage. And they were all amazed and
marvelled, saying : Behold, are not all
these which speak Galileans ? And
how hear we every man in our own
tongue wherein we were born ?
First Respojisory.
Behold, the Lion, &c., ij). 395.)
Second Lesson.
"DUT Peter, standing up with the
eleven, lifted up his voice, and
said unto them : Ye men of Judsea,
and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be
this known unto you, and hearken unto
my words : For these are not drunken,
as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third
hour of the day, but this is that which
was spoken by the Prophet Joel (ii.
28-32) : "And it shall come to pass in
the last days," ^ saith the Lord, " I
will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, 2 and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall
dream dreams. And also upon My
servants and upon My handmaids in
those days will I pour out My Spirit,
and they shall prophesy : ^ and I will
show wonders in the heaven above,
and in the earth beneath, blood, and
fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun
shall be turned into darkness, and the
moon into blood, before the great and
terrible day of the Lord come. And
it shall come to pass that, whosoever
shall call on the Name of the LORD
shall be delivered."
Second Responsory.
I am the True Vine, &c., {p. 395.)
Third Lesson.
A/^E men of Israel, hear these words :
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man ap-
proved of God among you, by mir-
acles, and wonders, and signs, which
God did by Him, in the midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know ;
Him, being delivered by the pre-
determinate counsel and foreknow-
ledge of God, ye have taken, and by
wicked hands have tormented and
slain : Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of death,
because it was not possible that He
should be holden of it. For David
speaketh concerning Him (Ps. xv.
8-10): "I have set the Lord always
before Me ; because He is at My
right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore My Heart is glad and My
Tongue rejoiceth : My Flesh also shall
rest in hope. For Thou wilt not
leave My Soul in hell : neither wilt
Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see
corruption."
The Hyvin.^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
Lauds.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
^ I go before you into Galilee, * there
shall ye see Me, as I said unto you.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ Reach hither thine hand,
and feel the print of the nails. "^
Alleluia. And be not faithless but
believing. Alleluia.
1 In novissimis diebus, — but in Joel, postea, i.e., afterward.
2 In Joel these clauses are transposed.
3 This clause — "and they shall prophesy" — is not in Joel, at least in the now extant text.
^ Cf. Matth. xxviii. 7. 5 Cf. John xx. 25, 27.
LOW WEEK.
411
(5S)e^ne0^a^ in Bow (^uL
Fourth Day.
See Rubric, {p. 409,)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (iii. i.)
"Vr OW Peter and John went up
together into the temple at
the hour of prayer, being the ninth
hour.i And a certain man, lame
from his mother's womb, was carried ;
whom they laid daily at the gate of
the temple, which is called Beautiful,
to ask alms of them that entered into
the temple. Who, seeing Peter and
John about to go into the temple,
asked an alms. And Peter, fastening
his eyes upon him, with John, said :
Look on us. And he gave heed unto
them, expecting to receive something
of them. Then Peter said : Silver
and gold have I none, but such as
I have give I thee ; in the Name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up
and walk.
First Responsory.
After that our Lord, &c., {p. 398.)
Second Lessojt.
A ND he took him by the right
"^^ hand, and lifted him up, and
immediately his feet and soles re-
ceived strength. And he, leaping up,
stood and walked, and entered with
them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God. And all
the people saw him walking, and
praising God. And they knew that
it was he which sat for alms at the
Beautiful Gate of the temple, and
they were filled with wonder and
amazement at that which had hap-
pened unto him. And, as he held
Peter and John, all the people ran
together unto them in the porch that
is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
Secojid Responsory.
Purge out, &c., {p. 398.)
Third Lesson.
A ND when Peter saw it he an-
swered unto the people : Ye
men of Israel, why marvel ye at this ?
or why look ye so earnestly on us, as
though by our own power or strength
we had made this man to walk t
The God of Abraham, and the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the god of our fathers, hath glorified
His Son Jesus, Whom ye delivered
up, and denied Him in the presence
of Pilate, when he was determined to
let Him go. But ye denied the Holy
One, and the Just, and desired a
murderer to be granted unto you ;
and killed the Author of life, Whom
God hath raised from the dead,
whereof we are witnesses. And His
Name, through faith in His Name,
hath made this man strong, whom
ye see and know : yea, the faith
which is by Him hath given him this
perfect soundness in the presence of
you all.
The Hymn^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
'^ I am the True Vine. "^ Alleluia.
And ye are My branches indeed.
1 I.e., None.
2 Cf. John XV. I, 5.
412
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
VESPERS.
A7itipho?i at the So?tg of the Blessed
Virgin. 1 Thomas ! because thou hast
seen Me, thou hast beheved : "^ blessed
are they that have not seen and yet
have believed. Alleluia.
Fifth Day.
See Rubric, (f). 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (v. i.)
"DUT a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession, and kept back part of the
price, his wife also being privy to it :
and he brought a certain part and laid
it at the Apostles' feet. But Peter
said : Ananias, why hath Satan
tempted thine heart to lie to the Holy
Ghost, and to keep back part of the
price of the land ? Whiles it remained,
was it not thine own ? and after it was
sold, was it not in thine own power ?
Why hast thou conceived this thing in
thine heart ? Thou hast not lied unto
men, but unto God. And Ananias,
hearing these words, fell down and
gave up the ghost. And great fear
came on all them that heard these
things. And the young men arose,
took him up, and carried him out,
and buried him.
First Responsory.
Christ being raised, &c., {p. 400.)
Second Lesson.
A ND it was about the space of
three hours after, when his
wife, not knowing what was done.
came in. Then Peter said unto her :
Woman, tell me whether ye sold the
land for so much ? And she said :
Yea, for so much. And Peter said
unto her : How is it that ye have
agreed together to tempt the Spirit of
the Lord 1 Behold, the feet of them
which have buried thine husband are
at the door, and shall carry thee
out. She fell down straightway at
his feet, and yielded up the ghost.
And the young men came in and
found her dead, and, carrying her
forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the
Church, and upon as many as heard
these things.
Second Responsory.
The Good Shepherd, &c., {p. 391.)
Third Lesso?i.
A ND by the hands of the Apostles
were many signs and wonders
wrought among the people. And they
were all with one accord in Solomon's
Porch. And of the rest durst no man
join himself unto them ; but the people
magnified them. And believers were
the more added to the Lord, multitudes
both of men and women, insomuch that
they brought forth the sick into the
streets, and laid them on beds and
couches, that at the least the shadow
of Peter passing by might overshadow
some of them, and they might be de-
livered from their infirmities. There
came also a multitude out of the cities
round about Jerusalem, bringing sick
folks, and them which were vexed
with unclean spirits : and they were
healed every one.
The Hym7i^ " We
God, &c.," is said.
praise Thee, O
1 John XX. 29.
LOW WEEK.
413
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Mine heart is on fire : "^ I would that
I might see my Lord : I seek Him,
and know not where they have laid
Him, Alleluia, Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ I have put my finger into
the print of the nails, "^ and my hand
into His Side, and I have said : My
Lord, and my God ! Alleluia.
Sixth Day.
See Rubric {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (viii. 9.)
"DUT there was a certain man called
Simon, which before-time in the
same city ^ used sorcery, and bewitched
the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one : * to whom
they all gave heed, from the least to
the greatest, saying : This man is the
great power of God. And to him they
had regard, because that of long time
he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip preach-
ing the things concerning the kingdom
of God, they were baptised in the
Name of jESUS Christ,'^ both men and
women. Then Simon himself believed
also : and when he was baptized, he
continued with Philip, and won-
dered, beholding the miracles and
signs which were done.
First Responsory,
With great power, &c., {p. 393.)
Second Lesson.
IVr OW when the Apostles which were
at Jerusalem^heard that Samaria
had received the Word of God, they
sent unto them Peter and John : who,
when they were come down, prayed
for them, that they might receive the
Holy Ghost ; for as yet He was fallen
upon none of them, but they were
only baptized in the Name of the Lord
Jesus. Then laid they their hands
on them, and they received the Holy
Ghost. And when Simon saw that
through laying on of the Apostles'
hands the Holy Ghost was given, he
offered them money, saying : Give
me also this power, that on whom-
soever I lay hands, he may receive
the Holy Ghost.
Seco7id Responsory.
From the mouth, &c., {p. 393.)
Third Lesson.
"DUT Peter said unto him : Thy
money perish with thee, because
thou hast thought that the gift of God
may be purchased with money. Thou
hast neither part nor lot in this matter :
for thy heart is not right in the sight
of God. Repent therefore of this thy
wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps
the thought of thine heart may be for-
given thee. For I perceive that thou
art in the gall of bitterness, and in the
bond of iniquity. Then answered Si-
mon and said : Pray ye to the Lord
1 Cf. John XX. 2. 2 cf. John xx. 25-28. 3 Samaria.
4 According to the Fathers, he pretended to be a Divine Incarnation, and the Messiah.
5 So the Latin, but the accepted Greek and the Codex Vaticanus is, '' the things concerning
the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized," &c.
VOL. n. O 2
414
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
for me, that none of these things which
ye have spoken come upon me.^
The Hynin^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antipho7t at the Song of Zacharias.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
■^ came to see the Sepulchre. Alleluia.
If the Saturday is 7tot occupied by
some Feast 'with Nine Lessons., it is
occupied by the Simple Office of the
Blessed Virgin.
The Sabbath.
See Rubric {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (x. i.)
"jVr OW there was a certain man in
Caesarea, called Cornelius, a cen-
turion of the band called the Italian
band, a devout man, and one that
feared God with all his house, which
gave much alms to the people, and
prayed to God alway. He saw in
a vision evidently, about the ninth
hour of the day, an Angel of God com-
ing in to him, and saying unto him :
Cornelius. And when he looked on
him he was afraid, and said : What is
it. Lord ? And he said unto him :
Thy prayers and thine alms are come
up for a memorial before God. And
now send men to Joppa, and call for
one Simon, whose surname is Peter ;
he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner,
whose house is by the sea side ; he
shall tell thee what thou oughtest to
do. And when the Angel which spake
unto Cornelius was departed, he called
two of his household servants, and a
soldier which feared the Lord, of those
whom he commanded, and when he
had declared all these things to them,
he sent them to Joppa.
Second Lesson.
C\^ the morrow, as they went on
^-'^ their journey, and drew nigh un-
to the city, Peter went up upon the
house-top to pray, about the sixth
hour. And he became very hungry,
and would have eaten. But while
they made ready, he fell into a trance ;
and saw heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending unto him, as it had
been a great sheet, knit at the four
corners, and let down from heaven to
the earth, wherein were all manner of
four-footed beasts, and fowls of the
air, and creeping things of the earth.
And there came a voice to him : Rise,
Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said :
Not so, Lord : for I have never eaten
anything that is common or unclean.
And the voice spake unto him again
the second time : What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
This was done thrice ; and the vessel
was received up again into heaven.
Now while Peter doubted in himself
what this vision which he had seen
should mean, behold the men which
were sent from Cornelius had made en-
quiry for Simon's house, and stood be-
fore the gate.
Third Lesso7i . (34.)
'T^HEN Peter opened his mouth, and
said : Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons, but in
every nation he that feareth Him, and
worketh righteousness is accepted with
Him. The Word which God sent un-
to the children of Israel, preaching
1 But he afterwards became the first heresiarch, and the opponent of St Peter at Rome.
SECOND WEEK AFTER EASTER.
415
peace by jESUS Christ: (He is Lord
of all.) Ye know that word which
was published throughout all Judea :
and began from Galilee, after the bap-
tism which John preached, even jESUS
of Nazareth ; how God anointed Him
with the Holy Ghost and with power ;
Who went about doing good, and heal-
ing all that were oppressed of the devil,
for God was with Him. And we are
witnesses of all things which He did,
both in the land of the Jews and in
Jerusalem. Whom they hanged on a
tree and slew. Him God raised up
the third day, and showed Him openly,
not to all the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before of God, even to us who
did eat and drink with Him after He
rose from the dead.
VESPERS.
Chapter and Prayer froiii the ensuing
Lauds.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virghi. 1 I am the Shepherd of the
Sheep : I am the Way, the Truth, and
the Life : ^ I am the Good Shepherd,
and know My Sheep, and am known
of Mine. Alleluia, Alleluia.
IVr OW when Paul and his company
loosed from Paphos, they came
to Perga in Pamphylia : and John
departing from them, returned to
Jerusalem. But when they departed
from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and went into the synagogue
on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
And after the reading of the Law and
the Prophets, the rulers of the Syna-
gogue sent unto them, saying : Ye
men and brethren, if ye have any
word of exhortation for the people,
say on. Then Paul stood up, and,
beckoning with his hand, said : Men
of Israel, and ye that fear God, give
audience : the God of the people of
Israel chose our fathers, and exalted
the people when they dwelt as
strangers in the land of Egypt, and
with an high arm brought He them
out of it : and about the time of forty
years suffered He their manners in
the wilderness. And when He had
destroyed seven nations in the land
of Canaan, He divided their land' to
them by lot, after about four hundred
and fifty years ; and after that. He
gave unto them Judges, until Samuel
the Prophet.
ffiootr Sfjepl}ertf Suntiag.
The Second Lords Day after the
Passover.
MATTINS.
Invitatory and Hymn as 07i Low
Su?zday^ (J>. 402.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xiii. 13.)
First Responsory.
With great power, &c., (/. 393.)
Second Lesson.
A ND afterward they desired a king,
and God gave unto them Saul
the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of
Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
And when He had removed him, He
raised up unto them David to be their
king, to whom He gave testimony and
said : "I have found David the son of
Jesse, a man after Mine Own heart,
which shall fulfil all My will." 2 Of
^ John X. II, 9, 14 ; xiv, 6.
2 Apparently this quotation is a sort of cento of Ps. Ixxxviii. 21, and i Kings (Sam.) xiii. 14,
4i6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
this man's seed hath God, according
to His promise raised unto Israel a
Saviour, jESUS : when John had first
preached, before His coming, the bap-
tism of repentance to all the people
of Israel. And as John fulfilled his
course, he said : " I am not He Who
ye think that I am ; but, behold, there
Cometh One after me. Whose shoes
of His Feet I am not worthy to loose."
(Mark i. 7.)
Secojid Respo7isory.
From the mouth, &c., {p. 393,) 07nit-
ting the last Verse and Answer.
Third Lesson.
■JY/r EN and brethren, children of the
stock of Abraham, and who-
soever among you feareth God, to
you is the word of this salvation sent.
For they that dwelled at Jerusalem,
and their rulers, because they knew
Him not, nor yet the voices of the
Prophets, which are read every Sab-
bath day, they have fulfilled them in
condemning Him. And though they
found no cause of death in Him, yet
desired they Pilate that He should
be slain. And when they had fulfilled
all that was written of Him, they took
Him down from the tree, and laid
Him in a Sepulchre. But God raised
Him from the dead on the third day ;
and He was seen many days of them
which came up with Him from Galilee
to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses
unto the people. And we declare
unto you glad tidings, how that the
promise which was made unto our
fathers, God hath fulfilled the same
unto us their children, in that He
hath raised up jESUS again, as it is
also written in the Second Psalm (7) :
" Thou art My Son ; this day have I
begotten Thee."
Third Responsory.
Behold the Lion, &c., (/. 395,) with
this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Leo [the Great.] {istfor
the Lord^s Ascensio7i.)
■p\ EARLY beloved brethren, the
days which passed between the
Resurrection and the Ascension of the
Lord, wore not idly by, but in them
were established great Sacraments,
and great Mysteries were revealed.
In them was abolished the terror of
that fearful death, and it was shown
that not the soul only, but the body
also, will not die eternally. In them
the breathing of the Lord on His
Apostles shed upon them the Holy
Ghost, and the Blessed Apostle Peter,
being given the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, was chosen out of the
rest to receive the chief care of the
Lord's fold.
Fourth Responsory.
I am the True Vine, &c., {p. 395,)
omitting the last Verse a7id A7iswer.
Fifth Lesso7i.
T T was during those days, that as
two of His disciples were walking
together, the Lord Himself joined
them, and made Himself One of three
companions. Then that, to clear
away all shadow of doubt from our
mind. He rebuked the slowness of
SECOND WEEK AFTER EASTER.
417
such as still feared and trembled.
Their hearts enlightened by faith,
caught the flame ; and, whereas they
had afore been cold, they glowed
again as the Lord opened to them
the Scriptures. In the breaking of
bread their eyes were opened, and
they knew Him. And, O, how much
happier were they with their eyes
opened, and gazing upon the glorifi-
cation of our nature in His Person,
than were the first father and mother
of our race, upon whom their own
transgression had brought shame !
Fifth Responsory.
After that our Lord, &c., (/. 398.)
Sixth Lesson.
A MID these and other miracles,
while the disciples were still
troubled with fearful thoughts, the
Lord manifested Himself in the midst
of them, and said : " Peace be unto
you." And lest their reason should
be deceived by the vain imaginations
which lurked in their hearts, (for they
thought that What they saw was a
spirit, and not Flesh,) He rebuked
thoughts so inconsistent with the
truth ; and pointed out to the eyes
of the doubters the marks of cruci-
fixion which still remained in His
Hands and His Feet, and bade them
handle Him more closely. Those
open Wounds made by the nails and
spear in His Body remain ever open
to close the wounds in unbelievers'
hearts : that we may hold, not with
doubtful faith, but with most firm and
absolute knowledge, that the Manhood
Which lay in the grave is the Same
Which now sitteth at the right hand
of God the Father.
Sixth Responsory.
Purge out, &c., {p. 398.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (x. 11.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto the
Pharisees ; I am the Good Shep-
herd. The Good Shepherd giveth His
life for His sheep. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (14//^ on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, ye have
heard from the Holy Gospel what is at
once your instruction, and our danger.
Behold, how He Who, not by the vary-
ing gifts of nature, but of the very
essence of His being, is Good, behold
how He saith : "I am the Good Shep-
herd." And then He saith what is the
character of His goodness, even of that
goodness of His which we must strive
to copy : " The Good Shepherd giveth
His life for the Sheep." As He had
foretold, even so did He ; as He had
commanded, so gave He ensample.
The Good Shepherd gave His life
for the sheep, and made His Own
Body and His Own Blood to be our
Sacramental Food, pasturing upon
His Own Flesh the sheep whom He
had bought.
Seventh Responsory.
Christ being raised, &c., {p. 400.)
Eighth Lesson.
1_J E, by despising death, hath shown
us how to do the like ; He hath
set before us the mould wherein it be-
hoveth us to be cast. Our first duty
is, freely and tenderly to spend our
outward things for His sheep, but
lastly, if need be, to serve the same
by our death also. From the light
4i8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
offering of the first, we go on to the
stern offering of the last, and, if we
be ready to give our life for the sheep,
why should we scruple to give our
substance, seeing how much "more is
the life than meat?" (Matth. vi. 25.)
Eighth Responsory.
The Good Shepherd, &c., {p. 391.)
Nmth Lesson.
AND some there be which love the
'^^ things of this world better than
they love the sheep ; and such as
they deserve no longer to be called
shepherds. These are they of whom
it is written : " But he that is an hire-
ling, and not the shepherd, whose own
the sheep are not, seeth the wolf com-
ing, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth "
(12.) He is not a shepherd but an
hireling which feedeth the Lord's
sheep, not because he loveth their
souls, but because he doth gain earthly
wealth thereby. He that taketh a
shepherd's place, but seeketh not gain
of souls, that same is but an hireling ;
such an one is ever ready for creature-
comforts, he loveth his pre-eminence,
he groweth sleek upon his income,
and he liketh well to see men bow
down to him.
The Hynin^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Chapter, (i Pet. ii. 21.)
"DRETHREN, Christ suffered for
us, leaving you an example,
that ye should follow His steps : Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in
His Mouth.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Low Sunday.^ [pp. 406, 407.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
I am the Shepherd of the sheep : * I
am the Way, the Truth, and the Life :
I am the Good Shepherd, and know
My sheep, and am known of Mine.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day and week.
r\ GOD, Whose Son hath humbled
^"^^ Himself, and Who hast through
Him raised up the whole world, grant
to Thy faithful people everlasting joy ;
and as Thou hast delivered them from
the bitter pains of eternal death, make
them to be glad for ever in Thy pres-
ence. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Anieii.
Chapter at Terce as at Lauds.
Chapter at Sext. (i Pet. ii. 23.)
TLT E gave Himself up to him that
judged Him unjustly. He, His
Own Self, bare our sins in His Own
Body upon the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto right-
eousness : by Whose stripes we are
healed.
Chapter at None, (i Pet. ii. 25.)
TIJ^OR ye were as sheep going astray,
but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
. VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn and Verse a7id Answer as o?t
Saturday in Easter Week., {pp. 401,
402.)
Antipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. I am the Good Shepherd, ^
Who feed My sheep : and I lay down
My life for My sheep. Alleluia.
SECOND WEEK AFTER EASTER.
419
QTlon^ap.
See Rubric^ {p. 409.)
First Responsory.
With great power, &c., (/. 393.)
Second Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xv. 5.)
TDUT there rose up certain of the
sect of the Pharisees, which be-
lieved, saying : That it was needful to
circumcise them ; ^ and to command
them to keep the law of Moses. And
the Apostles and elders ^ came to-
gether, for to consider of this matter.
And when there was much disputing,
Peter rose up and said unto them :
*' Men and brethren, ye know how
that a good while ago, God made
choice among us, that the Gentiles
by my mouth should hear the word of
the Gospel and believe. And God
Which knoweth the hearts, bare them
witness, giving them the Holy Ghost,
even as He did unto us ; and put no
difference between us and them, puri-
fying their hearts by faith. Now,
therefore, why tempt ye God, to put
a yoke upon the neck of the dis-
ciples, which neither our fathers nor
we were able to bear ? But we
believe that through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be
saved, even as they." Then all the
multitude kept silence and gave
audience to Barnabas and Paul, de-
claring what miracles and wonders
God had wrought among the Gentiles
by them.
Second Lesso?t.
A ND after they had held their
peace, James answered, saying :
" Men and brethren, hearken unto
me. Simon hath declared how God
at the first did visit the Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for His
Name : and to this agree the words
of the Prophets, as it is written :
'Afterward I will return, ^ and I will
raise up the tabernacle of David, that
is fallen, and close up the breaches
thereof, and I will raise ^ it up, that
the remnant of men may seek the
Lord, even all the nations which are
called by My Name, saith the LORD
TJiat doeth this.' (Amos ix. 11, 12.)
Known unto God from everlasting are
all His works. Wherefore, my sen-
tence is, that we trouble not them,
which from among the Gentiles are
turned to God ; but that we write
unto them, that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, and from forni-
cation, and from things strangled, and
from blood. For Moses of old time
hath in every city them that preach
him, being read in the Synagogues
every Sabbath Day."
Second Respojisory.
From the mouth, &c., {p. 393.)
Third Lesson.
T^HEN pleased it the Apostles and
Elders,^ with the whole Church,
to send chosen men of their own com-
1 Viz., the Gentile converts.
2 Seniores, but the Greek is " presbuteroi," generally translated, or, rather, contracted,
"Priests."
'•'' These words are not in Amos, but only " in those days will I raise, &c."
■* A very free quotation. The words of Amos are, "And I will raise up his ruins, and I will
build it as in the days of old ; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the heathen,
because they are called by My Name, saith the Lord That doeth this."
420
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
pany to Antioch, with Paul and Bar-
nabas, [to wit,] Judas named Bar-
sabas, and Silas, chief men among
the brethren. And they wrote letters
by them, [after this manner] : " The
Apostles, and Elders, ^ and brethren,
[send] greeting unto the brethren
which are of the Gentiles, in Antioch,
and Syria, and Cilicia. Forasmuch
as we have heard, that certain which
went out from us have troubled you
with words,' subverting your souls, (to
whom we gave no such command-
ment ;) it seemed good unto us, being
assembled with one accord, to send
chosen men unto you, with our dearly
beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that
have hazarded their lives for the Name
of our Lord jESUS Christ. We have
sent therefore Judas and Silas, who
shall also tell you the same things by
mouth. For it seemed good to the
Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon
you no greater burden than these
necessary things : That ye abstain
from meats offered to idols ; and from
blood ; and from things strangled ;
and from fornication. From which if
ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.
Fare ye well."
The Hyinn^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
Lauds.
Antiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
2 Go ye into the world, "^ Alleluia, and
teach all nations. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
A7itipho7t at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ The Good Shepherd ^
giveth His life for His sheep. Alle-
luia.
See Rubric, (J>. 409.)
4
Third Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xvii. 22.)
HTHEN Paul stood in the midst of
the Areopagus,^ and said : "Ye
men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things ye are exceedingly God-fearing.
For as I passed by and beheld your
statues, I found also an altar with this
inscription — ' To the Unknown God.'
Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship.
Him declare I unto you. God That
made the world and all things therein,
seeing that He is the Lord of heaven
and earth, dwelleth not in temples
made with hands, neither is wor-
shipped with men's hands, as though
He needed anything, seeing that He
giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things ; and hath made of one blood
all nations of men, for to dwell on all
the face of the earth, and hath de-
termined the times before appointed,
and the bounds of their habitation ;
that they should seek God, if haply
they might feel after Him, and find
Him, though He be not far from
every one of us."
First Responsory.
Behold, the Lion, &c., {p. 395.)
Second Lesson.
" Tj^OR in Him we live, and move,
and have our being : as certain
also of your own poets have said :
1 Seniores, but the Greek is "presbuteroi," generally translated, or, rather, contracted,
''Priests."
2 Mark xvi. 15 ; Matth. xxviii. 19. 3 John x. 11.
4 I.e., " the hill of" the god " Ares " — a celebrated place at Athens.
SECOND WEEK AFTER EASTER.
421
' For we are also His offspring.' ^
Forasmuch then as we are the off-
spring of God, we ought not to think
that the Godhead is Hke unto gold, or
silver, or stone, graven by art and
man's device. And the times of this
ignorance God winked at, but now
commandeth all men everywhere to
repent ; because He hath appointed a
day in which He will judge the world
in righteousness, by that Man Whom
he hath ordained ; whereof He hath
given assurance unto all men, in that
He hath raised Him from the dead " —
and when they heard of the Resurrec-
tion of the dead, some mocked, and
others said : " We will hear thee again
of this matter." So Paul departed
from among them.
The Hy7}in^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
2 Go ye into the world, and teach all
nations, ^ baptizing them in the Name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Antiphofi at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ But he that is an hireling,
[and not the Shepherd,] whose own the
sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming,
and leaveth the sheep, * and fleeth ;
and the wolf catcheth them, and
scattereth the sheep. Alleluia.
Second Responsory.
I am the True Vine, &c., {J>. 395.)
See Rubric, (J). 409.)
Third Lesson.
TTOWBEIT, certain men clave to
him, and believed : among which
was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a
woman named Damaris, and others
with them (xviii.) After these things
Paul departed from Athens, and came
to Corinth ; and found a certain Jew
named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately
come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla,
(because that Claudius had commanded
all Jews to depart from Rome,) and
came unto them. And because he
was of the same craft, he abode with
them and wrought : for by their occu-
pation they were tentmakers. And
he reasoned in the Synagogue every
Sabbath, preaching the Name of the
Lord Jesus, and persuaded the Jews
and the Greeks.
Fourth Day.
MATTINS.
Lessons fro7ii Acts xx. \'j ., as i7i the
Co77i77io7t Office for a Bishop and
Martyr.
First Respo7tsory.
After that our Lord, &c., {p. 398.)
Seco7td Responsory.
Purge out, &c., {p. 398.)
LAUDS.
A7itipho7t at the So7tg of Zacharias.
^ Go to My brethren, and say unto
them — Alleluia — that they go into
Galilee * — Alleluia : there shall they
see Me. Alleluia.
1 "The quotation," says Mr Ornsby, in his Greek Testament, "is from the ' Phgenomena ' of
Aratus, a poet of Tarsus in Cihcia, St Paul's own city. There is a very similar passage in a
hymn of the Stoic Clean thes." 2 Mark xvi. 15 ; Matth. xxviii. 19.
3 John X. 12. ^ John xx. 17. Cf. Matth. xxviii. 7.
422
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. As the Father knoweth Me,
"^ even so know I the Father : and I lay
down My life for My sheep. Alleluia.
See Rubric, {p. 409.)
Fifth Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xxiv. 10.)
T^HEN Paul, (after that the Gover-
nor 1 had beckoned unto him to
speak,) answered: "Forasmuch as I
know that thou hast been of many
years a judge unto this nation, I do
the more cheerfully answer for myself.
Because that thou mayest understand
that there are yet but twelve days
since I went up to Jerusalem for to
worship. And they neither found me
in the temple disputing with any man,
neither raising up the people,^ neither
in the Synagogues, nor in the city :
neither can they prove the things
whereof they now accuse me. But
this I confess unto thee, that after the
way which they call heresy, so worship
I my Father and God, believing all
things which are written in the Law
and in the Prophets : and have hope
toward God, (which they themselves
also look for,) that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the
just and unjust. And herein do I
exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence toward God,
and toward men."
First Responsory.
Christ being raised from the dead,
&c., if. 400.)
Second Lesson.
" "^f ^^ after many years, I came to
bring alms to my nation, and
offerings, and vows. Whereupon
certain Jews from Asia found me
purified in the temple, neither with
multitude, nor with tumult : who ought
to have been here before thee, and
object, if they had aught against me :
or else let these same here say, if
they have found any evil-doing in me,
while I stood before the council, ex-
cept it be for this one voice, that I
cried, standing among them : ' Touch-
ing the resurrection of the dead I am
called in question by you this day.'"
Seco7id Respo7tsory.
The Good Shepherd, &c., {p. 391.)
Third Lesso?t.
"DUT Felix, having more perfect
knowledge of that way, deferred
them, and said : " When Lysias the
Chief Captain shall come down, I will
hear you." And he commanded a
Centurion to keep Paul, and to let
him have rest, and that he should
forbid none of his acquaintance to
minister unto him. And after certain
days, when Felix came, with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he
sent for Paul, and heard from him the
faith which is in Christ jESUS. And
as he reasoned of justice and chastity,
and of judgment to come, Felix
trembled ; and answered : " Go thy
way for this time ; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee."
He hoped also that money should have
1 Felix, to whom St Paul had been sent from Jerusalem.
2 Concursum facientem turbae.
SECOND WEEK AFTER EASTER.
423
been given him of Paul, that he
might loose him : wherefore he sent
for him the oftener, and communed
with him. But after two years Porcius
Festus came into Felix' room. And
Felix, willing to show the Jews a
pleasure, left Paul bound.
The Hy 7)171 " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Art thou only a stranger [in Jeru-
salem], and hast not known concern-
ing Jesus, "^ and how they delivered
Him up to be condemned to death 1
Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Aiitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold : "^ them also I
must bring, and they shall hear My
voice ; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd. Alleluia.
See Rubric, {p. 409.)
Sixth Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xxv. i.)
IVr OW when Festus was come into
the province, after three days he
ascended from Csesarea to Jerusalem.
Then the chief priests and the leaders
of the Jews informed him against Paul,
and besought him, desiring as a favour
against him, that he would send for
him to Jerusalem, they laying wait in
the way to kill him. But Festus
answered, that Paul should be kept
at Caesarea, and that he himself would
depart shortly thither. " Let them
therefore," said he, " which among
you are able, go down with me, and
accuse this man, if there be any
wickedness in him."
First Responsory.
With great power, &c., i^p. 393.)
Second Lesso7t.
A ND when he had tarried among
'^^ them no more than eight or ten
days, he went down unto Csesarea ;
and the next day, sitting on the judg-
ment-seat, commanded Paul to be
brought. And when he was come, the
Jews which came down from Jerusalem
stood round about, and laid many and
grievous complaints against him, which
they could not prove, while Paul an-
swered for himself: "Neither against
the Law of the Jews, neither against
the Temple, nor yet against Csesar,
have I offended anything at all."
Second Respo7tsory.
From the mouth, &c., (/. 393.)
Third Lesso7i.
TDUT Festus, willing to do the Jews
a pleasure, answered Paul, and
said : " Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem,
and there be judged of these things
before me ? " Then said Paul : " I
stand at Caesar's judgment-seat, where
I ought to be judged. To the Jews
have I done no wrong, as thou very
well knowest. For if I be an offender,
or have committed anything worthy
of death, I refuse not to die : but if
there be none of these things whereof
1 Luke xxiv. 18-20.
424
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
these accuse me, no man may deliver
me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar."
Then Festus, when he had conferred
with the council, answered : " Thou
hast appealed unto Caesar, unto Caesar
thou shalt go."i
The Hymn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Softg of Zacharias.
2 Ought not Christ to have suffered
these things, "^ and so to enter into
His glory ? Alleluia,
Vespers are either of a Festival or of
the Votive Office of the Immaculate
Co7iception of the Blessed Virgin.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xxviii. i6.)
A ND when we came to Rome, Paul
was suffered to dwell by himself
with a soldier that kept him. And
after three days he called the chief of
the Jews together. And when they
were come together, he said unto
them : " Men and brethren, though I
have committed nothing against the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet
was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem
into the hands of the Romans : who,
w^hen they had examined me, would have
let me go, because there was no cause
of death in me. But when the Jews
spake against it, I was constrained to
appeal unto Caesar ; not that I had
aught to accuse my nation of. For
this cause therefore have I called for
you, to see you and to speak with you ;
because that for the hope of Israel I
am bound with this chain."
Secojtd Lesso?t.
AND they said unto him: "We
'^^ neither received letters out of
Judea, concerning thee, neither any of
the brethren, that came, showed or
spake any harm of thee. But we
desire to hear of thee what thou
thinkest : for, as concerning this sect,
we know that everywhere it is spoken
against." And when they had ap-
pointed him a day, there came many to
him into his lodging, to whom he ex-
pounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning
Jesus, both out of the Law of Moses,
and out of the Prophets, from morning
till evening. And some believed the
things which were spoken, and some
believed not.
Third Lesso?t.
A ND when they agreed not among
'^^ themselves, they departed, after
that Paul had spoken one word : " Well
spake the Holy Ghost by Isaias the
Prophet unto our fathers, saying : ' Go
ye unto this people and say unto
them : Ye shall hear with the ear, but
understand not ; and seeing ye shall
see, but perceive not. For the heart
of this people is grown fat, and they
hear heavily with their ears, and shut
their eyes, lest perchance they see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart, and
1 The reader is strongly recommended to read the appearance of St Paul before Festus and
Agrippa, (Acts xxv., xxvi.,) and the journey of the Apostle to Rome, (xxvii., xxviii.)
'■^ Luke xxiv. 26.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
425
be converted, and I should heal them.'^
Be it known therefore unto you that
this salvation of God is sent unto the
Gentiles, and that they will hear it."
And when he had said these words,
the Jews departed from him, and had
great reasoning among themselves.
And he dwelt two whole 3^ears in his
own hired house, and received all that
came in unto him, preaching the king-
dom of God, and teaching the things
which concern the Lord jESUS Christ,
with all confidence, no man forbidding
him.
PRIME.
In the beginni7ig of the Martyrology^
is said,
The morrow is the Feast of the
Patronage of Holy Joseph, the spouse
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Vespers are of the Feast.
El}irtr Sutttiag after ISaster.
The Third Lords Day after the
Passover.
Feast of the Patronage of St Joseph.'^
Double of the Second Class.
All from the Common Office for a
Feast of a Confessor not a Bishop, ex-
cept the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter, and Prayer
from Lauds.
Hymn.^
JOSEPH ! to thee by hosts on high
-^ And choirs of Christians, laud be paid ! —
Saintly of life, — by purest tie
Joined unto her, the glorious Maid.
When thou didst doubt thy wife's repute,
And mark her great with Sacred Load,
The angel taught thee that her Fruit
Came from the Holy Ghost of God.
To clasp the Son, thy Lord, was thine, —
To share His flight to Egypt's shore, —
With tears, to seek in Salem's Shrine
Him lost, — with joy, to find once more.
Death brings to other saints their rest ;
Through toil they win the victor's place ; —
Thou happier, like the angels blest.
Alive, hast seen God Face to face.
Spare us, O Trinity Most High !
Grant that, with Joseph, we may gain
Thy starry realm, and ceaselessly
There raise to Thee our thankful strain.
Amen.
Verse. * He made him lord of His
house. Alleluia.
Answer. And ruler of all His sub-
stance. Alleluia.
Antipho?z at the Song of the Blessed
Virgifi. ^When as Mary, the Mother
of Jesus, was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Alleluia.
A Comjnemoraiio7i is made of the
Third Sunday after Easter : A7itiphon
a?id Prayer front the same Comrnemora-
tio?i at Lauds.
Verse.
luia.
Aitswer.
— Alleluia.
Lord, abide with us — Alle-
For it is toward evening
1 This is a very free quotation from Isa. vi. 9, "And He said : Go, and tell this people :
Hear ye indeed, but understand not ; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of
this people dark, and their ears heavy : and shut their eyes : lest perchance, &c."
2 In the original this Office is put at the beginning of April or May, but it is here placed
where it always occurs in practice, and the accompanying application of the General Rubrics is
made.
3 Hymn of the sixteenth century ; translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
4 Ps. civ. 21. 5 Matth. i. 18.
426
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
MATTINS.
Iitvitatory. In worshipful remem-
brance of our blessed Defender
Joseph,* let us praise our God.
Alleluia.
Hyin7i as at First Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Antiphon. ^ The Angel of the Lord
appeareth to Joseph in a dream, say-
ing : Arise, and take the young Child
and His Mother, and flee into Egypt,
and be thou there until I bring thee
word. Alleluia.
Psalms /., //., ///., {pp. 4, 5-)
Verse. ^ I will give praise unto Thy
Name — Alleluia,
Answer. For Thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender — Alleluia.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Genesis (xxxix. i.)
CO Joseph was brought down to
Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer
of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an
Egyptian, bought him of the hands of
the Ishmaelites, which had brought
him down thither. And the LORD
was with him, and he was a prosperous
man ; and he was in the house of his
master ; and [his master] knew well
that the Lord was with him, and
made all that he did to prosper in
his hand. And Joseph found grace in
his master's sight, and he served him ;
and he made him overseer over his
house, and all that he had he put into
his hand. And the LORD blessed the
Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake,
and made all his substance to in-
crease, in the house, and in the field.
[and he left all that he had in Joseph's
hand], and he knew not aught he
had, save the bread which he did eat.
And Joseph was a goodly person, and
well-favoured.
First Responsory.
^ The people cried to Pharaoh * for
bread : and he answered them : Go
unto Joseph. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ The saving of our lives is
in thy hand ; only let us find grace in
thy sight, and we will gladly be
Pharaoh's servants.
Answer. And he answered them :
Go unto Joseph. Alleluia.
Second Lesso7i. (xli. 37.)
n^HE thing was good in the eyes of
Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all
his servants, and he said unto them :
Can we find such an one as this is, a
man in whom the Spirit of God is ?
Unto Joseph therefore he said : For-
asmuch as God hath showed thee all
this which thou hast spoken, how shall
I find any man more discreet and wise
than thou art ? Thou shalt be over
my house, and according to thy word
shall all my people be ruled : only in
the throne will I be greater than thou>
And Pharaoh said moreover unto
Joseph : See, I have set thee over all
the land of Egypt. And he took off
his ring from his hand, and put it
upon his hand ; and arrayed him in
a vesture of fine linen, and put a gold
chain about his neck, and he made
him to ride in the second chariot
which he had, and an herald cried
out that all men should bow the knee
before him, and should know that he
had been made ruler over all the land
of Egypt.
1 Matth. ii. 13. - Ecclus. li. i, 2. 3 Qen. xli. 55.
4 Rex, "the king," according to Gesenius, a simple translation of the Egyptian word; but
the translator has thought it best to give the foreign word, as it stands in the Hebrew and in
the Vulgate. ^ Gen. xlvii. 25.
I
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
427
Secoitd Responsory.
1 God hath made me as a father to
Pharaoh, and lord of all his house.
He hath made me great, to save much
people alive. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Come unto me, and I will
give you all the good of the land of
Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the
land.
Answer. He hath made me great,
to save much people alive. Alleluia.
Third Lesso?i.
A ND Pharaoh said moreover unto
Joseph : I am Pharaoh : without
thee shall no man lift up his hand or
foot in all the land of Egypt. And
he changed his name, and called him
in the Egyptian tongue, " Saviour-of-
the-world."^ And he gave him to
wife Asenath daughter of Potiphar,
Priest of Heliopolis. So Joseph went
out into the land of Egypt, (he was
thirty years old when he stood before
King Pharaoh) and went throughout
all the land of Egypt. And the plente-
ousness of the seven years came to
pass, and the com was gathered by
handfuls, and laid up in the granaries
of Egypt. The fruit of the field which
was round about every city was laid
up in the same. And so plentiful was
the wheat that it was like unto the
sand of the sea, and exceeded all
reckoning.
Third Responsory.
^ Now shall I die happy, since I
have seen thy face, and do leave thee
behind me. I am not disappointed of
seeing thee. The Lord hath showed
me also thy seed. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ He That hath fed me from
my youth up, bless the lads, and let
my name be named on them.
Answer. The Lord hath showed me
also thy seed. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A^iswer. The Lord hath showed me
also thy seed. Alleluia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Antipho7t. ^ An Angel of the Lord
appeareth in a dream to Joseph [in
Egypt] saying : Arise, and take the
young Child and His Mother, and go
into the land of Israel : for they are
dead which sought the young Child's
life. Alleluia.
Psalms IV., v., VIII., {pp. 206,
88, 7.)
Verse. '^ Look down from heaven,
and behold, and visit this vine —
Alleluia.
Answer. And protect that [Thy
right hand hath planted.] Alleluia.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of ^ St Bernardine of Siena. {\st
07t St Joseph.)
"\ ^rHEN any special favours are con-
ferred upon a reasonable being,
it is the common rule that whenever
the grace of God electeth such and such
an one for such and such a grace, or
for such and such an high post of duty,
the person so elected receiveth all the
gifts of grace which be needful for him
in that state of life whereunto he is
called, and receiveth them abundantly.
1 Gen. xlv. 8 ; 1. 20. 2 Gen. xlv. 18,
•' Tsaphnath Phan^ach. LXX. Psonthomphan^ch. Egyptian scholars interpret it as
above, recognising in it a corruption of the. Egyptian P-s5t-m-ph-enech, but the Jews had an
interpretation of their own from the Hebrew form, i.e., " Revealer-of-a-secret " (so Gesenius.)
4 Cf. Gen. xlvi. 30; xlviii. 11, ^ Gen. xlviii. 15, 16. 6 Matth, ii. 19, 20.
'^ Ps. Ixxix. 15, 16. 8 May 20.
428
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Of this there is an excellent instance
in the case of the holy Joseph, the so-
called father of our Lord jESUS Christ,
and the real husband of her, who is
Queen of the world, and Lady of
Angels. He had been elected by
the Eternal Father to be the faith-
ful nurse and warder of His two chief
treasures, that is, His Son, and
Joseph's own Wife. This duty Joseph
ifaithfully discharged, and consequently
the Lord hath said to him : " Well
done, thou good and faithful servant :
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
(Matth. XXV. 2 1.)
Fourth Responsory.
1 Thou hast given me the shield of
Thy salvation, and Thy right hand
hath holden me up. My buckler, and
the horn of m.y salvation, and my
refuge. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ \ am thy shield and thy
exceeding great reward.
Answer. My buckler, and the horn
of my salvation, and my refuge.
Alleluia.
Fifth Lesson,
'T^HIS man Joseph, if we compare
him with the Universal Church
of Christ, is he not that elect and
chosen one, through whom, and under
whom, Christ is orderly and honestly
brought into the world ? If, then, the
Holy Universal Church be under a
debt to the Virgin Mother, because
it is through her that she hath been
made to receive Christ, next to Mary
she oweth love and worship to Joseph.
Joseph is the key of the [Church of
the Saints which were under the] Old
Testament, in whose person the noble
structure of Patriarchs and Prophets
reacheth her completion and realiseth
her promises. He is the only one of
them who actually enjoyed in full
fruition what God had been pleased
to promise before to them. It is,
therefore, with good reason that we
see a type of him in that Patriarch
Joseph who stored up corn for the
people. But the second Joseph hath
a more excellent dignity than the first,
seeing that the first only gave to the
Egyptians bread for the body, but the
second was the watchful guardian for
all the elect of that Living Bread
Which came down from heaven, of
Which whosoever eateth will never
die.
Fifth Responsory.
^ He shall set his children under
her 4 shelter, and shall lodge under
her branches : by her shall he be
covered from heat, and in her glory
shall he dwell. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Trust in Him,*^ ye con-
gregation of the people, pour out your
heart before Him.
Answer. And in her glory shall
he dwell. Alleluia.
Sixth Lesso7i.
T^HERE can be no doubt that
Christ still treateth Joseph in
heaven with that familiarity, honour,'''
and most high condescension which
He paid him, like a Son to a father,
while He walked among men ; nay,
rather, that He hath now crowned
and completed those habits. We may
very reasonably suspect that it was
with a peculiar meaning that Christ
said [to him] : " Enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord." The joy of being
blessed for ever entereth into the
heart of man, but when the Lord said
[to Joseph], "Enter thou into joy,"
He probably meant mystically to bid
him realise a joy which should not be
1 Ps. xvii. 36, 3.
5 Ps. Ixi. 9.
2 Gen. XV. i. ^ Ecclus. xiv. 26, 27.
6 I.e., in God — see context.
•^ I.e., Wisdom's.
' Revei-entia.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
429
within him only, but outside him also,
above him, and below him, and all
round about him, and overflowing him
— as it were a great bottomless pit of
joy to swallow him up altogether.
Therefore, O thou blessed Joseph !
remember us ! In thy helpful pray-
ers, make intercession for us with
Him Who vouchsafed to be supposed
thy Son ! Likewise, obtain some
pity for us from that most blessed
Maiden who was thy wife, and the
Mother of Him, Who, with the Father
and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign-
eth, one God, world without end.
Amen.
Sixth Responsory.
1 Though an host should encamp
against me, my heart shall not fear.
Though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ My praise shall be con-
tinually of Thee, for Thou art my
strong refuge.
Answer. Though war should rise
against me, in this will I be confident.
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Though war should rise
against me, in this will I be con-
fident. Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Atitiphon. ^ Joseph arose, and took
the young Child and His Mother, and
came into the land of Israel, and
dwelt in a city called Nazareth.
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ I called upon the Lord,
the Father of my Lord- — Alleluia.
Answer. That He would not leave
me in the days of my trouble.
Alleluia.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A ND at that time : When all the
'^^ people were baptized, it came
to pass, that Jesus also being bap-
tized and praying, the heaven was
opened. And so on.
Homily by St
Hippo.] {^Bk
the Evajigelists.)
n.
Austin, Bishop [of
, on the Harmony oj
"And Jesus Himself began to be
about thirty years of age, being (as
was supposed) the Son of Joseph."
These words, " as was supposed,"
were evidently here written for the
correction of such as might think that
the Lord was the Son of Joseph, in
the same sense as other men are
called the children of their fathei^.
Those who find any trouble in the
fact that the ancestors reckoned down-
ward by Matthew from David to
Joseph, are other than those reckoned
upward by Luke from Joseph to David,
such, I say, as are troubled by this,
may get over it by supposing that
Joseph had two fathers ; one, that is,
who begat him, and another who
adopted him.-^ The custom of adopt-
ing children, whereby those who have
none of their own surround themselves
with a family, is very ancient, even
among the people of God. Hence,
Luke is understood to have included in
his Gospel, under the name of father
of Joseph, that, not of the father by
whom he was begotten, but of him
by whom he was adopted, and it is
1 Ps. xxvi. 3. 2 Ps. ixx. 6, 7. 3 Matth. ii. 21, 23. ^ Ecclus. li. 14.
5 This remark, and the rest of these Lessons, opens the whole (fearfully difificult and com-
plicated) question of the inter-relationship of the divers members of the Sacred Family. A
note, embracing a genealogical table, briefly setting forth the commonest statements on the
subject, will be found after Sept. 8.
430
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
the ancestors of this adoptive father
who are reckoned up as far as David.
Seventh Responsory.
^ Joseph, thou Son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife ;
for That Which is conceived in her is
of the Holy Ghost : and she shall
bring forth a Son ; and thou shalt call
His Name jESUS. Alleluia.
Verse. For He shall save His
people from their sins.
Answer. And thou shalt call His
Name jESUS. Alleluia.
Eighth Lesson.
"DUT since we are behoven to be-
lieve that what each of the
Evangelists said was true, Matthew
as well as Luke ; and therefore that
one of them nameth the father who
begat, and the other, the father who
adopted, Joseph ; we naturally sup-
pose that the Evangelist, who nameth
the adoptive father, was he who ab-
staineth from using the term "beget."
Matthew beginneth (i. 2) : "Abraham
begat Isaac ; and Isaac begat Jacob,"
and so on, always with the use of this
word "begat," till he cometh to:
"and Jacob begat Joseph." By the
word which he useth he doth suffi-
ciently indicate that the genealogy
which he is giving is that of him who
begat. 2 Luke saith " Joseph was the
son of Heli," not "Joseph was be-
gotten of Heli ; " but even if he had
said the latter, it would not have
troubled this interpretation of ours, that
one Evangelist nameth the natural,
and the other the adoptive father of
Joseph. It is not an outrageous thing
to say that one who adopteth another
hath begotten him, albeit he hath
done it, not carnally, but by love.
Even so hath God given to us the
power to become His sons, albeit He
hath not begotten us of His Own
Nature and Substance, as He hath
His Only - Begotten Son, but only
reckoneth us, in His love, among^
His children.
Eighth Responsory .
3 Arise, and take the young Child,,
and His Mother, and flee into Egypt ;
and be thou there until I bring thee
word. Alleluia.
Verse. That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the
Prophets, saying : Out of Egypt have
I called My Son.
Answer. And be thou there until
I bring thee word. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father^
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And be thou there until
I bring thee word. Alleluia.
Ninth Lessofi. {Homily for the Third
Sunday after Easter.)
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xvi. 16.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
'^^ disciples : A little while, and ye
shall not see Me ; and again a little
while, and ye shall see Me, because I
go to the Father. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (loi^/ Tract on John.)
This " little while " is the whole
duration of this present world. In
the same sense this same Evangelist
saith in his Epistle (ii. 18), " It is the
last time." The words, "because I
1 Matth. i. 20, 21.
2 If it should happen by any chance that this Feast be transferred, and the day to which
it is so transferred has no Homily of its own, a ninth Lesson is made by dividing the eighth
at this mark. 3 Matth. ii. 13, 15.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
431
I
go to the Father,'^ refer to the first
clause of the text, namely, " A little
while and ye shall not see Me," and
not to the latter clause, that is, " and
again a little while, and ye shall see
Me." By His going to the Father He
was about to bring it to pass that they
should see Him no more. And thus
it was that He said, not that He was
about to die, and that after His death
they should not see Him until He
rose again, but that He was going to
the Father, which He did when, after
that He was risen again and had
manifested Himself to them for forty
days. He ascended up into heaven. 1
{Eighth Lesson of Simday. ) But now,
to them which were looking on Him
in the Body, He saith, "A Httle
while, and ye shall not see Me," — a
little while, and they who now saw
Him clad in a dying nature, should
see Him so no more, because He was
about to go to the Father. But He
saith : " And again a little while, and
ye shall see Me," and these words are
a promise to the Universal Church,
just as are those others : " Lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of
the world" (Matth. xxviii. 20.) Our
Lord delayeth not His promised com-
ing. Again a little while, and we shall
see Him. We shall see Him. And,
O, when we shall see Him, then we
shall beg, we shall ask no more ; for
no desire will be unsatisfied, and no
riddle unsolved. i^Ninth Lesson of
Simday.) This " little while " seemeth
a very long while to us now, while as
it is still going on, but when it is over
we shall feel indeed how truly it is but
" a little while." Therefore, may our
rejoicing never be like the rejoicing of
that world whereof it is said: "The
world shall rejoice."
" A woman when she is in travail
hath sorrow," and yet, while hitherto-
our gladness is still coming to the
birth through throes of sorrow, let us
not be altogether sorrowful, but, as the
Apostle hath it (Rom. xii. 12) : " Re-
joicing in hope : patient in tribula-
tion." "A woman, when she is in
travail hath sorrow, because her hour
is come : but as soon as she is de-
livered of the child, she remembereth
no more the anguish, for joy that a
man is born into the world." And so
will it be with us.
And with that let me end my dis-
course.
The next passage is one of extreme
difficulty ; nor is it possible to treat it
briefly, if, (with the will of God,) it is
to be treated satisfactorily.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Aiitiphon. ^ And Jacob begat
Joseph, "^ the husband of Mary, of
whom was born jESUS, Who is called
Christ. Alleluia.
Second Aiitiphoit. ^ The Angel
Gabriel "^ was sent from God, unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a
Virgin espoused to a man whose name
was Joseph. Alleluia.
Third Antiphon. ^And Joseph
also went up * from Galilee, out of
the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto
the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem. Alleluia.
Fourth Antiphon. ^ And they came
with haste, "^ and found Mary and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a
manger. Alleluia.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ And Jesus Him-
self began to be about thirty years of
age, being (as was supposed) the Son
of Joseph. Alleluia.
1 A person bound to the Office might satisfy the obligation by stopping here
2 Matth. i. 16
3 Luke i. 26, 27. 4 Luke ii. 4. ^ Luke ii. 16. 6 Luke iii. 23.
432
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Chapter. (Gen. xlix. 26.)
T^HE blessings of thy father have
been strengthened by the bless-
ings of his progenitors, until the
Desire of the everlasting hills come ;
let them be on the head of Joseph,
and on the crown of him that was a
Nazarite 1 from his brethren.
Hynin.'^
JOY of the Saints ! who didst uphold
Our hfe's sure Hope, the world's one
Stay, —
Joseph ! as now thy praise is told,
Hearken to us in love to-day.
The great Creator made it thine
To be the spouse of purest Maid,
And father of the Word Divine
In name — salvation's work to aid.
Thou seest with joy in manger lie
The Saviour sung by seers of yore,
And Him, the Son of God Most High,
In lowliness thou didst adore.
The King of kings, the Lord of all,
The God Whom heaven in awe attends,
Whose nod makes trembling demons fall,
To thee in meek submission bends.
To God Most High, the Three in One,
Be praise. Who gave such grace to thee,
He make us win what thou hast won,
The joys of life eternally. Amen.
Verse. '^ Thou hast given me the
shield of Thy salvation. Alleluia.
Answer. And Thy right hand hath
holden me up. Alleluia.
Antipho7i at the So?ig of Zacharias.
4 Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for
That Which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r^ GOD, Who in Thine unspeakable
^""^ foreknowledge didst choose Thy
blessed servant Joseph to be the hus-
band of Thine Own most holy
Mother ; mercifully grant that now
that he is in heaven with Thee, we
who on earth do reverence him for our
Defender, may worthily be holpen by
the succour of his prayers to Thee on
our behalf; Who livest and reignest
with God the Father, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
The following Cominenioration is made
of the Third Sunday after Easter.
Ajitiphon. A little while, and ye
shall not see Me, saith the Lord ; and
again a little while, and ye shall see
Me, because I go to the Father.
Alleluia.
Verse. For Thou art risen again,
O Christ! Alleluia.
Answer. Let the heavens and the
earth be glad. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
A LMIGHTY God, Who showest to
"^^ them that be in error the light
of Thy truth, to the intent that they
may return into the way of righteous-
ness ; grant unto all them that are
admitted into the fellowship of Christ's
Religion, that they may eschew those
things that are contrary to their , pro-
fession, and follow all such things as
are agreeable to the same. Through
the Same our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
1 "Separate," i.e., as sold away from them. Perhaps allusion is also made to the previous
estrangement.
'•2 Hymn of the sixteenth century or later ; translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
2 Ps. xvii. 36. "1 Matth. i. 20.
THfRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
433
PRIME.
Aiitiphofi. And Jacob, &c., {First
Antiphon at Lauds. ^
Chapter at the end. (Gen. xlix. 22.)
JOSEPH is a fruitful bough, a fruit-
ful bough and comely to look upon,
whose branches run over the wall.
TERCE.
A7itipho7i. The Angel Gabriel, &c.,
{Seco7id Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
He made him lord of His house.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. He made him lord of His
house. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And ruler of all His sub-
stance.
A?iswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. He made him lord of His
house. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. I will give praise unto Thy
N ame — Alleluia.
Answer. For Thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender. Alleluia.
SEXT.
Antiphon. And Joseph also, &c.,
{Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Short Responsory .
I will give praise unto Thy Name.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
A?iswer. I will give praise unto Thy
Name. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. For Thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. I will give praise unto Thy
Name. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The righteous shall grow as
the lily. Alleluia.
Answer. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord. Al-
leluia.
NONE.
Antiphoit. And Jesus Himself,
&c., {Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prinie.
Short Responsory.
The righteous shall grow as the lily.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The righteous shall grow
as the lily. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
A?tswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The righteous shall grow
as the lily. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. 1 Planted in the house of the
Lord. Alleluia.
Answer. In the courts of the house
of our God. Alleluia.
Chapter. (Gen. xlix. 25.)
T^HE God of thy father shall help
thee, and the Almighty shall
bless thee with blessings of heaven .
above.
SECOND vespers.
Same as the First., except the follow-
ing :
Verse. 2 \ sat under His shadow in
Whom I delighted. Alleluia.
1 Ps. xci. 14.
2 Cant. ii. 3.
434
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE %EASON.
Answer. And His fruit was sweet
to my taste. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. 1 Son, why hast Thou thus
dealt with us ? Behold, Thy father
and I have sought Thee sorrowing.
Alleluia.
Com7nemoratio7i of the Sunday.
Antipho7t. _ Amen I say unto you,
that ye shall weep and lament, but the
world shall rejoice : and ye shall be
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be
turned into joy. Alleluia.
Verse. Lord, abide with us — Alle-
luia.
Answer. For it is toward evening
— Alleluia.
Prayer as at Lauds.
Second Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesson."^ {First Lesson of Sun-
day. )
Here beginneth the Book of the Apoca-
lypse of the Blessed Apostle John ^
(i. I.)
T^HE Revelation 4 of Jesus Christ,
which God gave unto Him, to
show unto His servants things which
must shortly come to pass : and He
sent and signified it by His Angel
unto His servant John : who bare
record of the Word of God, and of
the testimony of jESUS Christ, of all
thing's that he saw. Blessed is he
that readeth and he that heareth the
words of this prophecy, and that keep-
eth those things which are written
therein : for the time is at hand.
John to the seven Churches which
are in Asia : grace be unto you and
peace, from Him Which is, and Which
was, and Which is to come, and from
the seven spirits which are before His
throne ; and from jESUS Christ, Who
is the Faithful Witness, the First-
Begotten of the dead, and the Prince
of the kings of the earth ; Who loved
us, and washed us from our sins in
His own Blood, and hath made us" a
kingdom and Priests unto God and
His Father : to Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
First Responsory.
•5 1 saw the gate of the city, which
looketh toward the East, and ^ written
thereon the names of the [Twelve]
Apostles and of the Lamb. And upon
the walls thereof a guard of Angels.
Alleluia,
Verse. ^ I saw a new heaven and a
new earth coming down out of heaven.
Answer. And upon the walls thereof
a guard of Angels. Alleluia.
Second Lesson. {Second Lesso7t of
Su7iday. )
"DEHOLD, He cometh with clouds,
and every eye shall see Him,-^ —
they also which pierced Him. And
all kindreds of the earth shall wail
because of Him. Even so, Amen. I
am Alpha and Omega,^ the Beginning
and the Ending, saith the Lord God,
Which is, and Which was, and Which
is to come, the Almighty. I, John,
1 Luke ii. 48.
2 A person bound to recite the Ofifice could satisfy by reading only the Lessons of Sunday.
3 See the notices of the Saint, Dec. 27 and May 6.
■^ The Greek " Apokalupsis " is retained in the Latin — probably because it was the popular
name, as it is, to a certain extent, among us.
5 Cf. Ez. xliv. I. 6 xxi. 12, 14. "^ xxi. i, 2.
s The first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet ; as in English, A and Z.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
435
who am your brother and companion
in tribulation, and in the kingdom and
patience of jESUS Christ, was in the
isle that is called Patmos,^ for the
word of God, and for the testimony of
Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the
Lord's Day, and heard behind me a
great voice, as of a trumpet, saying :
What thou seest, write in a book,
and send it unto the Seven Churches
which are in Asia ; unto Ephesus,
and unto Smyrna, and unto Perga-
mos, and unto Thyatira, and unto
Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and
unto Laodicea. {Third Lesson of
Sunday.^ And I turned to see the
voice that spake with me, and
being turned, I saw seven golden
candlesticks, and in the midst of
the seven golden candlesticks One
like unto the Son of Man, clothed
with a garment down to the Foot,
and girt about the Paps with a
golden girdle. His Head and His
Hairs were white, like white wool,
yea, like snow ; and His Eyes were
as a flame of fire ; and His Feet
like unto fine brass, as if it were
burning in a furnace : and His
Voice as the sound of many waters.
And He had in His Right Hand
seven stars, and out of His Mouth
went a sharp two - edged sword :
and His Countenance was as the
sun shineth in his strength. And
when I saw Him, I fell at His Feet,
as dead. And He laid His Right
Hand upon me, saying : Fear not ; I
am the First and the Last ; I am He
That liveth, and was dead ; and, be-
hold, I am alive for evermore : and I
have the keys of death and of hell.
Write therefore the things which thou
hast seen, and which are, and which
shall be hereafter.
Second Responsory.
2 The Angel showed me the fountain
of the water of life : and he said unto
me. Alleluia. Here worship God. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When I had heard and
seen, I fell down to worship before
the feet of the Angel, which showed
me these things, and he said unto
me :
A7iswer. Here worship God, Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7tswer. Here worship God, Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lessoji. (ii. i.) {First Lesson
of Monday. )
T J NTO the Angel ^ of the Church of
Ephesus write : These things
saith He That holdeth the seven stars
in His Right Hand, Who walketh in
the midst of the seven golden Candle-
sticks : I know thy works, and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou
canst not bear them which are evil, and
thou hast tried them which say they are
Apostles, and are not : and hast found
them liars, and hast patience, and
hast borne for My Name's sake, and
hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have
somewhat against thee, because thou
hast left thy first love. Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen,
and repent, and do the first works.
Or else I will come unto thee,
and will remove thy candlestick out
of its place, except thou repent. But
this thou hast, that thou hatest the
deeds of the Nicolaitans,'^ which I also
hate. He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the
1 He had been sent to penal servitude there, to work in the mines.
2 Cf. xxii. I, g, 8,
•^ These "Angeloi" or "Messengers" have been generally supposed to be the Bishops,
as charged with the message of God's Word.
* An impure offshoot of the Gnostic school of thought.
436
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Churches : To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the Paradise
of My God. {Seco?td Lesson of
Mojtday. ) And unto the Angel of the
Church in Smyrna write : These things
saith the First and the Last, Which
was dead, and is alive : I know thy
tribulation and poverty, (but thou art
rich,) and how thou art blasphemed
of them which say they are Jews, and
are not, but- are a synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which
thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil
shall cast some of you into prison,
that ye may be tried, and ye shall
have tribulation ten days. Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life. He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the Churches : He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death. ( Third Lesso?i of Mon-
day.) And to the Angel of the Church
in Pergamos write : These things saith
He Which hath the sharp sword with
two edges. I know where thou
dwellest, even where Satan's seat is :
and thou boldest fast My Name, and
hast not denied My Faith. And in
those days Antipas was My faithful
witness, who was slain among you,
where Satan dwelleth. But I have a
few things against thee, because thou
hast there them that hold the doctrine
of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a
stumbling - block before the children
of Israel, to eat, and to commit
fornication : ^ so hast thou also them
that hold the doctrine of the Nico-
laitans.2 Repent thou likewise ; or.
else, I will come unto thee quickly,
and will fight against them with the
sword of My Mouth. He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the Churches : To him that
overcometh will I give of the hidden
manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name
written, which no man knoweth saving
he that receiveth it.^
The Hyjnn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
A7itipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
^ And beginning at Moses * and all
the Prophets, He expounded unto
them the Scriptures concerning Him-
self. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
A?itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgi?i. ^ Your sorrow * shall be
turned into joy. Alleluia : and your
joy no man taketh from you. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
First Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Apocalypse of the Blessed
Apostle John (iv. i.)
A FTER this I looked ; and, behold,
a door was opened in heaven ;
and the first voice which I heard, was
1 Cf. Numbers xxxi. i6. A full explanation of the allusion in the text may be found in
the tradition embodied in the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel upon Num. xxiv. 14. " And
now, behold, I return to go to my people. Come, I will give thee counsel : Go, furnish tavern-
houses, and employ seductive women to sell food and drinks cheaply, and to bring this people
together to eat and drink, and commit whoredom with them, that they may deny their God ;
then in a brief time will they be delivered into thy hand, and many of them fall." (Etheridge's
translation, ii. 429.) See the consequences, Num. xxv.
2 The accepted Greek adds — "which I hate."
3 The reader would do well to read the messages to the other four Churches.
^ Luke xxiv. 27. ^ John xvi. 20, 22.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
437
as it were of a trumpet talking with
me, which said : Come up hither, and
I will show ye things which must be
hereafter. And immediately I was in
the Spirit ; and, behold, a throne was
set in heaven, and One sat on the
throne. And He That sat was to look
upon like a jasper and a sardine
stone ; and there was a rainbow round
about the throne, in sight like unto an
emerald ; and round about the throne
were four-and-twenty seats ; and upon
the seats I saw four-and-twenty ^ elders
sitting, clothed in white raiment ; and
they had on their heads crowns of
gold. And out of the throne pro-
ceeded lightnings, and voices and
thunderings ; and there were seven
lamps of fire burning before the throne,
which are the seven spirits of God.
First Responsory.
2 I saw Jerusalem coming down out
of heaven, adorned with pure gold,
and garnished with precious stones.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The building of the wall of
it was of jasper ; and the city was
pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lessoji.
A ND before the throne there was a
sea of glass like unto crystal ;
and in the midst of the throne, and
round about the throne, were four
living creatures full of eyes before and
behind. And the first living creature
was like a lion, and the second living
creature like a calf, and the third
living creature had the face as a man,
and the fourth living creature was like
a flying eagle. And the four living
creatures had each of them six wings
about him ; and they are full of eyes
about and within. And they rest not
day and night, saying : Holy, Holy,
Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which
was, and is, and is to come.
Second Responsory.
Upon the diadem of Aaron's head
was graven the Majesty of the Lord,^
while as the work of God was in
doing. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. For in the long garment
which he had, was the whole world,*
and in the four rows of the stones was
the glory of the fathers graven.
Answer. While as the work of God
was in doing. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. While as the work of
God was in doing. Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
A ND when those living creatures
'^^ gave glory and honour and bless-
ing to Him That sat upon fhe throne,
Who liveth for ever and ever, the
four-and-twenty elders fell down, and
worshipped Him That liveth for ever
and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying : Thou are worthy,
O Lord our God, to receive glory, and
honour, and power ; for Thou hast
created all things, and for Thy pleas-
ure they are and were created.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
A7tHphon at the Song of Zacharias.
5 And they constrained Him, "^ saying :
1 The reader is referred to a note on this passage in the winter volume, p. 320.
2 Cf. xxi. 2, 18, 19.
3 Cf. Wisd. xviii. 24. What was really engraven was : " Holiness to the Eternal.
4 The Jews believed the materials of the vestments symbolized the universe, &c.
•^ Luke xxi v. 29.
VOL. IL P
438
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Lord, abide with us, for it is toward
evening. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Virgin
A7itiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
1 Sorrow hath filled your
heart, ^ and your joy no man shall
take from you. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fourth Day.
See Rubric^ {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Apocalypse of the Blessed
Apostle John (v. i.)
A ND I saw, in the Right Hand of
'^^ Him That sat on the throne, a
book, written within and on the back
side, sealed with seven seals. And I
saw a strong Angel proclaiming with
a loud voice : Who is worthy to open
the book, and to loose the seals there-
of? And no man in heaven, nor in
earth, neither under the earth, was
able to open the book, neither to look
thereon. And I wept much, because
no man was found worthy to open the
book, neither to look thereon. And
one of the elders saith unto me : Weep
not ; behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the Root of David, hath pre-
vailed to open the book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof. And I be-
held, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four living creatures,
and in the midst of the elders, stood
a Lamb, as It had been slain, having
seven Horns, and seven Eyes, Which
are the seven Spirits of God, sent
forth into all the earth. And He
came and took the book out of the
Right Hand of Him That sat upon
the throne.
First Responsory.
2 Thy streets, O Jerusalem, shall be
paved with pure gold — Alleluia — and
the song of joy shall be sung in thee.
Alleluia. And all that pass through
all thy streets shall say : Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Thy light shall be exceed-
ing glorious, and all the ends of the
earth shall worship thee.
Answer. And all that pass through
all thy streets shall say : Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Second Lesson.
A ND when He had opened the
'^^ book, the four living creatures
and four and twenty elders fell down
before the Lamb, having every one of
them harps, and golden vials full of
incense, which are the prayers of the
saints : and they sing a new song
saying : O Lord, Thou art worthy to
take the book and to open the seals
thereof, for Thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by Thy Blood
out of every kindred and tongue and
people and nation : and hast made us
unto our God a kingdom and priests ;
and we shall reign on the earth.
Second Responsory.
^ The people of Israel sung: Alle-
luia : and all the multitude of Jacob
sung in measure. And David [was]
with the singers, [and] played upon an
harp in the house of the Lord, and
sung praises unto God. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. * So the Priests and the
Levi tes were sanctified, and all Israel
^ John xvi. 6, 22.
3 Cf. I Par. (Chron.) xiii. 8.
2 Cf. xxi. 21 ; Tobit xiii. 22.
■* I Par. (Chron.) xv. 14, 28.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
439
brought up the ark of the covenant of
the Lord with shouting.
Answer. And David [was] with
the singers, [and] played upon an
harp in the house of the Lord, and
sung praises unto God. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And David [was] with
the singers, [and] played upon an
harp in the house of the Lord, and
sung praises unto God. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Third Lesson.
A ND I beheld, and I heard the
voice of many Angels round
about the throne, and the living crea-
tures, and the elders ; and the number
of them was thousands of thousands,
saying with a loud voice : Worthy is
the Lamb That was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing. And every creature which
is in heaven, and on the earth, and
under the earth, and such as are in
the sea, and all that are in them — all
of them heard I saying : Unto Him
That sitteth upon the throne, and
unto the Lamb, Blessing, and honour,
and glory, and power, for ever and
ever. And the four living creatures
said : Amen. And the four and
twenty elders fell down upon their
faces, and worshipped Him That
liveth for ever and ever.
The Hymii., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Abide with us : "^ for it is toward even-
ing, and the day is far spent. Alle-
luia.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Sojtg of the Blessed
Virgin. Your sorrow — Alleluia * —
shall be turned into joy — Alleluia.
Fifth Day.
See Rubric^ {p. 409. )
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Apocalypse of the Blessed
Apostle John (xv. i.)
A ND I saw another sign in heaven,
great and marvellous, seven
angels having the seven last plagues ;
for in them is filled up the wrath of
God. And I saw, as it were, a sea
of glass mingled with fire ; and them
that had gotten the victory over the
beast, and over his image, and over
the number of his name, stand on the
sea of glass, having the harps of God :
and they sing the song of Moses the
servant of God and the song of the
Lamb, saying : Great and marvellous
are Thy works, O Lord God Al-
mighty ; just and true are Thy ways,
O Eternal King ! Who shall not
fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy
Name ? for Thou only art holy : for
all nations shall come and worship
before Thee : for Thy judgments are
made manifest.
First Responsory.
1 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof
— Alleluia — for Thou wast slain, and
hast redeemed us to God by Thy
Blood — Alleluia.
1 V. 9, 10.
440
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse. For Thou hast made us unto
our God a Kingdom and Priesthood —
Answer. By Thy Blood — Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
A ND after that I looked, and, be-
■^^ hold, the temple of the taber-
nacle of the testimony in heaven was
opened ; and the seven Angels came
out of the temple, having the seven
plagues, clothed in pure and white
linen, and having their breasts girded
with golden girdles. And one of the
four living creatures gave unto the
seven Angels seven golden vials, full
of the wrath of God, Who liveth for
ever and ever. And the temple was
filled with smoke from the glory of
God, and from His power : and no
man was able to enter into the temple,
till the seven plagues of the seven
Angels were fulfilled.
Second Respo?isory.
1 As the vine brought I forth plea-
sant savour — Alleluia. Come unto
me, all ye that be desirous of me, and
fill yourselves with my fruits. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Verse. In me is the favour of the
way and the truth ; in me is the hope
of life and strength.
Answer. Come unto me, all ye that
be desirous of me, and fill yourselves
with my fruits. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Come unto me, all ye that
be desirous of me, and fill yourselves
with my fruits. Alleluia, Alleluia.
the seven vials of the wrath of God
upon the earth. And the first went
and poured out his vial upon the
earth ; and there fell a noisome and
grievous sore upon the men which had
the mark of the beast, and upon them
which worshipped his image. And
the second Angel poured out his vial
upon the sea, and it became as the
blood of a dead man : and every living
soul died in the sea. And the third
[Angel] poured out his vial upon the
rivers and fountains of waters, and
they became blood. And I heard the
Angel of the waters say : Thou art
righteous, O Lord, Who art, and
Who wast Holy, because Thou hast
judged thus ; for they have shed the
blood of Saints and Prophets, and
Thou hast given them blood to drink ;
for they are Avorthy.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
And He went in with them. * And it
came to pass, as He sat at meat with
them. He took bread, and blessed it,
and brake, and gave to them. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ Amen, Amen, I say unto
you, that I will see you again, ^ and
your heart shall rejoice, and your joy
no man taketh from you. Alleluia.
Third Lesson, (xvi. i.)
A ND I heard a great voice out of
"^^ the temple saying to the seven
Angels : Go your ways, and pour out
1 Ecclus. xxiv. 23, 26, 25.
Sixth Day.
See Rubric^ {p. 409.)
2 John xvi. 22.
THIRD WEEK AFTER EASTER.
441
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Apoca-
lypse of the Blessed Apostle John
(xix. I.)
A FTER these things I heard a
'^^ voice of much people in heaven,
saying : Alleluia ; Salvation, and glory,
and power are our God's ; for true and
righteous are His judgments, Who
hath judged the great whore, ^ which
did corrupt the earth with her fornica-
tion, and hath avenged the blood of
His servants at her hands. And
again they said : Alleluia. And her
smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and
the four living creatures fell down and
worshipped God That sat on the
throne, saying : Amen, Alleluia. And
a voice came out of the throne, saying :
Praise our God, all ye His servants,
and ye that fear Him, both small and
great.
First Responsory.
2 One of the seven Angels talked
with me, saying : Come hither, I will
show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And I saw Jerusalem descending out
of heaven, adorned with her jewels.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And he carried me away in
the Spirit to a great and high moun-
tain ;
Answer. And I saw Jerusalem
descending out of heaven, adorned
with her jewels. Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
A ND I heard as it were the voice
'^^ of a great multitude, and as the
voice of many waters, and as the voice
of mighty thunderings, saying : Alle-
luia, for the Lord our God, the Omni-
1 Rome is universally understood.
potent, reigneth ! Let us be glad and
rejoice and give honour to Him, for
the marriage of the Lamb is come, and
His wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white. For the fine linen is the
righteousness of Saints. And he saith
unto me : Write — Blessed are they
which are called unto the marriage
supper of the Lamb. And he saith
unto me : These are the true sayings
of God. And I fell at his feet to
worship him, and he said unto me :
See thou do it not ; I am thy fellow-
servant, and of thy brethren that have
the testimony of Jesus : worship God :
for the testimony of jESUS is the spirit
of prophecy.
Second Responsory.
3 1 heard in heaven the voice of
many xAngels, saying : Fear the Lord,
and give glory to Him, and worship
Him That made heaven and earth, 'the
sea, and the fountains of waters.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. I saw a strong Angel of
God fly through the midst of heaven,
crying with a loud voice and saying :
Answer. Fear the Lord, and give
glory to Him, and worship Him That
made heaven and earth, the sea, and
the fountains of waters. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Fear the Lord, and give
glory to Him, and worship Him That
made heaven and earth, the sea, and
the fountains of waters. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
ND I saw heaven opened, and,
behold, a white horse, and He
That sat upon him was called Faithful
A
2 xxi. 9, 10, 2, &c.
3 xiv. 6, 7.
442
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
and True, and in righteousness He
doth judge and make war. His Eyes
were as a flame of fire, and on His
Head were many crowns, and He had
a Name written, that no man knew but
He Himself. And He was clothed
with a vesture sprinkled with Blood,
and His Name is called, the Word
of God. And the armies which are
in heaven followed Him upon white
horses, clothed in fine linen, white
and clean. And out of His Mouth
goeth a sharp two-edged sword, that
with it He should smite the nations.
And He shall rule them with a rod
of iron : and He treadeth the wine-
press of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God. And He hath on
His vesture and on His Thigh written :
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD
OF LORDS.
LAUDS.
Antipho7t at the Song of ZacJiarias.
They knew the Lord jESUS * — Al-
leluia— in the breaking of bread —
Alleluia.
Vespers are either of a Festival or
of the Votive Office of the Immaculate
Co7iception of the Blessed Virgi?!.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Apocalypse of the Blessed
Apostle John (xxii. i.)
A N D he showed me a river of water
of life, clear as crystal, proceed-
ing out of the throne of God and of
the Lamb. In the midst of the street
of it, and on either side of the river,
was there the tree of life, which bare
twelve manner of fruits, and yielded
her fruit every month ; and the leaves
of the tree were for the healing of the
nations. And there shall be no more
curse : but the throne of God and of
the Lamb shall be in it ; and His
servants shall serve Him. And they
shall see His Face, and His Name
shall be in their foreheads. And there
shall be no night there ; and they
shall need no lamp-light, neither light
of the sun, for the Lord God shall give
them light ; and they shall reign for
ever and ever. And he said unto me :
These sayings are faithful and true.
And the Lord God of the spirits of
the Prophets sent His Angel to show
unto His servants the things which
must shortly be done. And, behold,
I come quickly. Blessed is he that
keepeth the sayings of the prophecy
of this book.
Second Lesso7J.
A ND I, John, am he which saw
these things and heard them ;
and when I had heard and seen, I fell
down to worship before the feet of the
Angel which showed me these things,
and he said unto me : See thou do it
not ; for I am thy fellow-servant, and
of thy brethren the Prophets, and of
them which keep the sayings of the
prophecy of this book. Worship God.
And he saith unto me : Seal not the
sayings of the prophecy of this book :
for the time is at hand. He that is
unjust, let him be unjust still ; and
he which is filthy, let him be filthy
still ; and he that is righteous, let him
be righteous still ; and he that is holy,
let him be holy still. Behold, I come
quickly — and My reward is with Me,
to give every man according as his
work shall be.
FOURTH WEEK AFTER EASTER.
443
Third Lesson.
T AM Alpha and Omega, the First
and the Last, the Beginning and
the End. Blessed are they that wash
their robes in the Blood of the Lamb :
that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the
gates into the city. Without are dogs,
and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and
murderers, and idolaters, and whoso-
ever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus
have sent Mine Angel to testify unto
you these things in the Churches. I
am the Root and the Offspring of
David, and the bright and morning
Star. And the Spirit and the bride
say : Come. And let him that heareth,
say : Come. And let him that is
athirst, come : and whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely. For
I testify unto every man that heareth
the words of the prophecy of this book :
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues
that are written in this book ; and if
any man shall take away from the
words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of
the Book of Life, and out of the holy
city, and from the things which are
written in this book. He Which
testifieth these things saith : Surely I
come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus ! The grace of our Lord jESUS
Christ be with you all. Amen.
VESPERS.
Chapter and Prayer from the follow-
ing Lauds.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. I go My way to Him That
sent Me ; ^ and none of you asketh
Me, Whither ■ goest Thou? Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Jourtf) Suntiag after CHaster.
Fourth Lord^s Day after the Passover
MATTINS.
Lnvitatory and LLymn as on Low
Sunday., {p. 402.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lf the Saturday should have been
the Feast of SS. Philip and fames,
ajtd the following Lesso?ts consequently
read on it., o?i Simday Morniiig are
read those of Monday., which day itself
will be occupied by the Feast of the
Fijtding of the Cross., with special
Lessons.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Catholic Epistle
of the blessed Apostle ^ James (i. i.)
JAMES, a servant of our God and
Lord jESUS Christ, to the twelve
tribes which are scattered abroad,
greeting. My brethren, count it all
joy when ye fall into divers tempt-
ations, knowing that the trying of
your faith worketh patience. But
patience hath a perfect work : that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. But if any of you lack wis-
dom, let him ask of God, That giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not, and it shall be given him. But
let him ask in faith, nothing waver-
ing.
First Respo7tsory.
" If I forget thee, Alleluia, let my
right hand forget me. If I do not
remember thee, let my tongue cleave
to the roof of my mouth. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
1 May I. The Epistle is styled Catholic, that is, Universal, because not addressed to any
one person or congregation. " It was written at Jerusalem," says Abp. Kenrick, "probably
about the year 62, when the wars and seditions among the Jews, which brought on the destruc-
tion of the city, had begun." - Ps. cxxxvi, 5, 6, i.
444
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Verse. By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat down and wept, when
we remembered thee, O Zion !
Answer. If I do not remember
thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof
of my mouth. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesso?t.
T^OR he that wavereth is like a wave
of the sea, driven with the wind
and tossed. Therefore let not that
man think that he shall receive any-
thing of the Lord. A double-minded
man is unstable in all his ways. Let
the brother of low degree rejoice in
that he is exalted : but the rich in
that he is made low, because as the
ilower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a
burning heat but it withereth the
grass, and the flower thereof falleth,
and the grace of the fashion of it per-
isheth : so also shall the rich man
fade away in his ways.
Second Respo7tsory.
1 The waters saw Thee, O God, the
waters saw Thee ; and they were
afraid. There was a noise as of
many waters ; the clouds sent out a
sound. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Thy lightnings lightened
the world : the earth saw it and shook.
A7iswer. There was a noise as of
many waters ; the clouds sent out a
sound. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesso?t.
"DLESSED is the man that endur-
eth temptation : for when he
hath been proved, he shall receive the
crown of life, which God hath prom-
ised to them that love Him. Let no
man say when he is tempted that he
is tempted of God; for God cannot
be tempted with evil ; neither tempt-
eth He any man.^ But every man is
tempted when he is drawn away of his
own lust and enticed. Then, when
lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth
sin ; and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death. Do not then
err, my beloved brethren.
Third Respo7tsory.
^ I will declare Thy Name unto my
brethren — Alleluia. In the midst of
the congregation will I praise Thee —
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ I will praise Thee, O
Lord, among the people, and sing
unto Thee among the nations.
A7iswer. In the midst of the con-
gregation will I praise Thee — Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. In the midst of the con-
gregation will I praise Thee — Alleluia,
Alleluia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Treatise
of the ^ Holy Martyr Cyprian, Bis-
hop [of Carthage,] upon the great
good of patience. {Ser7iio7i 3,)
T^ EARLY beloved brethren, I am
about to speak to you touching
patience, and to preach to you how
useful and convenient a thing it is !
and how shall I begin better, than by
saying that you will have need of
patience to listen to me, yea, your
very hearing and learning cannot but
1 Ps. Ixxvi. 17, 18.
2 " God," says Abp. Kenrick, "is not tempted to evil, and consequently He does not tempt
others. To solicit others to sin implies personal corruption."
3 Ps. xxi. 23. 4 Ps. ivi. 10.
^ Sept. 16.
FOURTH WEEK AFTER EASTER.
445
be an exercise thereof? It is when a
sermon or soul-profiting argument is
given ear to patiently that it teacheth
profitably. Dearly beloved brethren,
there are divers paths of heavenly wis-
dom, wherein we are invited to walk,
if we would reach in the end the re-
ward which God hath prepared to
crown hope and faith ; but I find no
path more useful to life - ward, nor
more sure to glory -ward than this,
that while we humbly strive, in all
fear, and in all godliness, to obey the
commandments of the Lord, we should
set our chiefest guard in an unceasing
watch over our patience. The phil-
osophers also say that they take this
path, but their patience is as much a
sham as their wisdom is a cheat, for
who can be wise or patient who know-
eth nothing of God's wisdom or God's
patience ?
are the lives of servers and worship-
pers of God, Let it be ours, then, to
show forth by spiritual watchfulness
that patience which is a part of the
teaching which we have learnt from
heaven. Patience is one of His Own
virtues whereof God hath made us
partakers with Him : our Great Head
is the Captain of the patient, and it is
through patience that He hath crowned
Himself with glory and honour. Yea,
God is Himself the Source, the Foun-
tain, and the Greatness of patience,
and it behoveth man to love what is
beloved of God. That good thing
which he loveth is commended unto
him of God's Majesty, If God be our
Lord and Father, let us follow after
the ensample of our Lord and Father's
patience, since it is the duty of serv-
ants to be obedient, and of sons to
be home-minded.
Fourth Respofisory.
1 Bless ye God in the congregations
— Alleluia. Even the Lord, ye that
are of the fountains of Israel — Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Sing forth the honour of
His Name, make His praise glorious,
A7tswer. Even the Lord, ye that
are of the fountains of Israel — Al-
leluia, Alleluia,
Fifth Lesson, (ii,, iii,, viii,)
"DUT as for us, dearly beloved breth-
ren, we are the real philosophers,
whose wisdom lieth not in words but
in deeds, and is manifested not in
dresses^ but in the truth. We are
they whose knowledge hath the in-
ward consciousness, not the idle boast-
ing, of strength. We are not speakers
of high-sounding words, but our lives
Fifth Responsory.
■* With my whole heart — Alleluia —
have I sought Thee — Alleluia, O let
me not wander from Thy command-
ments ! Alleluia, Alleluia,
Verse. Blessed art Thou, O Lord :
teach me Thy statutes.
Answer. O let me not wander
from Thy commandments ! Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Sixth Lesson.
TD Y our patience God draweth us to-
ward Himself, and keepeth us
His Own. Patience doth soothe anger,
bridle the tongue, govern the mind,
keep peace, set rules of self-control,
break the onset of lust, still the swell-
ing of temper, put out the fire begotten
of hatred, make the rich meek, and re-
lieve the need of the poor ; patience
doth guard in virgins their blessed
1 Ps. Ixvii, 27, ■ 2 Ps. ixv, 2.
3 The allusion is to the peculiar cloak adopted by those who affected philosophy.
■* Ps. cxviii. 10, 12.
VOL, II. P 2
446
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
wholeness ; in widows, their careful
purity ; in such as be married, their
single - hearted love one toward the
other. Patience doth teach such as
be successful to be lowly-minded ; such
as be unfortunate, to be brave ; and
all to be gentle when they are wronged
and insulted. Patience maketh a man
soon to forgive them that trespass
against him, and if he have trespassed
against any, long and humbly to ask
his pardon. Patience doth fight down
temptations, bear persecution, and
endure unto the end in suffering, and
in uplifting of our testimony. Patience
is the moat that guardeth the stout
foundations of the castle of our faith.
The Lord jESUS told His disciples
what things they should suffer after
that He was gone away from them, and
then He said : " These things I said
not unto you at the beginning, because
I was with you ; but now I go My way
to Him That sent Me." Let us first
see whether it had been that He had
not told them before this what they
were to suffer in time coming. That
He had done so amply before the
night of the last Supper, is testified by
the three first Evangelists, but it was
when that Supper was ended that,
according to John, He said : " These
things I said not unto you at the be-
ginning, because I was with you."
Sixth Responsory.
1 Sing us a song — Alleluia. How
shall we sing the Lord's song in a
strange land ? — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. There they that carried us
away captive required of us a song.
Answer. How shall we sing the
Lord's song in a strange land ? —
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. How shall we sing the
Lord's song in a strange land ? —
Alleluia, Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to John (xvi. 5.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
^^ disciples : I go My way to Him
That sent Me ; and none of you asketh
Me : Whither goest Thou ? And so
on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (94//z T?'act o?t Joh7t.)
Seve?tth Respo7isory.
'^ I will sing a new song unto Thee,
O God — Alleluia. Upon a psaltery of
ten strings will I sing praises unto
Thee. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Thou art my God, and I
will praise Thee : Thou art my God,
and I will exalt Thee.
Answer. Upon a psaltery of ten
strings will I sing praises unto Thee.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Eighth Less 071.
A RE we then to try and loose the
knot of this difficulty by assert-
ing that, according to these three
Evangelists, it was on the eve of the
Passion, albeit before the Supper, that
He had said these things unto them, and
therefore not at the beginning, when
He was with them, but when He was
about to leave them, and go His way
to the Father ? And in this way we
might reconcile the truthfulness of what
this Evangelist saith here — "These
things I said not unto you at the be-
ginning " — with the truthfiilness of the
other three. But this explanation is
1 Ps. cxxxvi. 3, 4.
2 Ps. cxliii. 9.
3 Ps. cxvii. 28.
FOURTH WEEK AFTER EASTER.
447
rendered impossible by the Gospel
according to Matthew, who telleth us
how that the Lord spake to His
Apostles concerning their sufiferings to
come, not only when He was on the
point of eating the Passover with them,
but at the very beginning, when the
names of the twelve are first given,
and they were sent forth to do the
work of God. (Matth. x. 17-42.)
Eighth Responsory.
1 It is a good thing to give thanks
unto the LORD — Alleluia — and to sing
praises — Alleluia.
Verse. Upon an instrument of ten
strings, upon the harp with a solemn
sound.
Answer. And to sing praises — Al-
leluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And to sing praises — Al-
leluia.
Ninth Lesso7i.
T T would seem then that when He
said: "These things I said not
unto you at the beginning, because I
was with you," He meant by " these
things," not the sufferings which they
were to bear for His sake, but His
promise of the Comforter Who should
come to them, and testify while they
suffered, (xv. 26, 27.) This Com-
forter then, or Advocate, (for the Greek
word " Parakletos " will bear either
interpretation,) would be needful to
them when they saw Christ no more,
and therefore it was that Christ spoke
not of Him " at the beginning " [of
the Gospel Dispensation] while He
Himself " was with " His disciples,
because His visible Presence was then
their sufficient Comfort.
The Hymn., "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Chapter. (James i. 17.)
IX/TY beloved brethren, every good
gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights, with Whom is
no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.
Hyni7i ajtd Verse and Answer as 07t
Low Sunday^ {pp. 406, 407.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
I go My way to Him That sent Me ; ''^
and none of you asketh Me : Whither
goest Thou ? Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day and week.
r\ GOD, of Whom it cometh that
^^^ the minds of Thy faithful people
be all of one will, grant unto the same
Thy people that they may love the
thing which Thou commandest, and
desire that which Thou dost promise,
that so, amid the sundry and manifold
changes of the world, our hearts may
surely there be fixed, where true joys
ai-e to be found. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen,
Chapter at Terce from Lauds,
Chapter at Sext. (James i. 19.)
Vy'HEREFORE, my beloved breth-
ren, let every man be swift to
hear, but slow to speak, and slow to
wrath ; for the wrath of man worketh
not the righteousness of God.
1 Ps. xci. 2, 4.
448
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Chapter at None. (James i, 21.)
V^^HEREFORE lay apart all filthi-
ness and superfluity of naughti-
ness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted Word, Which is able to
save your souls.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lands.
Hyimi a?id Verse and Answer as on
Saturday before Low Sunday^ {pp. 401,
402.)
Antiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgin. I go My way to Him That
sent Me : "* but because I have said
these things unto you, sorrow hath
filled your heart. Alleluia.
Second Day.
See Rubric^ (^.409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (i. 17.)
TIJ^VERY good gift, and every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh
down from the Father of lights, with
Whom is no variableness, neither sha-
dow of turning. For of His Own will
begat He us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of first-fruits
of His creatures. This ye know, my
well-beloved brethren. But let every
man be swift to hear, but slow to
speak, and slow to wrath : for the
wrath of man worketh not the right-
eousness of God.
First Responsory.
1 Let now the redeemed of the Lord
— Alleluia — say : Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Let them whom He hath
redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
and gathered them out of the lands.
Answer. Say : Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
VyHEREFORE lay apart all filthi-
ness and superfluity of naughti-
ness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted Word, Which is able to save
your souls. But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving
your own selves. For if any be an
hearer of the word, and not a doer ;
he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass ; for he behold-
eth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.
Second Responsory.
Alleluia.
O sing unto the Lord.
Sing unto Him. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Give unto the LORD glory
and honour, give unto the LORD the
glory due unto His Name.
A?iswer. Sing unto Him. Al-
leluia.
Verse. Glory be to the • Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Sing unto Him. Al-
leluia.
Third Lesson.
OUT whoso looketh into the perfect
law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall
be blessed in his deed. If any man
1 Ps. cvi. 2.
Ps. xxviii, 2.
FOURTH WEEK AFTER EASTER.
449
among you think himself to be religi-
ous, and bridleth not his tongue, but
deceiveth his own heart, this man's
rehgion is vain. Pure reHgion and
undefiled before God and the Father
is this : to visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep
himself unspotted from the world.
The Hyinn^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Did not our heart burn within us, at
the thought of Jesus, * while he talked
with us by the way ? Alleluia.
VESPERS.
A7itiphon at the So?tg of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ I tell you the truth : "^ it is
expedient for you that I go away : for
if I go not away, the Comforter will
not come unto you. Alleluia.
Third Day.
See Rubric, {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (ii. i.)
TV /FY brethren, have not the faith of
our Lord jESUS Christ [the
Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
For if there come unto your assembly
a man with a gold ring in goodly^
apparel ; and there come in also a
poor man in vile ^ raiment ; and ye
have respect to him that weareth the
gay clothing, and say unto him : Sit
thou here in a good place ; and say to
the poor : Stand thou there, or sit here
under my footstool — are ye not then
partial in yourselves, and are become
judges of evil thoughts ?
First Responsory.
Bless ye God, &c., (/. 445.)
Second Lesso?t.
TTEARKEN, my beloved brethren.
Hath not God chosen the poor
of this world, rich in faith and heirs of
the kingdom which He hath promised
to them that love Him ? But ye have
despised the poor. Do not rich men
oppress you, and draw you before the
judgment-seats ? Do not they blas-
pheme that worthy name by the which
ye are called ? Nevertheless, if ye
fulfil the royal law, according to the
Scripture : Thou shalt love thy neigh-
bour as thyself (Lev. xix. 18) — ye do
well. But if ye have respect ' to
persons, ye commit sin, and are con-
vinced of the law as transgressors.
Second Responsory.
With my whole heart, &c., {J>. 445,)
with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father^
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. O let me not wander
from Thy commandments ! Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesso7i.
"CpOR whosoever shall keep the whole
law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all. For He That said :
Thou shalt not commit adultery : said
also : Thou shalt do no murder.
1 Luke xxiv. 32. 2 John xvi, 7.
8 Candida — sordida. Perhaps rather " clean" and "dirty."
45Q
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Now, if thou commit no adultery, yet,
if thou do murder, thou art become a
transgressor of the law. So speak ye,
and so do, as they that shall be judged
by the law of liberty. For he shall
have judgment without mercy that hath
showed no mercy : for mercy rejoiceth
against judgment.
The Hymn^ " We praise
God, &c.," is said.
Thee, O
LAUDS.
Antiphoii at the Song of Zacharias.
Peace be unto you, * it is I. Alleluia.
Fear not. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. When the Comforter, the
Spirit of truth, is come, * He will re-
prove the world of sin, and of righteous-
ness, and of judgment. Alleluia.
Fourth Day.
See Rubric^ {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (ii.
14.)
V\rHAT doth it profit, my brethren,
though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works ? Can that faith
save him ? If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food, and
one of you say unto them : Depart in
peace, be ye warmed and filled — not-
withstanding ye give them not those
things which are needful to the body,
what doth it profit ? Even so, faith,
if it hath not works is dead, being
alone.
First Respo7isory.
I will sing, &c., ij). 446.)
Second Lesson.
A/'EA, a man may say : Thou hast
faith and I have works. Show
me thy faith without works, and I will
show thee my faith by works. Thou
believest that there is one God ; thou
doest well : the devils also believe, and
tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead ?
Was not Abraham our father justified
by works, when he offered Isaac his
son upon the altar ? Seest thou how
faith wrought with his works, and by
works was faith made perfect ?
Secoftd Responsory.
It is a good thing, &c., {p. 447.)
Third Lesson.
AND the Scripture was fulfilled
which saith : Abraham believed
God, and it was counted to him for
righteousness (Gen. xv. 6) ; and he
was called, "the Friend of God." Ye-
see, then, how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only. Like-
wise also was not Rahab the harlot
justified by works, when she had re-
ceived the messengers, and had sent
them out another way 1 For as the
body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also.
The Hyjnn, "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
A spirit hath not flesh and bones, * as
ye see Me have : now believe. Alle-
luia.
FOURTH WEEK AFTER EASTER.
451
VESPERS.
Antiphoji at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. I have yet many things to
say unto you, but ye cannot bear them
now. "^ Howbeit, when He, the Spirit
of truth, is come. He will guide you
into all truth. Alleluia.
Fifth Day.
See Rubric, {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (iii. i.)
TV /FY brethren, be not many masters,
knowing that ye shall receive
the greater condemnation. For in
many things we offend all. If any
man offend not in word, the same is a
perfect man. Such an one is able also
to bridle the whole body. Behold, we
put bits in the horses' mouths, that
they may obey us, and we turn about
their whole body.
Second Responsory.
The waters saw Thee, &c., {p. 444,)
ivith this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. There was a noise as of
many waters ; the clouds sent out a
sound. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
00 is the tongue among our mem-
bers, that it defileth the whole
body, and setteth on fire the course of
nature ; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds,
and of serpents, and the like, is tamed,
and hath been tamed of mankind : but
the tongue can no man tame : it is
an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the
Father ; and therewith curse we men,
which are made after the similitude
of God. Out of the same mouth pro-
ceedeth blessing and cursing.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
First Responsory.
If I forget thee, &c., {p. 443.)
Second Lesson.
T) EH OLD also the ships, though
they be so great, and are driven
of fierce winds, yet are they turned
about with a very small helm, whither-
soever the governor listeth. Even so,
the tongue is a little member and
boasteth great things. Behold, how
little a flame doth set on fire a great
forest : and the tongue is a fire, .a
world of iniquity.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 The disciples gave the Lord a piece *
of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
A?itipho7t at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. For He shall not speak of
Himself; * but whatsoever He shall
hear, that shall He speak : and He
will show you things to come. Al-
leluia.
1 Luke xxiv. 42.
452
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Sixth Day.
See Rubric^ {p. 409.)
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (iv. i.)
"PPROM whence come wars and fight-
ings among you ? Come they
not hence, even of your lusts which
are in your members ? Ye lust, and
have not : ye kill, and desire to have,
and cannot obtain : ye fight and war,
yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye
ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts. Ye adulterers, know
ye not that the friendship of the world
is enmity with God ? Whosoever,
therefore, will be a friend of the world,
is the enemy of God.
First Responsory .
Bless ye God, &c., {p. 445.)
Seco7td Lesson.
\\0 ye think that the Scripture saith
in vain : ^ The spirit that dwell-
eth in us lusteth to envy ? But He
giveth more grace. Wherefore He
saith : 2 God resisteth the proud but
giveth grace unto the humble. Sub-
mit yourselves therefore to God, but
resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw nigh to God, and He will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners ; and purify your
hearts, ye double-minded. Be af-
flicted, and mourn, and weep : let
your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to heaviness. Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and He shall lift you up.
Second Responsory.
With my whole heart, &c., {p. 445,)
with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Aitswer. O let me not wander
from Thy commandments ! Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
O PEAK not evil one of another, breth-
ren. He that speaketh evil of
his brother, or judgeth his brother,
speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth
the law. But if thou judge the law,
thou art not a doer of the law, but a
judge. There is one Law-giver and
Judge, Who is able to destroy and to
set free. But who art thou that judg-
est thy neighbour ? Behold now, ye
that say : To-day or to-morrow we will
go into such a city, and continue there
a year, and buy and sell, and get gain
— ye know not what shall be on the
morrow. For what is your life ? It
is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little while, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye Ought to say : If the Lord
will — and : If we live — we will do this
or that.
The Hymn., "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
These are the words * which I spake
unto you, while I was with you. Alle-
luia.
Vespers are either of a Feast or of
the Votive Office of the Lmmaculate
Cojtceptioji of the Blessed Virgin.
1 Eccles. iv. 4.
2 Prov. xxix. 23 ; Matth. xxiii. 12.
ROGATION SUNDAY.
453
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle James (v. i.)
(~^0 to now, ye rich men, weep and
^^ howl for your miseries that shall
come upon you. Your riches are cor-
rupted, and your garments are moth-
eaten. Your gold and silver is cank-
ered, and the rust of them shall be a
witness against you, and shall eat
your flesh, as it were fire. Ye
have heaped up wrath for yourselves
against the latter days. Behold,
the hire of the labourers who have
reaped down your fields, which is of
you kept back by fraud, crieth : and
the cry of them is entered into the ears
of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived
in pleasure on the earth, and have
nourished your hearts with wantonness
for the day of slaughter. Ye have
condemned and killed the just, and
he hath not withstood you.
affliction, of labour, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy which
endured. Ye have heard of the pati-
ence of Job, and have seen the end of
the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful
and of tender mercy.
Third Lesson.
"DUT above all things, my brethren,
swear not, neither by heaven,
neither by the earth, neither by any
other oath. But let your speech be :
Yea, yea ; and : Nay, nay ; lest ye fall
into condemnation. Is any among
you afflicted ? Let him pray. Is any
merry? Let him sing psalms. Is
any sick among you ? Let him call
for the Priests of the Church, and let
them pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord ; and
the prayer of faith shall save the sick,
and the Lord shall raise him up, and
if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven
him. Confess your sins therefore,
one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be saved : for
the fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
VESPERS.
Second Lesson.
T)E ye patient, therefore, brethren,
unto the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for
the precious fruit of the earth, and
hath long patience for it, until he re-
ceive the first and second harvest.
Therefore be ye also patient, and stab-
lish your hearts ; for the coming of
the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not
one against another, brethren, lest ye
be condemned. Behold, the Judge
standeth before the door. Take, my
brethren, the Prophets who have
spoken in the name of the Lord, for
an example of that which cometh of
Chapter and Prayer from the follow-
i7ig Lauds., and Antiphon of the Bless-
ed Virgin froin that of Zacharias at
the same.
Eogation Suntias.
Fifth Lord's Day after the Passover.
MATTINS.
Lnvitatory and Hym7i as on Low
Sunday., (/. 402.)
454
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesso7i.
Here beginneth the First Epistle of
the 1 Blessed Apostle Peter (i. i.)
pETER, an Apostle of Jesus Christ,
to the strangers scattered through-
out Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia, elect, according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father,
unto the sanctification of the Spirit,
unto obedience, and sprinkling of the
Blood of Jesus Christ : Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied. Bless-
ed be God and the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, Which, according
to His abundant mercy hath begotten
us again unto a lively hope by the
Resurrection of jESUS Christ from the
dead, to an inheritance incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you, who
are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation ready to be re-
vealed in the last time.
First Responsory.
If I forget thee, &c., (^. 443.)
Second Lessoji.
VAyHEREIN ye greatly rejoice,
though now for a season, if
need be, ye are in heaviness, through
manifold temptations ; that the trial
of your faith, being much more preci-
ous than gold (which is tried with
fire,) may be found unto praise, and
glory and honour at the appearing of
Jesus Christ : Whom, having not
seen, ye love ; in Whom, though now
ye see Him not, yet ye believe ; and
believing, rejoice, with joy unspeak-
able and full of glory ; receiving the
end of your faith, even the salvation
of your souls. Of which salvation the
Prophets have inquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you, searching
what or what time the Spirit of Christ
Which was in them did signify, when
It testified beforehand the sufferings
of Christ, and the glory that should
follow. Unto whom it was revealed
that, not unto themselves, but unto
you, they did minister the things
which are now reported unto you by
them that have preached the Gospel
unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven, on Whom the
angels desire to look.
Second Responsory. -
The waters saw Thee, &c., (^. 444.)
Third Lesson.
VyHEREFORE gird up the loins
of your mind, be sober, and
hope to the end, for the grace that is
offered unto you, in the revelation of
Jesus Christ ; as obedient children,
not fashioning yourselves according
to the former lusts in your ignorance ;
but as He Which hath called you is
Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation ; because it is written :
Be ye holy, for I am Holy.^ And if
ye call Him Father, Who without
respect of persons judgeth according
to every man's work, pass the time of
your sojourning' here in fear : foras-
much as ye know that ye were not
redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain con-
1 Abp. Kenrick says: "The period when this letter was written cannot be fixed with cer-
tainty. Hug assigns it to the eleventh year of Nero." (If so, three years before the martyrdom
of the Apostle.) " The common opinion is that it was written from Rome, which is understood
to have been designated by the name of Babylon (v. 13) as in the Apocalypse ; but the critic
just mentioned . . . supposes that it was written from Bab)4on in Asia."
2 Lev. xi. 44.
ROGATION SUNDAY.
455
versation received by tradition from
your fathers, but with the Precious
Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb with-
out blemish and without spot ; Who
verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was mani-
fest in these last times for you, who
by Him do believe in God That raised
Him up from the dead, and gave Him
glory ; that your faith and hope might
be in God.
Third Respo7isory.
I will declare, &c., {p. 444.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
written by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan], on belief in the Resurrec-
tion.
QINCE it was impossible that the
Wisdom of God could die, and
that which could not die could not
rise from the dead. He took to Him-
self Flesh Which could die, that That
Whose nature it was to die might die,
and rise again. Neither was it pos-
sible that the resurrection of the dead
should come otherwise than by man,
"for since by man came death, by
Man came also the resurrection of
the dead." (i Cor. xv. 21.) Man
He rose since Man He died, the Man-
hood quickened but the Godhead
Quickener. Man then, as touching
the Flesh ; God now, over all things.
For now we know Christ no longer
after the Flesh, but we owe it to the
Flesh that we know Him as "become
the First-fruits of them that slept "
(i Cor. XV. 23) "and the First-be-
gotten of the dead" (Apoc. i. 5.)
Fourth Responsory.
Bless ye God, &c., {p. 445.)
Fifth Lesson.
n^HE first-fruits are of the same
kind and nature as the other
fruits, and they are brought as an
offering to God^ to w4n His blessing
on the in-gathering,' an holy offering
made on behalf of all, and as it were
the homage 2 of restored nature.
Christ then is the First-fruits of them
that sleep. But is He the First-fruits
of only His own loved ones that fall
asleep in Him, and lie as it were un-
touched by death, wrapt in a sweet
slumber ? Or is He the First-fruits
of all the dead? But "as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive." (i Cor. xv. 22.) So
that, as in Adam were the first-fruits
of the death wherein all die, even so
in Christ were the first-fruits of the
resurrection, wherein all rise again.
But let no man be hopeless, neither
let it be a grief to the righteous to re-
member that to rise again will be com-
mon to all men, when he looketh for
that day wherein the harvest of his
life will nobly realise itself. All shall
rise again, "but," as saith the Apostle
(23,) "every man in his own order."
The harvest of God's mercy will be
for all, but in reward one man shall
differ from another.
Fifth Responsory.
With my whole heart, &c., {p. 445-)
Sixth Lesson.
T TELL you how grievous an out-
rage against God it is not to be-
lieve in the resurrection. If we shall
1 In some places the persons performing the Rogation Procession carry nosegays. Is this
the offering alluded to? 2 Liba, lit., the sacrificial cakes.
456
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
not rise again, then did Christ die in
vain, "then is Christ not risen" (13.)
For if [if He rose at all]. He rose for
us, and if He had not us to rise for,
then He is plainly not risen. In Him
the world, in Him the heavens, in
Him the earth rose again. For there
shall be " a new heaven, and a new
earth" (Apoc. xxi. i.) For Himself
He needed not to rise Whom the
bands of death held not. For al-
though He died as Man, yet was He
free in the netherworld itself. Would-
est thou hear how free ? "I am as a
man that hath no strength, free among
the dead" (Ps. Ixxxvii. 6.) O how
free ! Who was able to take up his
life again at will (John x. 18), even
as it is written that He said : " De-
stroy this Temple, and in three days I
will raise it up" (John ii. 19.) O how
free! Who descended into hell only
to redeem others therefrom.
Sixth Responsory.
Sing us a song, &c., {p. 446.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xvi. 23.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : Amen, Amen, I say
unto you : Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in My Name, He will give
it you. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {\ 02nd Tract 071 John.)
We have now to consider these
words of the Lord : " Amen, Amen,
I say unto you : Whatsoever ye shall
ask the Father in My Name, He will
give it you." It hath already been
said in the earlier part of this dis-
course of the Lord, for the sake of
some who ask the Father in Christ's
Name and receive not, that whatso-
ever is asked, which tendeth not to
salvation, is not asked in the Name
of the Saviour. By the words : "In
My Name " — we must not understand
the vocalization of letters and syllables,
but the meaning of what is said, the
honest and true meaning.
Seventh Responsory.
I will sing, &c., (/. 446.)
Eighth Lesson.
O^HEREFGRE, whosoever thinketh
of Christ as he ought not to
think of the Only Son of God, such an
one doth not ask anything in Christ's
Name, although he do actually utter
letters and syllables to that effect, be-
cause by these sounds he meaneth not
the Real Christ, but a fancied being
who hath no existence except in the
speaker's imagination. But on the
other hand, whosoever thinketh of
Christ as he ought to think, the same
asketh in Christ's Name, and receiveth,
provided only it be nothing against
his own everlasting salvation : but if
it is good for him to receive, he re-
ceiveth. Some things are not given
at once, but kept over till a more
fitting season. Such is the true in-
terpretation of the words: "He will
give it you " — namely, that those
things will be given which are good
for them to ask. All the Saints also
are heard when they ask for them-
selves, but not necessarily when they
ask for their friends, or their enemies,
or others, even as it is written, not
simply : " He will give it " — but :
"He will give it you."
Eighth Responsory.
It is a good thing, &c., {p. 447.)
ROGATION MONDAY.
457
Ninth Lesson.
*' TT ITHERTO," saith the Lord,
"have ye asked nothing in
My Name : ask, and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full." This their
joy, whereof He saith that it shall be
full, is to be understood not of fleshly
but of spiritual joy : and when that joy
is so great that it can be increased no
more, then shall it without doubt be
full. Whatsoever therefore we ask for
the fulfilling of this joy, (that is, if we
thereby mean grace, if we ask for that
life which is the really blessed one,)
that is a thing which it is meet to ask
in Christ's Name. If we ask any-
thing else than this, we ask nothing,
although w^e do actually ask some-
thing, because all things are nothing
in comparison with this.
LAUDS.
Chapter. (James i. 22.)
IV/TY beloved brethren, be ye doers
of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves : for
if any be an hearer of the word, and
not a doer, he is like unto a man be-
holding his natural face in a glass ;
for he beholdeth himself, and goeth
his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was.
Hymn and Verse and Answer as on
Low Sunday., [pp. 406, 407.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My
Name : "^ ask, and ye shall receive.
Alleluia.
Prayer,
r\ GOD, from Whom all good
^-^ things do come, grant to us Thy
humble servants that by Thy holy
inspiration we may think those things
that be good, and by Thy merciful
guiding may perform the same.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer till the Feast of the
Asce7isio?t^ except at Lauds., Terce., Sext.,
and None on Mottday.
Chapter at Terce from Lauds.
Chapter at Sext. (James i. 25.)
T)UT whoso looketh into the perfect
law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work, this
man shall be blessed in his deed.
Chapter at No7te. (James i. 27.)
"DURE religion and undefiled before
God and the Father is this : to
visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself un-
spotted from the world.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
Hy7tin and Verse and Answer as 07i
Saturday before Low Sunday., [pp. 40 1 ,
402.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Ask, and ye shall receive, *
that your joy may be full : for the
Father Himself loveth you, because ye
have loved Me, and have believed in
Me. Alleluia.
Second Day., whereon are made
Supplications.
If a Simple Feast fall on this day it
is only commeniorated : if a Feast of
Nine Lessons., the Office is of it., with
the Homily for the Week-day as the
last Lesson., and a Commemoration of
the saine at Lauds only.
458
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xi. 5.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
-^^ disciples : Which of you shall
have a friend, and shall go unto him
at midnight, and say unto him ;
Friend, lend me three loaves. And
so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. vii. on Luke xi.)
We gather from this command-
ment, among other things, that we
ought to pray, not only by day, but
also by night. Thou seest how that
he which arose at midnight to ask
three loaves of his friend, and endured
in supplication, was not disappointed
of that which he sought. Of what
are these three loaves a figure, but of
that our Mysterious Bread Which
Cometh down from heaven ? Thou
seest that if thou lovest the Lord thy
God, thou mayest win His bounty, not
only for thyself, but for others like-
wise. And who can deserve more to
be called our "Friend" than. He
Which gave His Own Body for us ?
First Responsory.
. Let now the redeemed, &c., {j).
448.)
Second Lesson.
T7ROM this Friend it was that David
asked bread at midnight, and re-
ceived it, as he saith : " At midnight I
rise to give thanks unto Thee." (Ps.
cxviii. 62.) Even thus did he obtain
those loaves [of spiritual nourishment]
which he still setteth before us for our
refreshment. How he asked it, we
know from that he saith : " Every
night wash I my bed." (Ps. vi. 7.)
He knew that there was no fear of
waking Him Who sleepeth not. (Ps.
cxx. 3.) Therefore let us keep in
mind the things which are written for
our learning, and be instant in prayer
both by day and by night, to ask
pardon of our sins.
Second Responsory.
O sing, &c., {p. 448,) 07nitting the
last Verse and Answer.
Third Lesson.
T F David, who was such a Saint, and
whose time was so taken up by the
cares of a kingdom, praised the Lord
seven times a day, (Ps. cxviii. 164,)
and was always present with godly
zeal at the morning and evening sacri-
fice, what ought we to do, (who have
so much the more need to pray, as
the weakness of our body and mind
doth so much oftener make us to fall,)
that we, wearied with this pilgrimage,
and Avorn out by the gradual waning
of our earthly day, and the changes of
life, that we, I say, may not be
starved of that life - giving Bread
Which strengtheneth man's heart ?
The Lord teacheth us to be watchful,
all of us, and that, not at midnight
only, but alway. "And if He shall
come in the second watch, or come in
the third watch, and find them so —
blessed are those servants whom the
Lord, when He cometh, shall find
watching." (Luke xii. 37.)
Third Responsory. {htstead of the
Hyi7i7t, "We praise Thee, O God,
&c.")
I will declare, &c., {p. 444.)
LAUDS.
Antiphons and Psalms as o?t Sunday.
Antipho?t at the Song of Zacharias.
Ask, and ye shall receive : * seek, and
ROGATION TUESDAY.
459
ye shall find : knock, and it shall be
opened unto you. Alleluia.
Prayer,
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O
^"^ Almighty God, that we who in
our tribulation are yet of good cheer
because of Thy loving-kindness, may
find Thee mighty to save from all
dangers. Who livest and reignest
with God the Father, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
The saine Prayer at Terce., Sext^
and None.
On this day there is a ^ Procession
of sitpplication., followed by a special
Mass. All persons bound to recite the
Office^ a7id who are not present at the
Procession^ are bound to recite the
Litany after Lauds. This cannot be
done before midnight between Su?iday
and Monday.
VESPERS.
These Vespers may be of a Feast. Lf
so, no Cojnmemoration is made of the
Week-day., but if they are Semidouble
or Simple., the Cross is commemorated
as usual.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The Father Himself loveth
you, * because ye have loved Me, and
have believed in Me. Alleluia.
(Potation ^uea^ci^.
Third Day., whereon are made Sup-
plications.
Lf a Feast., even Simple., fall 07i this
day., it is observed., and the Week-day
is not commemorated.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Peter
(iv. I.)
T70RASMUCH, then, as Christ hath
suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same
mind ; for he that suffered in the flesh
hath ceased from sin, that he no longer
should live the rest of his time in the
flesh to the lusts of men, but to the
will of God. For the time past
sufficeth to have wrought the will of
the Gentiles, when we walked in
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine,
revellings, banquetings, and abomin-
able idolatries. Wherein they think
it strange that ye run not with them
to the same excess of riot ; whose
talk is alway blasphemy \ who shall
give account to Him That is ready to
judge the quick and the dead. For,
for this cause was the Gospel preached
also to them that are dead,^ that tHey
might be judged according to men in
the flesh, but live according to God
in the spirit. But the end of all
things is at hand.
First Responsory.
Bless ye God, &c., {p. 445.)
Second Lesson.
"DE ye therefore sober and watch un-
to prayer. But, above all things,
have constant charity among your-
selves, for charity covereth a multitude
of sins. Use hospitality one to
another without grudging. As every
man hath received grace, even so
minister the same one to another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace
1 The object of the Procession and Mass on' these three days seems to be to implore a blessing
upon the fruits of the earth, and in rural places the Procession goes through the fields.
2 I.e., by our Lord, when He descended into hell.
460
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
of God. If any man speak, let him
speak as the words of God ; if any
man minister, let him do it as of the
ability which God giveth ; that God
in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
, Second Responsory.
With my whole heart, &c., {p. 445,)
with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A?zs'wer. O let me not wander
from Thy commandments ! Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
"DELOVED, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which
is trying you,i as though some strange
thing happened unto you : but rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings, that, when His glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy. If ye be reproached
for the Name of Christ, happy are ye,
forasmuch as the honour, the glory,
and the power of God, yea, and His
Spirit also, do then rest upon you.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer,
or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as
a luster after other men's goods. But
if he suffer as a Christian, let him not
be ashamed : but let him glorify God
in that name. For the time is come
that judgment must begin at the house
of God.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
Christ ought to have suffered, "^ and
to have risen again from the dead.
Alleluia.
On this day also there is a Processio?i
of Supplicatio7i., followed by a special
Mass., and all persons bound to recite
the Office., and who are not presetit at
the Procession., are bound to recite the
Litany after Lauds.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. I came forth from the Father,
■^ and am come into the world : again
I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Alleluia.
(Jlo^aiton (JOe^neeba^. 6pe of t§e
«ll0cen0ton.
Fourth Day., whereo7i are made Suppli-
cations. The saine is the Eve of the
Ascension.
Lf a Simple Feast fall on this day.,
it is 07ily com7ne7norated : if a Feast oj
Ni7ie Lesso7is., the Office is of it., with
the Ho7Jiily of the Eve as the last Les-
S071., a7id a Co77i77ie77ioratio7i of the sa77ie
at Lauds 07ily.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xvii. i.)
A T that time : Jesus lifted up His
Eyes to heaven, and spake these
words : Father, the hour is come ;
glorify Thy Son. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 1 04/^ Tract 07i foh7i. )
Our Lord, the Only-begotten and
coeternal Son of the Father, was able,
if need were, in and from the form of
a servant, to pray in silence ; but He
1 Persecution.
ROGATION WEDNESDAY.
461
thus manifested Himself in prayer, re-
membering that He is our Teacher.
Thus He made known unto us the
prayer which He made for us : since
He was so great a Master that, not
only His discourse to them, but His
prayer to the Father for them, is an
up-building to His disciples. And if
it was so for them who were there to
hear, truly it is so for us also for
whose instruction it hath been written
down.
First Responsory.
I will sing, &c., {p. 446.)
Second Lesson.
VyHEREFORE, by these words :
" Father, the hour is come ;
glorify Thy Son" — He showeth that
all time, and all whatsoever He doth,
or alloweth to be done, and the season
wherein He will do or allow it, is alike
ordained of Him Who is Himself not
subject to time. Yea, all things which
were then to come, or are yet to come
now, have the reason why they should
be, in the Wisdom of God, Which is
Itself independent of all time.
" The hour is come." We must not
believe that that hour was brought on
by the march of destiny, but was by
ordination of God. No stars decreed
irresistibly that the time was come for
Christ to suffer — God forbid that the
revolutions of His planets should force
death on Him Who made them.
Second Responsory.
It is a good thing, &c., {p. 447.)
Third Lesson.
COME think that the glorification of
the Son by the Father was that
" He spared Him not, but delivered
Him up for us all." (Rom. viii. 32.)
But if we say that He was glorified by
suffering, how much more shall we say
that He was glorified by rising again ?
While He suffered. His humbleness
was more manifested than His glory,
as witnesseth the Apostle, where he
saith : " He humbled Himself, and be-
came obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross " — then he addeth
touching His glorification: "Where-
fore God also hath highly exalted Him,
and given Him a Name which is
above every name, that at the Name
of Jesus every knee should bow, of
things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth ; and that
every tongue should confess that our
Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of
God the Father." (Phil. ii. 8-1 1.)
This is the glorification of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that glorification whose
first rays dawned on the Resurrection
morning.
The Llyinn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
lauds.
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Father, the hour is come ; glorify Thy
Son ■^" with the glory which I had with
Thee before the world was. Alleluia.
At the beginning of the Mar tyro logy ^
is said^
On the morrow our Lord jESUS
Christ ascended up into heaven from
the Mount of Olives.
On this day also there is a Procession
of Supplication^ followed by a special
Mass, and all persons bound to recite
the Office.^ and who are 7iot present at
the Procession, are bound to recite the
Litany after Lauds.
Vespers are of the Feast.
462
^ni^e Hscension of tjje ILortJ.
Double of the First Class with a7i Octave.
All as oil Sundays^ except the fol-
lowzjtg :
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons., Chapter.^ Hymn., and
Prayer from Lauds.
Last Psalm.
Psalm CXVL
O praise the Lord, &c., {p. 186.)
Verse. 1 God is gone up with a
shout — Alleluia.
Answer. And the LORD with the
sound of a trumpet — Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ Father, I have manifested
Thy Name unto the men which Thou
gavest Me : ^ but now I pray for
them, not for the world, because I
come to Thee. Alleluia.
COMPLINE.
The last verse of the Hymn is said
thus :
Jesu, victorious Lord, to Thee,
On Thy return to heaven,
With Father, Spirit — One and Three,
Eternal praise be given. Amen.
MATTINS.
Lnvitatory. Alleluia. The Lord
Christ hath ascended up into heaven.
■^ O come let us worship Him ! Al-
leluia.
Hymn.^
Q THOU Eternal King Most High !
Who didst the world redeem ;
And, conquering death and hell, receive
A dignity supreme —
Thou, through the starry orbs, this da)',
Didst to Thy throne ascend ;
Thenceforth to reign in sovereign power,
And glory without end.
There, seated in Thy Majesty,
To Thee submissive bow
The heaven of heavens, the earth beneath,
The realms of hell below.
With trembling there the Angels see
The changed estate of men ;
The flesh which sinned by Flesh redeemed ;
Man in the Godhead reign.
There, waiting for Thy faithful souls,
Be Thou to us, O Lord !
Our joy of joys while here we stay.
In heaven our great reward.
Renew our strength ; our sins forgive ;
Our miseries efface ;
And lift our souls aloft to Thee,
By Thy celestial grace.
1 Ps. xlvi. 6. 2 John xvii, 6.
3 Hymn by St Ambrose, with some alteration, translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
ASCENSION DAY.
463
So when Thou shinest on the clouds,
With Thine angehc train,
May we be saved from deadly doom,
And our lost crowns regain.
To Christ returning gloriously
With victory to heaven.
Praise, with the Father, evermore.
And Holy Ghost, be given. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antipho7t. O God, Thou hast
set Thy glory above "^ the heavens.
Alleluia.
Psalm VIIL
0 Lord, our Lord, &c., (/. 7.)
Seco7id Aiitiphon. The Lord is in
His holy Temple : "^ the Lord's
[throne] is in heaven. Alleluia.
Psalm X.
In the Lord put I my trust, &c.,
{P- 9.)
Third Ajitiphon. His going forth is
from the end of the heaven, "^ and His
circuit unto the ends of it. Alleluia.
Psalm XVIII.
The heavens declare, &c., {p. 17.)
Verse. God is gone up with a shout
— Alleluia.
Answer. And the LORD with the
sound of a trumpet — -Alleluia.
First Lesson., " Here beginneth the
book, &c.," (Acts i. i,) as on Monday
after Low Stinday^ {p. 407,) as far as
the words., "not many days hence."
First Responsory.
1 Being seen of them forty days
after that He had suffered, and speak--
ing of the kingdom of God — Alleluia.
And while they beheld, He M^as taken
up, and a cloud received Him out of
their sight. Alleluia.
Verse. And, eating together with
them. He commanded them that they
should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the Promise of the Father.
Answer. And while they beheld. He
was taken up, and a cloud received
Him out of their sight. Alleluia.
Seco7id Lesson., " They therefore that
were come together, &c.," in the First
Lesson of Monday after Lo%v Siiiiday.,
to the efid., and the Secofid Lesson as
far as the words., "received Him out
of their siffht."
Second Responsory.
The Lord hath set His beauty above
the stars ; His loveliness is in the
clouds of heaven, and His Name en-
dureth for ever. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ fjis going forth is from
the end of the heaven, and His circuit
unto the ends of it.
Answer. His loveliness is in the
clouds of heaven, and His Name en-
dureth for ever. Alleluia.
Third Lesson., "And while they
looked up, &c.," in the Second Lesson
of Monday after Lozu Sunday to the
e7td.
Third Respo7isory.
3 Be Thou exalted, O Lord — Alleluia
— in Thine Own strength — Alleluia.
Verse. O God, Thou hast set Thy
glory above the heavens.
A7tswer. In Thine Own strength —
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. In Thine Own strength —
Alleluia.
1 Acts i. 3, 4, 9.
Ps. xviii. 7.
3 Ps. XX. 14.
464
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. Be Thou exalted,
O Lord, "^ in Thine Own strength ;
we will sing and praise [Thy power.]
Alleluia.
Psalm XX.
The King shall joy, &c., {p. 19.)
Second A7itiphon. I will extol Thee,
O Lord, * for Thou hast lifted Me
up. Alleluia.
the Lord still lingered on earth, that
the reality of the fact of His having
risen again from the dead might be
armed with alL needful proofs. The
death of Christ had troubled the hearts
of many of His disciples ; their
thoughts were sad when they remem-
bered His agony upon the Cross, His
giving up of the Ghost, and the laying
in the grave of His lifeless Body, and
a sort of hesitation had begun to
weigh on them.
Psalm XXIX.
I will extol, &c., {p. 75.)
Third Antiphoji. God is gone up
with a shout, * and the LORD with the
sound of a trumpet. Alleluia.
Psalm XLVI.
O clap your hands, &c., {p. 98.)
Verse. 1 When Christ ascended up
on high — Alleluia.
Answer. He led captivity captive
— Alleluia.
Fourth Responsory.
2 My time is come that I should re-
turn unto Him That sent Me, saith the
Lord. Be not sorrowful, neither let
your heart be troubled. I pray the
Father for you, that He may keep you.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. If I go not away, the Com-
forter will not come unto you : when
I am ascended, I will send Him unto
you.
Answer. I pray the Father for
you, that He may keep you. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Leo [the Great.] {\st
on the Lord's Ascejision.)
A FTER the blessed and glorious
Resurrection of our Lord jESUS
Christ, wherein the Divine Power
raised up in three days the true
Temple of God Which the iniquity of
the Jews had destroyed (John ii. 19,)
God was pleased to ordain, by His
Most Sacred Will, and in His Pro-
vidence for our instruction and the
profit of our souls, a season of forty
days ; which season, dearly beloved
brethren, doth end on this day. Dur-
ing that season the bodily Presence of
Fifth Lesson.
T_TENCE the most blessed Apostles,
and all the disciples, who had
been fearful at the finishing on the
Cross, and doubtful of the trustworthi-
ness of the rising again, were so
strengthened by the clear demonstra-
tion of the fact, that, when they saw
the Lord going up into the heights
of heaven, they sorrowed not, nay,
they were even filled with great joy.
And, in all verity, it was a great and
unspeakable cause for joy to see the
Manhood, in the presence of that holy
multitude of believers, exalted above
all creatures even heavenly, rising
above the ranks of the angelic armies,
and speeding Its glorious way to
1 Eph. iv. 8.
John xvi. 5 ; xiv. i, 16 ; xvii. 15 ; xvi. 7 ; xv. 26.
ASCENSION DAY.
465
where the most noble of the Arch-
angels lie far behind, to rest no lower
than that place where high above all
principality and power, It taketh Its
seat at the right hand of the Eternal
Father, Sharer of His throne, and
Partaker of His glory, and still of the
very man's nature which the Son hath
taken upon Him.
Fifth Responsory.
1 Let not your heart be troubled ; I
go unto the Father, and when I am
taken from you, I will send unto you
— Alleluia — the Spirit of truth ; and
your heart shall rejoice. Alleluia.
Verse. I will pray the Father, and
He shall give you another Comforter.
Answer. The Spirit of truth ; and
your heart shall rejoice. Alleluia.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HEREFORE, dearly beloved bre-
thren, let us also rejoice with
worthy joy, for the Ascension of Christ
is exaltation for us, and whither the
glory of the Head of the Church is
passed in, thither is the hope of the
body of the Church called on to
follow. Let us rejoice with exceeding
great joy, and give God glad thanks.
This day is not only the possession of
Paradise made sure unto us, but in
the Person of our Head we are actually
begun to enter into the heavenly
mansions above. Through the un-
speakable goodness of Christ we have
gained more than ever we lost by the
envy of the devil. We, whom our
venomous enemy thrust from our first
happy home, — we, being made of one
body with the Son of God, have by
Him been given a place at the right
hand of the Father ; with Whom He
liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
1 John xiv. I, 12 ; xv. 26 ; xvi. 22 ; xiv, 16, 17.
Sixth Responsory.
2 When Christ ascended up on high,
He led captivity captive — He gave gifts
unto men. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. God is gone up with a
shout, and the LORD with the sound
of a trumpet.
Answer. He gave gifts unto men
— Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He gave gifts unto men
— Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. He is exalted —
Alleluia "^ — far above all gods —
Alleluia.
Psahn XCVI.
The Lord reigneth, &c., (/. 149.)
Second Antiphon. The LORD is
great in Zion — Alleluia "^ — and He is
high [above all people.] Alleluia.
Psahn XCVIII.
The Lord reigneth, &c., {p. 158.)
Third Antiphon. The Lord hath
prepared — Alleluia — His throne "^ in
heaven — Alleluia.
Psalm CII.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, &c.,
{j). 160.)
Verse. ^ I ascend unto My Father
and your Father — Alleluia.
Answer. To My God and your
God — Alleluia.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi. 14.)
A T that time : jESUS appeared unto
-^^ the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with
2 Eph. iv. 8.
3 John XX. 17.
466
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
their unbelief and hardness of heart :
because they beHeved not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great] (29M 071 the Gospels.)
I may be allowed to say that the
disciples' slowness to believe that the
Lord had indeed risen from the dead,
was not so much their weakness as
our strength. In consequence of their
doubts, the fact of the Resurrection
was demonstrated by many infallible
proofs. These proofs we read and
acknowledge. What then assureth
our faith, if not their doubt ? For my
part, I put my trust in Thomas, who
doubted long, much more than in
Mary Magdalene, who believed at
once. Through his doubting, he came
actually to handle the holes of the
Wounds, and thereby closed up any
wound of doubt in our hearts.
Seventh Responsory.
I I will pray the Father, and He
shall give you another Comforter, that
He may abide with you for ever, even
the Spirit of truth — Alleluia.
Verse. For if I g'o not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you ;
but if I depart, I will send Him unto
you.
A7iswer. That He may abide with
you for ever, even the Spirit of truth
— Alleluia.
Eighth Lesson.
nrO confirm to our minds the trust-
worthiness of the fact that our
Lord did indeed rise again from the
dead, it is well for us to remark one
of the statements of Luke (Acts i. 4. )
— "Eating together with them. He
commanded them that they should not
depart from Jerusalem " — and a little
afterward : " While they beheld, He
was taken up, and a cloud received
Him out of their sight." Consider
these words, note well these mysteries.
After "eating together with them —
He was taken up." He ate and
ascended : that the fact of His eating
might show the reality of the Body in
Which He went up. But Mark telleth
us that before the Lord ascended into
heaven He upbraided His disciples
with their unbelief and hardness of
heart. From this I know not what
we should gather, but that the Lord
then upbraided His disciples, from
whom He was about to be parted in
the body, to the end that the words
which He spoke unto them as He left
them might be the deeper imprinted
on their hearts.
Eighth Respo7isory .
2 Thou makest the clouds Thy
chariot, O Lord, Thou walkest upon
the wings of the wind. Alleluia.
Verse. Thou art clothed with
honour and majesty, covering Thyself
with light as with a garment !
A7is'wer. Thou walkest upon the
wings of the wind. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7iswer. Thou walkest upon the
wings of the wind. Alleluia.
Ni7ith Lesso7i.
AIT HEN, then, He had rebuked the
hardness of their heart, what
command did He give them .'' Let us
hear. " Go ye into all the world,
and preach the Gospel to every crea-
ture." Was the Holy Gospel, then,
my brethren, to be preached to things
insensate, or to brute beasts, that the
Lord said to His disciples : " Preach
1 John xiy. 16, 17 ; xvi. 7.
- Ps. ciii. 3.
ASCENSION DAY.
467
the Gospel to every creature " ? Nay ;
but by the words " every creature " we
must understand man, in whom are
combined qualities of all creatures.
Being he hath in common with stones,
life in common with trees, feeling in
common with beasts, understanding
in common with angels. If, then, man
hath something in common with every
creature, man is to a certain extent
every creature. The Gospel, then, if
it be preached to man only, is preached
to every creature.
The Hyinn^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Ye men of Gal-
ilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven ? "^ This same jESUS, Which
is taken up from j^ou into heaven,
shall so come in like manner. Al-
leluia.
Second Antiphon. And while they
looked steadfastly towards heaven, "^
as He went up, they said : Alleluia.
Third Afitiphoji. ^ He lifted up
His Hands, and blessed them, "^ and
was carried up into heaven. Alleluia.
Fourth Afitiphon. Extol the King
of kings, ^ and ascribe praise to God.
Alleluia.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ While they be-
held, He was taken up, * and a cloud
received Him in heaven. Alleluia.
Chapter. (Acts i. i.)
'T^ HE former Treatise have I made,
O Theophilus, of all that jESUS
began both to do and to teach, until
the day in which He w^as taken up,
after that He through the Holy Ghost
had given commandments unto the
Apostles whom He had chosen.
Hymn.'^
r\ THOU pure Liglit of souls that love !
True joy of every human breast !
Sower of hfe's immortal seed !
Our Maker, and Redeemer blest !
What wondrous pity Thee o'ercame
To make our guilty load Thine own,
And, sinless, suffer death and shame,
For our transgressions to atone !
Thou, bursting Hades open wide.
Didst all the captive souls unchain ;
And thence to Thy dread Father's side
With glorious pomp ascend again.
0 still may pity Thee compel
To heal the wounds of which we die ;
And take us in Thy light to dwell,
Who for Thy blissful Presence sigh.
Be Thou our Guide ; be Thou our Goal ;
Be Thou our Pathway to the skies ;
Our Joy when sorrow fills the soul ;
In death our everlasting prize. Amen.
Verse. The Lord hath prepared —
Alleluia.
Answer. His throne in heavens-
Alleluia.'
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 ascend unto My Father and your
Father ; "^ to my God and your God.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the Office.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, Al-
^^ mighty God, that like as we do
believe Thine Only-Begotten Son our
Saviour to have this day ascended
into the heavens, so we may also in
heart and mind thither ascend, and
with Him continually dwell : Through
the Same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
1 Acts i. II. 2 Luke xxiv; 50, 51. 3 Acts i. 9,
4 Hymn of the Ambrosian school altered almost beyond recognition ; translation by the Rev.
E. Caswall.
468
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
PRIME.
Last verse of the Hy7nn as at Coin-
pline.
A7itiphon. Ye men of Galilee, &c.,
{First Antiphon at Lauds,)
In the Short Responsory instead of
" Thou that sittest, &c.," is said :
Verse. Thou That hast gone up
above the stars.
Chapter at the end. (Acts i. 1 1.)
'\JY. men of Galilee, why stand ye
gazing up into heaven ? This
Same Jesus, Which is taken up from
you into heaven, shall so come, in like
manner as ye have seen Him go into
heaven.
TERCE.
The last verse of the Hyin7t is said
thus :
Jesu, Who, victor in the fight,
Returnest to the realms of light.
To Father, Spirit, and to Thee,
Eternal praise and glory be. Amen.
Antiphoft. And while they looked,
&c., {Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
God is gone up with a shout — Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
A^iswer. God is gone up with a
shout — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And the LORD with the
sound of a trumpet.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. God is gone up with a
shout — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When Christ ascended up
on high — Alleluia.
A7iswer. He led captivity cap-
tive— Alleluia.
SEXT.
The last verse of the Hy7ii7i is said
thus :
Jesu, on Thy return to heaven,
Victorious o'er the foe, to Thee
Be praise, and thanks, and glory given,
With Father, Spirit, One and Three.
Amen.
A7itipho7i. He lifted up, &c.,
{Third A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Acts i. 4.)
A ND, eating together with them,
"^^ He commanded that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait
for the Promise of the Father,
"Which," saith He, "ye have heard
by My Mouth ; for John truly bap-
tized with water, but ye shall be bap-
tized with the Holy Ghost, not many
days hence."
Short Respo7isory.
When Christ ascended up on high
— Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. When Christ ascended
up on high — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He led captivity captive.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. When Christ ascended
up on high — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. I ascend unto My Father
and your Father — Alleluia.
Answer. To My God and your
God — Alleluia.
FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY.
469
NONE.
Last verse of the Hyuui as at Coui-
pli7ie.
Antiphon. While they beheld, &c.,
{Fifth Antipkoji at Lands.)
Chapter as at the end of Priiiie,
Short Responsory.
I ascend unto My Father and your
Father — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. I ascend unto My
Father and your Father — Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. To My God and your God.
A?tswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. I ascend unto My
Father and your Father — Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. The Lord hath prepared —
Alleluia.
Answer. His throne in heaven —
Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the First., except the follow-
ing.
Verse. The LORD hath prepared —
Alleluia.
Answer. His throne in heaven —
Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O King of glory, Lord of
hosts, * Who hast this day exalted
Thine Own Self, with great triumph,
above all the heavens, leave us not
orphans ; but send unto us the Pro-
mise of .the Father, even the Spirit of
truth. Alleluia.
Compline as before.
Until the Eve of Pe?itecost, in-
clusive^ the Office is every day the same
as on Ascension Day., except.,
1. On all days except the Octave
Day^ which is Double., the Antiphons
are not doubled.
2. Certain changes hereafter giveft
under each day.
Feasts of Nine Lessons are observed.^
with a Commemoration of the Office
of the Ascensio7i., {which however is
omitted should the Feast be a Double of
First or Second Class.,) except on the
Eve of Pentecost. The Octave day of
the Asce7ision is always commemorated.
Simple Feasts have only Commemor-
ations at Vespers and Lauds and the
Ninth Lesson at Mattins.
5vt^a^ (x\itx cEeceneion ®a^.
Sixth Day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the ^ Second Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle Peter (i. i.)
OIMON Peter, a servant and an
*^ Apostle of Jesus Christ, to them
that have obtained like faith with us,
through the righteousness of our God
and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and
peace be multiplied unto you, through
the knowledge of God and of Christ
Jesus our Lord, according as His
Divine Power hath given unto us all
things that pertain to life and godli-
ness, through the knowledge of Him
That hath called us by His Own glory
1 "This letter," says Abp. Kenrick, "appears to have been written to the same persons to
-whom the former was addressed." (III. i.) "It was written probably a short time before the
■completion of his course by martyrdom." (I. 14.)
VOL. II. Q
47Q
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
arid strength ; through Whom are given
unto us exceeding great and precious
promises, that by these ye might be
made partakers of the Divine Nature,
having escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust.
Second Lesson.
AND beside this, giving all diligence,
'^^ add to your faith virtue ; and to
virtue, knowledge ; and to knowledge,
temperance ; and to temperance, pa-
tience ; and to patience, godliness ; and
to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and
to brotherly kindness, charity. For if
these things be in you, and abound,
they shall make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the
knowledge of our Lord jESUS Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is
blind, and gropeth, and hath forgotten
that he was purged from his old sins.
Third Lesson.
AA 7 HERE FORE the rather, breth-
ren, give diligence by good
works to make your calling and elec-
tion sure : for while ye do these things,
ye shall never sin. For so an entrance
shall be ministered unto you abun-
dantly into the everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Saviour jESUS Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to
put you always in remembrance of
these things, though ye know them
and be established in the present
truth. But I think it meet, as long
as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you
up, by putting you in remembrance :
knowing that shortly I must put off
this my tabernacle, even as our Lord
Jesus Christ hath showed me.^ More-
over, I will endeavour that ye may be
able after my decease to have these
things always in remembrance.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the SeiTnons
of Pope St Leo [the Great.] {2nd
for the Lords Ascension.^
r^ EARLY beloved brethren, that
mysterious thing, our salvation,
which the Maker of the universe
thought worth purchasing with His
Own Precious Blood, was aimed at
by Him, in the dispensation of His
humility, from the hour wherein He
was born as touching the flesh, till
the moment when, at the end of the
Passion, He cried on the Cross : " It
is finished." Although from under the
form of a servant many marks of His
Godhead shone forth, yet, as a whole,
the work of those three-and-thirty years
was to manifest the verity of the Man-
hood Which the Son of God had
taken into Himself. But when the
suffering was all over, and the bands
of death were broken, (that death
which had lost all his power by seek-
ing to bind Him Who knew no sin,)
then was weakness changed into
strength, mortality into immortality,
insult into that glory which the Lord
Jesus Christ, on so many occasions,
made manifest by so many and in-
fallible proofs, until the day came
when that triumphant procession of
victory, which He had led from the
realms of shattered death, followed
Him with unimaginable pomp into
the heavens.
Fifth Lesson.
C~\^ the solemn Feast of the Pass-
^~^^ over the cause of our joy was
that Christ was risen again. This
day we rejoice because that He is
ascended up into heaven. We call to
1 I.e., by crucifixion. . John.xxi. 18, 19.
FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY.
471
mind and justly celebrate that day
whereon our lowly nature was, in the
Person of Christ, borne up high above
all the heavenly armies, above all the
circles of Angels, beyond the heights
of all the Powers, even to where
Christ is sitting on the right hand
of the Father. Our foundations are
laid, and our house is built upon this
succession of the works of God ; and
His grace is made more wonderful by
this, that, though the visible Object of
worship is removed from among men,
the faith of the Church doth not grow
weak, nor her hope wavering, nor
her love cold.
Sixth Lesson.
T T is the back-bone of a strong mind
and the eye of a trusty soul, to be-
lieve unhesitatingly that which is not
seen with the bodily eyes, and to
centre all love where there can be no
experimental knowledge. This it is
which is the only thing we can have
of godliness ; for how could a man be
justified through faith, if the saving
objects were objects of sight ? There
was a man who would not believe in
the Resurrection of Christ until he
had examined by sight, and touched
the marks of the Passion in the
Divine Body, and the Lord said to
him : " Because thou hast seen Me,
thou hast believed ; blessed are they
that have not seen, and yet have
believed." (John xx. 29.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson, .
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi. 14.)
A T that time : jESUS appeared unto
the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with
their unbelief and hardness of heart ;
because they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Sa7ne as before.)
" He that believeth, and is baptized,
shall be saved ; but he that believeth
not shall be damned." Perchance
some man will say within himself:
" I have already believed, and there-
fore I shall be saved." Thou hast
well said, if thou showest thy faith by
thy works. He only hath a true faith
whose life doth not give the lie to his
confession. Hence it is that Paul
saith, touching some who were falsely
faithful : " They profess that they
know God ; but in works they deny
Him." (Tit. i. 16.) And John like-
wise saith : "He that saith, I know
Him ; and keepeth not His command-
ments, is a liar." (L ii. 4.)
Eighth Lesson.
OINCE, then, it so standeth, it is to
our lives we must look for proof
of the reality of our faith. Then only
are we truly Christ's faithful people
when our works are the fulfilment of
our profession. The day whereon we
were baptized we bound ourselves to
renounce all the works of the old
enemy, and all his pomps. Therefore
let every one of you now turn his
inward eye upon his own behaviour,
and if, since his baptism, he hath kept
that promise which he made before it,
let him know that he is in very truth
one of Christ's faithful ones ; and let
him rejoice.
Ni?tth Lesson.
"DUT if he hath utterly broken his
promise, if he hath fallen away
to work iniquity, and to lust after the
pomps of the world, let us see if he
472
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
now knoweth how to weep over his
backsliding. By the merciful Judge
that man is not punished as a perjurer
who in the end telleth the truth, even
though he hath first lied. Because
Almighty God doth, in His tender
kindness, so receive our contrition,
that, in His judgment, He declareth
us not guilty of that which we have
done amiss.
The Sabbath.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Second
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Peter
(iii. I.)
T^HIS Second Epistle, beloved, I
now write unto you ; in both
which I stir up your pure minds by
way of remembrance, that ye may be
mindful of the words which were spoken
before by the Holy Prophets, and of
the commandment of us the Apostles
of the Lord and Saviour, knowing this
first, that there shall come in the last
days, in deceit, scoffers, walking after
their own lusts, and saying : " Where
is the promise of His coming ? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the be-
ginning of the creation." For this
they willingly are ignorant of, that
by the word of God the heavens were
of old, and the earth formed from the
water and by the water ; whereby the
world that then was, being overflowed
with water, perished. But the heavens
and the earth which are now, by the
same word are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment,
and perdition of ungodly men.
Second Lesson.
OUT, beloved, be not ignorant of
this one thing, that one day is
with the Lord as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day. The
Lord is not slack concerning His pro-
mise, as some men count [Him : ] but
is long-suffering for your sake, not
willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance.
The day of the Lord will come as
a thief; in the which the heavens shall
pass away with a great crash, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat ;
the earth also, and the works that are
therein, shall be burned up. Seeing,
then, that all these things shall be dis-
solved, what manner of persons ought
ye to be, in holy conversation and godli-
ness, looking for, and hasting unto the
coming of the da;y of the Lord, wherein
the heavens, being on fire, shall be
dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat ? Nevertheless, we,
according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness.
Third Lesson.
VyHEREFORE, beloved, seeing
that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found of Him
in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the long-suffering of
our Lord is salvation : even as our
beloved brother Paul also, according
to the wisdom given unto him, hath
written unto you, as also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these
things ; in which are some things hard
to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, (as they
do also the other Scriptures,) unto
their own destruction. Ye, therefore,
brethren, seeing ye know these things
before, beware lest ye also, being led
away with the error of the foolish, fall
from your own stedfastness. But grow
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY.
473
in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
Him be glory, both now and for
ever. Amen.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Leo [the Great.] (2;?<^
on the Ascensio?!.)
A ND so the seen Presence of our
Redeemer in the Body was
changed for an unseen Presence in the
Sacraments, and hearing was given to
the Church in place of seeing, that
her faith, rightly so called, might be
the more victorious and stedfast ; and
that teaching, which the hearts of all
her children are called on to hear, is
a teaching enlightened by rays from
heaven. This faith, strengthened by
the Ascension of the Lord, and es-
tablished by the gift of the Holy Ghost,
neither bonds, nor imprisonment, nor
exile, nor famine, nor fire, nor savage
beasts, nor those forms of death, fine-
wrought in cruelty, wherein they that
persecute us are well skilled, have
been able to scare. For this faith
there have striven throughout the whole
world, even unto the out-pouring of
their blood, not men only, but women
also, not little lads only, but tender
maidens. This is the faith which
hath cast out devils, healed diseases,
raised the dead.
Fifth Lesson.
TTENCE even the blessed Apostles
themselves, who had been com-
forted by so many miracles and taught
by so many discourses, were sickened
by the horrors of their Lord's Passion^
and received but doubtfully the assur-
ance of His Resurrection, till after the
Lord's Ascension ; and then fared on
so bravely, that all that had been fear-
ful to them before became joyful then.
The reason was that they had lifted up
all their mind to think of the Godhead
of Him Who sitteth at the right hand
of the Father. They asked no longer
for a seen Presence, when their
spiritual eye had caught the fact that,
even as, when He had come down to
earth. He had not left His Father, so
now that He was gone up into heaven,
He had not left His disciples. So then
it was, dearly beloved brethren, that
the Son of man more excellently and
more sacredly revealed Himself as the
Son of God, when He had withdrawn
Himself again into that glory which
He had with the Father before the
world was. In some unspeakable way
He began to be more present, as
touching His Godhead, when He re-
moved Himself farther from us, as
touching His Manhood.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HEN it was that a better instructed
faith began intellectually to ap-
proach the idea of a Son equal to the
Father, and no longer to need to handle
in Christ the bodily Matter, Which is
of a nature as touching which He is
inferior to the Father ; since. Its nature
still remaining in the glorified Body,
the faith of believers was summoned to
that place where the Only-Begotten
Son, Who is equal to the Father, is
felt, not by the application of a bodily
hand, but by the effort of a spiritual-
minded intellect. Hence it was that
after His Resurrection, when Mary
Magdalene, (in whom was there re-
presented the Person of the whole
Church,) wished to handle the Lord,
He said : " Touch Me not ; for I am
not yet ascended to My Father" —
that is : 'I will no more that thy near-
ness to Me should be a nearness of
474
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
body to Body, nor that thine exper-
ience of Me should henceforward be
one proceeding from fleshly experiment
— for that, I appoint thee an higher
world, I make ready for thee a nobler
form of it than this — after that I have
ascended to My Father, a time will
come when thou shalt indeed touch
Me, but after a manner more perfect,
more real than this, even a time when
thou shalt lay hold on that which thou
touchest not ' now, and believe that
which thou seest not now.'
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi.
14.)
A T that time : Jesus appeared unto
"^^ the eleven disciples as they sat at
meat, and upbraided them with their
unbelief and hardness of heart : be-
cause they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Same as before.)
"And these signs shall follow them
that believe : In My Name they shall
cast out devils ; they shall speak with
new tongues ; they shall take up ser-
pents ; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them ; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover." My brethren, these
signs do not follow us. Do we, then,
not believe ? Nay. The truth is,
these things were needful when the
Church v/as young. That she might
grow by the increase of the faithful,
she needed to be nourished with
miracles. Even so we, when we plant
a young tree, continually water and
tend it till we see that it hath taken
firm root in the earth : but when once
it hath taken firm root, it can grow of
itself. Hence, Paul saith of tongues :
" Tongues are for a sign, not to them
that believe, but to them that believe
not." (i Cor. xiv. 22.)
Eighth Lesso7i.
A 1 rE have a deeper matter of thought
touching these signs and mighty
works. It is the work of the holy
Church to do every day spiritually that
which the Apostles then did carnally.
When her Priests, armed with the
power of exorcism, lay their hands
upon t>elievers, and command evil
spirits to dwell no longer in their
souls, what is it they do but cast out
devils ? When Christ's faithful people
themselves give up the language of
their old life, and speak the wonderful
works of God, the glory and power of
their Maker, telling of them with all
their strength, what is it they do then
but speak with new tongues ? When
either the one or the other doth by his
exhortation charm the wickedness out
of his neighbour's heart, what is it he
doth but take up serpents ?
Ni7ith Lesson.
A"\7'HEN they hear the voice of
temptation inviting to deadly
sin, but are not drawn thereby to work
iniquity, do they not then drink a
deadly thing, and it doth not hurt
them ? As often as they see their
neighbour fainting in well-doing, and
run to help him with all their might,
so that their ensample braceth the
feeble life of the waverer, what do they
but lay hands on the sick and they
recover ? And indeed, such miracles
as these are the greatest miracles,
which are spiritual ; the greatest, for
they bring health, not to the dying
body, but to the immortal soul.
SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION.
475
VESPERS.
Chapter^ Antiphon at the Song of
the Blessed Virgin^ and Prayer from
the following Lauds j the said Anti-
phon being from the Sojtg of Zacha-
rias.
A Commemoration is made of the
Ascension^ from the Second Vespers of
that Feast^ and
Verse, God is gone up with a shout
— ^Alleluia.
Answer. And the LORD with the
sound of. a trumpet — -Alleluia.
life, (and the Life was manifested, and
we have seen It, and bear witness, and
show unto you that Eternal Life,
Which was with the Father, and was
manifested unto us) That Which we
have seen and heard declare we unto
you, that ye also may have fellowship
with us, and our fellowship be with the
Father, and with His Son Jesus
Christ. And these things we write
unto you that ye may rejoice, and that
your joy may be full. This then is
the message which we have heard
of Him, and declare unto you : That
God is light, and in Him is no dark-
ness at all.
Suntiag after Slscension
©ag.
The Lords Day within the Octave of
the AsceJtsion.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
If the Saturday should have been
the Feast of St John before the Latin
Gate, and the following Lessons con-
sequently read on it, on Simday morn-
ing are read those of Monday, which
day will itself be occupied by the Feast
of St Michael 07i Mount Gargano,
with special Lessons,
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the First Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle John (i. i.)
'T^HAT Which was from the begin-
ning. Which we have heard.
Which we have seen with our eyes,
Which we have looked upon, and our
hands have handled, of the Word of
Second Lesson.
T F we say that we have fellowship
with Him, and walk in darkness,
we lie, and do not the truth. But if
we walk in the light, as He is in the
light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanseth us from all sin. . If
we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins. He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we
make him a liar, and his word is not
in us.
Third Lesso7i. (ii. i.)
IV/TY little children, these things
write I unto you, that ye sin
not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, jESUS Christ
the righteous : and He is the propitia-
tion for our sins ; and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole
world. And hereby we do know that
we know Him, if we keep His com-
mandments. He that saith, I know
Him, and keepeth not His command-
ments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
476
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
him. But whoso keepeth His word,
in him verily is the love of God
perfected. Hereby know we that we
are in Him, He that saith he abideth
in Him, ought himself also so to walk,
even as He walked.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is' taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
{2nd on the Ascension.')
T"^ EARLY beloved brethren, our
Saviour is gone up from us into
heaven, but let us not be troubled on
earth. Let only our heart be there
with Him, and we shall have peace
here. Let us in heart thither ascend
with Christ in the mean while, and
when that glad day which He hath
promised cometh, our body will follow.
But we must know, my brethren, that
there are some things that cannot
ascend with Christ — pride cannot, nor
covetousness, nor brutishness : no one
of our diseases can ascend thither
where our Healer is. And, therefore,
if we would follow our Healer, we
must needs leave our diseases and
sins behind us. All such things tie us
down, as it were, with bands, and
hamper us in the meshes of a net of
sins ; but, with God's help, we will
say with the Psalmist : " Let us break
their bands asunder," (ii. 3,) that we
may be able honestly to say to the
Lord : " Thou hast loosed my bonds ;
I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving," (cxv. 16, 17.)
Fifth Lesson.
HTHE Resurrection of the Lord is
our hope ; the Ascension of the
Lord is our glorification. To-day we
keep the solemn holiday of the Ascen-
sion. If, therefore, our keeping of
this holiday is to be a right, faithful,
earnest, holy, godly keeping, we must
in mind likewise ascend, and lift up
our hearts unto the Lord. When we
ascend we must not be high-minded,
nor flatter ourselves with our good
works, as though they were our own.
We must lift up our hearts unto the
Lord. When man's heart is lifted up,
but not unto the Lord, such lifting-up
is pride ; to lift up the heart unto the
Lord, is to make the Most High our
Refuge. Behold, my brethren, a great
wonder. God is high, but if thou art
lifted up He fleeth from thee, whereas,
if thou humblest thyself, He cometh
down to thee. Wherefore? "The
Lord is high, yet hath He respect
unto the lowly : but the proud He
knoweth from afar." (Ps. cxxxvii. 6.)
To the lowly He hath respect, that
He may raise them up ; the proud
He knoweth from afar, that He may
thrust them down.
Sixth Lesson.
/'~^HRIST arose again, to give us
hope that this mortal will yet put
on immortality : He hath assured
against an hopeless death, and against
the thought that death endeth life.
We were troubled, even as touching
the soul ; but Christ, arising from the
grave, hath assured to us the resur-
rection of the body also. Believe
therefore, that thou mayest be made
pure. First it behoveth thee to be-
lieve, if by faith thou wouldest in the
end worthily see God. And wouldest
thou see God ? Give ear to His own
words : " Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they shall see God."
(Matth. V. 8.) Think first, then, how
to purify thine heart ; take from it
whatsoever thou seest in it which
displeaseth God.
SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION.
477-
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. 26.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
disciples : when the Comforter is
come, Whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of
truth, Which proceedeth from the
Father, He shall testify of Me. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( (^ind Tract on John. )
The Lord jESUS, in that discourse
which He addressed to His disciples
after the Last Supper, when He was
on the very eve of the Passion, when
He was, as it were, about to go away
and leave them as touching His
bodily Presence, albeit as touching His
spiritual Presence He is with us alway
even unto the end of the world,
(Matth. xxviii. 20,) in that discourse
He exhorted them to bear patiently
the persecution of wicked men, of
whom He speaketh as " the world : "
Out of the which world, nevertheless.
He saith that He hath chosen even
His disciples themselves, (xv. 19,)
that they might know that it was by
the grace of God that they were what
they were, (i Cor. xv. 10,) whereas it
was by their own sins that they had
been what they had been.
Eighth Lesson.
" T F they have persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you." Here
He clearly pointeth to the Jews, the
persecutors both of Himself and of
His disciples, so that we see that they
which persecute His holy ones are as
much citizens of the world of damna-
tion as they which persecuted Himself:
He saith : " They know not Him That
sent Me," (21,) and yet again, (24,)
" They have hated both Me and My
Father," (xv. 24,) that is to say, both
the Sender and the Sent, — the mean-
ing of which words we have already
treated in other discourses — and with
that He cometh to the words : " That
the word might be fulfilled that is
written in their law : They hated Me
without a cause."
Eighth Responsory.
1 For if I go not away, the Com-
forter will not come unto you ; but if I
depart, I will send Him unto you : and
when He is come, He will guide you
into all truth — Alleluia.
Verse. For He shall not speak of
Himself; but whatsoever He shall
hear, that shall He speak : and He
will show you things to come.
Answer. And when He is come,
He will guide you into all truth.
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And when He is come,
He will guide you into all truth.
Alleluia.
Ninth Lesson.
nPHEN saith the Lord, as though in
continuation : " But when the
Comforter is come. Whom I will send
unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, Which proceedeth from
the Father, He shall testify of Me.
And ye also shall bear witness, be-
cause ye have been with Me from the
beginning." What connection hath
this with the words : " Now have they
both seen and hated both Me and My
Father ; but that the word might be
fulfilled that is written in their law :
1 John xvi. 7, 13.
VOL. II.
Q 2
478
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
They hated Me without a cause ? "
Is it that when the Comforter is come,
even the Spirit of truth, He will con-
found by irrefragable testimony them
who have both seen and hated both
God the Son and God the Father ?
Yea, indeed, some there were who had
seen and still hated, whom the testi-
mony of the Comforter converted to
the faith which worketh by love.
- LAUDS.
Chapter, (i Pet. iv. 8.)
T^ EARLY beloved brethren, be ye
sober and watch unto prayer.
And above all things have fervent
charity among yourselves, for charity
covereth a multitude of sins.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
When the Comforter is come, "^ Whom
I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth, Which pro-
ceedeth from the Father, He shall
testify of Me. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day^
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^-^^ God, grant that our will be ever
meekly subject unto Thy will, and our
heart ever honestly ready to serve
Thy Majesty. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
A Coinnie7noratio7i is made of the
Ascension : Antiphon a?zd Prayer from
Lauds of the Feast ^ and
Chapter at the end of Prime from
None.
Chapter at Terce from Lauds.
Chapter at Sext. (i Pet. iv. 9.)
T T SE hospitality one to another with-
out grudging. As every man
hath received grace, even so minister
the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Chapter at None. ( i Pet. iv. 11.)
T F any man speak, let him speak as
the words of God ; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the abil-
which God gfiveth
that God in
through
Verse. God is gone up with a
shout — Alleluia.
Answer. And the Lord with the
sound of a trumpet — Alleluia.
all things may be glorified
our Lord jESUS Christ.
VESPERS.
Chapter from Lauds.
A?itipho7t at the Song of the Blessed
Virgift. 1 These things have I told
you, * that, when the time shall come,
ye ma)'- remember that I told you of
them. Alleluia.
Coinmemoration of the Ascensio?z as
yesterday evening.
(JUon^a^ mi%\XK i%t Octave of
i^t cEeceneton.
Seco?td Day.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle John
(iii. I.)
1 John xvi. 4.
WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
479
T) EH OLD, what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called, and should
be, the sons of God ! Therefore the
world knoweth us not, because it knew
Him not. Beloved, now are we the
sons of God ; and it doth not yet ap-
pear what we shall be. We know
that, when He shall appear, we shall
be like Him : for we shall see Him
as He is. And every man that
hath this hope in Him purifieth
himself, even as He is pure. Who-
soever committeth sin doth iniquity,
and iniquity is sin. And ye know
that He was manifested to take
away our sins ; and in Him is
no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him
sinneth not ; and whosoever sin-
neth, hath not seen Him, neither
known Him.
Third Lesso7i.
IX/TARVEL not, my brethren, if the
world hate you. We know that
we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He
that loveth not, abideth in death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer. And ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in
him. Hereby perceive we the love of
God, because He laid down His life
for us ; and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren. Whoso hath this
world's good, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bowels
[of compassion] from him, how dwell-
eth the love of God in him ? My little
children, let us not love in w^ord,
neither in tongue, but in deed and in
truth.
Second Lesson.
T ITTLE children, let no man de-
ceive you. He that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as He
is Righteous. He that committeth
sin, is of the devil ; for the devil sin-
neth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was mani-
fested, that He might destroy the
works of the devil. Whosoever is
born of God, doth not commit sin ;
for His seed remaineth in him ; and
he cannot sin, because he is born of
God. In this the children of God are
manifest, and the children of the
devil. Whosoever doeth not right-
eousness, is not of God ; neither he
that loveth not his brother. For
this is the message that ye heard
from the beginning, that ye should
love one another. Not as Cain,
who was of that wicked one, and
slew his brother. And wherefore
slew he him ? Because his own .
works were evil, and his brother's
righteous.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St John Chrysostom, Patriarch
[of Constantinople.] i^On the As-
cension., toni. 3.)
Al 7"HEN Christ went up into heaven,
He offered unto the Father the
First-fruits of our nature, and the
Father marvelled at the offering, see-
ing the Majesty of the Priest and the
Spotlessness of the oblation. He re-
ceived the Sacrifice into His Own
hands, He made It to sit upon His
Throne, nay, more. He gave It a
place at His Own Right Hand. Let
us ask what nature was His Who
heard the words : "Sit Thou at My
right hand," (Ps. cix. i,) — what nature
was His to Whom God said : "Be
Thou Partaker of My Throne?" It
was the same nature as was his who
heard the sentence : " Dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return."
(Gen. iii. 19.)
48o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Fifth Lesso72.
T T was not enough of glory for Him
to be exalted above the heavens,
nor to be ranked with angels ; but He
was exalted above the heavens, He
went up above the Cherubim, He as-
cended beyond the Seraphim, neither
found He His rank beneath the Throne
of the Lord of lords. Behold how
high the heaven is above the earth,
and the earth above hell, how high
above the heaven is the heaven of
heavens, how high above the heaven
of heavens the Angels, above the Angels
the Higher Powers, and above the
Higher Powers the Throne of the
Lord. Above all these hath One of
our nature been exalted, so that man,
which had fallen so low that there was
no farther fall for him, is now in place
so high, that there is thence no as-
cending.
Sixth Lesson.
TDAUL also, dwelling on this, saith :
" He That descended is the Same
also That ascended up far above all
heavens," even as he had said : " Now,
that He ascended, what is it but that
He also descended first into the lower
parts of the earth." (Eph. iv. 9, 10.)
Learn hence Who it was That ascended,
and with what nature He was exalted.
And with this thought I wish to bring
my sermon to an end. From the
thought of that glorified Manhood let
us learn with amazement what the
goodness of God is ; that goodness
which hath crowned with an honour,
higher than which is none, and a
glory, greater than which is none, a
Person Sharer of our nature, even
That Person Which this day hath
taken the place which is His of
right, above all things other than
Himself. This day Angels and
Archangels beheld our nature upon
the Throne of the Lord, refulgent
with eternal glory.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi. 14.)
A T that time : Jesus appeared unto
the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with
their unbelief and hardness of heart :
because they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] i^Sanie as before.)
" So then, after the Lord jESUS had
spoken unto them. He was received
up into heaven, and sat on the right
hand of God." We learn in the Old
Testament, (4 Kings ii.,) that Elijah
was taken up into heaven. But this
word "heaven" may mean either the
terrestrial atmosphere, or the space
external to the sphere of this planet.^
Of these the atmosphere closely sur-
rounds the earth, and we call the
birds "the fowls of the heaven," be-
cause we see them fly therein. It
was only up into this that Elijah was
taken, that he might be carried off
suddenly into some part of the earth,
to us unknown, and there live in pro-
found peace of body and soul, until
the end of the world, when he will
return and pay the debt of nature.
For him, therefore, death waiteth, but
is not escaped. But our Redeemer
made it not to wait for Him, but
conquered it, and by rising again
shattered it, and by His Ascension
1 The words here rendered "terrestrial atmosphere" and
this planet" are "aer" and "aether."
space external to the sphere of
WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
481
showed forth the glory of His Again-
rising.
Eighth Lesson.
AX/'E must mark also, how that
Elijah was taken up in a
chariot, as though to show plainly
that for a mere man some outward
help was needful. This help was
given to him by Angels, as plainly
appeareth, since it was impossible for
one whom a weak nature yet weighed
down earthward, to fly up even into
the atmosphere. But of our Re-
deemer we read not that He was
borne up in a chariot, or by Angels,
since He by Whom all things were
made, clearly rose above all things by
His Own Power. He returned unto
Him with Whom He was, and whither
He returned, there He abode, for
albeit as touching His Manhood He
ascended up into heaven, yet, as
touching His Godhead, He still com-
prehended both heaven and earth.
Ninth Lesson.
TI)UT as the sale of Joseph by his
brethren was a type of the sale
of Christ, so were the translations of
Enoch and Elijah types of His As-
cension. The Lord therefore had had
forerunners and witnesses of His As-
cension, the one before the Law, the
other under the Law, that Himself
might one day come. Who was able
indeed to pass into the heavens.
Hence also there is some difference
to be observed in the manner wherein
each was translated. Enoch was seen
no more, (Gen. v. 24,) for God took
him ; Elijah was carried up by a
whirlwind into heaven ; He That came
after them was not taken up, nor
carried up, but went up through space
by His Own Power.
^ueeba^ mi%\w i^t ©c(at>e of t^e
cHeceneton.
Third Day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle John
(iv. I.)
"DELOVED, believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits, whether they
are of God : because many false pro-
phets are gone out into the world.
Hereby is known the Spirit of God ;
every spirit that confesseth that jESUS
Christ is come in the flesh, is of God ;
and every spirit that leaveth hold on ^
Jesus is not of God, and this is Anti-
christ, whereof ye have heard that it
should come, and even now already
is it in the world. Ye are of God,
little children, and have overcome
him, 2 because greater is He That is in
you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world ; therefore
speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them. W^e are of God. He
that knoweth God, heareth us ; he
that is not of God, heareth not us.
Hereby know we the Spirit of truth
and the spirit of error.
Second Lesson.
T)ELOVED, let us love one another,
for love is of God. And every
one that loveth is born of God, and
1 Solvit — perhaps by explaining Him away as a phantom without any real body, as did the
Phantasiast heretics. The Greek, however, is — " confesseth not."
2 I.e., Antichrist, or, his spirit.
482
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
knoweth God. He that loveth not,
knoweth not God ; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of
God toward us, because that God sent
His Only-begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through Him.
Herein is love : not that we loved
God ; but that He first loved us, and
sent His Son to be the propitiation
for our sins. Beloved, if God so
loved us, we ought also to love one
another. No man hath seen God at
any time. If we love one another,
God dwelleth in us, and His love is
perfected in us. Hereby know we
that we dwell in Him, and He in
us, because He hath given us of
His Spirit. And we have seen
and do testify, that the Father sent
His Son to be the Saviour of the
world.
Third Lesson.
'^ITHOSOEVER shall confess that
Jesus is the Son of God, God
dwelleth in him, and he in God. And
we have known and believed the love
that God hath to us. God is love ;
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth
in God, and God in him. Herein is
the love of God with us made per-
fect, that we may have boldness in
the day of judgment, because as He
is, so are we in this world. There is
no fear in love ; but perfect love cast-
eth out fear, because fear hath tor-
ment. He that feareth, is not made
perfect in love. Let us therefore
love God, because God first loved
us. If a man say, I love God ; and
hateth his brother, he is a liar. For
he that loveth not his brother whom
he hath seen, how can he love God,
Whom he hath not seen ? And this
commandment have we from God ;
that he who loveth God, love his
brother also.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Maximus, Bishop [of Turin.]
(43 rd^ 2nd on Pentecost. )
IV/TY holy brethren,! ye remember
that I have likened the Saviour
to that eagle, touching which it is
written in the Book of Psalms, (cii.
5,) "Thy youth is renewed like the
eagle's." There are many points of
likeness. The eagle riseth above
ground, wingeth his way aloft, and
mounteth skyward : even so did the
Saviour rise from the depth of the
grave, mount up unto the exalted
mansions of Paradise, and enter the
heights of heaven. The eagle leaveth
below him the foul mists of earth,
flieth above, and drinketh in health
from a purer air ; even so did the
Lord leave below Him the filthy
slough of sinners on earth, and rejoice
Himself with the honesty of a purer
life, when He soared again into His
Own holy home.
Fifth Lesson.
T N all ways, therefore, is the Saviour
aptly likened to an eagle. But
what can we make of this, that the
eagle is a bird of prey, oft-times a
plunderer ? Even in this he is like
to the Saviour. He bore off His
prey, when He carried off from the
jaws of hell to heaven the Manhood
Which He had swooped to take to
Himself, yea, when He led captive
to an higher home him whom He
had delivered from the mastership
of another lord, namely the devil, —
even as it is written in the Prophet,
(Ps. Ixvii. 19,) "Thou hast ascended
on high. Thou hast led captivity
captive, Thou hast received gifts
among- men."
1 Sanctitas vestra.
WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
483
Sixth Lesson.
"'T^HOU hast ascended on high,
Thou hast led captivity cap-
tive." O how nobly doth the Prophet
paint the Triumph of the Lord ! We
hear how that of old time, when kings
marched in triumph, the procession of
prisoners walked before the chariot of
their conqueror. Lo, the Lord en-
tereth the heavens, not after, but amid
a most glorious band of captives.
That band are not led before His
chariot, but themselves bear up their
Saviour. In some mystic sense, when
the Son of God bore to heaven the
Son of man, captivity both led and
was led.
Eighth Lesson.
QINCE, therefore, our Redeemer is
ascended up into heaven, and
even now is Judge of all, beside that
at the end of the world He will so
come, therefore doth Mark say that
He sitteth where He hath gone up,
because we look for Him, after that
His glorious Ascension, that He will
come again at the end to be our Judge.
But Stephen, while yet he was in the
throes of the battle, saw Him That
was helping him standing. Stephen
on earth was overcoming the unbelief
of his persecutors, but it was the grace
of Him That is in heaven that fought
in him all the while.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark(xvi. 14.)
A T that time : Jesus appeared unto
"^^ the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with their
unbelief and hardness of heart ; be-
cause they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Saj?ie as before.)
We must ponder the meaning of
these words of Mark, — " He sat on the
right hand of God," and how that
Stephen said, (Acts vii. 56,) " Behold,
I see the heavens opened, and the Son
of man standing on the right hand of
God." Wherefore doth Mark say that
He sat, whereas Stephen testifieth that
he saw Him standing ? But ye know,
my brethren, that to sit is for him
that judgeth, to stand, for him that
fighteth, or helpeth.
Ninth Lesson.
"AND they went forth and preached
'^^ everywhere, the Lord working
with them, and confirming the word
with signs following." What are we
to see in this, what are we to remember,
but that obedience followed command-
ment, and signs obedience ? But now,
since, by the will of God, we have
lightly run over our reading from the
Gospel, it remaineth that we should
say somewhat by way of reflection on
this great Festival.
(JOe^nee^a^ n?t(^m (ge Octave of
i%i dEl6cen0ton.
Fourth Day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Second Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle John (i.)
n^HE Elder unto the Lady Eklekte,i
and her children, whom I love in
the truth ; and not I only, but also all
1 I.e., Elect. Divers opinions have been maintained regarding the two sister ladies, both
called Eklektd, mentioned in this Epistle, of which the three commonest are — (i.) That this was
484
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
they that have known the truth, for the
truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and
shall be with us for ever. Grace be
with you, mercy, and peace, from God
the Father, and from Christ jESUS, the
Son of the Father, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy
children walking in truth, as we have
received a commandment from the
Father. And now I beseech thee,
Lady, not as though I wTOte a new
commandment unto thee, but that
which we had from the beginning, that
we love one another.
Second Lesson.
A ND this is love, that we walk after
■^ His commandments. For this
is the commandment, that, as ye have
heard from the beginning, ye should
walk in it ; for many deceivers are
entered into the world who confess
not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh : this is a deceiver and an Anti-
christ. Look to yourselves, that ye
lose not those things which ye have
wrought, but that ye receive a full re-
ward. Whoso draweth back, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God : he that abideth in the
doctrine, he hath both the Father
and the Son.
paper and ink : for I hope to be with
you, and speak face to face, that your
joy may be full. The children of thy
sister Eklekte greet thee.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Gregory, Bishop [of
Nyssa.]^ {Discourse on the Lorcfs
Ascension.)
nPHE very thought of this day's Fes-
tival is great enough in itself,
but the Prophet David hath much in-
flamed our joyful enthusiasm by the
Psalms. This noble Prophet hath, as
it were, gone out of himself, as though
the body were a weight duller than his
spirit could bear ; he joineth company
with the Powers of heaven, and telleth
what they said when they went with
the Lord heavenward, and cried in
tones of command to those Angels
who work on earth, and by whose
heralding the Birth of the Incarnate
One had been proclaimed — " Lift
up your gates, O ye princes, and
be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors,
and the King of glory shall come
in." (Ps. xxiii. 7, 9.)
Third Lesson.
T F there come any unto you, and
bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him
' God speed.' For he that biddeth
him ' God speed ' is partaker of his
evil deeds. Having many things to
write unto you, I would not write with
Fifth Lesson.
T_I E, Who containeth all things, is
everywhere, but for the sake of
them which receive Him, He is pleased
to make Himself a local Presence
which hath bounds. Not only did He
become a Man among men, but when
conversing among Angels, He al-
their proper name. (2.) That it is a title used by the Apostle, who wished to suppress their
names as well as his own, possibly from prudential motives. (3.) That they are allegorical
designations of Churches, e.g., Corinth and Ephesus.
1 Younger brother of St Basil the Great. Elected Bishop of Nyssa in A.D. 372 ; banished
by the Arians, but recalled in 378 ; died about 400 ; has a clause in the Martyrology on
March 9.
WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
485
loweth that title also to be given Him.
The gatekeepers therefore ask : " Who
is this King of glory ? " and it is an-
swered them that He is " The Lord,
strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty
in battle," the Lord, Whose work it
had been to fight him who held man-
kind in bondage, and to " destroy him
that had the power of death, that is,
the devil" (Heb. ii. 14) — that now
that dark enemy was trampled down,
and man had had won for him free-
dom and peace.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HE keepers run to the gates, and
bid the doors unfold, that the
Lord may enter in, to take again the
glory which He had there among them,
before. But when they see Him, clad
in the likeness of sinful flesh, (Rom.
viii. 3,) they know Him not, even Him
W^ho is red in His apparel, because
that He hath trodden Alone the wine-
press of human pain, and the blood is
sprinkled upon His garments, (Isa. Ixiii.
2, 3.) Therefore they cry again to
their fellows that bear Him company :
" Who is this King of glory ? " And
they answer them no more : " The
Lord, strong and mighty, the LORD
mighty in battle " but "The LORD of
hosts " — the Lord, Whose Own are
become the kingdoms of the world (xi.
15, Apoc.) the Lord, Who hath made
Himself the Head of all things (Eph.
iv. 15,) the Lord, Who hath made all
things new (Apoc. xxi. 5.) " He is the
King of glory ! "
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi.
14.)
A T that time : jESUS appeared unto
the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with
their unbelief and hardness of heart ;
because they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {^Sanie as before.)
The first question we have to ask is
why we read that Angels appeared at
the time of the Birth of the Lord, but
we read not that they appeared in white
apparel ; whereas, when the Lord as-
cended into heaven, it is written that
the angels which appeared were clad
in white. "While they beheld, He
was taken up, and a cloud received
Him out of their sight. And while
they looked steadfastly toward heaven,
as He went up, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel," (Acts i. 9,
10.) White raiment is an outward
sign of solemn inward joy. That the
occasion of God-made-Man entering
into heaven was a great Festival for
Angels, is the reason which we see
why angels are specially named as
robed in white at His Ascension, and
not at His Birth. At the Birth of the
Lord the Godhead was manifested
veiled under the form of a servant, but
at His Ascension the Manhood was
seen exalted ; and white vestments are
more apt to exaltation than humiliation.
Eighth Lesson.
T^HEREFORE were the angels
bound to appear in white ap-
parel at the Ascension ; at His Birth
He Who thought it not robbery to be
equal with God, was seen in the form
in which He had humbled Himself;
at His Ascension the Manhood Which
He had taken into God was seen
glorified. Again, dearly beloved bre-
486
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
thren, we must remember to-day, how
that Christ hath "blotted out the
hand-writing that was against us,"
(Col. ii. 14,) and reversed the sentence
which doomed us to corruption. That
same nature to which it was said,
" Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt
thou return," (Gen. iii. 19,) that same
nature is His Who hath this day
ascended up into heaven. It is be-
cause of this up-lifting of our flesh
that blessed Job, by a figure, calleth
the Lord a bird. The Jews could not
understand the Mystery of the Ascen-
sion, and in view of this their un-
belief, blessed Job said mystically :
"He knew not the path of the bird,"
(xxviii. 7.) 1
Ninth Lesson.
T^HE name of a bird is well given to
the Lord, Who bodily soared up
into heaven. And the path of that
Bird knoweth no man, who believeth
not in the Ascension into heaven. It
is of this glorious occasion that the
Psalmist saith : "Who hast set Thy
glory above the heavens," (viii. 2,)
and again : " God is gone up with a
shout, and the LORD with the sound
of a trumpet," (xlvi. 6.) And yet
again he saith : " Thou hast ascended
on high, Thou hast led captivity
captive," (Ixvii. 19.) "When Christ
ascended up on high. He led captivity
captive," (Eph. iv. 8,) because by
His Own incorruptibility He swallowed
up our corruptibility. "He gave gifts
unto rnen," because by sending the
Spirit from above. He gave " to one,
the word of wisdom ; to another, the
word of knowledge ; to another, the
working of miracles ; to another, the
gifts of healing ; to another, divers
kinds of tongues ; to another, the
interpretation of tongues," (i Cor. xii.
8-10.)
Vespers are the same as the First
Vespers of the Feast. Double.
Octat>e of t§e ileceneion.
Double.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Ephesians (iv. i.)
T THEREFORE, the prisoner in the
Lord, beseech you that ye walk
worthy of the calling wherewith ye are
called, with all lowliness and meek-
ness, with long-suffering, forbearing
one another in love, giving diligence
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. There is one body
and one Spirit, even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling ; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God
and Father of all. Who is above all,
and through all, and in us all. But
unto every one of us is given accord-
ing to the measure of the gift of
Christ. Wherefore he saith : " When
He ascended up on high,. He led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men." ^
Second Lesson.
"Vr OW that He ascended, what is it
but that He also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth ?
He That descended is the Same also
That ascended up far above all heavens,
that He might fill all things. And
He gave some, Apostles ; and some,
1 St Gregory seems to have been misled by the identity of the Nominative and Genitive of the
Latin word " avis." The Hebrew is : "There is a path which no bird of prey knoweth."
2 Ps. Ixvii. 19.
OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
487
Prophets ; and some, Evangelists ;
and some, Pastors and Teachers, for
the perfecting of the Saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the build-
ing up of the body of Christ : till
we all come into the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ : that we henceforth
be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
craftiness, after the wiles of error
whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
Third Lesson.
"OUT, working the truth in love, may
we grow up into Him in all
things. Which is the Head, even
Christ : from Whom the whole body,
fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, ac-
cording to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself
in love. This I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth
walk not as the Gentiles walk, in the
vanity of their mind, having the un-
derstanding darkened, being alienated
from the life of God through the ignor-
ance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart ; who, being
past hope, have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness, to work all un-
cleanness with greediness. But ye
have not so learned Christ, if so be
that ye have heard Him, and have
been taught by Him.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.].
(3r<f on the Ascension^ ij6th on the
Season. )
■p\ EARLY beloved brethren, all the
^^^ wonderful works which our Lord
Jesus Christ did in this world, under
the weakness of our nature, are pro-
fitable for us ; when He exalted His
Manhood above the stars, He showed
that heaven may open for a believer ;
and while He, the Conqueror of death,
went up into the heavenly mansions.
He showed to him that overcometh,
whither he also may follow. There-
fore, the ascension of the Lord is the
seal of the Catholic Faith, which
assureth in us the hope of the gift
which is yet to come to us, from a
miracle whereof we already feel the
fruits. Thus let every one that is
faithful, having already received so
much, learn to hope for that which is
promised, on the ground of that which
he knoweth to have been given, and
hold the goodness of God in times
which have been, and times which now
are, as a sure pledge of the same in
times to come.
Fifth Lesson.
A N earthly Body, then, is now lifted
'^^ up above the heights of heaven :
the Bones, Which but a little while be-
fore had lain within the narrow walls
of the grave, have made their entry
among the angelic hosts ; human
nature hath been given a place in the
lap of immortality ; and therefore the
Apostle whose account we have heard
read, saith : "When He had spoken
these things, while they beheld. He
was taken up." (Acts i. 9.) While
thou hearest these words, "taken up,"
thou must understand thereby the
ministry of the angelic army : where-
by this Festival revealeth to us the
Mystery of Him Who is both God
and Man. United in One Person,
we see in Him Who lifted up. Divine
Power, and in Him Who was lifted
up, very Man.
488
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Sixth Less 071.
T^HEREFGRE are utterly to be
loathed those pestiferous teach-
ings of Eastern falsehood, those brand-
new inventions of ungodliness ^ which
dare to assert that He Who in One
Person is both Son of God and Son of
Man, hath but one nature. On the
one hand, if a man say that Christ is
not Partaker of the Divine nature, he
hath denied the glory of his Maker ;
on the other, he who saith that the
Manhood is not of the nature of man,
hath denied the mercy of his Saviour.
As touching these points, it is well-
nigh impossible for an Arian to be-
lieve that the Gospel writers are any
better than liars, since they distinctly
assert in some places that the Son of
God is equal, and, in others, that He
is inferior, to the Father. Farther, if
a man be given over to this soul-slay-
ing delusion of believing that our
Saviour hath only one nature, he must
of necessity admit either that it was
only God, or that it was only man
who was crucified. But it was not so.
If He had been of no nature but the
Divine, He could not have suffered,
and if He had been of no nature
but the human. He could not have
conquered death.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Mark (xvi. 14.)
A T that time : Jesus appeared unto
the eleven disciples as they sat
at meat, and upbraided them with
their unbelief and hardness of heart ;
because they believed not them which
had seen Him after He was risen.
And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Same as before.)
The Prophet Habakkuk also hath
spoken of the glory of Christ's Ascen-
sion in the words : " The sun was lifted
up on high, and the moon stood still
in her habitation," (iii. 10, 11.) 2 Who
is here signified by the Sun, if not
the Saviour ? or by the Moon, if not
the Church ? Until the Lord was
withdrawn from her sight, (that is, by
His Ascension,) His Holy Church was
pale before the hostile glare of the
world, but after He was ascended, she
waxed stronger, and distinctly shed
forth the beams of that faith which had
hitherto dwelt hiddenly in her. " The
sun was lifted up, and the moon stood
still in her habitation ; " when the Lord
was gone away into heaven, His
holy Church waxed stronger in her
enlightening power.
Eighth Lesson.
TUTENCE it is that Solomon hath
put into the mouth of the
(same) Church the words : " Behold,
He Cometh ! leaping upon the moun-
tains, skipping upon the hills ! " (Cant,
ii. 8.) 3 These hills are his lofty and
noble achievements. " Behold, He
Cometh I leaping upon the moun-
tains ! " When He came to redeem
us. He came, if I may so say, in leaps.
My dearly beloved brethren, would
you know what His leaps were ?
From heaven he leapt into the womb
1 I.e., the doctrines of the Monophysite heretics.
■^ As this passage stands in the Hebrew original, in the authorised Latin version used by the
Church, and in the Roman Breviary itself (Lauds for Friday, p. 154), it is "the deep uttered his
voice, he lifted up his hands" [i.e.., waves) "on high. The sun and moon stood still in their
habitation, &c. , &c."
3 Remember that the Bride is here comparing her Lover to a gazelle or roe.
FRIDAY AFTER THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
489
of the Virgin, from the womb into the
manger, from the manger on to the
Cross, from the Cross into the grave,
and from the grave up to heaven.
Lo, how the Truth made manifest in
the Flesh did leap for our sakes, that
He might draw us to run after Him ;
for this end did He "rejoice, as a
strong man to run a race," (Ps. xviii.
6, ) that we might passionately say :
" Draw us after Thee ; we wall run
after the savour of Thine ointments."
(Cant: i. 3.)
Ninth Lesson.
'T^HEREFORE, dearly beloved
brethren, it behoveth us in heart
and mind thither to ascend, where we
believe Him to have already ascended
bodily. Let us fly earthly lusts : for
us, who have a Father in heaven, let
nothing be sweet below ! And very
much must we keep in our minds this
thought, that He Which ascended up
in peace, will return in dreadful
Majesty ; and will require from us
with justice an account of our keeping
of those commandments which He
gave us in mercy. Let no man there-
fore reckon lightly this season which
is given unto us that we may repent
ourselves, nor be reckless touching the
state of his soul ; our Redeemer will
be all the sterner, when He cometh to
judgment, as He hath been wond-
rously long-suifering before.
At Vespers no Coinmemoration is
made of the next day^s Office.^
On the two next day's the Office is
said as within the Octave of the As-
cension, except the Lessons which are
assigned to each day, the Eighth Re-
sponsory, the Antiphons at the So7ig
of Zacharias and at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin, ajid the Prayer, which
are taken from the Sunday within the
Octave of the Ascension — i.e., the pre-
cediiig Sunday.
The Prayers at Prime and Compline
are omitted.
Should a Feast of Nine Lessons fall
on the morrow — Friday, the Office will
be of that Feast with a Commemoration
of the Friday, unless the Feast be a
Double of the First or Second Class,
in which case the Commemoration is
omitted.
5t*tba^ after i%t Octave of i^i
«ll0cen0ton.
Sixth Day.
Lf a Double or Semidouble Feast fall
071 this day, the Office is of it, with a
Conwiemoration of the Week-day, un-
less the said Feast be a greater Double
or higher.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Third Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle John 2 (i.)
T^HE Elder unto the well-beloved
Gains, whom I love in the truth.
Beloved, I pray that in all things thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even
as thy soul prospereth. I rejoiced
greatly when the brethren came, and
testified of the truth that is in thee,
even as thou walkest in the truth. I
have no greater joy than to hear that
my children walk in truth.
1 That is, as regards the Office of the Season. Unless a Double of the First or Second Class
fall on the Friday, the Vespers will be of the Octave Day of the Ascension.
2 Another private letter, addressed to one Gaius, concerning whom nothing is known.
490
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Second Lesson.
OELOVED, thou doest faithfully
whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers, which have
borne witness of thy charity before
the Church ; whom if thou bring for-
ward on their journey after a godly
sort, thou shalt do well : because that
for His Name's sake they went forth,
taking nothing of the Gentiles. We
therefore ought to receive such, that
we may be fellow-helpers to the truth.
I would perchance have written to
the Church ; but Diotrephes, who
loveth to have the pre-eminence among
them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if
I come, I will rebuke his deeds which
he doeth, prating against us with mal-
icious words : and, not content there-
with, neither doth he himself receive
the brethren, and forbiddeth them
that do, and casteth them out of the
Church.
Third Lesson.
IDE LOVED, follow not that which
is evil, but that which is good.
He that doeth good, is of God : he that
doeth evil hath not seen God. De-
metrius hath good report of all men,
and of the truth itself; yea, and we
also bear record, and thou knowest
that our record is true. I had many
things to write unto thee : but I would
not w4th ink and pen write unto thee.
But I trust I shall shortly see thee,
and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to thee. The friends salute
thee. Greet the friends by name.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
{Same as before.)
"p\ EARLY beloved brethren, if the
Flesh wherein our Saviour tram-
pled down the devil had not been of
our nature. He would indeed have
exercised Himself, but He would not
have conquered for us. If the Body
wherein He rose from the grave had
not been of our nature. His Resur-
rection would not have affected our
state. Whoso asserteth this, that
Christ hath but one nature, he doth
not understand why Christ took Flesh
upon Him, he confoundeth the t)rder,
and maketh void the benefit of the In-
carnation. If the Flesh wherein our
Healer came was not sharer in human
nature, then all that by His Birth He
took from man would have been de-
gradation. O may such dangerous
dreams be far from our thoughts !
What He took is ours, what He gave
is His. I testify that the first Adam,
who fell, and the second Adam, Who
rose from the dead, are both of the
same human nature that I am of I
testify that What lay in the grave,
and What ascended into heaven, is of
the same human nature that I am of
Fifth Lesson.
T T was therefore just because His
Body was of our nature, that
Christ's Death hath quickened us, His
Resurrection raised us up. His Ascen-
sion sanctified us. It was just be-
cause His Body was of our nature,
that His Presence in the heavenly
kingdoms is a pledge that we also
shall one day be there. Let us there-
fore strive, dearly beloved brethren,
since the Lord hath on this day gone
up on high in a Body of our nature,
ourselves, as far as we can, to ascend
thither in hope, to follow Him with
our heart. Let us ascend to Him in
love, and speed keeping pace with
love, even by our very sins and pas-
sions. If every one of us would strive
FRIDAY AFTER THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION.
491
to get above them, and accustom
himself to tread on them, he might
make of even them a stepping-stone
to mount to higher things. Such
things Hft us up if they are underneath
us.
Sixth Lesso7i.
"\ 1 rE make our vices a ladder, if we
tread them down. With the
Author of goodness there ascended no
spite ; with the Son of the Virgin, no
lust or sensuality. I say vices do not
follow to heaven the Father of per-
fection, sin the Holy One of God,
neither weakness nor disease the
Divine Healer. If therefore we would
enter into the kingdom of that Healer,
we must first take heed to our sores.
We must so order and guard in us
the mutual relations of our soul and
body, that the soul, the nobler part of
man, may not be dragged down to
hell by her grovelling companion, but
may rather, being herself of a nature
more glorious, bear with her to heaven
at the last a sanctified body, by the
help of Him Who liveth and reigneth
for ever and ever. Amen.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. 25.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : When the Comforter
is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of
truth, Which proceedeth from the
Father, He shall testify of Me. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {()27td Tract on John. )
Upon the day of Pentecost the Holy
Ghost came down upon a congregation
of an hundred and twenty men, among
whom were all the Apostles. These
men, after they had been filled with
the Spirit, began to speak with the
tongues of all nations, and many of
the bystanders, amazed at the marvel,
when they saw in the discourse of
Peter, how great and how Divine a
witness was borne to the fact that the
Christ, Whom they had murdered, and
Whom they reckoned among the dead,
had risen again and was alive, many
of these bystanders were pricked in
their heart (Acts ii. '^"j) and were con-
verted. They received pardon from
that noble Blood, Which they had so
sacrilegiously and so brutally shed,
seeing that that Blood had redeemed
even Its Own out-pourers.
Eighth Lesson.
T"HE Blood of Christ "Which is
shed for many for the remission of
sins" (Math. xxvi. 28) was so effectually
shed, that It could remit even the very
sin that shed It. Toward this looked
the Lord when He said : " They hated
Me without a cause ; but when the
Comforter is come, Whom I will send
unto you from the Father, He shall
testify of Me." This was as though
He had said : They have hated Me
and slain Me while they see Me, but
when they shall see Me no more, the
Comforter shall bear such testimony of
Me, as will compel them to believe in
Me. "And ye also,"saith He, "shall
bear witness, because ye have been
with Me from the beginning,"— the
Holy Ghost shall bear witness, and
ye also shall bear witness. " Because
ye have been with Me from the be-
ginning," ye are able to speak that ye
do know, (John iii. 11,) which ye do
not now, while as yet the fulness of the
Spirit is not come upon you.
Eighth Responsory.
For if I go not away, &c., {p. 477.)
492
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Ninth Lesson.
" T T E shall testify of Me ; and ye also
shall bear witness " when " the
love of God is shed abroad in " your
"hearts by the Holy Ghost Which"
shall be "given unto" you, (Rom. v.
5,) and maketh you not ashamed to
lift up your testimony. This love had
not been so shed abroad in Peter's
heart when he was frightened by the
questioning of the maid-servant, and
could not bear witness to the truth,
but brake his promise, and was driven
by strong fear to deny Christ thrice.
"There is no" such "fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear."
Before the Passion of the Lord, Peter's
slavish fear was questioned by a bond-
woman ; but after the Resurrection of
the Lord, his free love was asked by
the very Prince of freedom, (John xxi.
15-17;) and therefore the first ques-
tioning shook him, but under the second
he was at peace : at the first he denied
Him Whom he had loved ; at the
second he loved Him Whom he had
denied. But, even so, his love was
weak and narrow, until the Holy Ghost
had strengthened and widened it.
LAUDS.
Chapter^ Antiphon at the Soiig of
Zacharias^ and Prayer from Sunday.
PRIME, TERCE, SEXT, NONE.
Chapters ajtd Prayer as on Sunday.
§a^utr^a^, 6t?e of (JD^t^eun ®a^.
The Sabbath^ which is the Eve of
Pentecost.
If from this day to Trinity Sunday^
both ijiclusive, a Greater Double, or a
Feast of a Doctor of the Church occur,
it is transferred till after Triitity Sun-
day. Doubles Mi7ior and Semidoubles
are merely connnemorated, save Whit-
sunday and the next two days.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Catholic Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle Jude -^ ( i.)
JUDE, the servant of Jesus Christ,
and brother of James, to them
that are beloved in God the Father and
preserved in jESUS Christ, and called.
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love
be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave
all diligence to write unto you of your
common salvation, it was needful for
me to write unto you, and to exhort
you that you should earnestly contend
for the faith which was once delivered
unto the Saints. For there are cer-
tain men crept in unawares, (who were
before of old ordained to this con-
demnation,) ungodly men, turning the
grace of our God into lasciviousness,
and denying the only Sovereign and
our Lord jESUS Christ.
VESPERS.
Second Lesson.
Chapter, Antiphon at the Song of T WILL therefore put you in remem-
the Blessed Virgi7i, and Prayer as on brance, though ye once knew this,
Sunday. how that JESUS,^ having saved the
1 The cousin of the Lord. Oct. 28.
- The accepted Greek and the Sinaitic MS. read "the Lord." Abp. Kenrick says, "the
Apostle ascribes to Jesus Christ the deliverance of the IsraeUtes, and the punishment of the
unbelieving murmurers."
WHITSUN EVE.
493
people out of the land of Egypt, after-
ward destroyed them that believed not :
and the Angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habita-
tion. He hath reserved in everlasting-
chains under darkness unto the judg-
ment of the great day. Even as
Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities
about them, in like manner giving
themselves over to uncleanness and
going after strange flesh, are set forth
for an example, suffering the vengeance
of eternal fire. Likewise also, these
defile the flesh, despise dominion, and
speak evil of dignities.
Third Lesson.
"VT'ET Michael the Archangel, when,
contending with the devil, he
disputed about the body of Moses,
durst not bring against him the judg-
ment of his blasphemy, but said : The
Lord rebuke thee.^ But these speak
evil of those things which they know
not : but what they know naturally, as
brute beasts, in those things they
corrupt themselves. Woe unto them,
for they have gone the way of Cain,
and run greedily after the error of
Balaam for reward, and perished in
the gainsaying of Korah. These are
spots in your feasts of charity, when
they feast with you without fear, feed-
ing themselves ; clouds they are with-
out water, carried about of winds ; trees
which wither, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots ; raging waves
of the sea, foaming out their own
shame ; wandering stars, to whom is
reserved the blackness of darkness for
ever.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Treatise
upon the Creed, addressed to Cate-
chumens by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Bk. iv. ch. L torn. 9.)
'V/'E are yet the unborn offspring of a
great Mother. Our Holy Mother
the Church hath by the most sacred
sign of the Cross ^ received you into
her womb, and from thence she is now
just about to bring you forth, as she
hath already brought forth your breth-
ren, with thrills of spiritual joy. But
until, through the washing of regenera-
tion, she bringeth you forth into true
light, she feedeth you in her womb
with such food as becometh your con-
dition, and in gladness matureth her
children for the glad moment of her
delivery. This Mother is not stricken
by the doom of Eve, to bring forth
children in sorrow, (Gen. iii. 16,) and
they themselves oftenertimes weeping
than laughing. Rather doth your
spiritual Mother annul the sentence of
your earthly ; Eve, by disobedience,
endowed her offspring with death ;
the Church, by obedience, giveth
them newness of life. All the mystic
prayers and ceremonies which have
been and are still being performed
over you by the ministry of the ser-
vants of God, exorcisms, prayers,
spiritual songs, onbreathings, hair-
cloth, prostrations, baring of the feet,
the dread which ye feel, albeit so safe,
— all these things, I say unto you,
are the nourishment which ye are
drawing from your Mother while yet
1 The Tarsjum of Jonathan ben Uzziel mentions the presence of St Michael at the death of
Moses, and the Midrash Rabbah has a great quantity of tradition regarding that event, the
presence of St Michael at it, and the mutual hostility of him and Sammael, "the wickedest of
the Satans," on the occasion, but the present translator has not succeeded in discovermg the
precise legend quoted by St Jude. Cf. Zech. iii. 2. • \^ r
2 Remember that this discourse is supposed to be addressed about midnight to the Cate-
chumens who are to be baptized the ensuing afternoon. The last stage of initiation before
actual baptism had taken place ; they had heard the Creed for the first time. The allusions to
ceremonies will be explained by reading the Offices of Baptism.
494
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
ye are in her womb, that at the
baptismal birth she may be able to
present you strong and laughing
babes unto Christ.
Fifth Lesson.
VT'E have also received the Creed,
which is the shield of the tra-
vailing Mother against the venom of
the dragon. In the Apocalypse of
the Apostle John (xii. 4) it is written :
"And the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be de-
livered, for to devour her child as
soon as it was born." That this
dragon is the devil ye all know. Ye
know likewise that by the woman is
signified the Virgin Mary, who, herself
a Virgin, bore our Virgin Head, and
who is revealed unto us as a type of
the Holy Church, in that, even as
Mary, though she bore a Son, re-
mained a Virgin, so the Church doth
in all times give birth to all her
njembers, and yet is ever presented
a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Cor. xi.
2.) I have undertaken, with the help
of the Lord, to expound every clause
of the Creed, that I may bring home
to your understandings what each con-
taineth. Your hearts are ready, for
the enemy hath been shut out of your
hearts.
Sixth Lesson.
A/E have made profession of renounc-
ing the enemy. At the moment
of that profession it was not before
men only, but in the presence of God
and His Angels that ye said : " I
do renounce him." Renounce him,
not only in your words, but in your
ways ; not only with your voices, but
with your lives ; not only with your
lips, but in your works. Know ye
well that the wrestling which ye have
undertaken is a strife with an enemy -
who is subtle, and old, and patient :
now that ye have once renounced him,
let him never again find in you his
works ; never again give him the right
to bring you into bondage. O Christ-
ian ! thou wilt be caught and exposed,
if thou dost one thing and professest
another ; if thou art faithful in name,
and makest it to be evident by thy
works that thou hast broken the faith
pledged by this promise ; if some
while thou goest into a church to pray,
and anon to the shows to join in
applauding obscene representations^.
What hast thou to do any more with
the pomps of the devil, which thou
hast renounced ?
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevejith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xiv. 15.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
'^^ disciples : If ye love Me, keep
My commandments. And I will pray
the Father, and He shall give you
another Comforter. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {7A^h and T^th Tracts on
John. )
By these words of the Lord — " I
will pray the Father, and He shall
give you another Comforter " — He
doth imply that Himself is a Com-
forter. The Greek word used, namely
" Parakletos," signifieth also an Advo-
cate, and is used in that sense where
it is written : "We have an Advocate
— Parakleton — with the Father, jESUS
Christ the Righteous." (i John ii. i.)
" Even the Spirit of truth, Whom
the world cannot receive," "because,"
as we read elsewhere (Rom. viii. 7)
"the carnal mind is enmity against
God ; for it is not subject to the law
WHITSUN EVE.
495
of God, neither indeed can it be " —
as we may say plainly : nothing can
make unrighteousness righteous. By
"the world," in this place, we must
understand the lovers of the world, a
love which cometh not of the Father.
And therefore it is that this love of
the world, which we strive to lessen
and to destroy in ourselves, is con-
trary to " the love of God, which is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom.
V. 5.)
Eighth Lesson.
"T^HE Spirit of truth; Whom the
world cannot receive, because
it seeth Him not, neither knoweth
Him " — for to love the world is to
lack those spiritual eyes, which are
able to see Him Who is invisible, the
Holy Ghost.
" But ye knoAv Him," saith the Lord
to His disciples, "for He shall dwell
with you, and shall be in you." He
will be in them to dwell in them, not
dwell in them to be in them : for one
must first be in a place before one
dwell there. But lest the Apostles
should think that the words, " He
shall dwell with you," signified that
He should visibly abide with them for
a while, as do guests in the houses of
men, the Lord saith in explanation :
"He shall be in you."
Eighth Respoiisory.
For if I go not away, &:c., {p. 478.)
Niiith Lesson.
n^HEREFORE is He seen That is
invisible. If He were not in us
we could have in us no knowledge of
Him : but He is seen in us, as we
see our conscience. We see the faces •
of other men, but we cannot see our
own : but of consciences we see none
save that within ourselves. But our
conscience is never elsewhere but
within us ; whereas the Holy Ghost
may be without us, as well as within
us. He is given to be within us, and,
unless He be within us, we can neither
see nor know Him, either within or
without us.
Then, after that He had promised
the Holy Ghost, the Lord, lest they
should deem that He was to give
them that other Comforter instead
of Himself, and . that He Himself
was to be no longer with them, said
also : "I will not leave you orphans ;
I will come to you." Therefore,
although the Son of God hath made
us by adoption sons of His Own
Father, and hath willed that the
Same Who is His Father by nature
should be our Father by grace,
nevertheless. He showeth that Him-
self hath toward us a love as of a
Father, where He saith : "I will
not leave you orphans."
LAUDS.
Chapter^ Antiphon at the Song of
Zacharias, and Prayer froin Simday.
PRIME, TERCE, SEXT, NONE.
Chapters and Prayer as on Sunday.
At the beginning of the Martyrology
is said..
The morrow is the Feast of Pente-
cost, upon the which day the Holy
Ghost came down upon the disciples
at Jerusalem in tongues of fire.
After None the Priest and his minis-
ters put on purple vest?ne7tts, and go to
the Altar, where they begin the series
of ceremojties peculiar to the day., but
the tapers are not lit till the Liturgy is
on the poiiit of commeiicing. ( i ) The
496
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Six Lessons from the Old Testa7}ient are
read^ and the corresponding Prayers
and Tracts sung. ( 2 ) A procession is
made to the Font. (3) The Font is
blessed. (4) The Baptisms take place.
(5) The Processio7i returns., beginning
the Lita?iy, which is continued while all
k7ieel or lie prostrate before the Altar.
At the words., "We sinners, beseech
Thee to hear us,'V/z^ Priest and his min-
isters rise and go to the Sacristy., where
they put on red vestme7tts. At the same
ti77te, a7td while the Litany is still goittg
on, the Altar is vested in red., and the
tapers are lighted. After the words,
" Graciously hear us, O Christ," the
" Kyrie eleison " is begu7t, and while it
is ill si7tging the Priest and 77tinisters
proceed to the Sa7ictuary a7td begin the
Liturgy.
Vespers are of the Feast.
497
Elit jFeast of PentecostJ
Double of the First Class.
All as 071 ordifiary Sundays except
what is otherwise s^iveii here.
FIRST VESPERS.
AntiphoJis^ Chapter., and Prayer
fro7n Lauds.
Last Psalm., Psalm CXVL., " O
praise the Lord," &c., {p. i86.)
Hymn.'^
/'^OME, Holy Ghost, Creator, come.
From Thy bright heavenly throne !
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all Thine Own !
Thou Who art called the Paraclete,
Best Gift of God above.
The Living Spring, the Living Fire,
Sweet Unction, and True Love !
Thou Who art seven-fold in Thy grace,
Finger of God's right Hand,
His Promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand !
O guide our minds with Thy blest light —
With love our hearts inflame —
And with Thy strength which ne'er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our hellish foe —
True peace unto us bring —
And through all perils guide us safe
Beneath Thy sacred wing.
Through Thee may we the Father know —
Through Thee the Eternal Son —
And Thee the Spirit of them Both —
Thrice-blessed Three in One.
All glory to the Father be,
And to the Risen Son ;
The same to Thee, O Paraclete,
While endless Ages run. Amen.
Verse. ^ They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost. Alleluia.
Answer. And began to speak.
Alleluia.
Vij^gin.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
^ I will not leave you or-
phans— Alleluia — I go away, and come
again unto you — Alleluia — and your
heart shall rejoice — Alleluia.
At Co77pli7te^ Pri77ie, Sext^ a?id
No7ie., fro77i this eve7ii7ig till the No7ie
of the 7text Saturday, both inclusive.,
the last verse of the Hy77i7t is altered
i7i ho7iour of the Resurrectio7i.
1 I.e., "of the fiftieth day " after the offering of the sheaf at the Passover. Lev. xxiii. 15, 16 ;
Deut. xvi, 9, 10. It is very often called the Feast of Weeks.
2 Hymn generally ascribed to Charlemagne ; but, according to Bishop Hefele, found in MSS.
older than his time, and more probably the composition of Pope St Gregory the Great. It has
been altered by some modern editor, presumably by Pope Urban VIII. The translation is
extracted from the "Garden of the Soul."
3 Acts ii. 4. 4 John xiv. 18, 28 ; xvi, 22.
498
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Alleluia. ^ The Spirit
of the Lord filleth the world : "^ O
come, let us worship Him. Alleluia.
Hymn.^
A BOVE the starry spheres
■^ To where He was before
Christ had gone up, soon from on high
The Father's Gift to pour ;
And now had fully come,
On mystic circle borne
Of seven times seven revolving days,
The Pentecostal morn :
When, as the Apostles knelt
At the third hour in prayer,
A sudden rushing sound proclaimed
The God of glory near.
Forthwith a tongue of fire
Alights on every brow ;
Each breast receives the Father's Light,
The Word's enkindling glow.
The Holy Ghost on all
Is mightily outpoured ;
Who straight in divers tongues declare
The wonders of the Lord.
While strangers of all climes
Flock round from far and near,
And with amazement, each at once
Their native accents hear.
But, faithless still, the Jews
Deny the hand Divine ;
And madly jeer the Saints of Christ,
As drunk with new-made wine.
Till Peter in the midst
Stood up, and spake aloud ;
And their perfidious falsity
By Joel's witness showed.
Praise to the Father be !
Praise to the Son Who rose !
Praise to the Holy Paraclete !
While age on ages flows. Amen.
There is only one Nocturn^ a7id that
with three Psalms.
First Antiphon. ^ Suddenly there
came a sound from heaven * as of a
rushing mighty wind. Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Psalm XLVII.
Great is the Lord, &c., (^. 98.)
Seco7td Antipho7t. Strengthen, O
God, that which Thou hast wrought
for us, "^ because of Thy holy Temple
at Jerusalem. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm LXVIL
Let God arise, &c., (/. 115.)
Third Antipho7i. Send forth Thy
Spirit, and they shall be created ; *
and Thou shalt renew the face of the
earth. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psai77i cm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, &c.,
(A 161.)
Verse. The Spirit of the Lord fill-
eth the world. Alleluia.
A7is'wer. And That Which con-
taineth all things hath knowledge of
the voice. Alleluia.
Absolutio7i. Graciously hear, &c.
First Blessi7ig.
May the Gospel's, &c.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xiv. 23.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
'^^ disciples : If a man love Me,
He will keep My word, and My
1 Wisd. i. 7.
2 Hymn of the Ambrosian School, perhaps by St Ambrose himself; translation by the Rev.
E. Caswall. s Acts. ii. 2.
WHITSUN DAY
499
Father will love him, and We will
come unto him, and make Our abode
Avith him. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {'^oth on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, our best
way will be to run briefly through the
words which have been read from the
Holy Gospel, and thereafter rest for a
while quietly gazing upon the solemn
subject of this great Festival. This
is the day whereon " suddenly there
came a sound from heaven," and the
Holy Ghost descended upon the
Apostles, and, for fleshly minds, gave
them minds wherein the love of God
was shed abroad ; and, while without
" there appeared unto them cloven
tongues, like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them," within, their
hearts were enkindled. While they
received the visible presence of God
in the form of fire, the flames of
His love enwrapped them. The Holy
Ghost Himself is love ; whence it is
that John (I. iv. 8) saith : "God is
love." Whosoever therefore loveth
God with all his soul, already hath
obtained Him Whom he loveth ; for
no man is able to love God, if He
have not gained Him Whom he
loveth.
First Resp07isory.
1 When the day of Pentecost was
fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place — Alleluia — and
suddenly there came a sound from
heaven — Alleluia — as of a mighty
rushing wind, and it filled all the
house — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Where the disciples were
assembled for fear of the Jews, there
suddenly came upon them a sound
from heaven —
Answer. As of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house-
luia, Alleluia.
-Alle-
Second Blessing.
God's most mighty, &c.
Second Lessoii.
"DUT, behold, now, if I shall ask
any one of you whether he
loveth God, he will answer with all
boldness and quietness of spirit : " I
do love him." But at the very be-
ginning of this day's Lesson from the
Gospel, ye have heard what the Truth
saith : " If a man love Me, he will
keep My word." The test, then, of
love, is whether it is showed by works.
Hence the same John hath said in
his Epistle (I. iv. 20, v. 3 :) " If a
man say, I love God, and keepeth
not His commandments. He is a liar."
Then do we indeed love God, and keep
His commandments, if we deny our-
selves the gratification of our appet-
ites. Whosoever still wandereth after
unlawful desires, such an one plainly
loveth not God, for he saith, Nay, to
that which God willeth.
Second Responsory.
^ They were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak, as the
Holy Ghost gave them utterance, and
the multitude came together, saying :
Alleluia.
Verse. The Apostle spake in divers
tongues the wonderful works of God.
Answer. And the multitude came
together, saying : Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ajiswer. And the multitude came
together, saying : Alleluia.
1 Acts ii. I, 2.
John XX. 19.
3 Acts ii. 4, 6, II.
500
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels' King,
&c.
Third Lesson.
'•'■ A ND My Father will love him,
^^ and We will come unto him,
and make Our abode with him." O
my dearly beloved brethren, think
what a dignity is that, to have God
abiding as a guest in our heart ! Surely
if some rich man or some powerful
friend were to come into our house,
we would hasten to have our whole
house cleaned, lest, perchance, when
he came in, he should see aught to
displease his eye. So let him that
would make his mind an abode for
Cod, cleanse it from all the filth of
works of iniquity. Lo, again, what
saith the Truth ? " We will come un-
to him, and make Our abode with
him." There are some hearts where-
unto God Cometh, but maketh not His
abode therein ; with a certain pricking
they feel His Presence, but in time of
temptation they forget that which
hath pricked them : and so they turn
again to work unrighteousness, even
as though they had never repented.
The Hymn.^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. When the day of
Pentecost was fully come * they were
all with one accord in one place. Al-
ieluia.
Secofid Antiphon. The Spirit of the
Lord * filleth the world. Alleluia.
Third Antiphon. They were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fourth Antiphon. ^ O ye wells, "^
and all that move in the waters, ascribe
ye praise to God. Alleluia.
Fifth Afitiphon. The Apostles spake
in divers tongues "^ the wonderful
works of God. Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Chapter. (Acts. ii. i.)
Al^HEN the day of Pentecost was
fully come, the disciples were
all with one accord in one place ; and
suddenly there came a sound from
heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind ;
and it filled all the house where they
were sitting.
Hyinn.'^
O OUND roll the weeks our hearts to greet,
With blissful joy returning ;
For lo ! the Holy Paraclete
On twelve 3 bright brows sits burning:
With quivering flame He lights on each,
In fashion like a tongue, to teach
That eloquent they are of speech,
Their hearts with true love yearning.
While with all tongues they speak to all,
The nations deem them maddened ;
And drunk with wine the Prophets call,
Whom God's good Spirit gladdened ;
A marvel this — in mystery done —
The holy Paschal-tide'* outrun,
By numbers told whose reckoning won
Remission for the saddened.^
1 Dan. iii. 77, 79. An allusion to the Baptisms on the Eve.
■2 Hymn generally ascribed to St Hilary of Poictiers (died A.D, 369) ; translation by the Rev.
W. J. Blew.
3 Paraclitus illapsus est Apostolis. The apparently pointed omission of any mention of the
Blessed Virgin, the brethren of the Lord, and others who were present, (Acts i. 14, 15 ; ii. i,) is
to be ascribed, not to the original poet, but to some modern recensor. The original text, (as
preserved in the Monastic Breviary,) reads : " Paraclitus effulsit in discipulos."
■1 Paschce peracto tempore. By this must be here understood, not what we call Paschal-tide,
but the days of the "numbering of the Omer," by which the Feast of Pentecost (or Wrecks) is
^reckoned from that of the Passover. (Lev. xxiii. 15, 16; Deut. xvi. 9, 10.)
5 Lege fit remissio. The allusion is very obscure, but is perhaps to the fact that the year of
Jubilee was attained by the same calculation, viz. , 7x7 + 1, as the day of Pentecost.
WHITSUN DAY.
501
O God most holy, Thee we pra}^
With reverent brow low bending,
Grant us the Spirit's gifts to-day, —
The gifts from heaven descending ;
And since Thy grace hath deigned to bide
Within our breasts once sanctified,
Deign, Lord, to cast our sins aside.
Henceforth calm seasons sending.
To God the Father, laud and praise.
Praise to the Son be given ;
Praise to the Spirit of all grace,
The Fount of graces seven —
As was of old, all worlds before.
Is now, and shall be evermore,
When time and change are spent and o'er, —
All praise in earth and heaven. Amen.
Verse. ^ They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Answer. And began to speak —
Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
^ Receive ye the Holy Ghost : whose
soever sins ye remit, they are remitted
unto them. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ GOD, Who on this day didst
^^^ teach the hearts of Thy faithful
people, by the sending to them the
light of Thine Holy Spirit, grant us by
the same Spirit to have a right judg-
ment in all things, and evermore to
rejoice in His holy comfort. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the same Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Aineii.
PRIME.
Antiphon. When the day, &c.,
{First A7itiphon at Lauds.')
The Psalms are the Lllird, aiid two
first parts of CXVIIIth, and the Creed
of St Athanasius is omitted.
In the Short Responsory is said —
Verse. Thou That sittest at the
right hand of the Father.
Chapter at the end from None.
TERCE.
Hymn., " Come, Holy Ghost, Creator,
come, &c.," as at First Vespers., in-
stead of " Come, Holy Ghost, Who
ever one, &c."
Antiphon. The Spirit of the Lord,
&c., {Second Ajttiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
The Spirit of the Lord filleth the
world. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The Spirit of the Lord
filleth the world. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And That Which contain-
eth all things hath knowledge of the
voice.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Spirit of the Lord
filleth the world. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The Comforter, Which is
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Answer. He shall teach you all
things — Allelui a.
SEXT.
Antiphon. They were all filled, &c.,
{Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Acts ii. 6.)
1\T OW when this was noised abroad,
the multitude came together,
and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his
own language.
1 Acts ii. 4.
2 John XX, 22, 23.
VOL. II.
R
502
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Short Responsory.
The Comforter, Which is the Holy
Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The Comforter, Which is
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He shall teach you all
thing's.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The Comforter, Which is
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Answer. And began to speak —
Alleluia.
NONE.
Antiphon. The Apostles spake, &c.,
{Fifth Antipho7t at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Acts ii. 1 1 . )
JEWS also, and Proselytes, Cretes
and Arabians, we do hear them
speak in our tongues the wonderful
works of God.
Short Responsory.
They were all filled with the Holy
Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And began to speak.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The Apostle spake in div-
ers tongues — Alleluia.-
Answer. The wonderful works of
God — Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antipho7is and Chapter from Lauds.
Hymn from First Vespers.
Verse. The Apostles spake in
divers tongues— Alleluia.
Answer. The wonderful works of
God — Alleluia.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. This day the day of Pente-
cost is fully come — Alleluia. This
day the Holy Ghost appeared in fire
unto the disciples, and gave unto them
gifts of grace : He sent them into all
the world, to preach and to testify :
he that believeth, and is baptized,
shall be saved. Alleluia.
Seco7id Day withi7i the Octave of Pen-
tecost.
Double of the First Class.
All precisely the sa77ie as 07i Whit-
SU71 Day^ except the followi7ig :
MATTINS.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (iii. i6.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto
'^^ Nicodemus : God so loved the
world that He gave His Only-begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlast-
ing life. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {\7.th Tract 07i Joh7i. )
The Physician cometh that, as far
as in him lieth, he may heal the sick
man. He is his own destroyer who
will not keep the commandments of the
Physician. Into the world came the
Saviour. Why is He called the
Saviour of the world but because He
came "into the world not to condemn
the world, but that the world through
WHITSUN WEEK.
503
Him might be saved " ? If thou
wiliest not be saved through Him,
thou wilt be condemned of thyself.
And why say I that thou wilt be con-
demned ? Because it is written : " He
that believeth in Him is not con-
demned." What then canst thou
hope that He will say of " him that
believeth not," but that He will be
condemned ? And indeed He doth
say farther : " He that believeth not
is condemned already." He is con-
demned already, though the con-
demnation be not yet openly pro-
nounced.
First Responsory.
1 Henceforth I call you not servants,
but I have called you My friends : be-
cause ye have known all things, what-
soever I have done among you. Alle-
luia. Receive y^ the Holy Ghost,
Who is your Comforter within you :
the Same is He W^hom the Father
will send unto you. Alleluia.
Verse. Ye are My friends, if ye
do whatsoever I command you.
Answer. Receive ye the Holy
Ghost Who is your Comforter with-
in you : the Same is He Whom the
Father will send unto you. Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
T_J' E is condemned already, for " the
Lord knoweth them that are
His." (2 Tim. ii. 19.) He knoweth
them for whom is laid up the crown,
and likewise them that are reserved
unto the fire. His eye seeth in the
field of the world the distinction of
the wheat and of the straw, of the
grain and of the tares. " He that
believeth not is condemned already."
And why ? " Because he hath not be-
lieved in the Name of the Only-be-
Sfotten Son of God. And this is the
condemnation ; that light is come into
the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds
were evil." " Because their deeds
were evil ; " but, my brethren, is there
one man of whom God findeth that
his works are good ? No, not one.
God findeth all works to be [in them-
selves] bad. How then do we hear
that some there be who do truth, and
come to the light ? For these words
come anon : " But he that doeth
truth, Cometh to the lig-ht."
Second Responsory.
The Holy Ghost, Which proceed-
eth from the Throne, entered unseen
into the hearts of the Apostles, with
a new token of sanctification, even
that all manner of tongues should
spring to their lips. Alleluia.
Verse. The fire of God fell, not to
burn them, but to enlighten them,
and gave them gifts of grace.
Answer. That all manner - of
tongues should spring to their lips.
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. That all manner of
tongues should spring to their lips.
Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
TDUT the Lord saith [of such as
these, who are condemned al-
ready, because they believe not in
Him] : " They loved darkness rather
than light." And here He maketh
the great point [of difference between
such, and them that do the truth.]
There are many who have loved their
sins : there are many who have con-
fessed their sins ; and he that con-
fesseth and denounceth his sin, is
1 Cf. John XV. 15, 14, 26 ; xx. 22.
504
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
working already with God. God de-
nounceth thy sins, and if thou de-
nounce them likewise, then dost thou
join thyself with God in His act. The
man and the sinner are two different
things. God made the man, and the
man made the sinner. Put away thy
work, and God will save His. Thou
art behoven to hate in thyself thine
own work, and to love God's work.
When thine own works begin to dis-
please thee, then is it that thou be-
ginnest to do well, because thou de-
nouncest thine own evil works. The
first thing to do, if thou wouldest do
good works, is to acknowledge thine
evil ones.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the So7tg of Zacharias.
God so loved the world that He gave
His Only-begotten Son, that whoso-
ever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ GOD, Who didst give Thine Holy
^^^ Spirit unto Thine Apostles,
grant unto Thy people the effectual
fruit of their godly supplications, and
as Thou hast given them faith, give
them also peace. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Same Holy Ghost, One God,
world without end. Amen.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virght. 1 If a Man love Me, he will
keep My word : and My Father will
love him, and We will come unto him,
and make Our abode with him. Alle-
luia.
Third Day within the Octave of Pen-
tecost.
Double of the First Class.
All precisely as on Whitsun Day.,
except the following :
MATTINS.
Verse. The Comforter, Who is the
Holy Ghost— Alleluia.
Answer. He shall teach you all
things — Alleluia.
Absolution. May His loving-kind-
ness, &c.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (x. i.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
'^^ Pharisees : Amen, amen, I say
unto you, he that entereth not by the
door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth
up some other way, the same is a thief
and a robber : but he that entereth in
by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {\^th Tract on foh7i.)
In the words of the Gospel which
are this day read, the Lord hath
spoken unto us in similitudes, touch-
ing His flock, and the Door whereby
entry is made into their fold. The
Pagans therefore may say, "We live
good lives," but if they enter not in by
the Door, what doth that profit them
whereof they make their boast ? A
good life is profitable to a man if it
lead unto life everlasting, but if he is
not to have life everlasting, what shall
his good life profit him ? Neither in-
1 John xiv. 23.
WHITSUN WEEK.
505
deed can it be truly said that they
live good lives, who are either so
blinded as not to know, or so puffed
up as to despise, the end of a good
life. And no man can have a true
and certain hope of life everlasting,
unless he know the true Life, Which
is Christ, and enter in by that Door
into the sheepfold.
First Responsory.
There appeared unto the Apostles
cloven tongues, like as of fire — Alle-
luia.
Answer. And the Holy Ghost sat
upon each of them — Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. And they began to speak
with other tongues, as the Holy Ghost
gave them utterance.
A?tswer. And the Holy Ghost sat
upon each of them. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
'T*HERE are many such, who try to
persuade men to live good lives
but not to be Christians. These are
they who would fain ' ' climb up some
other way," "for to kill and to de-
stroy," and are not as the Good Shep-
herd, Who is come to keep and to
save. There have been philosophers
who have treated many subtle ques-
tions of right and wrong, who have
been the authors of many distinctions
and definitions, who have completed
many exceedingly clever arguments,
who have filled many books, and have
proclaimed their own wisdom with
braying trumpets. These dared to
say to men : " Follow us ; embrace
our school of thought, and you will
find therein the secret of an happy
life." But these were not of them
who enter in by the Door ; they came
not but for to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy.
Secofid Responsory,
The Apostles spake in divers
tongues the wonderful works of God ;
as the Holy Ghost gave them utter-
ance— Alleluia.
Verse. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak —
Answer, As the Holy Ghost gave
them utterance. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the P^ather,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iszuer. As the Holy Ghost gave
them utterance. Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
nrOUCHING these, what shall I
say ? Behold, the Pharisees
themselves read of Christ, and there-
fore talked of Christ ; they looked for
His coming, and when He came, they
knew Him not. They boasted that
they themselves were among the Seers,
that is, of the wise ones, and they de-
nied Christ, and entered not in by the
Door. Therefore they, if they led
away any, led them away only to kill
and to destroy, not to free them. So
much for them.
Now let us see if all they who
boast the name of Christian enter in
by the Door.
Some there are, and their number
cannot be reckoned, who not only
boast that they themselves are among
the Seers, but would fain appear as
though their hearts were enlightened
by Christ — but they are heretics.
LAUDS.
A7itiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 1 am the Door, saith the Lord ; by
Me if any man enter in, he shall
be saved, and shall find pasture.
Alleluia.
1 John X. 9.
5o6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
Prayer throughout the day.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, that
^■^^ Thy Holy Spirit may dwell in
us in much power, mercifully cleans-
ing our hearts, and shielding us from
all things hurtful. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the same Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Avien.
VESPERS.
A7itipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. i Peace I leave with you ;
My peace I give unto you : not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Alleluia.
6m6et (JOe^nee^a^.
Fourth Day of Quarter- Tense.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as 07i Whit-
sun Day., except that the Antiphons are
not doubled., and what else is given
here.
MATTINS.
Verse. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Answer. And began to speak —
Alleluia.
Absolution. May the Almighty, &c.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vi. 44.)
AT that time : jESUS said unto the
multitudes of the Jews : No man
can come to Me, except the Father,
Which hath sent me, draw him. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo. ] ( 2 6//z Tract on Joh7i. )
Think not that thou art drawn
against thy will : the soul is drawn,
not willingly only, but lovingly.
Neither must we be afraid lest men
who are great weighers of words, and
very far from understanding the things
of God, should catch us up upon this
Gospel doctrine of the Holy Scrip-
tures, and should say to us : How can
my faith be willing if I am drawn ? I
answer : Thou art not drawn as touch-
ing thy will, but by pleasure. And,
now, what is being drawn by pleasure ?
" Delight thyself in the LORD, and
He shall give thee the desires of
thine heart." (Ps. xxxvi. 4.) There
is pleasure in that heart to which
the Bread That came down from
heaven is sweet. The poet is allowed
to say —
" His special pleasure draweth each,"
but pleasure, which so draweth, is not
a necessity, not a bond, but a delight ;
how much more strongly, may we say,
that men are drawn to Christ, who de-
light in truth, who delight in blessed-
ness, who delight in righteousness, who
delight in life everlasting, since truth,
and blessedness, and righteousness,
and everlasting life are all to be
found in Christ ? Or have the bod-
ily senses pleasure, and the spiritual
senses none ? If the spiritual senses
have no pleasures, wherefore is it
written : " And the children of men
shall put their trust under the shadow
of Thy wings. They shall be abun-
dantly satisfied with the fatness of
Thy house, and Thou shalt make
them drink of the river of Thy pleas-
ures. For with Thee is the fountain
of life, and in Thy light shall we see
light." (Ps. XXXV. 8.)
First Resp07isory.
The Lord taught them good judg-
ment and knowledge — Alleluia. He
1 John xiv. 27.
WHITSUN WEEK.
507
established in them the grace of His
Spirit, and filled their hearts with
understanding. Alleluia.
Verse. For with a sudden sound
the Holy Ghost came upon them, —
Answer. And filled their hearts
with understanding. Alleluia.
Father begetteth to Himself a co-
equal Son ; and whosoever is per-
suaded, and realiseth unto himself
by faith, and thinketh, that He in
Whom he believeth is equal to the
Father, him the Father is drawing
unto the Son.
Second Lesson.
f~^ IVE me a lover, and he will catch
^"^ my meaning ; give me a longer,
give me an hungerer, give me a wan-
derer in this desert, athirst and gasp-
ing for the fountains of the eternal
Fatherland ; give me such an one,
and he will catch my meaning. If
I talk to some cold creature, he will
not. Such cold creatures were they
of whom it is written : " The Jews
then murmured at Him because He
said, I am the Bread Which came
down from heaven. And they said :
Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph,
whose father and Mother we know ?
How is it then that He saith, I came
down from heaven ? Jesus therefore
answered and said unto them : Mur-
mur not among yourselves. No man
can come to Me, except the Father,
Which hath sent Me, draw him."
(41-44.) But wherefore speaketh
Christ of them whom the Father
draweth, since He Himself draweth ?
Why was it His will to say : " No
man can come to Me except the
Father draw him " ? If we are to
be drawn, let us be drawn by Him
to Whom one that loved much said :
" Draw me, we will run after
the savour of Thy good ointments."
(Cant. i. 4.) But let us consider,
my brethren, what He meant, and
understand it as well as we can.
The Father draweth to the Son
them who believe in the Son, be-
cause they are persuaded that He •
hath God to His Father. God the
Second Responsory.
1 Go ye unto all the world and
preach the Gospel — Alleluia. He
that believeth, and is baptized, shall
be saved. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. In My Name shall they
cast out devils ; they shall speak
with new tongues ; they shall take
up serpents.
A?iswer. He that believeth, and is
baptized, shall be saved. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7tswer. He that believeth, and
is baptized, shall be saved. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
A RIUS, who believed that the Son
was made, was not one of them
whom the Father draweth ; since who-
soever believeth not that the Father is
a Father by the begetting of a co-
equal Son, such an one knoweth not
the Father. What sayest thou, O
Arius ? What sayest thou, O thou
heretic ? What is thy profession ?
What is Christ ? " He is not," saith
Arius, " Himself Very God." Then,
O Arius, the Father hath not drawn
thee ; thou hast not understood His
dignity as a Father, to Whom
thou deniest His Son. Thou dost
deny the existence of the Son of
God, the Father draweth thee not,
and thou art not drawn to the Son,
since the Son of whom thou speakest
1 Mark xvi. 15, 16, 17.
5o8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
is another son, [existing only in thine
imagination,] and not the really ex-
istent Son. Photinus said : " Christ
is a mere man, and not God at all."
He who uttered those words was not
one of them whom the Father draw-
eth. But whom hath the Father
drawn ? The Father drew him who
said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God." (Matth. xvi. i6,
17.) Show a sheep a green bough,
and thou drawest him. Let a boy
see some nuts, and he is drawn by
them. . As they run, they are drawn,
drawn by taste, drawn without bodily
hurt, drawn by a line bound to their
heart. If, then, among earthly things,
such as be sweet and pleasant draw
such as love them, as soon as they see
them, so that it is truth to say,
" His special pleasure draweth each,"
doth not that Christ, Whom the Father
hath revealed, draw ? What stronger
object of love can a soul have than the
Truth ?
LAUDS.
Antipho7t at the So fig of Zacharias.
1 I am the Living Bread * Which
came down from heaven, saith the
Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee that
^■""^ the Comforter, Which proceed-
eth from Thee, may enlighten our
minds, and lead us into all truth,
even as Thy Son hath promised
unto us. Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Same
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. 1 I am the Living Bread
Which came down from heaven : * if
any man eat of this Bread, he shall
live for ever ; and the Bread that I
will give is My Flesh, Which I
will give for the life of the world.
Alleluia.
^§utr0^a^.
Fifth Day withifi the Octave of
Peiitecost.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as on Whit sun
Day., except that the Antiphoiis are not
doubled^ a7id what else is given here.
MATTINS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (ix. i.)
A T that time : jESUS called His
^^ twelve disciples together, and
gave them power and authority over
all devils, and to cure diseases. And
so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {^Bk. vi. on Luke ix.)
We learn from the commandments
of the Gospel what manner of men
they ought to be who. preach the
glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
" Take nothing for your journey ;
neither staves nor scrip, neither bread,
neither money." Thus let the Apostle,
destitute of earthly help, and panoplied
in faith, deem himself able to do all
the more, as he needeth all the less.
Such as please may also put upon
these words a spiritual interpretation ;
in that a man may be said to lay aside
the encumbrances of the body, not only
by abdicating power, and casting away
riches, but also by denying the very
body itself its pleasures. The first
1 John vi. 51.
WHITSUN WEEK.
509
general commandment given to the
Apostles touching their manners was
to be bringers of peace, (Matth. x.
13,) and to be no gadders about, but
keepers of the laws of guests. To
wander from house to house, and to
abuse the rights of hospitality, are
things alien to a preacher of the
kingdom of heaven.
First Respoitsory.
The fire of God fell, not to burn
them, but to enlighten them ; not
to devour them, but to illuminate
them : and found the hearts of the
disciples clean vessels. And He gave
them gifts of His grace. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. He found them one in love,
and the out-poured grace of the God-
head shone through them.
Answer. And He gave them gifts
of His grace. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
"DUT as the kindness of hospitality
is to be met with courtesy, so
also is it said : " Whosoever will not
receive you, when ye go out of that
city, shake ofif the very dust from
your feet, for a testimony against
them." Hereby is it taught that hos-
pitality doth meet with a good re-
ward, since not only do we bring
peace to such as receive us, but also,
if they be shadowed by some earthly
vanities, these defects are taken away,
where enter the feet of them that bear
the glad tidings of Apostolic preach-
ment. It is well written in Matthew
(x. 11) — "Into whatsoever city or
town ye shall enter, inquire who in
it is worthy ; and there abide till ye
go thence " — thus avoiding any pos-
sible need of going from house to
house. But no such selection is
commanded to him that giveth hos-
pitality, lest his hospitality itself
should be lessened, while he picketh
his guests.
Second Responsory.
The Holy Ghost filled all the house
where the Apostles were ; and there
appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each
of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak in divers tongues as the Holy
Spirit gave them utterance. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When the disciples were all
with one accord in one place, for fear
of the Jews, suddenly there came a
sound from heaven upon them.
Answer. And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak in divers tongues as the Holy
Spirit gave them utterance. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak in divers tongues, as the Holy
Spirit gave them utterance. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
'T^HIS passage, taken according to
the plain meaning, is a sacred
commandment touching the religious
duty of hospitality, but its heavenly
words likewise hint at a mystery.
When the house is chosen, it is
asked if the master thereof be worthy.
Let us see if this be not perchance
a figure of the Church, and her
Master, Christ. What worthier house
can the Apostolic preacher enter, than
the Holy Church ? Or what host is
more to be preferred before all others,
than Christ, Whose use it is to wash
the feet of His guests ? yea. Who
510
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
suffereth not that any whom He re-
ceiveth into His house should dwell
there with foul feet, but, defiled as
they are by their former wanderings,
doth vouchsafe to change them into
new and clean livers. He Alone is
He, from Whose house no man ought
ever to go forth, nor change His roof
for any other shelter, for unto Him it
is well said : " Lord, to whom shall
we go ? Thou hast the words of eter-
nal life, and we beHeve." (John vi.
68, 69.)
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus called His twelve disciples to-
gether, "^ and gave them power and
authority over all devils, and to cure
diseases : and He sent them to preach
the kingdom of God, and to heal the
sick. Alleluia.
VESPERS.
Virgin.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
1 The Comforter, Which pro-
ceedeth from the Father * — Alleluia —
He shall glorify Me — Alleluia.
Sixth Day of Quarter- Tense.
Seniidouble.
All precisely the same as on Whitsuft
Day^ except that the Antiphons are not
doubled., a?td what else is given here.
MATTINS.
Verse. The Comforter, Which is
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Ajiswer. He shall teach you all
things — Alleluia.
Absolution. May the loving-kind-
ness, &c.
First Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (v. 17.)
A T that time : It came to pass on a
'^^ certain day, as jESUS sat and
taught, that there were Pharisees, and
Doctors of the law sitting by, which
were come out of every town in Gal-
ilee, and Judaea and Jerusalem : and
the power of the Lord was present to
heal them. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Bk. v. on Luke v.)
["And, behold, men brought in a
bed a man which was taken with
a palsy."] The healing of this par-
alytic was not idle, nor its fruits
limited to himself The Lord healed
him, or ever he could ask, not because
of the entreaties of others, but for
example's sake. He gave a pattern
to be followed, and sought not the
intercession of prayer. In the pres-
ence of the Pharisees and doctors of
the law, which were come out of every
town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jer-
usalem, many sick folk were healed,
but among them is specially described
the healing of this paralytic. First of
all, as we have before said, every sick
man ought to engage his friends to
offer up prayers for his recovery, that
so the tottering framework of this our
life, and the distorted feet of our
works, may be righted by the healing
power of the word from heaven.
First Responsory.
2 Ye have not chosen Me, but I
have chosen you, and ordained you ;
that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. As My Father hath sent
Me, even so send I you.
1 John XV. 26 ; xvi. 14.
2 John XV. 16 ; xx. 21.
WHITSUN WEEK.
511
Answer. That ye should go and
bring forth fruit, and that your fruit
should remain. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Lessoji.
HTHERE ought therefore to be ad-
visers, who should rouse up the
minds of the sick to higher things,
since when the body becometh languid
with sickness, the mind is apt to fol-
low its example. With the help of
such friends he can be brought and
laid on the ground before the Feet of
Jesus, and seem worthy of a glance
from the Lord ; for the Lord looketh
upon such as lie lowly before Him, —
"for He hath regarded the lowliness
of His handmaiden" (Luke ii. 48.)
"And when He saw their faith, He
said unto him : Man, thy sins are
forgiven thee," Great is the Lord,
Who, for the sake of some, forgiveth
the sins of others : Who trieth some,
and pardoneth the wanderings of
others. Why should thine equal, O
man, avail not with thee, if a slave
have won power to intercede, and
right to obtain, with God ?
Secojid Responsojy.
The Spirit of the Lord filleth the
world, and That Which containeth all
things hath knowledge of the voice.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ For [Wisdom] is the
worker of all things, having all power,
overseeing all things.
Answer. And That Which con-
taineth all things hath knowledge of
the voice. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And That Which con-
taineth all things hath knowledge of
the voice. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
r~\ THOU that judgest, learn to
forgive ; thou that art sick, to
pray. If thou doubt of the pardon
of thy sins, because of their grievous-
ness, get thee to the Church, that she
may pray for thee, and that the Lord,
accepting her countenance, may grant
to her petitions what He refuses to
thine. And although we are bound
to accept this history as one of fact,
and to believe that the body of the
paralytic was healed ; yet remem-
ber thou also his inward cure, unto
whom his sins were forgiven. The
Jews said: "Who can forgive sins
but God alone ? " And in these
words they confessed the Godhead
of Him Who forgave the sins of the
paralytic, and themselves condemned
their own unbelief in Him Whose
work they acknowledged, but Whose
Person they denied.
LAUDS.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
Jesus said : But that ye may know
that the Son of man hath power upon
earth to forgive sins * — He said unto
the sick of the palsy — I say unto thee :
Arise ; take up thy couch, and go into
thine house. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the day.
r^ MOST Merciful God, we beseech
^■^^ Thee to grant unto Thy Church
that, forasmuch as she is gathered to-
gether in the Holy Ghost, no assaults
of her enemies may be able to trouble
her. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Same
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Anien.
1 Wisd. vii. 21, 23.
512
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SEASON.
VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ But the Comforter, Which
is the Holy Ghost, "^ Whom the Father
will send in My Name, He shall teach
you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have
said unto you. Alleluia.
(Bm6et ^atutr^a^.
The Sabbath of Quarter- Tense.
Semidouble.
All precisely the same as on Whit sun
Day^ except that the Antiphons are not
doubled., and what else is given here.
MATTINS.
Verse. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost — Alleluia.
Ajtswer. And began to speak —
Alleluia.
Absolution. May the Almighty, &c.
. Lessons from Luke iv. 38, with the
Homily of St Ambrose., p. 2Z6.
First Respo7isory.
They were all filled, &c., {Second
Responsory on Whitsun Day, omitting
the last Verse and Answer.
Second Responsory.
Henceforth I call you not, &c., {First
Responsory on Monday, ) with this addi-
tio7i :
1 John xiv. 26.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Receive ye the Holy
Ghost, Which is your Comforter with-
in you : the Same is He Whom the
Father will send unto you. Alleluia.
LAUDS.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
2 The love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts "^ by His Spirit, Which
dwelleth in us. Alleluia.
Prayer at Lauds, Terce, Sext, and
None.
^1 rE beseech Thee, O Lord, merci-
fully to pour into our hearts
Thy Holy Spirit, by Whose Wisdom
we have been created, and by W^hose
Providence all our ways are ordered.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Same Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
At the beginning of the Marty rology,
is said,
The morrow is the Feast of the
Most Holy and undivided Trinity.
After None is celebrated the Liturgy,
and with this celebration ends Paschal-
time.
Vespers are of the following Feast.
2 Rom. V. 5.
CJje Common of faints*
OFFICES FOR THE FEASTS OF THE SAINTS, ACCORDING TO THE
CLASS TO WHICH EACH SAINT BELONGS, AND COMMON TO
ALL THE SAINTS OF EACH CLASS RESPECTIVELY.
5. apo^tto^ lEbeg?.
The Office is of the Week-day^ begiiis
at Mattins, and ends at None. What
is not of the Week-day and what is
not specially given iti its own place
is as follows.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. 12.)
AT that time : Jesus said to His
disciples : This is My com-
mandment, That ye love one an-
other, as I have loved you. And
so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (^2 'j than the Gospels.^
All the holy words of the Lord
are full of His commandments.
Why, then, speaketh the Lord of
the commandment to love one an-
other as if He gave no other com-
mandment ? " This," saith He, " is
My commandment. That ye love
one another." Is it not because love
VOL. II.
is the one object of all His com-
mandments, and all His command-
ments are one ? For, even as a tree,
having but one root, bringeth forth
many branches, so, if the root .be
love, many virtues do spring there-
from. Neither is the branch of
good works green, if it abide not
in the root of love.
Second Lesso?i.
n^HEREFORE the command-
-'- ments of the Lord are mani-
fold, and yet one. Manifold, indeed,
by the diversity of working, but one,
as concerning the root of love. And
how it behoveth us to keep fast hold
on that root of love, we know from
Him, Who in sundry places of His
holy Scripture, moveth us to love
our friends in Him, and our ene-
mies for Him. He truly abideth
in love, who loveth his friend in
God, and his enemy for God, For
there are some who love their neigh-
bour indeed, but by an affection
s
514
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
engendered of kinship and of the
flesh : such love the Scripture for-
biddeth not : but it is one thing to
love our neighbour with that love
whereto nature doth freely move us,
and another thing to love him with
that love whereto we are obliged, if
we would do whatsoever the Lord
commandeth us.
Third Lesson.
TTE, then, that loveth his neigh-
^ -*- hour naturally, loveth him in-
deed, but attaineth not unto that
great reward of love, for he loveth
him, not after the spirit, but after the
flesh. Therefore, when the Lord
saith : " This is My commandment,
That ye love one another," He saith
also, "as I have loved you," — even
as though He said openly, " Love
ye one another, with that aim where-
with I have loved you." And in
this matter, dearly beloved brethren,
it behoveth us to watch ; for he that
hateth us of old time, even while he
draweth our mind to love the things
which are seen and temporal, rouseth
up against us our neighbour who is
weaker than we are, to take from us
that which we love.
Prayer at Lauds and during the day.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
Almighty God, that the
worshipful Feast of Thy blessed
Apostle, \here insert the na7ne of
the Saint,^ on the eve whereof we
now stand, may avail us to the
increase both of godhness toward
Thee, and of health to our own
souls. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Long Preces are said at Lauds
and Pri?ne, and the corresponding
short ones at Terce, Sext, and None,
k?teeling.
Whether one or many, whose Feasts are kept within Easter-tide}
Everything as on Sundays^ except
what is otherwise giveji here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter, and Prayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (Ps. cxvi.
p. 1 86.)
Hy 77171 for Apostles and Evangelists!^
Al rHEN Christ by His own servants
• '' slain
Had died upon the bitter Cross,
The Apostles, of their joy bereft.
Were weeping their dear Master's loss :
Meanwhile an Angel at the tomb
To holy women hath foretold,
" The faithful flock with joy shall soon
Their Lord in Galilee behold."
^ During the rest of the year they have different offices, for which see pp. 528, 548,
and 564.
^ Part of an hymn of the Ambrosian school much altered ; translation by the Rev.
E. Caswall.
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
515
Who, as they run the news to bring.
Lo, straightway Christ Himself they
meet,
All radiant bright with heavenly light.
And, falling, clasp His sacred feet.
To Galilee's lone mountain height
The Apostolic band retire,
There, blest with their dear Saviour's
sight,
Enjoy in full their soul's desire.
O Jesu, from the death of sin
Keep us, we pray ; so shalt Thou be
The everlasting Paschal joy
Of all the souls new-born in Thee.
To God the Father, with the Son,
Who from the grave immortal rose ;
And Thee, O Paraclete, be praise,
While age on endless ages flows.
Amen.
Hyjmtfor one Martyr.^
OGOD, of Thy soldiers
the Portion and Crown,
Spare Thy people, who hymn
the Praise of the Blest ;
Earth's bitter joys,
its lures and its frown,
He scanned them and scorned,
and so is at rest.
The Martyr, he ran
all valiantly o'er
An highway of blood
for the prize Thou hast given.
We kneel at Thy feet
and meekly implore,
That our pardon may wait
on his triumph in heaven.
Within Easter-tide.
Praise the Father, the Son
Who immortal arose.
And the Spirit while
age upon ages flows. Amen.
From Ascension to Pentecost, iftstead
of the last verse, is said : —
To Jesus returning
now Victor to heaven.
With Father and Spirit
praise ever be given.
Hymn for many Martyrs?
OTHOU, the Martyrs' glorious
King,
Of Confessors the crown and prize ;
Who dost to joys celestial bring
Those who the joys of earth despise ;
By all the praise Thy Saints have
won ;
By all their pains in days gone by ;
By all the deeds which they have done ;
Hear Thou Thy suppliant people's
cry.
Thou dost amid Thy Martyrs fight ;
Thy Confessors Thou dost forgive ;
May we find mercy in Thy sight.
And in Thy sacred presence live.
To God the Father, with the Son,
Who from the grave immortal rose ;
And Thee, O Paraclete, be praise,
While age on endless ages flows.
Amen.'
Verse. ^ O ye Saints and right-
eous, rejoice in the Lord. Alleluia.
Answer. God hath chosen you
for His own inheritance. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The everlasting light * shall
shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord, even
unto everlasting. Alleluia.
MATTINS.
Invitatory for Apostles and Evan-
gelists. The Lord, He is the King
of the Apostles. * O come, let us
worship Him. Alleluia.
Invitatory for one or many Mar-
tyrs. * Let the Saints rejoice in the
Lord. * Alleluia.
1 Translation by Cardinal Newman — all save the last verse and its alternative.
^ Translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
2 Ps. xxxii. I, 12. * Cf. Pss. xxxii. I, cxxxi. 9.
51 6
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Hymn for Apostles a7td Evangelists^
and for o?ie Martyr, as at Vespers.
Hymn for many Martyrs}
SING we the Martyrs blest,
Their blood for jESUS pour'd ;
Sing we their glorious victories,
And infinite reward.
Treading the world beneath,
Spurning the body's pain,
'Twas theirs, in Martyrdom's brief
space,
Eternal joys to gain.
Consign'd to raging flames
Or ruthless beasts a prey ;
Their tender flesh by savage hooks
Torn piece by piece away ;
Their vitals hanging forth ;
Unmoved they still endure ;
Unmoved continue, in the grace
Of endless life secure.
Saviour, to us vouchsafe,
Of Thy dear clemency,
A portion with Thy Martyr Saints,
Through all eternity. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only o?te Antiphon and three Psalms
are said.
Antiphon. ^The righteous shall
stand * in great boldness before the
face of such as have afflicted them.
Alleluia.
The Psalms for Apostles and Evan-
gelists are as in their proper office.,
viz. .•
Ps. xviii. The heavens declare,
&c., (/. 17.) _
Ps. xxxiii. I will bless the Lord,
&c., {p. 78.)
Ps. xliv. My heart is overflowing,
&c, (/. 96.)
The Psalms for one or many Martyrs
are as in their proper office., viz. :
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
(A 4.)
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
(A 4.) , ^
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., (/. 5.)
Verse. O ye Saints and righte-
ous, rejoice in the Lord. Alleluia.
Answer. God hath chosen you
for His own inheritance. Alleluia.
The Lesso?ts are either proper to the
Feast., or from Scripture according to
the Seaso7i.
First Responsory.
^ Blessed is the man that feareth
the Lord — Alleluia— that delighteth
greatly in His commandments. Al-
leluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse: Glory and riches shall be
in his house, and his righteousness
endureth for ever.
Answer. That delighteth greatly
in His commandments. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Second Responsory.
* Your sorrow — Alleluia— shall be
turned into joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The world shall rejoice,
and ye shall be sorrowful, but your
sorrow —
Answer. Shall be turned into joy.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Third Responsory.
5 Precious in the sight of the Lord
— Alleluia — is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
^ Translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
2 Ps. cxi. I, 3. ^ John xvi. 20.
2 Wisd. V. I.
^ Ps. cxv. 6.
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
517
Verse. ^The Lord keepeth all
their bones, not one of them shall
be broken.
Answer. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Only one A7itiphon is said.
AntipJion. ^ Behold, how they are
numbered * among the children of
God, and their lot is among the
Saints. Alleluia.
The Psalms for Apostles and Evan-
gelists are as in their proper office^
viz. :
Ps. xlvi. O clap your hands, &c.,
(A 98.)
Ps. Ix. Hear my cry, &c,, {j>.
Ps. Ixiii. Hear my voice, &c.,
(/. 114.)
The Psalnis for one Martyr are as in
their proper office, viz, :
Ps. iv. When I called, &c., (/.
206.)
Ps. V. Give ear to my words,
&c., (/. 88.)
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Ruler, &c.,
(/• 7-)
The Psalms for many Martyrs are as
in their proper office^ viz. :
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide,
&c., {p. 10.)
Ps. XV. Preserve me, O Lord, &c.,
(/. 12.)
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the Lord's,
&c., {p. 46.)
^ Ps. xxxiii. 21. 2 Wisd. v. 5.
Verse. The everlasting light shall
shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord —
Alleluia.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan] (xxii.)
T^ EARLY beloved brethren, it
^-^ is very meet and right that
after the gladness of Easter, which
we have celebrated in the Church,
we should mingle our own joy with
the joy of the holy Martyrs ; yea,
that we should tell of the glory
of the Lord's rising again, to them
that have been made partakers of
the Lord's sufferings. It truly
must needs be that they which
have been partakers of His suffer-
ings, should be also of His j^oy.
For thus saith the blessed Apostle :
"As ye are partakers of the suffer-
ings, so shall ye be also of the
consolation." (2 Cor. i. 7.) And
again : " If we suffer, we shall also
reign with Him." (2 Tim. ii. 12.)
He, therefore, that endureth sorrow
for Christ, must needs also have
glory with Christ.
Fourth Responsory.
The everlasting light shall shine
upon Thy Saints, O Lord. Even
unto everlasting. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Everlasting joy upon
their heads : they shall obtain joy
and gladness.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia.
^ Isa. xxxY. 10.
5i8
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Fifth Lesson.
T SAY again, let us tell to the
^ holy Martyrs what the grace
of the Lord's Passover is : let us
tell them that, even as He hath
opened the bars of His own grave,
even so shall their graves also be
opened : let us tell them that,
even as in His dead Body the
Veins grew warm and quick again,
even so shall their limbs, that
now are cold, flush with the heat
of an eternal vigour. That power
which brought again our Lord
from the dead will bring His
Martyrs too. For as they have
followed Him in His sufferings, so
shall they follow Him also in His
newness of life. It is written in
the Psalms : " Thou hast shown Me
the path of life" (xv. 12.) This is
said of the Resurrection in the
Person of the Saviour, as of Him
Who, after that He died, came up
again from hell, and began to have
that path of life which was not
known before.
Fifth Responsory for Apostles and
Evangelists.
^ With great power gave the
Apostles witness of the Resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
Verse. They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and they spake
the word of God with boldness.
Answer. Witness of the Resur-
rection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fijth Respo7isory for one or mafiy
Martyrs.
^ God will comfort — Alleluia —
His servants. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. ^ The Lord will judge
His people, and will comfort —
Answer. His servants. Alleluia.
Sixth Lesso7i.
11^ OR, before that Christ came,
-*- that path of life was not
known, which none had risen from
the dead to tread. But, since the
Lord hath risen, it is known, and
many have trodden it after the
Lord. Touching them, the holy
Evangelist saith : " Many bodies of
the saints which slept arose with
Him, and went into the holy city."
(Matth. xxvii. 52, 53.)* Wherefore,
when the Lord riseth again and
saith : " Thou hast shown Me the
path of life," we also can now say
to Him : " Thou hast shown us the
path of life." For He hath shown
us the path of life, Who hath shown
us the way that leadeth unto life.
He hath shown rne the path of life,
Who hath taught me faith, mercy,
righteousness, and chastity ; for
these are the ways that lead unto
life eternal.
Sixth Responsory for Apostles and
Evafigelists.
^ These are the new lambs, who
have proclaimed — Alleluia : they
came but just now to the well :
they are all filled with light. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
^ Ps. cxxxiv. 14.
^ Acts iv. 33, 31. 2 Q{ isa. li. 3.
^ The quotation is anything but exact.
^ Cf. Gen. xxix. 10. Jacob, opening the well to the flock, seems to be taken as a type
of our Lord opening Baptism to His followers.
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
519
Verse. ^ They stand before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and palms in their hands.
Answer. They are all filled with
light. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. They are all filled with
light. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Sixth Responsory for 07ie or j?iany
Martyrs.
2 Come forth, O ye daughters of
Jerusalem, and behold the Martyrs
with the crowns wherewith the Lord
crowned them in the day of His
feasting, and of His gladness. Al-
leluia.
Verse. ^ For He hath strength-
ened the bars of thy gates ; He hath
blessed thy children within thee.
Answer. In the day of His feast-
ing, and of His gladness. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
Ansiver. In the day of His feast-
ing, and of His gladness. Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Only one Antiphon is said.
Antiphon. The everlasting light
* shall shine upon Thy Saints, O
Lord, even unto everlasting. Al-
leluia.
The Psalms for Apostles and Evan-
gelists are as i7i their proper office,
viz. :
Ps. Ixxiv. Unto Thee, O God,
&c., (/. 129.)
Ps. xcvi. The Lord reigneth,
&c., (/. 149.)
Ps. xcviii. The Lord reigneth,
be the people, &c., {p. 158.)
The Psalms for one Martyr are as in
their proper office, viz. :
Ps. X. In the Lord, &c., (/. 9.)
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide,
&c., (/. 10.)
Ps. XX. The king shall joy, &c.,
(/. 1 9-)
The Psahns for many Martyrs are
as ift their proper office, viz. :
Ps. xxxii. Rejoice in the Lord,
&c., (/. 78.)
Ps. xxxiii. I will bless the Lord,
&c., (p. 78.)
Ps. xlv. God is our refuge, &c.,
(A 97.)
Verse. Everlasting joy upon their
heads. Alleluia.
Answer. They shall obtain joy
and gladness. Alleluia.
Seve/zth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. i.)
AT that time : Jesus said unto
His disciples : I am the true
vine, and My Father is the husband-
man. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Tract 80, on John.)
Dearly beloved brethren, this
passage of the Gospel, wherein
the Lord saith that He is the
vine, and that His disciples are
the branches, is to be taken in
that sense wherein it is also said,
that He is the Head of the Church,
(Eph. V. 23), and that we are the
members of Him (30) Who is the
Mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus (i Tim. ii. 5).
The vine and his branches are of
^ Cf. Apoc. vii. 9.
2 Cf. Cant. iii. 11.
' Ps. cxlvii. 2.
520
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
one and the same nature. There-
fore, seeing that He was God, of
which nature we are not. He was
made man, to the end, that He
might have in Himself this vine,
that is, the manhood, whereof we
men can be made branches.
Seventh Respofisory.
^ I ani the true vine, ye are the
branches. He that abideth in Me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. As the Father hath loved
me, so have I loved you.
Answer. He that abideth in Me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Eighth Blessing.
He {or they) whose feast-day we
are keeping,
Be our Advocate {or Advocates)
with God.
Eighth Lesson.
VI rHY saith He : " I am the true
- '^ * vine"? As touching this
word "true," hath He not here
regard to that other parable of a
vinCj the like figure whereto He
doth here apply to Himself? (Jer.
ii. 21.) Here is He called a vine,
not plainly, but in parable, as also
He is called elsewhere a sheep, (Isa.
liii. 7, Acts viii. 32,) a lamb, (John
i. 36,) a lion, (Apoc. v. 5,) a rock,
(i Cor. X. 4,) a corner-stone, (Eph.
ii. 2o,).and other things of the like
kind. But these things are in them-
selves that which they seem to be,
albeit He is called by their names.
not plainly, but in a parable, and
herein are they different from that
vine, whereof in this place He taketh
on Him the name. For when He
saith : "I am the true vine," doth
He not make distinction between
Himself, and that which indeed
seemed to be a vine, but to which
it is said : " How art thou turned
into the degenerate plant of a strange
vine unto Me?" (Jer. ii. 21.) For
by what title shall that plant be
called other than a false vine,
whereto they looked that she should
bring forth grapes, and she brought
forth thorns ? ^
Eighth Responsory .
^ Her Nazarites are become pure,
Alleluia : they reflect the glory of
God, Alleluia. They are whiter
than milk. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. They are purer than snow,
they are whiter than milk, they are
more ruddy in body than coral,* their
polishing is of sapphire.
A7tswer. They are whiter than
milk. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. They are whiter than
milk. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ninth Lesson.
T T E saith : "I am the true vine,
^ -*- and My Father is the hus-
bandman." Is the vine one with
the husbandman ? These words
then are to be taken in that sense
wherein He also saith : " My Father
is greater than I." (John xiv. 28.)
"} John XV. 5-9. 2 LXX. '^ Lam. iv. 7.
: '^ ^Ebore antique. The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain. "Coral" is taken
from Gesenius, and seems here at least the most appropriate word, the description being
apparently meant to depict the beautiful pink and white of youth. , • .
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
521
In this sense is He the vine, and
the Father is the husbandman. But
again, in regard to those words : "I
and the Father are one," and again :
" and My Father is the husband-
man," we understand that They are
not the vine and the husbandman,
after the manner of a vine, and the
husbandman that from without doth
care for and keep it, but after the
manner of a vine and Him That
from within doth make it to bring
forth fruit. For "neither is he that
planteth anything, neither he that
watereth : but God that giveth the
increase." (i Cor. iii. 7.) But
Christ is God, for "the Word was
God." (John i. i.) Therefore He
and the Father are one : and, albeit
"the Word was made flesh," (John
i. 14), which, before, He was not,
He ceased not to be still That Which
He was.
The Hymn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^Thy Saints, O
Lord, * shall grow as the lily, Al-
leluia : they shall come up before
Thee with a pleasant savour like
balm, Alleluia.
Second Antiphon. In the heavenly
kingdoms, * there is the dwelling of
the saints, Alleluia : there shall be
their rest for ever and ever. Al-
leluia.
Third Antiphon. In the shadow
[of Thy wings,] * O Lord, Thy
Saints cried and said : Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fourth Antiphon. O ye spirits
and souls of the righteous, * give
praise to our God. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Fifth Antiphon. ^The righteous
shall shine forth * as the sun, in the
presence of God. Alleluia.
Chapter. (Wisd. v. i.)
nPHE righteous shall stand in
^ great boldness before the
face of such as have afflicted
them, and made no account of
their labours.
Hy7nn for Apostles and Evangelists.^
"^ OW daily shines the sun more fair,
-'-^ Recalling that blest time,
When Christ on His Apostles shone
In radiant light sublime.
They in His Body see the Wounds,
Like stars divinely glow ;
Then forth, as His true witnesses,
Throughout the world they go.
O Christ ! Thou King most merciful I
Our inmost hearts possess ;
So may our canticles of praise
Thy name for ever bless.
Keep us, O JESU ! from the death
Of sin ; and deign to be
The everlasting Paschal joy
Of all newborn in Thee.
Praise to the Father, and the Son,
Who from the dead arose ;
Praise to the Blessed Paraclete,
While age on ages flows. Amen.
Hymn for one Martyr.^
MARTYR of unconquer'd might !
Follower of th' Incarnate Son I
Who, victorious in the fight,
Hast celestial glory won ;
^ Cf. Hos. xiv. 5, Ecclus. xxiv. 20, '^ Matth. xiii. 43.
' Part of an hymn of the Ambrosian school ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
* Hymn of the tenth century or earlier ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
VOL. IL S 2
522
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
By the virtue of thy prayer,
Let no evil hover nigh ;
Sin's contagion drive afar ;
Waken drowsy lethargy.
Loosen'd from the fleshly chain
Which detained thee here of old,
Loose us from the bonds of sin,
From the fetters of the world.
Glory to th' Incarnate Son,
Who from death immortal rose ;
Glory to the Trine in One,
While the flood of ages flows.
Amen.
Hyni7i for many Martyrs, " O Thou
the Martyrs' glorious King," as at First
Vespers.
Verse. Precious in the sight of
the Lord — Alleluia.
Answer. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacha-
rias. Come forth, O ye daughters
of Jerusalem, * and behold the
Martyrs with the crowns wherewith
the Lord crowned them, in the day
of His feasting and of His gladness.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Prayers for the Apostles and
Evangelists are all special.
I. Prayer for one Martyr, who was a
Bishop.
MERCIFULLY consider our
weakness, O Almighty God,
and, whereas by the burden of our
sins we are sore let and hindered,
may it please Thee, that the prayers
of Thy blessed and glorious Martyr
and Bishop {here insert his name)
may shield us. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Afnen.
2. Another Prayer for the same.
OGOD, Who year by year dost
gladden us by the solemn
feast-day of Thy blessed Martyr and
Bishop, {here insert his name,) merci-
fully grant, that we who keep his
birthday, may ever feel the joyful
effects of his protection. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
3. Prayer for a Martyr not a Bishop.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
mighty God, that we who keep
the birthday of Thy blessed Martyr,
(Jiere insert his name,) may be so
holpen by his prayers, that we may
ever grow more and more in love
toward Thy holy Name. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
4. Another for the same.
GRACIOUSLY hear us, we be-
seech Thee, O Almighty God,,
and, at the petition of Thy blessed
Martyr, {here insert his naine,) be
mercifully pleased to deliver us from
all things which may hurt our bodies,
and from all evil thoughts which
may defile our souls. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
5. Prayer for many Martyrs, who were
Bishops.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, that
^-^ the feast of Thy blessed Mar-
tyrs and Bishops {here insert their
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
523
7iames) may keep us, and their
worshipful prayers commend us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who Hveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
6. Prayer for uiany Martyrs^ not
Bishops.
OGOD, by Whose mercy we
here keep the birthday of
Thy holy Martyrs, {here insert their
names^ grant us hereafter to rejoice
in their blessed company for all
eternity. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
7. Another for the same.
r~\ GOD, Who, year by year, dost
^-^ gladden us by the solemn
feast-day of Thy holy Martyrs, {here
insert their names,) mercifully grant,
that we who rejoice because of their
worthy deeds, may be also stirred
up to follow after their example.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Ai?ien.
PRIME.
Antipho7i. Thy Saints, O Lord,
&C.J {First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end. (Rom, viii. 28.)
WE know that all things work
together for good to them
that love God, to them who are
called to be Saints according to
His purpose.
TERCE.
In the heavenly king-
{^Second Antiphon at
The righteous shall
Antiphon.
doms, &c.,
Lauds. )
Chapter.
stand, &c., {from Lauds.)
Short Responsory.
O ye Saints and righteous, rejoice
in the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. O ye Saints and right-
eous, rejoice in the Lord. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God hath chosen you for
His own inheritance.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. O ye Saints and right-
eous, rejoice in the Lord. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. The everlasting light
shall shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord
— Alleluia.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia.
Prayer as at Lauds.
SEXT.
Antiphon. In the shadow, &c.,
{Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Wisd. v. 5.)
BEHOLD, how they are num-
bered among the children of
God, and their lot is among the
Saints.
Short Responsory.
The everlasting light shall shine
upon Thy Saints, O Lord. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Answer. The everlasting light
shall shine upon Thy Saints, O
Lord — Alleluia, Alleluia.
524
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Verse. Even unto everlasting.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The everlasting light
shall shine upon Thy Saints, O
Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Everlasting joy upon
their heads. Alleluia.
Answer. They shall obtain joy
and gladness. Alleluia.
Prayer as at Lauds.
NONE.
Antiphon. The righteous, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Everlasting joy upon their heads.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. Everlasting joy upon
their heads. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. They shall obtain joy
and gladness.
A?iswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Everlasting joy upon
their heads. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Precious in the sight of
the Lord — Alleluia.
A7iswer. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
Prayer as at Lauds.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at First Vespers, except the
followi7ig :
The Psalms for Apostles and Evan-
gelists are as ifi their proper office,
viz. :
Ps. cix. The Lord said, &c.,
(/. 176.)
Ps. cxii. Praise the Lord, &c.,
{p. 178.)
Ps. cxv. I believed, &c., (/.
185-)
Ps. cxxv. When the Lord
turned, &c., {p. 190.)
Ps. cxxxviii. O Lord, Thou
hast searched me, &c. (/. 197.)
The Psabnsfor 07ie or maiiy Martyrs
are the sauie as o?i Sundays, except the
last, which is :
Ps. cxv. I believed, &c., (/.
185-)
Verse. Precious in the sight of
the Lord — Alleluia.
Ansiver. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
Afitiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. O ye Saints and
righteous, * rejoice in the Lord —
Alleluia ; God hath chosen you for
His own inheritance. Alleluia.
©tljer Hessons for tfje jFeagts
of IKartgrs on ®aster4itre.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the
Epistle of St Cyprian, Bishop
[of Carthage,] and himself a
Martyr, to the Martyrs and Con-
fessors.^ {Bk. ii. ep. 6.)
T TOW shall I praise you, O
-'■ -^ Martyrs so brilliantly vic-
torious ? Can the voice of man's
^ Who were then suffering in the persecution of Decius.
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
525
praise add anything to the glory
of your manful heart and unshaken
faithfulness ? Ye have borne all
the hardness of the torment, and
have attained unto the excellent
height of glory : the tormentors
have not worn you out, nay, ye
rather have worn out the tormentors.
When they that kill the body would
give you no rest from suffering, ye
suffered until ye gained the crown.
And the torment waxing still more
dread, waxed not to the casting
down of your strong faith, but
to the sooner sending God's men
home to God.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HEY that stood by looked in
^ wonder at your heavenly con-
flict, that battle of God, that wrest-
ling of spirit, that combat of Christ.
There they saw His servants stand-
ing with voice unshaken, with spirit
unbroken, strong in God's strength,
naked indeed, as to the arms of
this world, but clothed on with the
armour of God, and equipped with
the fiery weapons of faith. There
they that were tormented stood
braver than they that tormented
them. Their bruised and mangled
bodies overcame the instruments of
cruelty that bruised and mangled
them. The bloody stripes, so often
laid on, could not beat down the
impregnable castle of their faith,
even when the covering of their
bowels was broken, and that which
was tormented in God's servants was
no longer limbs but wounds. The
blood that ran down, ran down
to quench the rage of persecution, .
noble blood, that can put out the
flames and fire of hell.
Sixth Lesson.
f~\ WHAT a spectacle was that in
^-^ the eyes of the Lord ! O
how noble ! O how mighty ! O
how precious in the sight of God
were His soldiers' loyalty and faith-
fulness ! Even as it is written in
the Psalms, the Holy Ghost therein
at once speaking to us and warning
us : " Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of His Saints."
O what a precious death is his, who
maketh purchase of life that can
never die, at the price of his own
blood, and seizeth on the crown,
when courage hath no more left to
meet ! O how joyful was Christ !
How gladly fought He in such
servants as these, — in these how
gladly did He triumph, the Keeper
of their faith, — and, in the end, to
them how gladly did He give that
reward which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it ! (Apoc.
ii. 17.) He it was. Who was there
when they fought, — He it was. Who
raised them up to be the champions
and defenders of His holy Name, —
He, who gave them the strength, —
He, Who nerved them. He, That
by death hath once conquered for
us, liveth now for ever to conquer
in us.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevejith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. 5.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
-^^ His disciples : I am the vine,
ye are the branches : He that
abideth in Me and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit :
for without Me ye can do nothing.
And so on.
526
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop
[of Hippo.] {Tract 8i on Johi^
Lest any man should so take
these words, "the same bringeth
forth much fruit," as to think that
the branch can of itself bring forth
any fruit whatsoever, the Lord saith
further, "without Me ye can do,"
not only " small things," but " noth-
ing." Whether, then, it be little
or much, there can be nothing done,
save through Him, without Whom
we can do nothing : for if the branch
bring forth fruit, albeit but little, it
is through Him That purgeth it,
that it may bring forth more fruit.
And if the branch abide not in
the vine, and draw not his sap
from the vine's root, it can bring
forth no fruit whatsoever of itself.
And as Christ would not have
been the vine, if He had not been
man, He could not have given grace
to His branches, if He had not been
God.
Eighth Lesson.
"^ITITHOUT the sap of grace
^ * the branch cannot live, and
it is within the power of his own
free will to choose death rather
than life. "If a man abide not
in Me," saith the Lord, " he is cast
forth as a branch, and is withered,
and men gather them, and cast
them into the fire, and they are
burned." So much the more worthy
as is the branch of the vine, if it
abide in the vine, so much the
baser is it, if it abide not in the
vine. Then is it as the vine-
branches whereof the Prophet Eze-
kiel saith (xv. 3, 4) that wood shall
not be taken thereof to do any work,
and it is meet for no work. The
branch hath choice of two things.
the vine, or the fire : if it abide not
in the vine, it shall be cast into the
fire ; if, then, it would not be cast
into the fire, let it abide in the vine.
Ninth Lesson.
" TF ye abide in Me," saith the
-*- Lord, "and My words abide
in you, ye shall ask what ye will
and it shall be done unto you."
And what can they will that abide
in Christ, save the things of Christ ?
What can they will that abide in
the Saviour save such things as
tend to salvation ? Sioce we are in
Christ we will one thing, and since
we are as yet in this world, we
will another. Since we are yet in
this world, it befalleth us to seek
some things, whereof we know not
that they be inexpedient for us.
But far be it from us to think that
we shall obtain them, if we abide in
Christ, for, when we seek from Him,
He giveth not, save that which is
expedient for us.
Jor Simple Jeaists of one or
ntang JHartgrs in 3Easter4it(e.
The Office is as on a Seinidouble, with
the following exceptions.
FIRST VESPERS.
The Office is of the Week-day, till the
Chapter exclusive.
The Office of the Saint or Saints be-
gins with the Chapter., 'which., as also
the Hymn, Verse a?td A?iswer, A?tti-
phon at the Song of the Blessed Virgin,
and Prayer., are all as just give?!. The
Paschal Commemoration of the Cross is
said.
At Compline are said Preces.
FOR APOSTLES, ETC., IN EASTER-TIDE.
527
MATTINS.
The Invitatory and Hyinjt are as
just given.
Then follow the Week-day Psalms
with the Antiphon, " Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia."
On Mondays and Thursdays.
Verse. O ye Saints and righteous,
rejoice in the Lord. Alleluia.
Aftswer. God hath chosen you
for His own inheritance. Alleluia.
Absolutio7t.
Graciously hear, &c.
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
Verse. The everlasting light shall
shine upon Thy saints, O Lord —
Alleluia.
Answer. Even unto everlasting.
Alleluia.
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness, &c.
On Wednesdays.
Verse. Everlasting joy upon their
heads. Alleluia.
Answer. They shall obtain joy
arid gladness. Alleluia.
Absolution.
May the Almighty, &c..
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us.
Who doth live and reign for
ever.
First Lesson from Scripture accord-
ing to the Seas 071., being either the first
part, or, if the Sai?it or Saints have
two Lessons, the whole read as one, at
vnll.
First Resp07isory.
071 Mo7idays a7id Thursdays.
Blessed is the man, &c.; {First
Responsory in the preceding Office,
P- 516.)
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
The everlasting light, &c., {Fourth
Responsory in the preceding Office,
P' 517-)
O71 Wednesdays.
I am the true vine, &c., {Seventh
Resp07isory iit the preceding Office^
p. 520.)
Second Blessing.
He {or they) whose feast-day -we
are keeping,
Be our Advocate {or Advocates)
with God.
Second Lesson is the first of the Le-
gend of the Sai7tt or Saints, if there be
two ; if not, it is the second fro77i Scrip-
ture, to which the third 77iay be added
at will.
Seco7td Responsory.
07t Mondays a7td Tuesdays.
Your sorrow, &c., {Second Re-
sponsory in the preceding Office^
p. 516, with this addition .•)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. Shall be turned into
joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.
528
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
God will comfort, &c., {Fifth
Responsory for Martyrs in the pre-
ceding Office^ p. 518, with this
addition /)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. His servants. Alleluia.
On Wednesdays.
Her Nazarites, &c., {Eighth Re-
sponsory in the preceding Office^ p.
520.)
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels'
King
To that high realm His people
bring.
Third Lesso?i is the whole or second
part of the Legend of the Sai?it or Saints^
if there is one, or else the special Lesson
assig?ied.
Then the Hy7nn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said, and so end Mattins.
The rest of the Office is as on a Semi-
double^ as just given ; it e?ids at None^
inclusive; Preces are said at Prime^
a7id the Cross is Paschally cojmnemor-
ated at Lauds.
KKE, dPor ^pojstki^ ana iEbanplijs^tiS,
Whose Feasts are kept out of Easter-tide.
Everything as 07i Sufidays except
what is otherwise given here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter^ and Hymn from
Lauds.
The Prayer is always Proper.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (Ps. cxvi.,
p. 186.)
Verse. ^ Their sound is gone out
through all the earth.
Answer. And their words to the
ends of the world.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ For they will deliver you
up to the councils, and they will
scourge you in their synagogues,
and ye shall be brought before kings
^ Ps. xviii. 5.
^ Part of an hymn by St Ambrose, or by
translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
and governors for My sake, for a
testimony against them and the
Gentiles.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. The Lord, He is the
King of the Apostles. * O come, let
us worship Him !
Hym7i? •
'T^HE Lord's eternal gifts,
-'- The Apostles' mighty praise,
Their victories, and high reward.
Sing we in joyful lays.
Lords of the Churches they;
Triumphant Chiefs of war ;
Brave Soldiers of the Heavenly Camp ;
True Lights for evermore.
Theirs was the Saint's high faith ;
And quenchless hope's pure glow ;
And perfect charity, which laid
The world's fell tyrant low.
2 Matth. X. 17, 18.
one of the Ambrosian school ; slightly altered ;
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
529
In them the Father shone ;
In them the Son o'ercame :
In them the Holy Spirit wrought,
And filled their hearts with flame.
Praise to the Father, Son,
And Spirit, One and Three ;
As evermore hath been before,
And shall for ever be. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only three Psalms are said.
First Antiphon. Their sound is
gone out through all the earth, and
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm XVIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with the
same further obscure superscription, as in
Pss. xii. and xiii.]
THE heavens declare the glory
of God, * and the firmament
showeth His handy-work.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
* and night unto night showeth
knowledge.
There is no speech nor lang-
uage, * where their voice is not
heard.
Their sound is gone out through
all the earth : * and their words to
the ends of the world.
He hath set His tabernacle in the
sun : ^ * which is as a bridegroom
coming out of his chamber.
He rejoiceth as a strong man to
run a race : * his going forth is from
the end of the heaven.
And his circuit unto the ends of
it : * and there is nothing hid from
the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul : * the testimony
of the Lord is sure, making wise the
simple.
The statutes of the Lord are
right, rejoicing the heart : * the
commandment of the Lord is clear,
giving light unto the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is holy,
enduring for ever and ever : * the
judgments of the Lord are true,
righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than
gold and store of precious stones,
* sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb.
Verily, Thy servant keepeth them :
* in keeping of them there is great
reward.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse Thou me from secret faults :
* preserve Thy servant also from
the sins of others.
If they get not dominion over me,
then shall I be undefiled : * and
I shall be cleansed from the great
transgression.
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of mine heart,
* be acceptable in Thy sight for
ever,
O Lord mine Helper, * and my
Redeemer !
Second Antiphon. The righteous
cry, and the Lord heareth.
1 So the LXX., as well as the Vulgate. Cf. Ps. cii. 19 ; ciii. 2, 3. The sense seems to
be that the physical source of the light and life of this system is represented as a kind of
celestial counterpart of the tabernacle, which was the centre of the Divine authority as re-
vealed upon earth. The Hebrew, however, which is supported by St Jerome, reads, " In
them {i.e., the stariy heavens) hath He set a tabernacle for the sun," and this reading seems
to commend itself to Archbishop Kenrick, who suggests that the " tabernacle " may signify
the region below the horizon, into which the sun retires nightly, as into a tent, to sleep, and
from which he issues in renewed glory every morning. Targum : — "In them hath He set
splendour as a tabernacle for the sun."
530
THE COMMON OF SATNTS.
Psalm XXXIII.
[Intituled "Of David, when he changed
his behaviour before Abimelech, w^ho drove
him away and he departed." This incident
is thus described in i Kings (Sam.) xxi. lo.
" And David arose and fled that day for fear
of Saul, and went to Achish " (otherwise
called Abimelech) " the King of Gath. And
the servants of Achish said unto him : Is
not this David the King of the land ? Did
they not sing one to another of him in
dances saying, ' Saul hath slain his thou-
sands,, and David his ten thousands '? And
David laid up these words in his heart, and
was sore afraid of Achish the King of Gath.
And he changed his behaviour before them,
and feigned himself mad in their hands,
and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and
let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
Then said Achish to his servants : Lo, ye
see the man is mad ; wherefore have you
brought him to me ? Have I need of mad-
men, that ye have brought this fellow to
play the madman in my presence? Shall
this fellow come into mine house? xxii.
David therefore departed thence, and es-
caped to the cave of Adullam." This Psalm
is A B C Darian.]
T WILL bless the Lord at all
^ times : * His praise shall con-
tinually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in
the Lord : * the humble shall hear
thereof, and be glad.
0 magnify the Lord with me : *
and let us exalt His Name together.
1 sought the Lord, and He heard
me, * and delivered me from all my
distress.
Draw near unto Him, and be light-
ened, * and your faces shall not be
ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the
Lord heard him, * and saved him
out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him, *
and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is
good : * blessed is the man that
trusteth in Him.
O fear the Lord, all ye His Saints :
* for there is no want to them that
fear Him.
The mighty lack and suffer hunger :
* but they that seek the Lord shall
not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto
me : * I will teach you the fear of
the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life,
* that loveth to see good days ?
Keep thy tongue from evil, * and
thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil and do good : *
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon
the righteous : * and His ears are
open unto their cry.
But the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil, * to cut
off the remembrance of them from
the earth.
The righteous cry and the Lord
heareth, * and delivereth them out
of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them
that are of a broken heart, * and
saveth such as be of a contrite
spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the
righteous : * but the Lord will de-
liver them out of all.
The Lord keepeth all their bones :
* not one of them shall be broken.
The death of sinners is grievous :
* and they that hate the righteous
shall be guilty.
The Lord redeemeth the souls
of His servants : * and none of
them that trust in Him shall be
guilty.
Third Anttphon. Thou shalt
make them princes over all the
earth : they shall be mindful of
Thy Name, O Lord.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
531
Psalm XLIV.
[This Psalm has a long superscription, the
exact meaning of which is not now certain.
It seems to have been a marriage-song writ-
ten to be sung by the Korahites, The Tar-
gum ascribes it to the time of Moses, but it
seems rather to belong to that of the Jewish
Monarchy.]
MINE heart is overflowing with
a good matter : * I speak of
my works unto the king.
My tongue is the pen * of a ready
writer.
Thou art fairer than the children
of men, grace is poured into thy lips :
* therefore God hath blessed thee
for ever.
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, *
O most mighty !
In thy comeliness, and thy beauty,
* go forward, fare prosperously, and
reign,
Because of truth, and meekness,
and righteousness : * and thy right
hand shall lead thee wonderfully.
Thine arrows are sharp — (the
people shall fall under thee) — * into
the heart of the King's enemies.
^Thy throne, O God, is for ever
and ever : * the sceptre of Thy
kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity : * therefore, God,
thy God, hath anointed thee with
the oil of gladness above thy
fellows.
Thy garments smell of myrrh, and
aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory
palaces, * whereby kings' daughters
among thine honourable women have
made thee glad.
Upon thy right hand did stand
the queen in a vesture of gold, *
bedecked with divers colours.
Hearken, O daughter, and con-
sider, and incline thine ear : * for-
get also thine own people, and thy
father's house :
And the King shall greatly de-
sire thy beauty : * for He is the
Lord thy God,- and Him shall they
worship.
And the daughters of Tyre shall
entreat thy favour * with gifts, even •
all the rich among the people.
The King's daughter is all glo-
rious within, * in a vesture of gold,
clad in divers colours.
After her shall virgins be brought
unto the King : * her fellows shall
be brought unto thee.
With gladness and rejoicing shall
they be brought : * they shall enter
into the King's palace.
Instead of thy fathers shall be
thy children : * thou shalt make
them princes over all the earth.
They shall be mindful of thy
name, * unto all generations.
Therefore shall the people praise
thee for ever, * yea, for ever and ever.
Verse. Their sound is gone out
through all the earth.
Answer. And their words to the
ends of the world.
The followmg Lessons are not read if
Proper Lessons are assigned instead.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle
Paul to the Corinthians (iv. i.)
LET a man so account of us as of
-' the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God. It
^ So are these words translated in Heb.. i. 8, 9.
2 The word "God" is not in the Hebrew, and the original meaning, addressed to the
bride, is, " He is thy lord, and bow thou to him." So also St Jerome.
532
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
is required of stewards here, that a
man be found faithful. But with
me it is a very small thing that I
should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment : yea, I judge not mine
own self. For I know nothing
against myself: yet am I not here-
by justified : but He that judgeth
me is the Lord. Therefore judge
"nothing before the time, until the
Lord come : Who both will bring
to light the hidden things of dark-
ness, and will make manifest the
counsels of the hearts : and then
shall every man have praise of God.
First Responsory.
^ Behold, I send you forth as
sheep in the midst of wolves, saith
the Lord ; be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves.
Verse. ^ While ye have light, be-
lieve in the light, that ye may be the
children of light.
Answer. Be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves.
Second Lessoii.
A ND these things, brethren, I
-^^- have in a figure transferred
to myself and to Apollos for your
sakes, that ye might learn in us not
to think of men above that which is
written, that no one of you be puffed
up for one against another. For
who maketh thee to differ from an-
other? And what hast thou that
thou didst not receive? Now, if
thou didst receive it, why dost thou
glory, as if thou hadst not received
it? Now ye are full, now ye are
rich : ye have reigned as kings with-
out us : and I would to God ye did
^ Matth. X. 16. 2 jQj^n xii. 36.
reign, that we also might reign with
you. For I think that God hath set
forth us the Apostles last, as it were
appointed to death : for we are made
a spectacle unto the world, and to
Angels, and to men.
Second Responsory.
^Take My yoke upon you, saith
the Lord, and learn of Me, for I am
meek and lowly in heart ; for My
yoke is easy, and My burden is
light.
Verse. And ye shall find rest
unto your souls.
Answer. For My yoke is easy,
and My burden is light.
Third Lesson.
AX TE are fools for Christ's sake,
'^ * but ye are wise in Christ:
we are weak, but ye are strong : ye
are honourable, but we are despised.
Even unto this present hour we both
hunger, and thirst, and are naked,
and are buffeted, and have no cer-
tain dwelling - place, and labour,
working with our own hands : being
reviled, we bless : being persecuted,
we suffer it : being defamed, we en-
treat : we are made as the filth of
the earth, and are the off-scouring of
all things unto this day. I write not
these things to shame you, but as
my beloved sons, I warn you. For
though ye have ten thousand in-
structors in Christ ; yet have ye not
many fathers. For in Christ Jesus
I have begotten you through the
Gospel.
Third Responsory.
^ When ye stand before kings and
governors, take no thought how or
3 Matth. xi. 29.
* Matth. X. 18-20.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
533
■ what ye shall speak ; for it shall be
given you in that same hour, what
ye shall speak.
Verse. For it is not ye that
speak, but the Spirit of your Father,
Which speaketh in you.
Answer. For it shall be given
you in that same hour, what ye
shall speak.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For it shall be given
you in that same hour, what ye
shall speak.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The princes of
the people are gathered together
with the God of Abraham.
Psalm XLVI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of the sons of
Korah," with another (now uncertain) direc-
tion. ]
OCLAP your hands, all ye
people : * shout unto God
with the voice of triumph.
For the Lord Most High is ter-
rible : * He is a great King over all
the earth.
He hath subdued the people
under us, * and the nations under
our feet.
He hath chosen His own inheri-
tance for us, * the excellency of
Jacob, whom He loved.^
God is gone up with a shout, *
and the Lord with the sound of a
trumpet.
Sing praises to our God, sing
praises
smg praises unto our
King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the
earth : * sing ye praises with under-
standing.
God reigneth over the heathen :
* God sitteth upon the throne of
His holiness.
The princes of the people are
gathered together with the God of
Abraham : * for the mighty ones
of the earth are greatly exalted.
Second Antiphon. Thou hast
given the heritage to those that
fear Thy Name, O Lord.
Psalm LX.
[Intituled "of David." It has also a
musical (?) superscription now of uncertain
meaning.]
IT EAR my cry, O God : * attend
-■■ -^ unto my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I
cried unto Thee : * when mine
heart was overwhelmed. Thou didst
lift me up upon a rock.
Thou didst lead me, for Thou
hast been a shelter for me, * a
strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Thy tabernacle
for ever : * I will make my refuge
in the covert of Thy wings.^
For Thou, O God, hast heard
my vows : * Thou hast given the
heritage to those that fear Thy
name.
Thou wilt prolong the King's
life : * and his years to many
generations.
He shall abide before God for
ever : * who will seek for His
mercy and truth?
So will I sing praise unto Thy
name for ever : * that I may daily
perform my vows.
SLH.
534
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Third Antiphon. They declared
the work of God. and understood
His doings.
Psalm LXIII.
[Intituled ' ' A Psalm of David " with a
farther superscription of meaning now
uncertain.]
HEAR my voice, O God, in my
prayer : * preserve my life
from fear of the enemy.
Thou hast hidden me from the
secret counsel of the wicked, * from
the insurrection of the workers of
iniquity.
For they whet their tongue like
a sword : * they bend their bow,
even bitter words, that they may
shoot in secret at the perfect.
Suddenly do they shoot at him
and fear not : * they encourage
themselves in evil purpose.
They commune of laying snares
privily : * they say : Who shall see
them ?
They search out iniquities : *
they accomplish a diligent search.
Man shall attain to thoughts that
are very deep : * but God shall
[still] be exalted.
The arrows of babes have pierced
them : * and their tongues are
weakened against them.
All that saw them were moved :
* and all men feared.
And declared the work of God, *
and understood His doings.
The righteous shall be glad in
the Lord, and shall trust in Him :
* and all the upright in heart shall
glory.
Verse. ^ Thou shalt make them
princes over all the earth.
Answer. They shall be mindful
of Thy Name, O Lord.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (30//2 on the Gospels.^
T T is written : " By His Spirit the
^ Lord hath garnished the
heavens." (Job xxvi. 13.) Now
the garniture of the heavens are the
godly powers of preachers, and this
garniture, what it is, Paul teacheth
us thus : — " To one is given by the
Spirit the word of wisdom, to
another the word of knowledge by
the same Spirit ; to another faith
by the same Spirit ; to another the
gifts of healing by the same Spirit,
to another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy, to another
discerning of spirits, to another
divers kinds of tongues, to another
the interpretation of tongues. But
all these worketh that one and the
self-same Spirit, dividing to every
man severally as He will, (i Cor.
xii. 8.)
Fourth Respo7isory.
^ I saw men standing together,
clad in shining raiment, and the
Angel of the Lord spake unto me,
saying : These men are holy, for
they are the friends of God.
Verse. ^ I saw a strong Angel of
God fly into the midst of heaven,
saying with a loud voice —
Answer. These men are holy,
for they are the friends of God.
1 Ps. xliv. 17, 18.
"^ This Responsory reads like a quotation, but neither the translator . nor any whom he
has consulted have succeeded in discovering its source. It is not in Scripture.
^ Cf. Apoc. viii. 13.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
53S
Fifth Lesson.
SO much power then as have
preachers, so much garniture
have the heavens. Wherefore again
it is written : " By the word of the
Lord were the heavens made."
(Ps. xxxii. 6.) For the Word of
the Lord is the Son of the Father.
But, to the end that all the Holy
Trinity may be made manifest as
the Maker of the heavens, (that is,
of the Apostles,) it is straightway
added touching God the Holy
Ghost: "and all the host of them
by the Breath of His mouth."
Therefore the might of the same
heavens is the might of the Spirit,
for they had not braved the powers,
of this world, unless the strength of
the Holy Ghost had comforted
them. For we know what manner
of men the Teachers of the Holy
Church were before the coming of
this Spirit : and since He came we
see in Whose strength they are
made strong.
Fifth Responsory.
^ Blessed are ye when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for My sake ; rejoice,
and be exceeding glad, for great is
your reward in heaven.
Verse. ^When men shall hate
you, and when they shall separate
you from their company, and shall
reproach you, and cast out your name
as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
Answer. Rejoice, and be ex-
ceeding glad, for great is your re-
ward in heaven.
Sixth Lesson.
A EERILY, if we ask of the dam-
^ sel that kept the door, she
will tell us what was the measure
of weakness and of strength in that
Shepherd^ of the Church nigh to
whose most holy body we are now
sitting, before that the Spirit came.
He was so stricken by the words of
one woman, that for fear of death,
he denied Life. And we may well
remember that Peter denied in cap-
tivity Him, Whom the thief con-
fessed, even when He was lifted up
upon the Cross. But let us hear
what that craven was after that the
Spirit came. When the rulers and
elders were gathered together, the
Apostles were beaten, and com-
manded not to speak at all nor
teach in the name of Jesus. And
Peter answered with great boldness,
"We ought to obey God rather
than men." (Acts v. 42.)
Sixth Responsory.
These are they which have con-
quered, and are become the friends
of God, who recked not of the
commandments of princes, and
earned the everlasting reward. And
now have they crowns on their
heads, and palms in their hands.
Verse. * These are they which
came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes in the
blood of the Lamb.
Ansiver. And now have they
crowns on their heads, and palms
in their hands.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
^ Matth. V. II, 12. 2 Lui^g ^j_ 22.
^ St Peter, buried in the Vatican Basilica, where this sermon seems to have been
preached. •* Apoc. vii. 14, cf. 9.
536
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Answer. And now have they
crowns on their heads, and palms
in their hands.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Note that between Septuagesinia and
Easter the word "Alleluia" in the fol-
lowing Antipho7is is omitted.
First Antiphon. The horns of
the righteous shall be exalted.
[Alleluia.]
Psalm LXXIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm — A Song of Asaph,"
with a superscription of meaning now un-
certain, but, in part, indicating the tune
"Destroy not." The Targum says that it
was composed as a thanksgiving at the time
when David said " Destroy not thy people,"
and the occasion meant is probably that of
the plague provoked by David's number-
ing of the people, as related in the last
chapter of 2 Kings (Sam.)]
UNTO Thee, O God, will we
give thanks : * we will give
thanks and call upon Thy name.
We will declare Thy wondrous
works : * when I shall take a set
time, I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all the inhabitants
thereof are dissolved : * I bear up
the pillars of it.^
I said unto the wicked : Deal not
wickedly : * and to the evil-doers :
Lift not up your horn on high.
Lift not up your horn on high : *
speak not wickedness against God.
For neither from the east, nor
from the west, nor from the desert
mountains : * for God is the judge :
He putteth down one, and setteth
up another : * for in the hand of the
Lord there is a cup of strong wine
full of mixture.^
And he turneth it this way and
that : surely the dregs thereof are
not wrung out : * all the wicked of
the earth shall drink them.
But I will declare for ever : * I
will sing praises to the God of
Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked also
will I break : * and the horns of the
righteous shall be exalted.
Second Antiphon. Light is sprung
up for the righteous. Alleluia : and
gladness for the upright in heart.
[Alleluia.]
Psalm XCVI.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. have the
superscription "[A Psalm] of David when
his country was re - established " — per-
haps meaning after the usurpation of Ab-
solom.]
nPHE Lord reigneth; let the
-*- earth rejoice : * let the mul-
titude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round
about Him : * righteousness and
judgment are the foundation of
His throne.
A fire shall go before Him, *
and burn up His enemies round
about.
His hghtnings enHghtened the
world : * the earth saw and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at
the presence of the Lord, * at
the presence of the Lord of the
whole earth.
The heavens declared His right-
eousness, * and all the people
saw His glory.
Confounded be all they that
worship graven images, * and that
boast themselves of idols.
1 SLH.
2 Aromatic herbs, &c., were mixed with wine to make it more intoxicating. See
Smith's Diet, of the Bible,— Wine.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
537
Worship Him, all ye His An-
gels ! * Zion heard, and was glad.
And the daughters of Judah
rejoiced, * because of Thy judg-
ments, O Lord !
For thou, Lord, art high above
all the earth : * Thou art exalted
far above all gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate
evil : * the Lord preserveth the
souls of His saints ; He deliver-
eth them out of the hand of the
wicked.
Light is sprung up for the
righteous, * and gladness for the
upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye right-
eous, * and give thanks to the
memorial of His holiness !
Third Antiphon, They kept. His
testimonies, and the ordinance that
He gave them. [Alleluia.]
Psalm XCVIIL
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
Psalm to David.]
n^HE Lord reigneth, be the
-■- people never so impatient : *
He sitteth upon the Cherubim, be
the earth never so unquiet.
The Lord is great in Zion : *
and He is high above all people.
Let them praise Thy great and
terrible Name, for it is holy : *
and the King's majesty loveth judg-
menti
Thou dost establish equity : *
Thou executest judgment and right-
eousness in Jacob.
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and
worship at His footstool : * for it
is holy.
Moses and Aaron among His
priests, * and Samuel among them
that call upon His name.
They called upon the Lord, and
He answered them. * He spake
unto them in the cloudy pillar :
They kept His testimonies, *
and the ordinance that He gave
them.
Thou answeredst them, O Lord
our God ! * O God, Thou forgav-
est them, though Thou tookest
vengeance of their inventions.
Exalt the Lord our God and
worship at His holy hill : * for the
Lord our God is holy.
Verse. ^ O God, Thy friends are
exceeding honourable.
Answer. Their power is waxen
right strong.
Sevefitk Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xix. 27.)
AT that time : Peter said unto
Jesus : Behold, we have for-
saken all, and followed Thee : what
shall we have therefore? And so
on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {Bk. iii. on Matth.
xix.)
Peter was a fisherman, he was not
rich, he earned his bread by his
hand and skill, and nevertheless he
is thus bold, and saith confidently :
"We have forsaken all." And be-
cause it sufficeth not to forsake only,
he addeth that which to do is to
be perfect: "and followed Thee."
"We have done that which Thou
hast commanded us, what reward
^ Ps, cxxxviii. 17.
538
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
therefore wilt Thou give us ? "
" And Jesus said unto them : Amen
I say unto you, that ye which have
followed Me, in the regeneration,
when the Son of Man shall sit in
the throne of His glory, ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones, judg-
ing the twelve tribes of Israel." He
said not, "Ye which have forsaken
all," for this did even Crates the
philosopher,^ and they which have
set nothing- by riches are many, but,
" Ye which have followed Me."
This did the Apostles, and this
do believers do.
Seve?itk Resp07isory.
These are they who while yet
they lived in the flesh, planted the
Church in their own blood ; "^ they
drank of the Lord's cup, and became
the friends of God.
Verse. Their sound is gone out
through all the earth, and their
words to the ends of the world.
Answer. They drank of the
Lord's cup, and became the friends
of God.
Eighth Blessing.
He {or they) whose feast-day we
are keeping,
Be our Advocate {or Advocates)
with God.
Eighth Lesson.
" TN the regeneration, when the
-■' Son of Man shall sit in the
throne of His glory, and when the
dead shall rise again from corruption
incorruptible, (i Cor. xv. 53,) ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones of judg-
ment, condemning the twelve tribes
of Israel, because, when ye believed
in Me, they would not. (John iii.
18.) And every one that hath for-
saken houses, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or chil-
dren, or lands, for My Name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and
shall inherit everlasting life." This
place agreeth well with that other
where the Saviour saith : " I came
not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at
variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the
daughter-in-law against her mother-
in-law ; and a man's foes shall be
they of his own household."
(Matth. X. 34.) Every one, there-
fore, that hath set no store by
affection, and riches, and the pleas-
ures of the world, for Christ's faith's
sake, and the preaching of the Gos-
pel, shall receive an hundred-fold,
and shall inherit everlasting life.
Eighth Responsory.
These men are saints, whom the
Lord hath chosen in love unfeigned,
and hath given them glory everlast-
ing. These are they by the light of
whose teaching the Church is glori-
fied, even as the moon is glorified
by the light of the sun.
Verse. ^ The saints through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought right-
eousness.
Answer. By the light of whose
teaching the Church is glorified,
even as the moon is glorified by
the light of the sun.
Verse, Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. By the light of whose
,' ^ A Greek cynic, remarkable for his self-denial, who flourished at Athens about B.C. 300.
2 Cf. Matth. XX. 22, 23. . 3 Heb. xi. 33.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
539
teaching the Church is glorified,
even as the moon is glorified by
the light of the sun.
Ninth Lesson.
BY reason of these words, " an
hundredfold," some will have
it that there shall be a thousand
years after the resurrection, wherein
they that have forsaken all things
shall receive an hundredfold of
those things which they have for-
saken, and shall inherit everlasting
life. Such men consider not that
though in other things this were
worthy, as touching wives it is un-
seemly : for it becometh us not to
think that he that hath forsaken one
wife in this world, shall receive an
hundred wives in that which is to
come. But the meaning is this,
that every one that for the Saviour's
sake hath forsaken earthly things,
shall receive spiritual things : which
things, being rightly weighed against
earthly things, are as though an
hundredfold were weighed against
one.
The Hyiuft^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^This is My
commandment, * That ye love one
another, as I have loved you.
Second Antiphon. ^ Greater love
hath no man than this, * that a
man lay down his life for his
friends.
Third Antiphon. ^ Ye are My
friends, * if ye do whatsoever I
command you, saith the Lord.
Fourth Antiphon. ^ Blessed are
the peace- makers, blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see
God.
Fifth Antipho7i, ^ In your pa-
tience * possess ye your souls.
Chapter. (Eph. ii. 19.)
BRETHREN, now ye are no
-'--' more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow-citizens with the Saints,
and of the household of God : and
are built upon the foundation of
the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus
Christ Himself being the chief
corner-stone.
Hyrmi.'^
NOW let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo
round ;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can
raise,
The great Apostles' glorious praise.
O ye who, throned in glory dread, '
Shall judge the living and the dead !
Lights of the world for evermore !
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.
Ye close the sacred gates on high ;
At your command apart they fly :
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break, and strive in vain.
Sickness and health your voice obey ;
At your command they go or stay :
From sin's disease our souls restore ;
In good confirm us more and more.
So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to judgment shall descend,
May we be called those joys to see,
Prepared from all eternity.
Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One ;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen.
John XV. 12-14
2 Matth. V. 9j 8
^ Luke xxi. 19.
^ Of tenth to fifteenth century ; author unknown ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
540
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Verse. ^ They declared the work
of God.
Answer. And understood His
doings.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
2 Ye which have forsaken all, and
have followed Me, shall receive an
hundredfold, and shall inherit ever-
lasting life.
The Prayer throughout the Office is
always special.
PRIME.
Antiphon. This is My com-
mandment, &c., {First Antiphon at
Lauds ^
Chapter at the end. (Acts v, 41.)
THE Apostles departed from the
presence of the council, re-
joicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for the sake
of the name of Jesus.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Greater love, &c.,
{Second Antiphon at Lauds,)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responspry.
Their sound is gone out through
all the earth.
Answer. Their sound is gone
out through all the earth.
Verse. And their words to the
ends of the world.
Answer. Through all the earth.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Their sound is gone
out through all the earth.
1 Ps. Ixiii. 10.
Verse. Thou shalt make them
princes over all the earth.
Answer. They shall be mindful
of Thy Name, O Lord.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Ye are My friends,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lauds. ^
Chapter. (Acts v. 12.)
A ND by the hands of the Apos-
-^^- ties were many signs and
wonders wrought among the people.
Short Responsory.
Thou shalt make them princes
over all the earth.
Answer. Thou shalt make them
princes over all the earth.
Verse. They shall be mindful of
Thy Name, O Lord.
Answer. Over all the earth.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou shalt make them .
princes over all the earth.
Verse. O God, Thy friends are
exceeding honourable.
Answer. Their power is waxen
right strong.
NONE.
Antiphon. In your patience, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds ^
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
O God, Thy friends are exceeding
honourable.
Answer. O God, Thy friends are
exceeding honourable.
2 Matth. xix. 27-29,
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
541
Verse. Their power is waxen
right strong.
Answer. Exceeding honourable.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. O God, Thy friends are
exceeding honourable.
Verse. They declared the work
of God.
Answer. And understood His
doings.
SECOND VESPERS.
First Antiphon. The Lord hath
sworn, and will not repent : Thou
art a Priest for ever.
Ps. cix. The Lord said, &c., (/.
176.)
Second Antiphon. That the Lord
may set him with the princes of His
people.
Ps. cxii. Praise the Lord, O ye
His servants, &c., (/. 178.)
Third Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast loosed my bonds : I will offer
to Thee the sacrifice of thanks-
giving.
Psalm CXV.
[In the Hebrew this Psalm is a continua-
tion of the last. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix " Alleluia."]
T BELIEVED, therefore have I
-*- spoken : * but I was greatly
afflicted.
I said in my haste : * All men
are liars.
What shall I render unto the
Lord * for all His benefits toward
me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
* and call upon the name of the
Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the
Lord in the presence of all His
people. * Precious in the sight
of the Lord is the death of His
Saints.
0 Lord, truly I am Thy servant :
* I am Thy servant, and the son of
Thine handmaid :
Thou hast loosed my bonds. * I
will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the Lord.
1 will pay my vows unto the
Lord, in the presence of all His
people : * in the courts of the
Lord's house, in the midst of thee,
O Jerusalem !
[Here the Hebrew appends "Alle-
luia," which the Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix to the next Psalm.]
Fourth Antiphon. They went
forth weeping, sowing their seed.
Psalm CXXV.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees."]
1 1 rHEN the Lord turned again
* * the captivity of Zion, * we
were like them that come again
from sickness.
Then was our mouth filled with
laughter, * and our tongue with
singing.
Then said they among the hea-
then : * The Lord hath done great
things for them.
The Lord hath done great things
for us : * whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O
Lord, * as the streams in the
south.
They that sow in tears * shall
reap in joy.
They go forth weeping, * sow-
ing their seed;
542
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
They shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, * bringing their
sheaves with them.
Fifth Antiphon. O God, Thy
friends are honourable ; their power
is waxen right strong.
Psalm CXXXVIII.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction, the meaning of which
is not now certain.]
OLORD, Thou hast searched
me, and known me : * Thou
knowest my down-sitting and mine
up-rising :
Thou understandest my thoughts
afar off. * Thou searchest my path,
and my line.
And art acquainted with all my
ways : * before there is a word on
my tongue.
Lo, O Lord, Thou knowest all
things both new and old : * Thou
hast made me, and laid Thine hand
upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me : * it is high, and I cannot
attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from Thy
Spirit? * or whither shall I flee
from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven. Thou
are there : * if I go down into hell,
Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morn-
ing, * and dwell in the uttermost
parts of the sea ; —
Even there shall Thine hand lead
me, * and Thy right hand shall hold
me.
If I say : Surely the darkness
shall cover me : * even the night
shall be light about me in my
pleasures.
For the darkness is not darkness
to Thee : and the night shineth as
the day : * the darkness and the
light to Thee are both alike.
For Thou didst form my reins :
* Thou hast upholden me from
my mother's womb.
I will praise Thee, for Thy great-
ness is terrible : * marvellous are
Thy works : and that my soul
knoweth right well.
My bones were not hid from
Thee, when Thou madest me in
secret : * nor my substance in the
lower parts of the earth.
Thine eyes beheld my substance
yet being imperfect : and in Thy
book all were written : * day by day
were they to be fashioned, when as
yet there was none of them.
But to me, O God, Thy friends
are exceeding honourable : * their
power is waxen right strong.
If I should count them, they are
more in number than the sand : * I
arose, and am still with Thee.
Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked,
O God : * depart from me, ye bloody
men.
For ye say in thought : * In
vain shall Thy people take Thy
cities.
Do not I hate them, O Lord,
that hate Thee? * and am not I
grieved at those that rise up against
Thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred :
* they are to me as enemies.
Search me, O God, and know
mine heart : * try me and know my
thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked
way in me : * and lead me in the
way everlasting.
Chapter^ Hymn^ and Verse and An-
swer from Lauds.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
543
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. Wax valiant in
fight, and strive against the old
serpent : and ye shall receive an
everlasting kingdom. Alleluia.
©tfjer ILessons; for tlje Jeasts
of tfje Apostles.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ex-
position of the Eighty-sixth Psalm
by St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
" T TER foundation is in the holy
-■■ -*- mountains : the Lord lov-
eth the gates of Zion." Where-
fore hath the city twelve founda-
tions, and in them the names of
the Prophets and of the Apostles
of the Lamb?^ Because their
authority is the foundation where-
on our weakness resteth. Where-
fore are they the gates ? ^ Because
through them we enter in unto the
kingdom of God, since they have
preached the same unto us, and
when we enter in through their
preaching, we enter in by Christ,
W^ho is Himself The Door. (John
X. 7.) And, whereas it is written
that the city hath twelve gates, and,
again, that Christ is the one Door,
Christ is all the twelve, for He is
in all the twelve : and therefore
were twelve Apostles chosen. There
lieth a great mystery in the sig-
nification of this number. Twelve.
"Ye shall sit," saith the Lord,
" upon twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel."
Fifth Lesson.
T F then there be set there twelve
-^ thrones of judgment, (Ps. cxxi.
5,) Paul, in that he is the thir-
teenth Apostle, hath not where to
sit, nor wherein to judge. Never-
theless, he hath said of himself
that he will judge not men only,
but angels. "Know ye not," saith
he, "that we shall judge angels?"
(i Cor. vi. 3,) — that is, the fallen
angels. Then might they have
answered him : " Wherefore boastest
thou thyself to be a judge ? For
where is thy seat ? The Lord hath
said that for the twelve Apostles
there shall be twelve thrones : one
of the twelve, even Judas, is in-
deed fallen, but holy Matthias is
chosen into his place ; for the twelve
thrones there are still twelve to sit
thereon : first find whereon thou
shalt sit, and afterward give thyself
out for a judge." Let us see, then,
what is the meaning of these twelve
thrones. By them is signified in
a mystery the whole world, since
the Church shall be through all
the earth, whence this building is
called to be built up together in
Christ.
Sixth Lesson.
n^HEREFORE is it said that
^ there shall be twelve thrones,
because from all quarters shall there
come men to be judged ; even as it is
1 A sort of quotation from or allusion to Apoc. xxi. 14, but there the Prophets are
not mentioned.
^ Apoc. xxi, 12, says that on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes
of Israel.
544-
THE COMMON OF SAINTS,
said that the city hath twelve gates,
because from all quarters shall the
nations of them which are saved,
enter into it. So, not the twelve
only, and the Apostle Paul, but all,
as many as shall judge, have part
in these twelve thrones, this signi-
fying, that they shall judge all men ;
even as all that enter into the
city, have part in her twelve gates.
For there are four quarters of the
world, the East, and the West, and
the North, and the South : of which
four quarters is mention often made
in the Scriptures. From the four
winds shall the elect be gathered
together, as saith the Lord in the
Gospel : " And He shall send His
Angels with a great sound of a
trumpet ; and they shall gather to-
gether His elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the
other." (Matth. xxiv. 31.) From
the four winds, therefore, is the
Church called together ; and how
are they called? Everywhere are
they called in the Trinity ; for they
are called no otherwise than by
baptizing them in the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. (Matth. xxvii. 19.)
Now four being multiplied by three
is twelve.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xix. 27.)
AT that time : Peter said unto
Jesus : Behold, we have for-
saken all, and followed Thee : what
shall we have therefore ? And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow and Doctor of the
Church.] {Homily for St Benedicfs
Birth-day.^
" If thou wilt be perfect," saith
Christ, " go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and come
and follow Me : and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven." (Matth.
xix. 21.) Yea, treasure that passeth
not away ! Unto such saith Jesus,
at the questioning of Peter : " Amen
I say unto you, that ye which have
followed Me, in the regeneration,
when the Son of Man shall sit in
the throne of His glory, ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones, judg-
ing the twelve tribes of Israel." He
taught them, which work for His
Name's sake in this life, to look
for their reward in another life :
that is, in the regeneration. " In
the regeneration ! " — when we who
have been born dying creatures
into a dying life, shall in the re-
surrection be born again into an
undying life.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND soothly, it is a just retri-
^^^"^ bution, that they, who, while
they were yet here, have for Christ's
sake set no store by being great
among men, should there by Christ
be singularly glorified to be the
assessors of His judgment-seat, even
they whom nothing here could turn
aside from being the followers of
His footsteps. Nevertheless, let
there be no man that believeth
that the twelve Apostles only, among
whom Matthias holdeth that place
from which Judas by transgression
fell, (Acts i. 25,) that they only
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
545
shall judge, even as the twelve
tribes of Israel shall not alone be
judged : for then were the tribe of
Levi, which is the thirteenth, un-
judged.
Ninth Lesson.
IV/rOREOVER, then, were Paul,
■^^ ^ who is the thirteenth Apostle,
deprived of all part in the judg-
ment ; whereas he saith of him-
self: "Know ye not that we shall
judge angels ? How much more
things that pertain to this life ? "
But it behoveth us to know that
every one who hath forsaken all
and followed Christ, as did the
Apostles, shall also come with Him
to judgment, even as every man
shall stand at His judgment seat.
And the Scriptures use often to
signify all by this number twelve ;
by the twelve thrones of the Apostles
are signified the thrones of all them
that shall judge ; and by the twelve
tribes of Israel, the whole number
of them that shall be judged.
©tijer %i%%m% for tfje Jeasts
of eH&angelistgi.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the Book of the
Prophet Ezekiel (i. i.)
A ND it came to pass in the
-^^^ thirtieth year, in the fourth
month, in the fifth day of the
month, as I was among the captives
by the river of Chebar, that the
VOL. II.
heavens were opened, and I saw
visions of God. In the fifth day of
the month, which was the fifth year
of King Jehoiachim's captivity, the
word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi, the Priest, in the
land of the Chaldeans, by the river
Chebar, and the hand of the Lord
was there upon him. And I looked,
and, behold, a whirlwind came
out of the North, a great cloud,
and a fire infolding itself, and a
brightness was about it, and out
of the midst thereof, (that is, out
of the midst of the fire,) as the
colour of amber.
Second Lesson.
A LSO in the midst thereof the
-^^- likeness of four living creat-
ures ; and this was their appear-
ance, they had the likeness of a
man. And every one had four
faces, and every one had four wings.
Their feet were straight feet, and
the sole of their feet was like the
sole of a calfs foot, and they
sparkled like the colour of glowing
brass. And they had the hands of
a man under their wings on their
four sides, and they had faces and
wings on four sides. And the
wings of one were joined to the
wings of another ; they turned not
when they went ; they went every
one straight forward.
Third I^esso?t.
A S for the likeness of their faces,
-^^~^ they four had the face of a
man and the face of a lion on the
right side, and they four had the
face of an ox on the left side, and
T
546
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
they four had the face of an eagle
above. Thus were their faces, and
their wings were stretched upward,
two wings of every one were joined
one to another, and two covered
their bodies ; and they went every
one straight forward. Whither
the spirit was to go, they went,
and they turned not when they
went.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso?t.
The Lesson is taken from the Ex-
position of the Book of the
Prophet Ezekiel by Pope St
Gregory [the Great.] {Horn. 3,
Bk. i.)
HP HE Prophet writeth very min-
-*• utely touching the four holy
living creatures, whom he saw in
the spirit as being to come. He
saith : " Every one had four faces,
and every one had four wings."
What signifieth the face save like-
ness whereby we are known ? or
wings, save the power to fly ? since
it is by the face that man is known
from man, and by their wings that
the birds' bodies are carried up into
the air. So the face pertaineth to
certitude,^ and the wings to con-
templation. With certitude we are
known of God Almighty, Who saith :
" I am the Good Shepherd, and
know My sheep, and am known
of Mine." (John x. 14.) And
again : " I know whom I have
chosen." (xiii. 18.) And by con-
templation, whereby we rise above
ourselves, we as it were fly heaven-
wards.
^ Text,
Fifth Lesson.
""PVERY one had four faces"
-L-' — four faces, that is, and
one body. If thou seek to know
what Matthew teacheth concerning
the Incarnation of the Lord, he
teacheth no other doctrine than
teacheth Mark, or Luke, or John.
If thou seek to know what John
teacheth, it is beyond all doubt
that his doctrine is the doctrine of
Matthew, and Mark, and Luke. If
thou ask concerning Mark, he hath
that which hath Matthew, and John,
and Luke. If thou wilt know of
Luke, know that he teacheth as
doth Matthew, and Mark, and John.
Therefore every one hath four faces,
for God knoweth and seeth in them
but one faith, which thou mayest
see in each and in all.
Sixth Lessoft.
" A ^^ every one had four wings."
-^^~^ For they do all with one
accord preach our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of Almighty God :
toward Whose Godhead lifting up
the eyes of their mind, they do lift
the wings of contemplation, and do
fly. In the Evangelists, the face
pertaineth to the Lord's Manhood,
and the wings to His Godhead :
for they turn their face toward Him
Whom they see in bodily shape :
but when they say that He is, as
touching His Godhead, Incompre-
hensible, and Incorporeal, the wings
of their contemplation do, in a
manner, carry them in flight heaven-
ward. Because, then, they have
all one faith in the Incarnation,
and all equally look by contempla-
adjidem.
FOR APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS.
547
tion toward the Godhead : it is
well written of them, " Every one
had four faces, and every one had
four wings."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the
Holy Gospel according to Luke
(x. I.)
AT that time : The Lord ap-
pointed other seventy - two
also, and sent them two and two
before His face into every city and
place, whither He Himself would
come. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory
[the Great.] (lyZ/z oji the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, our
Lord and Saviour doth sometimes
admonish us by words, and some-
times by works. Yea, His very
works do themselves teach us : for
that which He doth silently His
example still moveth us to copy.
Behold how He sendeth forth His
disciples to preach by two and two :
since there are two commandments
to love, that is, a commandment to
love God, and a commandment to
love our neighbour : and where
there are not two, the one, being
alone, hath not whereon to do the
Lord's commandment. And no
man can properly be said to love
himself: for love tendeth outward
toward our neighbour, if it be the
love whereto the Gospel doth
oblige us.
Eighth Lesso7i.
BEHOLD, the Lord sendeth
forth His disciples to preach
by two and two : and thus doing,
He doth silently teach us that who-
soever loveth not his neighbour,
such an one it behoveth not to take
upon him the office of a preacher.
Well also is it said that He sent
them before His face into every
city and place whither He Himself
would come. The Lord followeth
His preachers : first cometh preach-
ing, and then the Lord Himself
cometh to the house of our mind,
whither the word of exhortation
hath come before : and so cometh
the truth into our mind.
Ninth Lesson.
THEREFORE to preachers saith
Isaiah : " Prepare ye the way
of the Lord, make straight an high-
way for our God." (xl. 3.) And
again the Psalmist saith : " Spread
a path before Him That rideth upon
the West." (Ixvii. 4.) The Lord
rideth upon the West ; above that
from which in death He veiled His
glory hath He royally exalted that
glory that excelleth, even the glory
of His rising again. He rideth upon
the West, Who, being risen again
from the dead, is throned high above
the death to which He bowed. Be-
fore Him, therefore, That rideth
upon the West, we spread a path^
when we set forth His glory before
the eyes of your mind, to the end
that He Himself may come after,
and Himself enlighten the same your
minds by His presence and His love.
548
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
lYT. dFor :^tdim of ©ttt iWartar,
Which are kept out of Easter-tide.
Everything as 07i Sundays, except
what is otherwise given here.
FIRST VESPERS.
AntiphonSy Chapter, and Prayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (Ps. cxvi.,
/. 1 86.)
Hymn}
OGOD, of Thy soldiers
the Portion and Crown,
Spare Thy people, who hymn
the Praise of the Blest ;
Earth's bitter joys,
its lures and its frown.
He scanned them and scorned,
and so is at rest.
Thy Martyr, he ran
all valiantly o'er
An highway of blood
for the prize Thou hast given.
We kneel at Thy feet
and meekly implore,
That our pardon may wait
on his triumph in heaven.
Honour and praise
To the Father and Son
And the Spirit be done
Now and always. Amen.
Verse. ^Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest him to
have dominion over the works of
Thy hands.
Antiphon at
Blessed
Virgin.
the
^This
Song
of the
man is
holy, * for he hath striven for the
law of his God even unto death, and
hath not feared for the words of the
ungodly : for he had his foundation
upon a strong rock.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. The Lord He is the
King of the Martyrs. * O come, let
us worship Him !
Hymn as at First Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
0?ily three Psahns are said.
First Antiphon. His delight *
was in the law of the Lord day
and night.
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
(/• 4.)
Second Antiphon. The Lord hath
set him * upon His holy hill, to
declare His decree.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen,
&c., (/. 4-)
Third Antiphon. I cried unto
the Lord * with my voice, and He
heard me out of His holy hill.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., [p. 5.)
Verse. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest him to
have dominion over the works of
Thy hands.
^ Abridged from an hymn of the Ambrosian school ; translation by Cardinal Newman.
2 Ps. viii. 7. ^ Ecclus. iv. 33 ; I Mace. ii. 62 ; Matth. vii. 25.
FOR ONE MARTYR.
549
The following Lessons are not read
if other Lesso?is are assigned i7istead,
{either special, or from Scripture ac-
cordifig to the Season^ ) or if the Martyr
whose Feast is being kept was ?iot a
Bishop. In the latter case., failing
other Lessons., are read those from
Rom. viii. 12, given on p. 565.
First Lesso?t.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts
of the Apostles (xx. 17.)
T7ROM Miletus Paul sent to Eph-
-■- esus, and called the elders of
the Church. And when they were
come to him, he said unto them :
Ye know, from the first day that I
came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons,
serving the Lord with all humility
of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations, which befell me by the
lying-in -wait of the Jews : how I
kept back nothing that was profit-
able unto you, but have showed
you, and have taught you publicly,
and from house to house, testifying
both to the Jews and also to the
Gentiles, repentance toward God,
and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ. And now, behold, I go
bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that shall
befall me there ; save that the Holy
Ghost witnesseth in every city,
saying that bonds and afflictions
abide me at Jerusalem. But none
of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself:
so that I might finish my course
with joy, and the ministry which I
have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the Gospel of the grace
of God.
First Responsory.
This man is holy, for he hath
striven for the law of his God even
unto death, and hath not feared for
the words of the ungodly ; for he
had his foundation upon a strong
rock.
Verse. ^ This is he which loved
not his life in this world, and is
come unto an everlasting kingdom.
Answer. For he had his found-
ation upon a strong rock.
Second Lesson.
A ND now, behold, I know that
-^^~^ ye all, among whom I have
gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more. Where-
fore I take you to record this day,
that I am pure from the blood of all
men. For I have not shunned to
declare unto you all the counsel of
God. Take heed unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you
Bishops to shepherd the Church of
God, which He hath purchased with
His Own Blood. I know this, that
after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock ; also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking per-
verse things, to draw away disciples
after them. Therefore watch, and
remember that, by the space of three
years, I ceased not to warn every
one of you night and day with tears.
Second Responsory.
^ The righteous shall grow as the
lily ; yea, he shall flourish in the
presence of the Lord for ever.
Verse. ^ Those that be planted
1 Cf. John xii. 25.
^ Hos. xiv. 6; Isa. xvii. 1 1, &c.
^ Ps, xci. 14.
550
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
in the house of the Lord, shall
flourish in the courts of the house
of our God.
Ansiver. Yea, he shall flourish
in the presence of the Lord for
ever.
Third Lesson.
A ND now I commend you to
-^^ God, and to the word of His
grace. Which is able to build you
up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified.
I have coveted no man's silver, or
gold, or apparel, as ye yourselves
know : for these hands have minis-
tered unto my necessities, and to
them that were with me. I have
showed you all things, how that so
labouring ye ought to support the
weak, and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how He said :
It is more blessed to give than to
receive. And when he had thus
spoken, he kneeled down, and
prayed with them all. And they
all wept sore, and fell on Paul's
neck, and kissed him, sorrowing
most of all for the words which he
spake, that they should see his face
no more. And they accompanied
him unto the ship.
Third Responsory.
This is he which knew righteous-
ness, and saw great wonders, and
made his prayer unto the Most
High ; and he is numbered among
the Saints.
Verse, This is he which loved
not his life in this world, and is
come unto an everlasting kingdom.
Answer. And he is numbered
among the Saints.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And he is numbered
among the Saints.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. O ye sons of
men, * know that the Lord hath
set apart him that is holy for Him-
self.
Psalm IV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction of (now) uncertain
meaning. ]
T 1 rHEN I called, the God of my
vv
righteousness heard me
Thou hast enlarged me when I was
in distress :
Have mercy upon me, * and hear
my prayer.
0 ye sons of men, how long
will ye be dull of heart? * Why
will ye love vanity, and seek after
leasing ? ^
But know that the Lord hath set
apart for Himself him that is holy :
* the Lord will hear me when I
call unto Him.
Be ye angry and sin not : * what
ye speak in your heart, repent upon
your bed.^
Offer the sacrifices of righteous-
ness, and put your trust in the Lord.
* There be many that say : Who will
show us any good ?
Lord, Thou hast set upon us the
light of Thy countenance. * Thou
hast put gladness in my heart,
More than in the time that
their corn, and wine, and oil *
increased.
1 will both lay me down in peace,
* and sleep,
1 SLH.
FOR ONE MARTYR.
551
For Thou, Lord, only * makest
me to dwell in safety.
Second Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast compassed him * with Thy
favour as with a shield.
Psalm V.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) superscription.]
GIVE ear unto my words, O
Lord, * consider my suppli-
cation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
* my King and my God !
For unto Thee will I pray. * O
Lord, in the morning Thou shalt
hear my voice :
In the morning will I stand before
Thee and look up. * For Thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness :
Neither shall the evil dwell with
Thee, * nor the unrighteous stand
in Thy sight :
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
* Thou shalt destroy all them that
speak leasing :
The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man. * But as for me,
in the multitude of Thy mercy
I will come into Thine house : *
I will worship toward Thine holy
temple in Thy fear.
Lead me, O Lord, in Thy
righteousness, * because of mine
enemies ; make my way straight
before Thy face.
For there is no faithfulness in
their mouth : * their inward part
is very wickedness.
Their throat is an open sepulchre ;
they flatter with their tongue. *
Judge Thou them, O God !
Let them fall by their own coun-
sels ; cast them out in the multitude
of their transgressions, * for they
have rebelled against Thee, O Lord !
And let all those that put their
trust in Thee, rejoice : * let them
ever shout for joy, because Thou
dwellest in them :
Let them also that love Thy Name
be joyful in Thee. * For Thou wilt
bless the righteous.
O Lord, Thou hast compassed us
* with Thy favour as with a shield.
Third Antiphon. Thou hast
crowned him * with glory and
honour in all the earth.
Psalm VIII.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David." It has
also a title which seems to show that it was
a song for the vintage.]
OLORD, our Lord, * how ex-
cellent is Thy Name in all
the earth !
For Thy glory is exalted * above
the heavens.
^ Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings hast Thou perfected praise
because of Thine enemies, * that
Thou mightest destroy the enemy
and the avenger.
When I consider Thine heavens,
the work of Thy fingers : * the moon
and the stars which Thou hast or-
dained :
What is man, that Thou art mind-
ful of him ? * or the son of man,
that thou visitest him ?
Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels. Thou hast crowned
him with glory and honour, * and
madest him to have dominion over
the works of Thine hands.
^ This verse was quoted by our Lord, concerning those who cried Hosannah on Palm
Sunday, Matt. xxi. 16.
552
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Thou hast put all things under
his feet, * all sheep and oxen, yea,
and the beasts of the field.
The fowl of the air, and the fish
of the sea, * that pass through the
paths of the sea.
O Lord, our Lord, * how excel-
lent is Thy Name in all the earth !
Verse. O Lord, Thou hast set a
crown of precious stones —
Answer. Upon his head.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (44//^ on the Saints.)
THE illustrious day whereon
the blessed Martyr N. {here
insert his name) conquered, doth
this day come round to us again :
and as the Church doth rejoice with
him in his glory, so doth she set
before us his footsteps to be fol-
lowed. For if we suifer, we shall
also reign with him.
In his glorious
battle we have two things chiefly to
consider : the hardened cruelty of
the tormentor, and the unconquered
patience of the Martyr : the cruelty
of the tormentor, that we may abhor
it ; the patience of the Martyr, that
we may imitate it. Hear what the
Psalmist saith, complaining against
sin : " Fret not thyself because of
the evil-doers, for they shall soon
dry up like the grass." (xxxvi. i.)
But touching the patience which is
to be shown against the evil-doers,
hear the word wherewith the Apos-
tle moveth us : "Ye have need of
patience, that ye may receive the
promise." (Heb. x. 36.)
Fourth Respofisory.
^ The Lord made him honourable,
and defended him from his enemies,
and kept him safe from those that
lay in wait for him, and gave him
perpetual glory.
Verse. He went down with him in-
to the pit, and left him not in bonds.
Ansiver, And gave him perpetual
glory.
Fifth Lesson.
QO the patience of the blessed
*^ Martyr was crowned, and the
unchastened spite of the tormentor
is given over to everlasting torture.
Christ's glorious champion looked
for this during his battle, and shrank
not from prison. Like his Head, he
bore reproach, underwent mocking,
and feared not for scourges : and as
many sufferings as for Christ's sake
he bore before he died, so many
offerings did he make unto Him of
himself. He had drunk in the
Apostles' word and kept it deep in
him : " The sufferings of this pres-
ent time are not worthy to be com-
pared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us," (Rom. viii. 18,)
"for our fight afififiction which is
but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory." (2 Cor. iv. 17.)
Being lifted up above earthly things
by the love of this promise, and
tasting beforehand the sweetness of
the heavenly peace, he was unspeak-
ably moved, and said with the
Psalmist : " What have I in heaven,
and what is there upon earth that I
desire beside Thee ? My flesh and
my heart faileth : Thou art the God
of my heart, and God is my portion
for ever." (Ixxii. 26.)
Wisd. X..11-14, substituting "Lord" for "Wisdom."
FOR ONE MARTYR.
553
Fifth Responsory.
^ O Lord, Thou hast given him
his heart's desire, and hast not with-
holden the request of his lips.
Verse. For Thou hast prevented
him with the blessings of sweetness :
Thou hast set a crown of precious
stones upon his head.
Answer. And hast not withholden
the request of his lips.
Sixth Lesso7t.
"POR he considered, as far as man's
■^ weakness is able, through this
darkness, to fix the eyes of his mind
upon the eternal things, what is the
gladness of the city above : and
being not able to tell it, he cried
out wondering : " What have I in
heaven ? " As though he would
have said : " It passeth my strength,
it passeth the power of my utterance,
it goeth beyond the reach of my
understanding, what is that beauty,
what is that glory, what is that
exaltation, wherein, when He hath
hidden us from the troubling of
men, in the secret of His presence,
our Lord Jesus Christ shall change
our vile body, that it may be fash-
ioned like unto His glorious Body ! "
(Ps. XXX. 2 1, Phil. iii. 21.) In sight
of this perfect liberty he shrank from
no danger, and quailed before no
suffering : and if he could have died
a thousand times, he would not have
thought himself to have bought it at
a price high enough.
Sixth Responsory.
^The Lord hath put on him a
robe of honour, and put about his
head a crown of joy.
^ Ps. XX. 2, 3.
VOL. II.
Verse. With the bread of life and
understanding hath the Lord fed
him, and given him the water of
health and wisdom to drink.
Answer. And put about his head
a crown of joy.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. And put about his head
a crown of joy.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Ajitiphon. The righteous
Lord * loveth righteousness : His
countenance doth behold upright-
ness.
Psalm X.
[Intituled "Of David." There is also a
superscription perhaps musical, but now of
uncertain meaning.]
T N the Lord put I my trust ;
^ how say ye to my soul, -*
Flee as a bird to the mountain ?
For lo, the wicked bend their bow,
they make ready their arrows in the
quiver, * that they may privily shoot
at the upright in heart.
For they have destroyed that
which Thou hast established : *
and what hath the righteous done ?
The Lord is in His holy temple :
* the Lord's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold the poor : * His
eyelids try the children of men.
The Lord trieth the righteous
and the wicked : * but he that lov-
eth iniquity hateth his own soul.
Upon the wicked He shall rain
snares : * fire, and brimstone, and
an horrible tempest, this shall be
the portion of their cup.
For the righteous IvORD loveth
^ Altered from Ecclus. vi. 32 ; xv, 3.
T 2
554
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
righteousness : * His countenance
doth behold uprightness.
Second Antiphon. He shall dwell
* in Thy tabernacle, He shall rest
upon Thy holy hill.
Psalm XIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David."]
LORD, who shall abide in Thy
tabernacle ? * who shall
dwell in Thine holy hill ?
He that walketh uprightly, * and
worketh righteousness.
He that speaketh the truth in his
heart, * he that deceiveth not with
his tongue.
He that hath not done evil to his
neighbour, * nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is
despised : * but he honoureth them
that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour,
and deceiveth him not, * he that
putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the in-
nocent.
He that doeth these things, *
shall never be moved.
Third Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast set a crown * of precious stones
upon his head.
Psalm XX.
[This Psalm also bears the same title as
the xviiilh.]
THE king shall joy in Thy
strength, O Lord : * and in
Thy salvation how greatly shall he
rejoice !
Thou hast given him his heart's
desire, * and hast not withholden
the request of his lips.^
1 SLH. .
For Thou hast met him with the
blessings of sweetness : * Thou hast
set a crown of precious stones upon
his head.
He asked life of Thee : * and
Thou gavest him length of days for
ever and ever.
His glory is great in Thy salva-
tion : * honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
For Thou wilt give him to be a
blessing for ever : * Thou shalt
make him exceeding glad with Thy
countenance.
For the king trusteth in the
Lord, * and, through the mercy
of the Most High, he shall not be
moved.
Thine hand shall find out all
thine enemies : * thy right hand
shall find out all those that hate
thee.
Thou shalt make them as a fiery
oven in the time of thine anger : *
the Lord shall cut them oif in His
wrath, and the fire shall devour
them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from
the earth, * and their seed from
among the children of men.
For they intended evil against
thee : * they imagined a device,
which they were not able to per-
form.
Therefore shalt thou cast them
behind thee : * thou shalt leave
their faces lying in thy track.
Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in
Thine own strength : * we will sing
and praise Thy power.
Verse. ^ His glory is great in
Thy salvation.
Answer. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
- Ps. XX. 4.
FOR ONE MARTYR.
555
Seve?ttk Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xiv.
26.)
AT that time : Jesus said unto
the multitudes : If any man
come to Me, and hate not his fa-
ther, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot
be My disciple. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great,] (37^/2 on the Gospels?)
Dearly beloved brethren, if we
consider what and how great things
are promised unto us in heaven, all
things which are upon earth grow
poor to our mind. For when this
world's goods are reckoned against
the gladness above, they are found
to be a clog rather than an help.
This present life being compared to
life eternal, ought rather to be called
death than life. For what is the
daily failing of our corruption but,
as it were, a creeping death ? But
what tongue is there that can tell, or
what understanding that can com-
prehend how great is the rejoicing
in the city above, where they have
part with the choirs of Angels, where
they stand with the most blessed
spirits before the glory of the
Creator, where they see the face of
God present, where they behold the
Incomprehensible Light, where they
have no fear of death, and where
they rejoice eternally incorruptible ?
Seventh Responsory.
^ A crown of gold upon his
head, wherein is engraved Holiness,
an ornament of honour, a costly
work.
Verse. For Thou hast prevented
him with the blessings of sweetness.
Thou hast set a crown of precious
stones upon his head,
Ansiver. Wherein is engraved
Holiness, an ornament of honour,
a costly work.
Eighth Blessing.
He whose feast-day we are keeping
Be our Advocate with God.
Eighth Lesson.
WHEN we hear these things
our hearts burn within us ;
and we long to be already there,
where we hope to rejoice for ever.
But we cannot attain unto great
rewards, save through great labour.
Therefore saith the excellent preach-
er Paul : " He is not crowned, ex-
cept he strive lawfully." (2 Tim. ,ii.
5.) The greatness of the reward
doth delight our mind ; let not the
throes of the struggle dishearten us.
Therefore the Truth saith unto every
one that cometh unto Him : " If any
man come to Me, and hate not his
father and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot
be My disciple."
Eighth Responsory.
This is a Martyr indeed, who
shed his blood for Christ's Name's
sake ; who feared not for the threats
of judges, nor sought to be great with
the glory of this world, but pressed
on unto the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. ^The Lord guided the
^ Altered from Ecclus. xlv. 14.
2 Wisd. X. 10, again substituting "the Lord" for "Wisdom."
556
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
righteous in right paths, and showed
him the kingdom of God.
Answer. Who feared not for the
threats of judges, nor sought to be
great with the glory of this world,
but pressed on unto the kingdom
of heaven.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Who feared not for the
threats of judges, nor sought to be
great with the glory of this world,
but pressed on unto the kingdom
of heaven.
Up07t a few occasw?ts, instead of the
above^ the followmg is the Eighth Re-
sp07isory.
^ O Lord, Thou hast prevented
him with the blessings of sweet-
ness ; Thou hast set a crown of
precious stones upon his head.
Verse. He asked life of Thee,
and Thou gavest him length of days
for ever and ever.
Aiiswer. Thou hast set a crown
of precious stones upon his head.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou hast set a crown
of precious stones upon his head.
Ninth Lesson.
T3UT it may be asked how we
-L' are commanded in one place
to hate our parents, and them that
are near us in the flesh, and in an-
other place to love even our enemies.
And, verily, the Truth hath said,
as touching a wife : " What God
hath joined together, let not man
put asunder." (Matth. xix. 6.) And
Paul saith : " Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the
Church." (Eph. v. 25.) Behold,
the disciple commandeth a man
to love his wife, and the Master
saith : " If any man hate not his
wife, he cannot be My disciple."
Doth the judgCj then, order one
proclamation, and the crier make
another? or can the man both love
and hate ? If we consider well the
force of the commandment, we shall
be able in wisdom to do both.
Let us love wife, and kindred, and
neighbour, as touching their near-
ness in the flesh ; but as touching
the way of God, if they withstand
us therein, let us not know them,
but hate them and flee from
them.
The Hymn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Whosoever
shall confess Me * before men,
him will I confess also before My
Father.
Second A?itiphon. ^ He that fol-
loweth Me * walketh not in dark-
ness, but shall have the light of
life, saith the Lord.
Third Antiphon. * If any man
serve Me, * let him follow Me ; and
where I am, there shall also My
servant be.
Fourth Antiphon. * If any man
serve Me, * him will My Father,
Who is in heaven, honour.
Fifth Antipho7t. ^ Father, I will
* that where I am, there shall also
My servant be.
1 Ps. XX. 4.
^ John viii. 12.
2 Matth. X. 32.
^ John xii. 25, 26 ; xvii, 24,
FOR ONE MARTYR.
557
Chapter. (James i. 12.)
BLESSED is the man that en-
dureth temptation : for, when
he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which God hath
promised to them that love Him.
Hymn. ^
MARTYR of unconquer'd might,
Follower of th' Incarnate Son !
Who, victorious in the fight,
Hast celestial glory won ;
By the virtue of thy prayer,
Let no evil hover nigh ;
Sin's contagion drive afar ;
Waken drowsy lethargy.
Loosen'd from the fleshly chain
Which detain'd thee here of old,
Loose us from the bonds of sin.
From the fetters of the world.
Glory to the Father be :
Glory to th' Incarnate Son ;
Glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While eternal ages run. Amen.
Verse. ^ The righteous shall
flourish like the palm-tree.
Answer. He shall grow like a
cedar in Lebanon.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
^ He that hateth his hfe * in this
world, shall keep it unto life eternal.
If the Prayer is not special there is
said one of the following., which is also
used throughout the whole Office of the
Saint.
I. Prayer for ojie Martyr, who was a
Bishop.
IX/r ERCIFULLY consider our
-*• ' -*- weakness, O Almighty God,
and whereas by the burden of
our sins we are sore let and hin-
dered, may it please Thee, that
the prayers of Thy blessed and
glorious Martyr and Bishop {here
insert his name) may shield us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. A7nen.
2. Another Prayer for the same,
r^ GOD, Who year by year dost
^-^ gladden us by the solemn
feast-day of Thy blessed Martyr
and Bishop, {here insert his name,)
mercifully grant that we who keep
his birthday, may ever feel the
joyful effects of his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
3. Prayer for a Martyr not a Bishop.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
Almighty God, that we who
keep the birthday of Thy blessed
Martyr, {Jiere insert his name^
may be so holpen by his prayers,
that we may ever grow more and
more in love toward Thy holy
Name. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
4. Another for the same.
GRACIOUSLY hear us, we be-
seech Thee, O Almighty God,
and, at the petition of Thy blessed
^ Author unknown (tenth to thirteenth century) ; hymn slightly altered ; translation by
the Rev. E, Caswall.
" Ps. xci. 13. ^ John xii. 25, 26 ; xvii. 24.
558
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Martyr, {Jiere insert his name,') be
mercifully pleased to deliver us
from all things which may hurt
our bodies, and from all evil
thoughts which may defile our
souls. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Whosoever, &c., {^First
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end. (Ecclus. xxxix. 6.)
nPHE righteous hath given his
A heart to resort early to the
Lord That made him, and will pray
before the Most High.
TERCE.
Antiphon. He that followeth Me,
&c., {Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
Thou hast crowned him with
glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Verse. And madest him to have
dominion over the works of Thy
hands.
Answer. With glory and hon-
our, O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Verse. O Lord, Thou hast set
a crown of precious stones —
Answer. Upon his head.
SEXT.
Antiphon. If any man serve Me,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Ecclus. xv. 3.)
AITITH the bread of life and
* ^ understanding hath the
Lord our God fed him, and given
him the water of health and wisdom
to drink.
Short Responsory.
O Lord, Thou hast set a crown
of precious stones —
Answer. O Lord, Thou hast set
a crown of precious stones —
Verse. Upon his head.
Answer. A crown of precious
stones.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. O Lord, Thou hast set
a crown of precious stones —
Verse. His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
Answer. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
NONE.
Antiphon. Father, I will, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds ^
Chapter as at the end of Priine.
Short Responsory.
His glory is great in Thy salva-
tion.
Answer. His glory is great in
Thy salvation.
Verse. Honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
Answer. In Thy salvation.
FOR ONE MARTYR.
559
Verse. The righteous shall flour-
ish like the palm-tree.
Answer. He shall grow like a
cedar in Lebanon.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter^ Verse and An-
swer, and Prayer from Lands.
Psalm CXV.
[In the Hebrew this Psalm is a continua-
tion of the last. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix "Alleluia."]
T BELIEVED, therefore have I
^ spoken : * but I was greatly
afliicted.
I said in my haste : * All men
are liars.
What shall I render unto the Lord
* for all His benefits toward me ?
I will take the cup of salvation,
* and call upon the name of the
Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
* Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His Saints.
0 Lord, truly I am Thy servant :
* I am Thy servant, and the son of
Thine handmaid :
Thou hast loosed my bonds. * I
will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the Lord.
1 will pay my vows unto the Lord,
in the presence of all His people : *
in the courts of the Lord's house, in
the midst of thee, O Jerusalem !
Hymn as at First Vespers.
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. ^ If any man will
come after Me, * let him deny him-
self, and take up his cross, and
follow Me.
©rtjer ILessons for Jeasts of
©ne JHartgr.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ex-
position of the hundred -and -
eighteenth Psalm by St Ambrose,
Bishop [of Milan.] (2 \st Serf?ton.)
" pRINCES have persecuted me
^ without a cause ; but my
heart standeth in awe of Thy word."
These are rightly the words of a
martyr, who beareth unjustly the
torments of the persecutors, who
hath robbed no man, who hath
violently oppressed no man, who
hath shed the blood of no man,
who hath imagined to defile the
bed of no man, who is debtor to
the laws in nothing, and who is
punished more grievously than if he
were a robber : who speaketh right-
eousness, and there is none that
will hear : who speaketh salvation,
and all men fight against him : who
is able to say : " When I spoke unto
them, they fought against me with-
out a cause." (Ps. cxix. 7.) They
fight against him without a cause,
who can lay no sin to his charge ;
they fight against him as an evil-
doer, who is by their own acknow-
ledgment righteous : they fight
against him as a warlock, who glor-
ieth in the name of the Lord, and
who doeth all things well because he
doeth all things for God's sake.
Fifth Lesso7i.
HP HEY fight against him in vain
^ who is accused of ungodli-
ness among the ungodly and the
Matth. xvi. 24.
S6o
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
unfaithful, because he teacheth
Faith. Verily, him that is fought
against without a cause it behoveth
to be strong and patient. Where-
fore then saith he : " My heart
standeth in awe of Thy word ? "
Awe is the mark of the weak, the
timid, and the fearful. But there
is also a weakness unto salvation,
there is a fear which is an holy fear.
" O fear the Lord, all ye His Saints."
(Ps. xxxiii. lo.) And again: "Blessed
is the man that feareth the Lord."
(Ps. cxi. I.) And wherefore is he
blessed ? because he " delighteth
greatly in His commandments."
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HINK, then, how the martyr
^ standeth between two dangers.
On the one hand the wild beasts,
roaring for his blood, do indeed
strike terror ; he heareth the hissing
of the plates of white-hot metal, and
seeth surging up the flames of the
fiery furnace ; behind him is the
clanking of fetters, and beside him
the executioner, stained with fresh
blood ; think of him there, face to
face with the apparatus of death —
but think again — of what thinketh
he? Of the Law of God, of the
everlasting fire, of the eternal flames,
wherein the unbelieving shall burn
for ever, of that torture whereof the
agony is for ever new. And then
indeed his heart faileth for fear, lest
by giving way under torment here,
he should give himself up to ever-
lasting torment hereafter : then in-
deed he trembleth, when Faith
maketh to glitter before his eyes
the awful sword of the judgment to
come. And in this, the faithful
trembling of the true-hearted, are
there not both unshaken hope of
the eternal things, and awe of the
things of God?
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevejtth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xvi. 24.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
-^^~^ His disciples : If any man
will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and
follow Me. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great] {^2y2nd on the Gospels^
Our Lord and Redeemer came
into the world a new Man, and gave
the world new commandments. For
against the ways of our old life,
brought and bred up in sin. He set
the contrast of His new life. It was
the old way, according to the know-
ledge of the carnal man, for every
man to keep his own goods, and, if
he were able to do it, to take his
neighbour's goods also, and, if he
v/ere not able to take them, at least
to lust after them. But the Heavenly
Physician hath medicines wherewith
to meet all the diseases of sin. For,
even, as by the art of the physician,
things hot are healed by things cold,
and things cold by things hot, so
doth our Lord set against sin holi-
ness, ordaining for the lecherous
purity, for the miserly munificence,
for the hot-tempered meekness, and
for the proud lowliness.
Eighth Lesso7i.
SO the Lord, when He would give
a new commandment unto
them that came to Him, said :
FOR ONE MARTYR.
561
*' Whosoever he be of you that for-
saketh not all that he hath, he
cannot be My disciple," (Luke xiv.
33,) — as though He had said
openly: "All ye that according to
the old man lust after your neigh-
bour's goods, must, according to
the zeal of the new man, give
away even that which is your own."
But let us hear again what He
saith in this place : "If any man
will come after Me, let him deny
himself." First He saith that we
must deny to ourselves that which
is our own, and now that we
must even deny ourselves to our-
selves. Perchance it is not hard
for a man to give up that which
is his own, but it is exceeding
hard to give up himself. To deny
himself his possessions is little :
but to deny himself himself is a
denial exceeding great.
Ninth Lesso7t.
YET when we come unto Him
the Lord will have us deny
to ourselves even ourselves, since
as many of us as are entered into
the battle of faith, are entered into
a contention against evil spirits.
But the evil spirits have nothing of
their own in this world, and there-
fore must we wrestle with them,
naked with naked. For if he that
is clothed, wrestle with him that is
naked, he faileth swiftly, because
he hath whereon he that is naked
taketh hold. And what are all
things earthly but things where-
with the soul is clothed upon ?
whosoever therefore will wrestle
with Satan, let him cast away
his clothes, lest he be thereby
endangered.
Again other Lessons for the Third
Nocturn.
Seventh Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (x.
26.)
AT that time : Jesus said unto
His disciples : There is no-
thing covered, that shall not be
revealed, and hid, that shall not
be known. And so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop
[of Poitiers.] {Comm. on Matth.
Chap. 10.)
The Lord pointeth to the day of
judgment, that day wherein the
hidden counsels of the hearts shall
be made manifest, and those things
which are dark now shall be the
subject of all men's knowledge.
Therefore He warneth us not to
fear threats, nor persuasions, rior
the power of such as fight against
us ; since in the day of judgment
it will be manifest that all these
things are null and void. "And
what I tell you in darkness, that
speak ye in light ; and what ye
hear in the ear, that preach ye
upon the house-tops." We read
not that the Lord's use was to
speak by night, or to tell His
doctrine in darkness, but that to
the carnal all His words were
darkness, and to the unbelieving
all His discourse night.
Eighth Lesson.
THEREFORE willeth He that
that which He hath spoken,
should be freely proclaimed in faith
and in confession. Therefore com-
562
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
mandeth He that that which He
hath told in darkness shall be
spoken in light, and that that
which He hath made to be heard
in the ear should be preached
upon the house-tops, that is, with
loud and high words. For it be-
hoveth us ever to make God
known, and to speak in the light
of Apostolic preaching the dark
things of the Gospel message, hav-
ing no fear- of them which have
power over bodies, but none over
our souls, but rather fearing God,
Which is able to destroy both body
and soul in hell.
Ninth Lesson.
" T^EAR not them which kill the
^ body." Therefore we need
fear nothing which may chance to
our bodies, nor sorrow because of
the destruction of the flesh, when,
according to the laws of our nature
and that from whence we are
taken, we are unclothed upon, and
become a pure spirit. And, since
it behoveth us who are rooted
in such a doctrine, freely and con-
stantly to confess God, even were
it only because of the alternative
whereby we are bound. He saith
further : " Whosoever shall confess
Me before men, him will I con-
fess also before My Father, Which
is in heaven. But whosoever shall
deny Me before men, him will
I also deny before My Father,
Which is in heaven." Such wit-
nesses as He hath seen us to have
been here to His name before
men, such a Witness shall we
find Him to be hereafter to our
names before His Father Which
is in heaven.
Jor Simple jFeasts of ©tie
JHartgr*
Kept out of Easter-tide.
The Office is as on a Semi-double^
with the following exceptions.
FIRST VESPERS.
The Office is of the Week-day, till the
Chapter exclusive.
The Office of the Saint begins with
the Chapter^ which, as also the Hy?7in,
Verse and Answer, A7itipho7t at the
Song of the Blessed Virgin, and Prayer
are all as given, {p. 548.) The Com-
mon CommemoraJio7is are said or not
accordi7ig to the seaso7i.
At Co77ipli7ie are said Preces.
MATTINS.
The l7ivitatory and Hy77in are as
just give7i.
The7i follow the Week-day Psalms^
with their own Antipho7is.
07t Mondays and Thursdays.
Verse. Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest him to
have dominion over the works of
Thy hands.
Absolution.
Graciously hear, &c.
071 Tuesdays and Fridays.
Verse. O Lord, Thou hast set a
crown of precious stones —
Answer. Upon his head.
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness, &c.
On Wednesdays.
Verse. His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
FOR ONE MARTYR.
563
Anszver. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
Absolution.
May the Almighty, &c.
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us,
Who doth live and reign for ever.
First Lesso?i from Scripture accord-
ing to the Season, bei?ig either the first
part, or, if the Saint have two Lesso7ts,
the whole read as one, at will.
First Responsory.
On Mondays and Thursdays.
This man is holy, &c., {First Re-
sponsory in the preceding Office. )
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Lord made him honourable,
&c., {Fourth Responsory in the pre-
ceding Office^
On Wednesdays.
A crown of gold, &c., {Seventh Re-
sponsory in the preceding Office^
Second Blessing.
He whose feast-day we are keep-
ing
Be our Advocate with God.
Secojtd Lesson is the first of the Le-
gend of the Saint, if there be two j if
not, it is the second frojn Scripture, to
which the third may be added at will.
Seco7td Responsory.
On Mondays and Thursdays.
The righteous shall grow, &c..
{Seco7id Responsory in the preceding
Office /) ivith this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A?iswer. Yea, he shall flourish in
the presence of the Lord for ever.
0?i Tuesdays and Fridays.
O Lord, Thou hast given him,
&c., {Fifth Responsory iji the preceding
Office ;) with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And hast not with-
holden the request of his lips.
On Wednesdays.
This is a martyr indeed, &c.
Or, O Lord, Thou hast prevented,
&c., {Eighth Responsory in the pre-
ceding Office?)
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels'
King
To that high realm His people
bring.
Third Lesson is the whole or the sec-
ond part of the Lege7id of the Saint, if
there is 07ie, or else the special Lesson
assig7ted.
The7i the Hy77i7t, " We praise Thee,
O God, &€.," is said, aftd so e7id Mat-
tins.
The rest of the Office is as on a Semi-
double, as just give7ij it e7ids at None,
i7tclusive ; Preces are said at Pri77ie,
and the Co77imo7t Co77i77ie77iorations are
77iade at Lauds or 7iot, accordi7ig to the
seaso77.
564
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Tff. d?or dF^a0t0 of iWang JWartgr^,
J^eJ>l out of Easter-tide.
EverythtJtg as o?i Sundays^ except
what is otherwise give7i here.
FIRST VESPERS.
A?itiphons, Chapter, and Prayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (Ps. cxvi.,
p. 1 86.)
Hymii.^
'T~*HE triumphs of the martyred saints
-'- The joyous lay demand,
The heart dehghts in song to dwell
On that victorious band :
Those whom the senseless world ab-
horred.
Who cast the world aside,
Deemed fruitless, worthless, for the
sake
Of Christ, their Lord and Guide.
For Thee they braved the tyrant's rage,
The scourge's cruel smart :
The wild beast's claw their bodies
tore,
But vanquished not the heart :
Like lambs before the sword they fell.
Nor cry nor plaint expressed :
For patience kept the conscious mind,
And armed the fearless breast.
What tongue can tell Thy crown pre-
pared
To wreathe the martyr's head ?
What voice Thy robe of white to clothe
His limbs with torture red ?
Vouchsafe us. Lord, if such Thy will,
Clear skies and seasons calm :
If not, the martyrs cross to bear,
. And win the martyr's palm. Amen.
^ Author unknown (sixth to ninth century) ; hymn altered at some places ; translation
by the late Dr Mant.
2 Ps. xxxi. II. 3 Cf. Matth. v. lo ; John xii. 25 ; Apoc. vii. 14.
^ The original is a hymn of the Ambrosian school, perhaps by St Ambrose himself.
Verse. ^ Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous.
Answer. And shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ For theirs is the kingdom
of heaven, who loved not their lives
in this world, and have attained
unto the reward of the kingdom,
and have washed their robes in the
blood of the Lamb.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. The Lord, He is the
King of the Martyrs. * O come,
let us worship Him !
Hym,n.^
"jVT OW, comrades, sing we the strife
-^^ and the victory,
Sing we the triumph, the joy, and the
majesty.
Fain be our lips when the theme for
their utterance
Tells of martyrdom glorified.
Wisdom was theirs which was reckoned
as foolishness,
Lost on a world which esteemed their
end honourless
While in the might of Thy Spirit they
followed Thee,
Jesus, heaven's eternal King.
Courage was theirs which no mocking
nor threatening
Daunted, nor all the inventions of
cruelty
Broke, when the conquerors, strong
under agony.
Crushed the power of the torturer.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
565
Mute as the lamb that is led to the
slaughtering-
Died they, no cry and no violence
uttering :
Peace in their hearts from the peace
of eternity
Only witnessing all was well.
Glory is theirs and unspeakable happi-
ness.
Bright with the light of unaltering
blessedness,
Stored up in heaven for such as have
died for Thee
By our minds inconceivable.
Praise be to Thee, their faith's Author
and Finisher,
Only-begotten with Him Who beget-
teth Thee,
And to the Spirit, Who, with Thee, co-
equally
Reigns eternally magnified. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only three Psalms are said.
First Antiphon. By the rivers of
water * hath the Lord planted the
vineyard ^ of the righteous, and in
His Law do they meditate day and
night.
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
(/• 4.)
Second Antiphon. ^As gold in
the furnace * hath the Lord tried His
chosen ones, and received them for
ever as a burnt-offering.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
(A 4-)
Third Antiphon. ^Though the
elect be punished * in the sight of
men, yet is their hope full of immor-
tality for ever.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., (/. 5.)
Verse. Be glad in the Lord, and
rejoice, ye righteous.
Answer. And shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of Blessed Paul the Apostle to
the Romans (viii. 12.)
"DRETHREN, we are debtors, not
^-^ to the flesh, to live after the
flesh. For if ye live after the flesh,
ye shall die : but if ye through the
Spirit do mortify the deeds of the
body, ye shall live. For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, they
are the sons of God. For ye have
not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but ye have received
the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry : Abba ! (Father.) For the Spirit
Itself beareth witness with our spirit
that we are the children of God.
And if children, then heirs ; heirs of
God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if
so be that we suffer with Him, that
we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of
this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us. For the earnest
expectation of the creature waiteth
for the manifestation of the sons of
God.
First Responsory .
God shall wipe away all tears
from the eyes of His Saints, and
there shall be no more ^sorrow,
1 Cf. Isa. V. 7. _ _ 2 V7isd. iii. 6, 4.
'^ In Apoc. xxi. 4, from which this beautiful Responsory is taken, the words are, *' And
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, &c." The mention of "death " seems to be
omitted because the Church will not apply that word to the glorious transit of her Martyrs,
which she habitually styles their "natalitia," or Birthday Festival.
566
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain ; for the former
things are passed away.
Verse. They shall hunger no
more, neither thirst any more,
neither shall the sun light on
them, nor any heat.
A7tswer. For the former things
are- passed away.
Second Lesson. (28.)
AND we know that all things
work together for good to
them that love God, to them who
are called to be Saints, according
to His purpose. For whom He did
foreknow, He also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of
His Son, that He might be the
First-born among many brethren.
Moreover, whom He did predes-
tinate, them He also called : and
whom He called, them He also
justified : and whom He justified,
them He also glorified. What then
shall we say to these things? If
God be for us, who can be against
us ? He That spared not His ow^n
Son, but delivered Him up for us
all, how shall He not with Him also
freely give us all things ? Who shall
lay anything to the charge of God's
elect ? It is God That justifieth.
Who is He that condemneth? It
is Christ Jesus, That died, yea,
rather. That is risen again. Who is
even at the right hand of God, Who
also maketh intercession for us.
Second Respo7isory.
These men are holy, who have
gloriously shed their blood for the
Lord's sake, yea, who loved Christ in
^ Ps. xliii. 22.
their lives, and w^ere made like unto
Him in their flesh, and therefore they
have earned crowns of victory.
Verse. One spirit, and one faith
was in them.
Answer. And therefore they
have earned crowns of victory.
Third Lesson.
Tl THO then shall separate us
^ * from the love of Christ ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
persecution, or sword ? As it is
written : For Thy sake we are killed
all the day long, we are accounted
as sheep for the slaughter.^ Nay,
in all these things we are more than
conquerors, through Him That loved
us. For I am persuaded that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor Prin-
cipalities, nor Powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor
might, nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Third Responsory.
They gave their bodies for God's
sake to death ; and gained the ever-
lasting crown.
Verse. ^ These are they which
came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes in the
Blood of the Lamb.
Answer. And gained the ever-
lasting crown.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And gained the ever-
lasting crown.
^ Apoc. vii. 14.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
567
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. ^ I will give
unto My Saints a place * in the
kingdom of My Father, every one
by his own name, saith the Lord.
Psalm XIV.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David."]
LORD, who shall abide in Thy
tabernacle ? * who shall dwell
in Thine holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, * and
worketh righteousness.
He that speaketh the truth in his
heart, * he that deceiveth not with
his tongue.
He that hath not done evil to his
neighbour, * nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is
despised : * but he honoureth them
that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour,
and deceiveth him not, * he that
putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the in-
nocent.
He that doeth these things, *
shall never be moved.
Second Antiphon. To the Saints
that are in the earth * Thou hast
made all my counsels admirable.
Psalm XV.
[Intituled a work "of David," but the
specifically descriptive word is not now of
certain meaning.]
PRESERVE me, O Lord, for in
Thee do I put my trust : *
I have said unto the Lord : Thou
art my God, for Thou hast no need
of my goods.
^ Cf. John xiv. 2.
To the Saints that are in His
land, * He hath made all my will
admirable.
Their sorrows are multiplied, *
that hasten after [a strange god.]
In their assemblies for blood-
shedding will I have no part : * nor
mention their names with my lips.
The Lord is the portion of mine
inheritance, and of my cup : *
Thou art He That shalt restore
mine inheritance unto me.
The lines are fallen unto me in
pleasant places : * yea, I have a
goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, Who hath
given me counsel : * my reins also
instruct me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always be-
fore my face : * because He is at my
right hand, I shall never be moved.
Therefore mine heart is glad, and
my tongue rejoiceth : * my flesh
also shall rest in hope.
For Thou wilt not leave my soul
in hell : * neither wilt Thou suffer
Thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou hast shown me the path of
life. Thou shalt fill me with joy in
Thy presence : * at Thy right hand
there are pleasures for evermore.
Third Antiphon. ^ The Saints
that wait upon the Lord * shall
renew their strength ; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall fly and not faint.
Psalm XXIII.
[Intituled ''A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the first
day of the week. "]
'T~^HE earth is the Lord's and the
-■- fulness thereof; * the world,
and they that dwell therein.
- Isa. xl. 31.
568
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
For He hath founded it upon the
seas, * and established it upon the
floods.
Who shall ascend into the moun-
tain of the Lord? * or who shall
stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a
pure heart, * who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully unto his neighbour.
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, * and mercy from the
God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them
that seek Him, * that seek the
face of the God of Jacob. ^
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ? *
The Lord strong and mighty, the
Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? *
The Lord of hosts. He is the
King of glory. -^
Verse. ^ Let the righteous rejoice
before God.
Aftswer. Yea, let them exceed-
ingly rejoice.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (47//^ on the Saints.)
1~\ EARLY beloved brethren, as
^-^ often as we keep the Feasts
of the holy Martyrs, we look to
obtain of the Lord, by their inter-
cession, such good things in this life
that thereby we, following them, may
gain better in that which is to come.
For they only do truly keep Holiday
on the Feasts of the Martyrs, who
follow after the Martyrs' example.
These Feasts of the Martyrs are the
Martyrs' preaching, whereby to stir
us up to imitate what we are not
loath to honour.
Fourth Responsory.
^Thy Saints, O Lord, have passed
a wonderful way, serving Thy com-
mandments, that they might be
found without hurt in the midst
of the mighty waters. Dry land
appeared, and, out of the Red Sea,
a way without impediment.
Verse. * He smote the rock, and
the waters gushed out, and the
streams overflowed.
Answer. Dry land appeared, and,
out of the Red Sea, a way without
impediment.
Fifth Lesson.
T)UT we, who would fain rejoice
^ with the Saints, would fain
not share with them the persecu-
tion of the world. Whosoever will
not take ensample of the holy Mar-
tyrs, as far as lieth in him, such
an one cannot attain unto their
blessedness. Thus preacheth the
Apostle Paul, when he saith : " As
ye are partakers of the sufferings,
so shall ye be also of the consola-
tion." (2 Cor. i. 7.) Yea, the Lord
Himself saith in the Gospel : " If
the world hate you, ye know that
it hated Me before it hated you."
(John XV. 18.) He will not be of
1 SLH.
Ps. Ixvii. 4.
2 Wisd. xix. 5-7 ; Neh. ix, 11.
"* Ps. Ixxvii. 20.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
569
the body, who will not be hated
with the Head.
Fifth Responsory.
The Saints of God shrank not
from the stripes of the executioners,
but died for Christ's Name's sake ;
that they might be made joint-heirs
in the house of the Lord.
Verse. They gave their bodies
for God's sake to death.
Aiiswer. That they might be
made joint-heirs in the house of the
Lord.
Sixth Lesson.
13 UT some man will say: "And
-■-^ who is he that can tread in
the footsteps of the blessed Mar-
tyrs ? " To such an one I answer
that, by the Lord's help, we are
able, if we so will, to tread in the
footsteps, not of the blessed Mar-
tyrs only, but even of the same
Lord Himself. Hearken, not to
me, but to the same Lord, Who
crieth unto all men : " Learn of
Me, for I am meek and lowly in
heart." (Matth. xi. 29.) Hear
also with what words the Apostle
Peter warneth us : " Christ suffered
for us, leaving us an example,
that we should follow His steps."
(i Pet. ii. 21.)
Sixth Respo7tsory.
^ As gold in the furnace hath the
Lord tried His chosen ones, and
received them as a burnt - offering,
and yet a while, and they shall be
regarded ; for the grace of God, and
His peace, are with His chosen.
Verse. They that put their trust
in Him shall understand the truth :'
and such as be faithful in love shall
abide with Him.
Answer. For the grace of God,
and His peace, are with His chosen.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For the grace of God,
and His peace, are with His chosen.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. ^ The righteous
live * for evermore ; their reward
also is with the Lord.
Psalm XXXII.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. ascribe this
psalm "to David."]
13 EJOICE in the Lord, O ye
-'-^ righteous : * praise is comely
for the upright.
Praise the Lord with harp : *
sing unto Him with the psaltery
of ten strings.
Sing unto Him a new song : *
play skilfully unto Him with a loud
noise.
For the word of the Lord is
right : * and all His works are done
in truth.
He loveth mercy and judgment : *
the earth is full of the goodness of
the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were
the heavens made, * and all the
host of them by the breath of His
mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the
sea together as an heap : * He lay-
eth up the depths in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord :
* let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of Him.
1 Wisd. iii. 6-9.
2 Wisd. V. 16.
570
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
For He spake, and it was done :
* He commanded, and it was made.
The Lord bringeth the counsel
of the heathen to nought : * He
maketh the devices of the people of
none effect, and setteth aside the
counsel of princes.
But the counsel of the Lord
standeth for ever, * the thoughts of
His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God
is the Lord, * the people He hath
chosen for His own inheritance.
The Lord looketh from heaven :
* He beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the set place of His habi-
tation * He looketh upon all the
inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth the heart of every
one of them : * He considereth all
their works.
There is no king saved by the mul-
titude of an host : * a mighty man
is not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety :
* by his great strength he shall not
escape.
Behold, the eyes of the Lord are
upon them that fear Him, * and
upon them that hope in His mercy.
To deliver their soul from death,
* and to feed them in time of famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord : *
for He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him :
* because we have trusted in His
holy Name.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon
us, * according as we hope in Thee.
Second Antiphon. They gave up
their bodies unto death * rather
than serve idols : and therefore have
they crowns on their heads and
palms in their hands.^
Psalm XXXIII.
[Intituled " Of David, when he changed
his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove
him away and he departed." This incident
is thus described in I Kings (Sam.) xxi. lo :
" And David arose and fled that day for fear
of Saul, and went to Achish " (otherwise
called Abimelech) " the King of Oath. And
the servants of Achish said unto him : Is
not this David the King of the land ? Did
they not sing one to another of him in
dances saying, ' Saul hath slain his thou-
sands, and David his ten thousands'? And
David laid up these words in his heart, and
was sore afraid of Achish the King of Gath.
And he changed his behaviour before them,
and feigned himself mad in their hands,
and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and
let his spittle fall down upon his beajd.
Then said Achish to his servants : Lo, ye
see the man is mad ; wherefore have you
brought him to me ? Have I need of mad-
men, that ye have brought this fellow to
play the madman in my presence ? Shall
this fellow come into mine house? xxii.
David therefore departed thence, and es-
caped to the cave of Adullam." This Psalm
is A B C Darian,]
T WILL bless the Lord at all
-*- times : * His praise shall con-
tinually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in
the Lord : * the humble shall hear
thereof, and be glad.
0 magnify the Lord with me : *
and let us exalt His Name to-
gether.
1 sought the Lord, and He heard
me, * and delivered me from all my
distress.
Draw near unto Him, and be
lightened, ** and your faces shall
not be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the
Lord heard him, * and saved him
out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him, *
and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is
^ Apoc. vii. 9.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
571
good : * blessed is the man that
trusteth in Him.
O fear the Lord, all ye His
Saints : * for there is no want to
them that fear Him.
The mighty lack and suffer hun-
ger: * but they that seek the Lord
shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto
me : * I will teach you the fear of
the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life,
* that loveth to see good days ?
Keep thy tongue from evil, * and
thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil and do good : *
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon
the righteous : * and His ears are
open unto their cry.
But the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil, * to cut
off the remembrance of them from
the earth.
The righteous cry and the Lord
heareth, * and delivereth them out
of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that
are of a broken heart, * and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the
righteous : * but the Lord will de-
liver them out of all.
The Lord keepeth all their bones :
* not one of them shall be broken.
The death of sinners is grievous :
* and they that hate the righteous
shall be guilty.
The Lord redeemeth the souls of
His servants : * and none of them
that trust in Him shall be guilty.
Third Antiphon. Behold, how
great with God is the reward * of
His Saints : ^ yea, they who died
for Christ's sake shall live for ever
and ever.
Ps. xlv. God is our refuge, &c.,
(A 97-)
Verse. The righteous live for
evermore.
Answer. Their reward also is
with the Lord.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the
Holy Gospel according to Luke
(xxi. 9.)
AT that time : Jesus said unto
His disciples : When ye shall
hear of wars and commotions, be
not terrified : for these things must
first come to pass ; but the end is
not by and by. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {^t^th on the Gospels.)
Our Lord and Redeemer wi-11-
eth us to know what shall be the
signs that the end of the world is
at hand, to the end that ye may be
the less terrified, when that com-
eth whereof ye have already had
warning. Darts strike less which
are seen coming : and the plagues
of the earth will be to us more
bearable, if we are harnessed
against them with the shield of
foreknowledge. Behold, how He
saith : " When ye shall hear of
wars and commotions be not ter-
rified : for these things must first
come to pass ; but the end is not
by and by." It behoveth us to
ponder these words of our Re-
deemer, wherein He warneth us of
suffering, from without, and from
^ Matth. V. 12.
5/2
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
within. Wars are the work of a
foreign enemy, commotions of the
citizens. Therefore, that He may
let us know that we shall be troubled
from within and from without. He
showeth that our wrestling shall be
in part against strangers, and in part
against our brethren.
Seventh Responsory.
Because of the covenant of the
Lord, and the laws of their fathers,
the Saints of God abode in brotherly
love, for one spirit and one faith
was ever in them.
Verse. ^ Behold how good and
how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity.
Answer. For one spirit and one
faith was ever in them.
Eighth Blessing.
They whose feast-day we are
keeping
Be our Advocates with God.
Eighth Lesson.
T3UT, when these woes come, the
^ end is not by and by. And
He saith further : " Nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom ; and great earth-
quakes shall be in divers places,
and pestilences, and famines, and
fearful sights and great signs shall
there be from heaven." Before the
last tribulation cometh, shall come
many other tribulations : and, by
the many woes which shall come
first, shall be foreshadowed the ever-
lasting woe which shall come in the
end. And therefore, after wars and
commotions, the end is not yet by
and by : many woes must come
first, to give warning of the woe that
hath no end.
Eighth Responsory.
O ye My Saints, who, being in
the flesh, didst have striving — I
will render unto you a reward of
your labours.^
Verse. ^ Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom !
Answer. I will render unto you
a reward of your labours.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. I will render unto you
a reward of your labours.
On the Feasts of Martyrs who were
brothers the following is the Second or
Eighth Responsory.
Theirs is a brotherhood indeed,
whose tie no storms availed to
sever : together they followed the
Lord in the shedding of their
blood. Together they set at nought
the Royal Palace ; together they
attained unto the kingdom of
heaven.
Verse. Behold how good and
how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity.
Answer. Together they set at
nought the Royal Palace ; together
they attained unto the kingdom of
heaven.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Together they set at
nought the Royal Palace ; together
they attained unto the kingdom of
heaven.
^ Ps. cxxxii. I.
2 Wisd. X. 17.
3 Matth. XXV. 34.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
573
Ninth Lessoft.
BUT, forasmuch as the signs and
troubles whereof the Lord
speaketh are so manifold, we must
needs shortly consider each : for, of
necessity, we must suffer some
things from heaven, some from the
earth, some from the powers of
nature, and some from men. For
where He saith : " Nation shall rise
against nation " — He speaketh con-
cerning the troubling of men :
where : " great earthquakes shall
be in divers places " — concerning
wrath from above: where: "and
pestilences " — concerning the frailty
of the body : where : " and famines "
— concerning the barrenness of the
earth: where: "fearful signs from
heaven," and tempests — concerning
commotions of the air. As, then,
all things shall have an end, so, be-
fore the end, shall all things be
troubled : and we who have sinned
and come short in all things, shall
in all things be afflicted, that it may
be fulfilled that is written : " and
the world shall fight with Him
against the unwise." (Wisd. v. 21.)
The Hym?!^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. O how many
torments have all the Saints suf-
fered, * that they might attain
safely unto the palm of martyrdom !
Second Antiphoit. The Saints
have attained unto the kingdom, *
with palms in their hands ; they
have earned crowns of Majesty
from the Lord's hand.
Third Antipho7i. ^ The bodies
of the Saints are buried in peace, *
and their name liveth for evermore.
Fourth Antiphon. O all ye Mar-
tyrs of the Lord, bless ye the Lord
* for ever.
Fifth Antiphon. O ye Martyrs,
* praise ye the Lord from the
heavens, praise Him with the dance
— [Alleluia.]
Note that betweeii Septitagesima and
Easter this last word "Alleluia" is
omitted.
The Chapter. (Wisd. iii. i.)
" I "HE souls of the righteous are
■*- in the hand of God, and the
torment of death shall not touch
them. In the sight of the unwise
they seemed to die : but they are in
peace.
Hymn for many Martyrs.'^
OTHOU, the Martyrs' glorious
King,
Of Confessors the crown and prize ;
Who dost to joys celestial bring
Those who the joys of earth despise !
By all the praise Thy Saints have won ;
By all their pains in days gone by ;
By all the deeds which they have done ;
Hear Thou Thy suppliant people's
cry.
Thou dost amid Thy Martyrs fight ;
Thy Confessors Thou dost forgive ;
May we find mercy in Thy sight.
And in Thy sacred presence live.
To God the Father glory be,
And to His sole-begotten Son ;
And glory. Holy Ghost, to Thee !
While everlasting ages run. Amen.
Verse. ^Let the Saints be joy-
ful in glory.
^ Ecclus. xliv, 14.
^ The original hymn, written between- the tenth and thirteenth centuries, is slightly
altered in the Breviary. '^ Ps, cxlix. 5.
574
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Answer. Let them sing aloud
upon their beds.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
^ Even the very hairs of your head
are all numbered : * fear not there-
fore ; ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
If the Prayer is not special there is
said one of the following, which is also
used throughout the whole Office of the
Sai7its.
Prayer for many Martyrs., who were
Bishops.
OLORD, we beseech Thee, that
the feast of Thy blessed Mar-
tyrs and Bishops {Jiere insert their
nai?ies) may keep us, and their
worshipful prayers commend us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
A7?ien.
Prayer for majiy Martyrs, not Bishops.
OGOD, by Whose mercy we
here keep the birthday of
Thy holy Martyrs, [here insert their
names, ^ grant us hereafter to rejoice
in their blessed company for all
eternity. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Another for the same.
OGod, Who, year by year, dost
gladden us by the solemn
feast - day of Thy holy Martyrs,
{here insert their names ^ mercifully
grant, that we who rejoice because
^ Luke xii. 7.
of their worthy deeds, may be also
stirred up to follow after their ex-
ample. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. O how many torments,
&c., {First A7itiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the e?td. (Wisd. iii. 7.)
nPHE righteous shall shine, and
^ run to and fro like sparks
among the stubble. They shall
judge the nations, and have do-
minion over the people, and their
Lord shall reign for ever.
TERCE.
Antiphon. The Saints have at-
tained, &c., {Second Antiphon at
Lauds.)
Qhapter from Lauds.
Short Respo7isory.
^ Be glad in the Lord, and re-
joice, ye righteous.
Answer. Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous.
Verse. And shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
Answer. And rejoice, ye right-
eous.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous.
Verse. Let the righteous rejoice
before God.
Answer. Yea, let them exceed-
ingly rejoice.
^ Ps. xxxi. II.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
575
SEXT.
Antiphon. The bodies of the
Saints, &c., {Third Attttpho7i at
Lauds.)
Chapter. (Wisd. x. 17.)
THE Lord hath rendered to the
Saints a reward of their la-
bours, and guided them in a mar-
vellous way : and was unto them
for a cover by day, and a light of
stars in the night season.
Short Responsory.
Let the righteous rejoice before
God.
Answer. Let the righteous re-
joice before God.
Verse. Yea, let them exceed-
ingly rejoice.
Answer. Before God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Let the righteous re-
joice before God.
Verse. The righteous live for
evermore.
Answer. Their reward also is
with the Lord.
NONE.
Antiphon. O ye Martyrs, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end o^ Prime,
Short Responsory.
The righteous live for evermore.
Answer. The righteous live for
evermore.
Verse. Their reward also is with
the Lord.
Answer. For evermore.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The righteous live for
evermore.
Verse. Let the Saints be joyful
in glory.
Answer. Let them sing aloud
upon their beds.
SECOND VESPERS.
First Antiphon. These men are
holy, * for they have given up their
bodies unto death for the sake of
the covenant of their God, and have
washed their robes in the Blood of
the Lamb.
Second Antiphon. ^ The Saints
through faith subdued kingdoms,
* wrought righteousness, obtained
promises.
Third Antiphon. ^ The youth of
the Saints shall be renewed * like
the eagle's : they shall grow as the
lily in the city of the Lord.
Fourth Antiphon. God shall wipe
away all tears from the eyes of His
Saints : * and there shall be no more
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain ; for the former
things are passed away.
Fifth Aiitiphon. In the heavenly
kingdoms, * there is the dwelling of
the Saints : there shall be their rest
for ever and ever.
Psalm CXV.
[In the Hebrew this Psalm is a continua-
tion of the last. The Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix "Alleluia."]
T BELIEVED, therefore have I
-^ spoken : * but I was greatly
afflicted.
I said in my haste : * All men
are liars.
1 Heb. xi. ■qq.
Ps. cii. 5 ; Ixxi. 16 ; Isa. xxxv, I.
576
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
What shall I render unto the
Lord * for all His benefits toward
me?
I will take the cup of salvation, *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
* Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His Saints.
0 Lord, truly I am Thy servant :
* I am Thy servant, and the son of
Thine handmaid :
Thou hast loosed my bonds. * I
will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the Lord.
1 will pay my vows unto the Lord,
in the presence of all His people : *
in the courts of the Lord's house, in
the midst of thee, O Jerusalem !
[Here the Hebrew appends "Alle-
luia," which the Vulgate and the LXX.
prefix to the next Psalm.]
Chapter^ and Verse and Answer froi7t
Lands.
Hymn from First Vespers.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. In heaven do rejoice the
souls of the Saints * who have fol-
lowed the steps of Christ ; and
because they shed their blood for
the love of Christ, therefore shall
they be made glad for ever with
Christ.
©ti}er %jt%mn% for t^z JFeasts
of i^ang JSlartgrs.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.]
{\st on the Martyrs. Tom. iii.)
TI^VERY man knoweth how, by
^-^ the good Providence of God,
the divers glories of His Martyrs are
held in such esteem by His people,
that the same His Saints in all places
receive worthy honour, and before
us is set, by the favour of Christ, the
noble ensample of their courage :
thus are we stirred up to consider,
on the occasion of these Holidays,
how great glory doth abide them in
heaven, whose birthdays are thus
kept upon earth : thereby, also, we
are roused to strive to be like them,
brave, godly, and true : so that, in
the strength of Christ, we, like them,
may wrestle with, and conquer our
enemy, and, when we have gained
the same victory that they gained,
may with them at last be glorified in
the kingdom of heaven.
Fifth Lesson,
TI^OR what man is there willing to
^ - share their reward, that if he
do not first lay hold on their stead-
fastness, follow after the ensample of
their faith, and imitate their brave
patience, can either seek or find
their glory by likeness to their lives ?
But whosoever doth so follow them,
let him not doubt but that, though
in very deed he gain not the crown
of martyrdom, he is yet able by good
works to make himself meet there-
for. For we have a most merciful
God, Which either giveth Martyrdom
unto such as be willing, or, without
Martyrdom, doth make them joint
heirs with the Saints in the kingdom
of God.
Sixth Lesson.
T^OR even as afflictions unman
^ the ungodly, so do trials
harden the righteous. Even thus
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
577
did the Saints strive against sin ;
but the work braced their muscles,
and in death they were more than
conquerors. Of such as run in a
race, no man saith that they are
strong, unless they run, and none
can be crowned, unless he conquer.
No soldier prevaileth against his
enemy, unless he fight ; or winneth
the Emperor's favour, unless he have
warred. Christian ! the needful arms
are thine ! In thy hands are the
strong weapons, wherewith thou canst
conquer the enemy !
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (vi. 17.)
A T that time : Jesus came down
^^~^ from the mountain, and stood
in the plain, and the company of His
disciples, and a great multitude of
people out of all Judea, and Jeru-
salem, and from the sea coast of
Tyre and Sidon. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {Bk. v. on Luke vi.)
Mark well how Jesus goeth up-
ward with His disciples, and down-
ward to the multitude. How should
the multitude behold Christ, save in
a lower place ? Such go not up to
the things which are above ; such
attain not to the things which are
high. And when Jesus cometh
down. He findeth such as are
diseased : for such like go not up
to the heights. Hence also Matthew
saith that there were there " all
sick people," (iv. 23.) Of these
every man had need of healing,
that, when he had received strength,
by and by, he might go up into the
mountain. And therefore, being
Himself come down. He healeth
them in the plain, that is to say, He
calleth them away from their lust,
and freeth them of their blindness.
He cometh down to our wounds, to
the end that by a certain use of
His nature, and by the abundance
thereof. He might make us joint-
heirs of the kingdom of heaven.
Eighth Lesson.
" "DLESSED be ye poor, for
■^ your's is the kingdom of
God." Saint Luke giveth us but
four of the Lord's Beatitudes, and
Saint Matthew eight : but in those
eight are contained these four, and
in these four those eight. For in
these four are embraced the cardinal
virtues : and in those eight they are
set forth in a number full of mystery.
It is written at the head of more
than one of the Psalms that they
are " for the octave," and thou hast
received the commandment : " Give
a portion to seven, and also to
eight" — to seven or eight what?
Perchance degrees of blessedness.
For as this eighth [Beatitude] doth
name the most glorious realization
of our hope — ["the kingdom of
Heaven "] — so doth it also name
the most royal exertion of our
strength — [" blessed are they which
are persecuted."] ^
^ The latter half of this Lesson, from the words " It is written," &c., is one of the most
difficult passages in the Breviary, and seems to require a short note, especially as it is so
often recited in the Church Service, (i.) "For the octave" is meant as a translation of
the Hebrew words " Alhashsh'minith," found in the superscription of Pss. vi. and xi.
The real meaning of these words seems to have been lost for at least two thousand years,
VOL. II. • U
57^
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Nitiih Lesson.
BUT let us first consider the fuller
of the forms of these Beati-
tudes. " Blessed be ye poor, for
your's is the kingdom of God."
Both of the Evangelists give to this
Beatitude the first place. Yea,
surely, for poorness, at least in
spirit, is the first in order, the
mother, and procreatrix of virtues ;
since he that setteth no store by
temporal things, winneth toward
eternal things ; neither is any man
able to gain the kingdom of heaven,
on whom the love of this present
world doth so press, that he cannot
rid himself thereof.
Another Homily.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xii. i.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
•^^ His disciples : Beware of the
leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow and Doctor of the
Church.] {Bk. iv. on Luke, Cap. lii.)
Touching this leaven the Apostle
warneth us : " Therefore let us keep
the feast, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice
and wickedness, but with the un-
leavened bread of sincerity and
truth." (i Cor. v. 8.) For even
as a little leaven doth infect the
whole lump wherein it is put, and
the savour thereof doth spread all
abroad therein, so doth hypocrisy,
wheri once it hath tainted the soul,
drive out from it all sincerity and
truth. The meaning, therefore, of
this passage is this : " Beware, lest
ye be as the hypocrites, for yet a
little while, and all men shall see
that ye are good, and they are evil."
Eighth Lesson.
A S touching what followeth :
-^^ " For there is nothing co-
vered that shall not be revealed,
neither hid, that shall not be
known. Therefore, whatsoever ye
have spoken in darkness shall be
heard in the light." These words
are true, not only as concerning
the world which is to come, where-
in the secrets of all hearts shall
be made manifest, but even as con-
cerning this present world, since
and conjectures on the subject have exercised the various ingenuity of the learned, who are
widely disagreed. It is, however, a pretty general idea that the phrase is a technical
musical direction, and has something to do with the number 8. Gesenius believes it to
correspond to the Italian "basso," and to imply a composition intended for men's voices.
(2.) Eccles. xi. begins thus : "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after
many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight ; for thou knowest not what evil
shall be upon the earth." This latter verse the Rev, T. P. Dale, in his profound trans-
lation and Commentary upon Ecclesiastes, renders, " Give a share all round, and to some
one else beside, for thou dost not know what sort of mischief shall be in the earth," and
he says, " It is equivalent to our ' everybody and some one else.' " The whole would seem
to be an exhortation to almsgiving full even to abundance : seven, as the " perfect" number,
being chosen to imply a full number generally. Cf. Job v. 19 ; Micah v. 5 ; Matth. xviii.
22. (3.) benedictionibus. Sicut enim spei nostroe octava perfectio est, ita octava summa
virtutum est." The translator confesses to great uncertainty as to the meaning, but, upon
full and repeated consideration, at the interval of years, he is inclined to think that
''octava" agrees with "benedictio" understood, and that the paraphrase in the text is the
most probable sense.
FOR MANY MARTYRS.
579
now that which the Apostles spake
and suffered in the darkness of
persecution, and the gloom of dun-
geons, is, since that the Church is
glorified, told of them for a me-
morial of them, wherever their acts
are read throughout the whole
world. " Be not afraid of them
that kill the body," for they that
persecute the righteous, when they
have killed the body, "after that,
have no more that they can do."
Truly, it is a childish folly which
maketh such men to cast the dead
limbs of the martyrs to birds and
-beasts, while yet they have no
strength to withstand the Almight of
God, whereby He will surely quicken
the same limbs and raise them up
again.
Ninth Lesson.
(~\^ persecutors there are two
^^ kinds : first, of such as do
openly rage in cruelty against us ;
and, secondly, of such as do seek,
by cunning wiliness and lying, to
beguile us. Against both these
the Saviour willeth to guard and
strengthen us, in one place warning
us to be not afraid of them that
kill the body, and, in another place,
to beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees : since, when we are dead,
neither the cruelty of the one class,
nor the falsehood of the other, will
be able any more to touch us.
"Are not five sparrows sold for
two farthings ? " If God, saith the
Lord, if God cannot forget the least
of the works of His hands that
hath life, the little birds that fly
hither and thither in the air, if He
cannot forget them, wherefore should
ye, who are made in the image and
likeness of your Maker, wherefore
should ye be afraid of them that kill
the body ? He that is the careful
Lord of the beasts, which think not,
how much more shall He be careful
of man which hath a reasonable soul?
jFor Simple jFeasts of JSang
JHartgrs.
The Office is as on a Semi-double^ with
the following exceptions.
FIRST VESPERS.
The Office is of the Week-day., till the
Chapter., exclusive.
The Office of the Saints begins with
the Chapter., which., as also the Hy7nn,
Verse a7id Aftswer., Antiphon at the
So7ig of the Blessed Virgin., and Prayer
are all as just given, {p. 564.) The
Common Comjne?noratio?ts are said or
not according to the season.
At Co7npline are said Preces.
MATTINS.
The Livitatory and Hy77in are as just
give7t.
The7i follow the Week-day Psal77is^
with their ow?i Antipho7is.
071 Mondays a7id Thursdays.
Verse. Be glad in the Lord, and
rejoice, ye righteous.
Answer. And shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
Absolutio7i.
Graciously hear, &c.
071 Tuesdays a7id Fridays.
Verse. Let the righteous rejoice
in the presence of God.
Answer. Yea, let them be exceed-
ing glad.
58o
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness, &c.
On Wed7tesdays.
Verse. The righteous Uve for
evermore.
Answer. Their reward also is
with the Lord.
Absolution.
May the Almighty, &c.
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us,
Who doth live and reign for ever.
First Lesson from Scripture^ accord-
ing to the Season, being either the first
part, or, if the Saints have two Lessons,
the whole read as one, at will.
First Responsory .
On Mondays and Thursdays.
God shall wipe away, &c., {First
Responsory iit the preceding Office.)
0?i Tuesdays and Fridays.
Thy Saints, O Lord, &c., {Fourth
Responsory i7i the preceding Office.)
On Wednesdays.
Because of the covenant, &c.,
{Seventh Responsory in the preceding
Office.)
Second Blessing.
They whose feast-day we are
keeping,
Be pur Advocates with God.
Second Lesson is the First of the Le-
ge?id of the Saint, if there be two; if
7iot, it is the Second from Scripture, to
which the Third may be added, at will.
Second Responsory.
On Mondays a7td Thursdays.
These men are holy, &c., {Second
Responsory in the preceding Office^
with the following addition:
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And therefore they have
earned crowns of victory.
071 Tuesdays a7td Fridays.
The Saints of God shrank not,
&c., {Fifth Responsory in the preced-
ing Office^ wiJi the following addi-
tion :
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. That they might be
made joint-heirs in the house of the
Lord.
071 Wednesdays.
O ye. My Saints, &c., {Eighth
Responsory in the preceding Office.)
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels' King,
To that high realm His people
bring.
Third Lesson is the whole or the
Seco7id part of the Lege7idof the Sai7its,
if there is 07ie, or else the special Lesson
assig7ied.
The7i the Hymn, " We praise Thee,
O God," &c., is said, and so end
Matti7is.
The rest of the Office is as 07t a Se7ni-
double, as just give7i ; it e7ids at None,
inclusive; Preces are said at Pri7ne,
a7id the Com7no7i Co7n7nemoratioiis are
77iade at Lauds or 7iot, according to the
seaso72.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
581
ITK. dpor dftam^ of one JSijBifiop ana (Eonft^^ox,
Whether kept in Easter-tide or not.
Everything as 07i Simdays^ except
what is otherwise given here. In
Easter-tide the word Alleluia, here
give?i i7i brackets [ ], is occasionally
added.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter, and Prayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c,, (Ps. cxvi.,
/. 186.)
Hymn?-
I.
SAFE now for ever, JESU'S true
Confessor,
Whose happy festal here His people
keep.
Doth of his labours for his mighty
Blesser,
Rich harvest reap.
Gentle was he, wise, pure, and lowly-
hearted.
Sober and modest, ever foe to
strife,
While in his frame there flowed as yet
unparted
Currents of life.
Wherefore our choir, in thankfulness
adoring,
Lifteth its voice with melody of laud,
While he on high for us his prayer is
pouring,
Unto his God.
5-
Glory and honour, virtue and salvation
Be unto Him, Who, in His might
divine,
Ruleth supremely over all creation,
One and yet Trine. Amen.
Verse. ^ The Lord loved him
and beautified him. [i\lleluia.]
Answer. He clothed him with
a robe of glory. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgi7i. O thou Priest and Bishop,
* thou worker of mighty works,
thou good shepherd over God's
people, pray for us unto the Lord.
[Alleluia.]
For Doctors.
O right excellent Teacher, Light
of the Holy Church, N. {here insert
his name) blessed lover of the
Divine Law, pray for us to the
Son of God. [Alleluia.]
Ofttimes hath He Whose face he sees MATTINS.
in heaven, t j -u- •
Being entreated for His servant's Invitatory. The Lord, He is
sake, the King of the Confessors. * O
To us on earth the same for healer come, let us worship Him. [Alleluia.]
given
Sick whole to make. Hymn as at First Vespers.
1 Hymn of the Middle Ages, after the manner of the Amhrosian school, but very much
altered ; translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale, except the first verse, and the third.
- Ecclus. xlv. 9.
582
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only tht'ee Psalms are said y atid in
Easter-tide all H7ider 07ie Antiphon,
vis., the first, "Blessed is the man."
First Antiphon. Blessed is the
man * that doth meditate in the
law of the Lord : his delight is
therein day and night, and what-
soever he doeth shall prosper.
[Alleluia.]
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
{P- 4.) ' .
Second Antipho?i. Blessed and
holy is he * that putteth his trust
in the Lord, that declareth the
decree of the Lord, and is set
upon His holy hill.
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen,
&c., {p. 4.)
Third Antiphon. Thou, O Lord,
art my glory, * Thou art a shield
for me : Thou art the Lifter-up of
mine head, and Thou hast heard
me out of Thy holy hill.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., (/. 5.)
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified hini. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He clothed him with
a robe of glory. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the
First Epistle of the Blessed
Apostle Paul to Timothy (iii. i.)
THIS is a true saying : If a man
desire the office of a Bishop,
he desireth a. good work. A Bishop,
then, must be blameless, the hus-
band of one wife, sober, prudent,
of good behaviour, modest, given
to hospitality, apt to teach, not given
to wine, no striker, but patient ;
not a brawler, not covetous; one
that ruleth well his own house, hav-
ing his children in subjection with
all gravity. For if a man know not
how to rule his own house, how
shall he take care of the church of
God? Not a novice, lest, being
lifted up with pride, he fall into
the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover, he must have a good
report of them which are without,
lest he fall into reproach, and the
snare of the devil.
First Respofisory.
1 Well done, thou good and faith-
ful servant, thou hast been faith-
ful over a few things. I will make
thee ruler over many things ; en-
ter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Lord, thou deliveredst unto
me five talents ; behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more.
Answer. Enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord. [Alleluia.]
Second Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from
Epistle to Titus (i. 7.)
the
T^OR a Bishop must be blame-
-■- less, as the steward of God :
not proud, not soon angry, not given
to wine, no striker, not given to filthy
lucre : but a lover of hospitality,
courteous, sober, just, holy, tem-
perate, holding fast the faithful word,
as he hath been taught : that he may
be able by sound doctrine both to ex-
hort and to convince the gainsayers.
For there are many unruly, vain
^ Matth. XXV. 21, 20.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
583
talkers, and deceivers, specially they
of the circumcision, whose mouths
must be stopped : who subvert
whole houses, teaching things which
they ought not, for filthy lucre's
sake.
Second Respo7Tsory.
^ Behold an high priest, who in
his days pleased God : therefore
the Lord assured him by an oath
that He would multiply his seed
among His people. [Alleluia.]
Verse. He hath made him a
blessing unto all nations, and hath
established His covenant upon his
head.
Answer. Therefore the Lord as-
sured him by an oath that He
would multiply his seed among His
people. [Alleluia.]
demned : that he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed, hav-
ing no evil thing to say of us.
Third Responsory.
^ The Lord hath sworn and will
not repent : Thou art a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedek.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. The Lord said unto my
Lord : Sit Thou at My right hand.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchi-
sedek. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedek.
[Alleluia.]
Third Lesson, (ii. i.)
T)UT speak thou the things
-L^ which become sound doc-
trine : that the aged men be sober,
chaste, temperate, sound in faith,
in charity, in patience. The aged
women likewise, that they be in
behaviour as becometh holiness,
not false accusers, not given to
much wine, teachers of good things ;
that they may teach the young
women to be sober, to love their
husbands, to love their children, to
be discreet, chaste, sober, keepers
at home, good, obedient to their
own husbands, that the word of
God be not blasphemed. Young
men likewise exhort to be sober-
minded. In all things show thy-
self a pattern of good works, in
doctrine, in uncorruptness, in gravity,
sound speech, that cannot be con-
1 Ecclus. xliv. 16, 22, 25.
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Easter-tide all the three Psalms
following are said under one Antiphpn,
viz., the first.
First Antiphon. When His holy
one called, * the Lord heard him,
yea, the Lord heard him, and gave
him peace. [Alleluia.]
Psalm IV.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction of (now) uncertain'
meaning.]
^ IT HEN I called, the God of my
* * righteousness heard me : *
Thou hast enlarged me when I was
in distress :
Have mercy upon me, * and hear
my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long
will ye be dull of heart? * Why
2 Ps. cix. 5, I.
584
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
will ye love vanity, and seek after
leasing ? ^
But know that the Lord hath set
apart for Himself him that is holy :
* the Lord will hear me when I
call unto Him.
Be ye angry and sin not : * what
ye speak in your heart, repent upon
your bed.^
Offer the sacrifices of righteous-
ness, and put your trust in the
Lord. * There be many that
say : Who will show us any good ?
Lord, Thou hast set upon us the
light of Thy countenance. * Thou
hast put gladness in my heart,
More than in the time that their
corn, and wine, and oil * increased.
I will both lay me down in peace,
* and sleep,
For Thou, Lord, only * makest
me to dwell in safety.
Second Antiphon. Let all those
that put their trust in Thee rejoice,
O Lord, for Thou hast blessed the
righteous ; * Thou hast compassed
him with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Psalm V.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) superscription,]
GIVE ear unto my words, O
Lord, * consider my suppli-
cation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
* my King and my God !
For unto Thee will I pray. * O
Lord, in the morning Thou shalt
hear my voice :
In the morning will I stand before
Thee and look up. * For Thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness :
Neither shall the evil dwell with
Thee, * nor the unrighteous stand
in Thy sight :
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
* Thou shalt destroy all them that
speak leasing :
The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man. * But as for me,
in the multitude of Thy mercy
I will come into Thine house : *
I will worship toward Thine holy
temple in Thy fear.
Lead me, O Lord, in Thy
righteousness, * because of mine
enemies ; make my way straight
before Thy face.
For there is no faithfulness in
their mouth : * their inward part
is very wickedness.
Their throat is an open sepulchre ;
they flatter with their tongue. *
Judge Thou them, O God !
Let them fall by their own coun-
sels ; cast them out in the multi-
tude of their transgressions, * for
they have rebelled against Thee, O
Lord!
And let all those that put their
trust in Thee, rejoice : * let them
ever shout for joy, because Thou
dwellest in them :
Let them also that love Thy Name
be joyful in Thee. * For Thou wilt
bless the righteous.
O Lord, Thou hast compassed
us * with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Third Antiphon. O Lord, our
Ruler, * how excellent is Thy
Name in all the earth ! Who hast
crowned Thine holy one with glory
and honour, and madest him to
have dominion over the works of
Thy hands.
1 SLH.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
585
Psalm VIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
also a title which seems to show that it was
a song for the vintage. ]
OLORD, our Lord, * how ex-
cellent is Thy Name in all
the earth !
For Thy glory is exalted * above
the heavens.
^ Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings hast Thou perfected praise
because of Thine enemies, * that
Thou mightest destroy the enemy
and the avenger.
When I consider Thine heavens,
the work of Thy fingers : * the moon
and the stars which Thou hast or-
dained :
What is man, that Thou art mind-
ful of him? * or the son of man,
that Thou visitest him ?
Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels. Thou hast crowned
him with glory and honour, * and
madest him to have dominion over
the works of Thine hands.
Thou hast put all things under
his feet, * all sheep and oxen, yea,
and the beasts of the field.
The fowl of the air, and the fish
of the sea, * that pass through the
paths of the sea.
O Lord, our Lord, * how ex-
cellent is Thy Name in all the
earth !
Verse. ^The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
[Alleluia.]
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Lesso?i.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Maximus, Bishop [of
Turin.] (59^/^ Horn,, bemg the
2nd on St Eusebius of VercelH.)
T T is idle to strive to add anything
^ to the praise of our holy and
most blessed Father N., {here insert
the itmne of the Saint whose Feast is
being kept,) whose Feast is this day
kept. The beauty of his life ought
not to be the subject of panegyrics,
so much as the object of imitation.
The Scripture saith : "A wise son
is the glory of his father," ^ — truly
then will he be honoured by such
as, by doing after his ensample,
show themselves to be his children
— "for in Christ Jesus hath he
begotten us through the Gospel."
(i Cor. iv. 15.)
Fourth Responsory.
^ I have found David My servant,
with My holy oil have I anointed
him ; for My hand shall help him.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. The enemy shall prevail
nothing against him, nor the son of
wickedness afflict him.
Answer. For My hand shall
help him. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Lesson.
Tl mATSOEVER, therefore, of
* ^ virtue and grace there may
be in this holy people, all the bright
streams thereof do flow from him, as
from a most clear fountain. By his
^ This verse was quoted by our Lord, concerning those who cried Hosannah on Palm
Sunday, Matthew xxi. 16.
2 Cf. Ecclus. xlv. 20.
^ There does not appear to be any such passage in Scripture. Prov. x. i is some-
thing like it.
^ Ps. Ixxxviii. 21, 20.
VOL. II. U 2
586
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
manly chastity, by his sternly noble
temperance, by the graceful courtesy
which marked him, he drew all men's
love to God : and by his eminent
ministry in his Bishoprick he hath
left behind him in his disciples,
many heirs of his priesthood.
Fifth Responsory.
^ I have laid help upon one that
is mighty, and have exalted one
chosen out of My people; for My
hand shall help him. [Alleluia.]
Verse. I have found David My
servant, with My holy oil have I
anointed him.
Answer. For My hand shall
help him. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
XT is very meet and right that
^ upon this day, which is made
a joyful day for us because it is the
day whereon our blessed Father N.,
{here insert his name,) passed away
to heaven, I say it is very meet and
right that on this day we should
sing that verse of the Psalms : " The
righteous shall be in everlasting re-
membrance." (cxi. 7.) His memory
is rightly honoured among men who
is at this present making glad among
Angels. The word of God saith :
" Judge none blessed before his
death," (Ecclus. xi. 30,) as though
it were said, " Judge him blessed
when life is ended, praise him when
he is made perfect." For there are
two main reasons why it is better to
praise a dead man than a living,
since, if thou call him holy and
worthy after his death, thou dost it
when neither canst thou be cor-
-■• Ps. Ixxxviii. 21, 20.
rupted by being a flatterer, nor he
by being flattered.
Sixth Responsory.
This is he which wrought great
wonders before God, and the w^hole
earth is full of his teaching. ^ May
he pray for all people, that their
sins may be forgiven unto them !
[Alleluia.]
Verse. This is he which loved
not his life in this world, and hath
attained unto the kingdom of
heaven.
Answer. May he pray for all
people, that their sins may be for-
given unto them! [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. May he pray for all
people, that their sins may be for-
given unto them ! [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
In Easter-tide all the three Psalms
followijtg are said under one Antiphon,
viz., the first.
First Antiphon. Lord, this Thy
Saint * shall dwell in Thy taber-
nacle, and this that hath worked
righteousness shall abide upon Thy
holy hill [Alleluia.]
Psalm XIV.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David."]
T ORD, who shall abide in Thy
-L- ' tabernacle ? * who shall dwell
in Thine holy hill ?
He that walketh uprightly, * and
worketh righteousness.
He that speaketh the truth in his
- Cf. 2 Mace. XV. 14.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
587
heart, * he that deceiveth not with
his tongue.
He that hath not done evil to his
neighbour, * nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is
despised : * but he honoureth them
that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour,
and deceiveth him not, * he that
putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the in-
nocent.
He that doeth these things, *
shall never be moved.
Second Antiphon. He asked life
of Thee, * and Thou, O Lord, gavest
it : honour and great majesty hast
Thou laid upon him : Thou hast
set a crown of precious stones upon
his head.
Psalm XX.
[This Psalm also bears the same title as
the xviiith.]
nPHE king shall joy in Thy
-*- strength, O Lord : * and in
Thy salvation how greatly shall he
rejoice !
Thou hast given him his heart's
desire, * and hast not withholden
the request of his lips.^
For Thou hast met him with the
blessings of sweetness : * Thou hast
set a crown of precious stones upon
his head.
He asked life of Thee : * and
Thou gavest him length of days for
ever and ever.
His glory is great in Thy salva-
tion : * honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
For Thou wilt give him to be a
blessins; for ever : * Thou shalt
make him exceeding glad with Thy
countenance.
For the king trusteth in the
Lord, * and, through the mercy
of the Most High, he shall not be
moved.
Thine hand shall find out all
thine enemies : * thy right hand
shall find out all those that hate
thee.
Thou, shalt make them as a fiery
oven in the time of thine anger : *
the Lord shall cut them off in His
wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from
the earth, * and their seed from
among the children of men.
For they intended evil against
thee : * they imagined a device,
which they were not able to perform.
Therefore shalt thou cast them
behind thee : * thou shalt leave
their faces lying in thy track.
Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in
Thine own strength : * we will sing
and praise Thy power.
Third Antiphon. He shall re-
ceive * a blessing from the Lord,
and mercy from the God of his
salvation : for this is the generation
of them that seek the Lord,
Psalm XXni.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the first
day of the week."]
THE earth is the Lord's and the
fulness thereof; * the world,
and they that dvi^ell therein.
For He hath founded it upon the
seas, * and established it upon the
floods.
Who shall ascend into the moun-
1 5LH.
588
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
tain of the Lord ? * or who shall
stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a
pure heart, * who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully unto his neighbour.
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, * and mercy from the
God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them
that seek Him, * that seek the
face of the God of Jacob. ^
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ? *
The Lord strong and mighty, the
Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ? *
The Lord of hosts. He is the
King of glory. ^
Verse. ^Thou art a Priest for
ever. [Alleluia.]
Answer. After the order of Mel-
chisedek. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xxv. 14.)
AT that time : Jesus spake unto
His disciples this parable : A
man, traveUing into a far country,
called his own servants, and deliv-
ered unto them his goods. And
so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] [^th on the Gospels.^
1 SLH.
^ Ps. cix.
Dearly beloved brethren, this Les-
son from the Holy Gospel moveth us
to take good heed lest we, who are
seen in this world to have received
more than others, should thereby
bring ourselves into greater condem-
nation from the Maker of this world.
To whom much is given, of the
same is much required. Therefore,
let him that receiveth much, strive
to be all the more lowly, and all
the more ready to do God service,
for his very gifts' sake, knowing that
he will be obliged to give account
thereof. Behold, a man, travelling
into a far country, calleth his own
servants, and delivereth unto them
talents, to the end that they may
trade therewith. After a long time,
the lord of those servants cometh,
and reckoneth with them, and to
them that have done well He ren-
dereth a reward of their labours,
but that servant which was care-
less of his master's work He con-
demneth.
Seventh Responsory.
The Lord loved him and beauti-
fied him ; He clothed him with a
robe of glory, and crowned him at
the gates of Paradise. [Alleluia.]
Verse. The Lord hath put on
him the breast-plate of faith,^ and
hath adorned him.
Answer. And crowned him at
the gates of Paradise. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Blessi?tg.
He whose feast-day we are keep-
ing
Be our Advocate with God.
5. 3 I Thess. V, 8.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
589
Eighth Lesson.
WHAT other, then, is that man
travelling into a far country
but our Redeemer, Who is gone up
from us into heaven in that Flesh
Which He had taken into Himself?
For the earth is the home of the
Flesh, Which travelleth into a far
country — when our Redeemer giveth
It a place in heaven. But that man
travelling into a far country de-
livered unto his servants his goods ;
and so doth our Redeemer give
spiritual gifts unto His faithful
people. " And unto one he gave
five talents, to another two, and to
another one." There are five
bodily senses ; that is, sight, hear-
ing, taste, smell, and touch. By
the five talents therefore are sig-
nified the five senses, that is, out-
ward knowledge. By the two, wit
and work. And by the figure of
the one talent, understanding, which
is alone.
Eighth Responsory.
^ Let your loins be girded about,
and your lights burning, and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait
for their lord, when he will return
from the wedding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. ^ Watch therefore, for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth
come.
Answer. And ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Responsory for Doctors.
^ In the midst of the congregation
did the Lord open his mouth. And
filled him with the spirit of wisdom
and understanding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. He made him rich with
joy and gladness.
Answer. And filled him with
the spirit of wisdom and under-
standing. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And filled him with
the spirit of wisdom and under-
standing. [Alleluia.]
Ninth Lesson.
" A ND so he that had received
-^"^ five talents, gained other
five talents " — for some there be
who, while yet they are not able
to go on unto things inward and
mystic, do yet so desire our Father-
land which is above, that they teach
well all whom they can, and of
those very outward things which
they have received make gain
double. These are they which
keep themselves clean from the
unruly motions of the flesh, and
from the lust of the world, and
from the delight of things which
are seen, and, by their preaching,
keep other men also clean from all
these things. And some there are
who receive, as their two talents,
the power to think and the power
to work. These are they which
inwardly understand dark things,
and outwardly work wonders. And
these, since they preach unto others.
1 Luke xii. 35, 36.
^ Matth. xxiv. 42.
^ Ecclus. XV. 5, 6.
590
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
both through their understanding
and their works, gain, as it were,
double, for the talents which they
have received.
The Hy?nn, "We praise Thee, O
God, &c," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Behold an high
priest, * who in his days pleased
God, and was found righteous. [Al-
leluia.]
Second Antiphon. ^ None was
found like unto him, * to keep the
Law of the Most High. [Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. ^ Therefore the
Lord assured him * by an oath that
He would multiply his seed among
His people. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. O all ye
Priests of God, * bless ye the
Lord : O all ye servants of the
Lord, sing praises unto our God.
[Alleluia.]
This last word., " Alleluia," is oniitted
between Septiiagesi7na and Easter.
Fifth Antiphon. Good and faith-
ful servant, * enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Ecclus. xliv. 17.)
T)EHOLD an high priest, who in
^^ his days pleased God, and
was found righteous, and in the
time of wrath he made a propitia-
tion.
Hyjjin!^
TESU, the world's Redeemer, hear !
•^ Thy Bishops' fadeless crown, draw
near !
Accept with gentler love to-day
The prayers and praises that we pay !
■^.Ecclus. xliy. 16, 17, 20, 22,
^ Author unknown ; hymn of the tenth to thirteenth centuries, with alterations ; trans-
lation by J. D. Chambers, Esq. ^ Wisd. x. 10.
The day that crowned with deathless
fame
This meek Confessor of Thy Name,
Whose yearly feast, in solemn state,
Thy faithful people celebrate.
The world, and all its boasted good,
As vain and passing, he eschewed ;
And therefore, with Angelic bands.
In endless joys for ever stands.
Grant then that we, O gracious God,
May follow in the steps he trod ;
And freed from ev'ry stain of sin,
As he hath won, may also win. •
To Thee, O Christ, our loving King,
All glory, praise, and thanks we bring :
All glory, as is ever meet.
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.
Verse. ^The Lord guided the
just in right paths. [Alleluia.]
Answer. And showed him the
kingdom of God. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the .So?tg of Zacharias.
Well done, thou good and faithful
servant ; * thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee
ruler over many things, saith the
Lord. [Alleluia.]
If the Prayer is not special^ there is
said one of the following, which is also
used throughout the whole Offi-ce of the
Saint.
Prayer.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
Almighty God, that the wor-
shipful Feast of Thy blessed Con-
fessor and Bishop N., {here insert
his name,) may avail us to the in-
crease both of godliness toward
Thee, and healthfulness to our own
souls. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
591
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ameii.
Another Prayer.
HEAR, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, the prayers which we
offer Thee on this the solemn
Feast-day of Thy blessed Confessor
and Bishop N,, {he^-e insert his na?ne,)
and, for the sake of him who so
nobly served Thee, forgive us our
trespasses. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
For Doctors.
OGOD, Who didst give unto
Thy people Thy blessed ser-
vant N., {here insert his name^ to
feed them with the bread of eternal
life, grant, we beseech Thee, that
even as on earth he showed unto us
Thy lively word, so in heaven we
may worthily be holpen by the
succour of his prayers to Thee on
our behalf. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
The same Prayer throughout the day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Behold, an high priest,
■&c., {First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end, (Ecclus. xlv. 19.)
TO execute the office of the
Priesthood, and to be hon-
oured for His Name's sake, and to
offer to Him the incense which He
had chosen, for a sweet savour.
TERCE.
Antiphon. None was found, &c.,
{Second Antipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter fro7n Lauds.
Short Respo7isory.
The Lord loved him, and beauti-
fied him.
Answer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him.
Verse. He clothed him with a
robe of glory.
Answer. And beautified him.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him.
Verse. The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise.
In Easter-tide the above is said thus :
The Lord loved him, and beauti-
fied him. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord loved him, and
beautified him. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He clothed him with a
robe of glory.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The Lord loved him, and
beautified him. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The Lord hath chosen him
for a Priest unto Himself. Alleluia.
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise. Alleluia.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Therefore the Lord,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
592
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Chapter. (Ecclus. xliv, 20.)
NONE was found like unto him,
to keep the Law of the Most
High ; therefore the Lord assured
him by an oath, that He would mul-
tiply his seed among His people.
Short Responsory .
The Lord hath chosen him for a
Priest unto Himself.
Ansiver. The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
Verse. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise.
Answer. A Priest unto Himself.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
Verse. Thou art a Priest for ever.
Ansiver. After the order of Mel-
chisedek.
Ifi Easter- tide the above is said thus :
The Lord hath chosen him for
a Priest unto Himself Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Ansiver. The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord hath chosen
him for a Priest unto Himself.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Verse. Thou art a Priest for
ever. Alleluia.
Answer. After the order of
Melchisedek. Alleluia.
NONE.
Antiphon. Good and faithful,
&c., {Fifth Antiphon at Lauds. ^
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Thou art a Priest for ever.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever.
Verse. After the order of Mel-
chisedek.
Answer. For ever.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever.
Verse. The Lord guided the
just in right paths.
Answer. And showed him the
kingdom of God.
In Easter-tide the above is said thus :
Thou art a Priest for ever. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. After the order of Mel-
chisedek.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou art a Priest for
ever. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The Lord guided the
just in right paths. Alleluia.
Answer. And showed him the
kingdom of God. Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphojis, Chapter, and Verse and
Answer from Lauds.
Hymn f'om First Vespers.
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
593
Last Psalm.
Psalm CXXXI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." It
reads like a Processional for some transla-
tion of the Sacred Ark, perhaps that de-
scribed in 3 (i) Kings vii. (Saturday before
8th Sunday after Pentecost.)]
T ORD, remember David, * and
-L-' all his meekness :
How he sware unto the Lord : *
he vowed a vow unto the God of
Jacob ; —
Surely I will not come into the
tabernacle of mine house, * nor go
up into my bed ;
I will not give sleep to mine eyes,
* or slumber to mine eyelids ;
I will not give the temples of
mine head any rest, until I find out
a place for the Lord, * an habita-
tion for the God of Jacob.
^ Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah :
* we found it in the fields of "the
Wood."
We will go into His tabernacle :
* we will worship in His foot-
prints.
Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, *
Thou and the ark of Thine holi-
ness.
Let Thy priests be clothed with
righteousness, * and let Thy Saints
shout for joy.
For Thy servant David's sake,
* turn not away the face of Thine
Anointed.
The Lord hath sworn in truth
unto David, and He will not turn
from it : * Of the fruit of thy body
will I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep My
covenant, * and My testimony
that I shall teach them.
Then their children for ever *
shall sit upon thy throne.
For the Lord hath chosen Zion :
* He hath chosen it for His habita-
tion.
This is My rest for ever : *
here will I dwell, for I have
chosen it.
I will abundantly bless her
widows : * I will satisfy her poor
with bread.
I will clothe her Priests with
salvation : * and her Saints shall
shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of
David to bud : * I have ordained
a lamp for Mine Anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with
shame : * but upon him shall My
sanctification flourish.
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. The Lord loved
him * and beautified him ; He
clothed him with a robe of glory,
and crowned him at the gates of
Paradise. [Alleluia.]
But if the Saijit were a Pope, the
following is said instead :
Being made the Chief Bishop, *
he dreaded not earthly things, but
pressed on gloriously unto the king-
dom of heaven. [Alleluia.]
For Doctors.
O right excellent Teacher, Light
of the Holy Church, N. {here in-
sert his name) blessed lover of the
Divine Law, pray for us to the Son
of God. [Alleluia.]
^ This verse relates to the fetching of. the ark from Kirjath-jearim, (Hterally "The
town-of-the-woods,") which stood at the borders of the territory of Ephraim, here called
Ephratah. See 2 Kings (Sam.) vi. (Thursday, 5th week after Pentecost.)
594
THE CQMMON OF SAINTS.
®t\}tx Hessons for Jeasts of
®nt Btsliop anti Confessor*
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Maximus, Bishop
[of Turin.] (59//^ Homily., being
the 2nd on St JSusebius of Ve?'celH.~)
/^UR Blessed Father N., {here
V-^ insert the name of the Saint
whose Feast is being kept,) is safe
now, and we may safely praise his
great deeds. He that kept such a
manful hand upon the tiller of faith,
hath now cast the anchor of hope
in moorings of great calm, and
brought his ship, heavy laden with
heavenly riches and everlasting mer-
chandise, safe into the haven where
he would be. Thus fareth it now
with him who never fainted, but
for so long time held up ever the
shield of the fear of God against all
that did beset him. What was his
whole life but one long fight against
an enemy that never slept ?
Fifth Lesson.
f~\ HOW many blinded souls
^-^ there were, that had wan-
dered away from the path of the
Truth, and were hanging from the
edge of the precipice over the pit,
when he gave them sight again, and
opened their eyes that they might
see Christ ! How many deaf ears
were there, stopped up with unbelief
and condemnation, when he opened
them to hear that voice of com-
mandment that speaketh from
heaven, and gave them that precious
hearing that heareth God calling us
to be forgiven, so that they obeyed,
and answered ! How many wounded
spirits were there, to whom his
tongue, persuading them and pray-
ing for them like the tongue of an
angel, brought health again !
Sixth Lesso7i.
f~\ HOW God wrought in him
^-^ to cleanse and pardon, by
discipline and exhortation, many a
stricken soul, long distempered, and,
as it seemed, incurably foul with
sin, covered all over with virulent
leprosy ! How many souls there
were, dwelling in living bodies, but
dead, and crushed and buried under
the sense of sin, whom he quick-
ened again for God, by calling them
to amendment as to light, souls
dead to God, in which that great
follower of his Lord killed sin by
the same Lord's life-giving death.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xxiv. 42.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
-^~~^ His disciples : Watch, for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth
come. And so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop [of
Poitiers.] {Comment, on Matth.
chap. 26.)
To the end that we may know that
our ignorance of that day whereof
no man knoweth is not without use,
the Lord moveth us to watch for
the coming of the thief, to be ever
instant in prayer, and ever busy in
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
595
such works as He commandeth.
He showeth how that the devil is
that thief who watcheth ever how
he may spoil our goods, breaking
into the house of our body ; that,
while we are dwelling therein care-
less and heavy with sleep, he may
dig through our walls with the arms
of his craft and temptations. Us,
therefore, it behoveth to be ready,
who have ever our ignorance con-
cerning that day to be unto us a
reason of watchfulness.
Eighth Lesson. {Chap. 2y,)
*'TimO then is a faithful and
* * wise servant, whom his
Lord hath made ruler over His
household?" Although the Lord
doth move us all in common to
weary not in carefulness and watch-
ing. He layeth more especially upon
the rulers of His people, that is,
the Bishops, this duty, to look al-
ways for His coming. For such an
one is that faithful and wise servant,
made ruler over his Lord's house-
hold, who ever seeketh such things
as be convenient and useful for the
people unto him committed. Such
an one, if he hear this word, and do
that which he is commanded, that
is, if he strengthen by seasonable and
sound doctrine such things as be
weak, if he bind together that which
is sundered, if he make straight
again what is become crooked, and
give to the household the lively
Word which is able to feed them
unto life eternal, if such an one do
thus, and meanwhile the hour which
he knoweth not come upon him,
he shall obtain glory of the Lord,
as a faithful steward and an useful
overseer : that is, he shall have
glory with God, for in all things he
shall have of that which is best.
Ninth Less Oft.
OUT if that servant despise the
^ longsuffering of God, Which
waiteth to give salvation unto all
men, and begin to wax wanton
against his fellow-servants, and to
give himself over to the evil and
the vices of this present world,
having all his care for the worship
of his belly : the Lord of that ser-
vant shall come in a day when he
looketh not for Him, and shall cut
him off from the goods wherewith
he was entrusted, and appoint him
his portion with the hypocrites, in
everlasting punishment, because he
hath disobeyed the commandments,
because he hath minded the things
of this present world, because he
hath lived the life of an heathen,
because being unmindful of the
judgment to come, he hath afflicted
with hunger, and thirst, and stripes,
the flock committed to his care.
If if should be that several Bishops
and Confessors are to be honoured by
one Feast, the Office is the same as that
just given., except as follows :
1. In the Coi7imo7i Prayer the words
" Thy Blessed Confessor and Bishop
N." are altered ijzto " Thy blessed Con-
fessors and Bishops N. and N."
2. I7t the Sermons by St Maximus of
Turin everything said of the Saint in
the Sifigular Number is altered into the
Plural. For example: "Our Blessed
Fathers N. and N. are safe now,
and we may safely praise their great
deeds. They that kept such manful
hands upon the tiller, &c. &c. &c."
3. The followifig Lesso7is may be read
in the First Nocturn.
596
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus (xliv. i.)
TET us now praise famous men,
^--^ and our fathers that begat us.
The Lord hath wrought great glory
by them through His great power
from the beginning. Such as did
bear rule in their kingdoms, men
renowned for their power and their
understanding, showing forth among
the Prophets the dignity of Prophets,
and still ruling over the people that
now is, and by the strength of
wisdom instructing the people in
most holy words. Such as by their
skill sought out musical tunes, and
published canticles of the Scriptures.
Second Lesson.
IX/TEN rich in virtue, studying
^^ ^ comeHness, living at peace
in their houses. All these were
honoured in their generations, and
were the glory of their times. They
that were born of them have left a
name behind them, that their praises
might be reported. And some there
be which have no memorial ; who
are perished as though they had
never been ; who also were born as
though they had not been born, and
their children after them.
Third Lesso7i.
13 UT these were merciful men,
-L^ whose righteousness hath not
been forgotten : with their seed
shall continually ■ remain a good
inheritance, their children have an
holy heritage : their seed also abideth
firm in the covenant, and their
children for their sakes remain for
ever. Their seed, and their glory,
shall not be blotted out. Their
bodies are buried in peace, but their
name liveth for evermore. Let the
people tell of their wisdom, and the
congregation show forth their praise.
jFor a Simple Jeast of a
Btsl)cp antr Confessor.
The Office is as 07i a Semi- double^
with the following exceptions.
FIRST VESPERS.
The Office is of the Week-day., till the
Chapter, exclusive. The Office of the
Saint begins with the Chapter, which.,
as also the Hyinn^ Verse and Answer^
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin^ and Prayer are all as just given^
{p. 581 et seg.) The Comynon Comme-
morations are said or not according to
the seaso?i.
At Compline are said Preces.
MATTINS.
The Lnvitatory a7td Hymfi are as just
give?!.
The7i follow the Week-day Psalms.,
with their owjt Antipho7is.
On Mondays and Thursdays.
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified him. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He clothed him with
a robe of glory. [Alleluia.]
Absolution.
Graciously hear, &c.
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
Verse. The Lord hath chosen him
for a Priest unto Himself. [Alleluia.]
Answer. To offer up unto Him
the sacrifice of praise. [Alleluia.]
FOR ONE BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.
597
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness, &c.
0?i Wednesdays.
Verse. Thou art a Priest for
ever. [Alleluia.]
Answer. After the order of
Melchisedek. [Alleluia.]
Absolution.
May the Almighty, &c.
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us.
Who doth live and reign for ever.
First Lesson fro7n Scripture, accord-
ing to the Seasofz, being either the first
part, or, if the Saint have two LessoJts,
the whole read as one, at will.
First Responsory.
On Mondays and Thursdays,
Well done, &c., {First Responsory
in the preceding Office^
On Tuesdays and Fridays.
I have found David, &c., {Fourth
Responsory in the preceding Office?)
Oil Wednesdays.
The Lord loved him, &c., {Seventh
Responsory in the preceding Office.)
Second Blessing.
They whose feast-day we are keep-
ing,
Be our Advocates with God.
Second Lesson is the First of the
Legend of the Saint, if there be two; if
not, it is the Second from Scripture, to
which the Third may be added at will.
Seco?id Responsory .
On Mondays and Thursdays.
Behold an high priest, &:c.,
{Second Responsory in the preceding
Office^ with this addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Therefore the Lord
assured him by an oath that He
would multiply his seed among His
people. [Alleluia.]
0?i Tuesdays aiid Fridays.
I have laid help, &c., {Fifth
Respo?isory in the preceding Office?)
with the following addition :
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For My hand shall
help him. [Alleluia.]
On Wednesdays.
Let your loins, &c., {Eighth Re-
sponsory in the preceding Office.)
Third Blessing.
May He That is the Angels'
King,
To that high realm His people
bring.
Third Lesson is the whole or the
second part of the Legend of the Saint,
if there be one, or else the special Lesson
assigned.
The7t the Llymn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said, and so end Mattins.
The rest of the Office is as on a Semi-
double, as just given J it ends at A^one,
inclusivej P^'eces are said at Prijjie, and
the Cojnmon Commemorations are made
at Lauds or 7iot, according to the season.
598
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
VM. d?or ;^tdim of a (Eontt^^ov not a M^fiop,
Whether kept in Easter-tide or not.
Everything . as on Sundays^ except
what is otherwise given here. In Easter-
tide the word Alleluia, here given i7i
brackets \ ], is occasio?ially added.
FIRST VESPERS.
A7ttiphons, Chapter, and Prayer from
Lands,
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (Ps.
cxvi.j /. 1 86.)
Hymn. This is the day, &c., or,
SAFE now for ever, JESU'S true Con-
fessor,
Whose happy festal here His people
keep,
Doth of his labours for his mighty
Blesser,
Rich harvest reap.
Gentle was he, wise, pure, and lowly-
hearted,
Sober and modest, ever foe to strife,
While in his frame there flowed as yet
unparted
Currents of life.
Wherefore our choir, in thankfulness
adoring,
Lifteth its voice with melody of laud,
While he on high for us his prayer is
pouring.
Unto his God.
5-
Glory and honour, virtue and salvation
Be unto Him, Who, in His might
divine,
Ruleth supremely over all creation,
One and yet Trine. Amen.
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified him. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He clothed him with
a robe of glory. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the So?tg of the
Blessed Virgin. ^ I will liken him
unto a wise man, * which built his
house upon a rock. [Alleluia.]
For Doctors.
O right excellent Teacher, Light
of the Holy Church, N. {here insert
his name) blessed lover of the
Divine Law, pray for us to the Son
of God. [Alleluia.]
o- MATTINS.
Ofttimes hath He Whose face he sees t u ^ -pu t j tt •
in heaven, Invitatory. The Lord, He is
Being entreated for His servant's the Kmg of the Confessors. * O
sake, come, let us worship Him. [Al-
To us on earth the same for healer leluia.]
given
Sick whole to make. Flymn as at First Vespers.
1 Matth. vii. 24.
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
599
FIRST NOCTURN.
Only three Psalms are said, a7td iit
Easter -tide all under one Antiphon^
vis., the first, " Blessed is the man."
First Antiphon. Blessed is the
man * that doth meditate in the
law of the Lord : his delight is
therein day and night, and what-
soever he doeth shall prosper. [Al-
leluia,]
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c,,
(A 4.)
Second Antiphon. Blessed and
holy is he * that putteth his trust
in the Lord, that declareth the
decree of the Lord, and is set
upon His holy hill.
Ps, ii. Why do the heathen, &c.j
(A 4.)
Third Antiphon. Thou, O Lord,
art my glory, * Thou art a shield
for me : Thou art the Lifter-up of
mine head, and Thou hast heard
me out of Thy holy hill.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., (/. 5.)
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified him. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He clothed him with
a robe of glory. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Wisdom (iv. 7.)
nr HOUGH the righteous be pre-
^ vented with death, yet shall
he be in rest. For honourable age
is not that which standeth in length
of time, nor that is measured by
number of years : but wisdom is'
the grey hair unto men, and an
unspotted life is old age. He
pleased God, and was beloved of
Him, so that living among sinners,
he was translated. He was taken
away speedily, lest that wickedness
should alter his understanding, or
deceit beguile his soul. For the
bewitching of naughtiness doth ob-
scure things that are honest, and
the wandering of concupiscence
doth undermine the simple mind.
He, being made perfect in a short
time, fulfilled a long time : for his
soul pleased the Lord : therefore
hasted He to take him away from
among the wicked.
First Responsory.
Well done, thou good and faith-
ful servant, thou hast been faith-
ful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things ; en-
ter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Lord, Thou deliveredst
unto me five talents ; behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more.
Answer. Enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord. [Alleluia.]
Second Lesson.
nPHIS the people saw, and under-
^ stood it not, neither laid they
this up in their minds, that the
grace of God and His mercy are
with His Saints, and that He hath
respect unto His chosen. Thus the
righteous that is dead doth condemn
the ungodly which are living, and
youth that is soon perfected, the
many years of the unrighteous. For
they shall see .the end of the wise,
and shall not understand what God
in His counsel hath decreed of him,
6oo
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
and to what end the Lord hath set
him in safety. They shall see him
and despise him : but the Lord
shall laugh them to scorn. And
they shall thereafter fall without
honour, and be a reproach among
the dead for evermore : for when
they are puffed up, He shall rend
them, and they shall be speechless,
and He shall shake them from the
foundation, and they shall be utterly
laid waste.
Second Responsory.
1 The righteous shall grow as the
lily ; yea, he shall flourish in the
presence of the Lord for ever. [Al-
leluia.]
Verse. ^ Those that be planted
in the house of the Lord, shall
flourish in the courts of the house
of our God.
Answer. Yea, he shall flourish
in the presence of the Lord for ever.
[Alleluia.]
Third Lesson.
AND they shall be in sorrow, and
their memorial shall perish.
When they cast up the accounts of
their sins they shall come with fear,
and their own iniquities shall con-
vince them to their face, (v.) Then
shall the righteous stand in great
boldness before the face of such as
have afflicted them, and made no
account of their labours. When
they see it, they shall be troubled
with terrible fear, and shall be amazed
at the strangeness of their salvation,
and they, repenting and groaning for
anguish of spirit, shall say within
themselves : These were they whom
we had sometimes in derision, and
^ Hos. xiv. 6 ; Isa. xvii. ii, &c.
a proverb of reproach. We fools ac-
counted their life madness, and their
end to be without honour. Behold,
how they are numbered among the
children of God, and their lot is
among the Saints.
Third Resp07isory.
This is he which knew righteous-
ness, and saw great wonders, and
made his prayer unto the Most
High ; and he is numbered among
the Saints. [Alleluia.]
Verse. This is he which loved not
his life in this world, and is come
unto an everlasting kingdom.
Answer. And he is numbered
among the Saints. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And he is numbered
among the Saints. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Easter-tide all the three Psalms
following are said wider o?ie Antipho7t,
viz.^ the first.
First Antiphon. When His holy
one called, * the Lord heard him j
yea, the Lord heard him, and gave
him peace. [Alleluia.]
Psalm IV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) direction of (now) uncertain
meaning,]
^1 rHEN I called, the God of my
* ^ righteousness heard me : *
Thou hast enlarged me when I was
in distress :
2 Ps. xci. 14.
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
60 1
Have mercy upon me, * and hear
my prayer.
0 ye sons of men, how long
will ye be dull of heart? * Why
will ye love vanity, and seek after
leasing ? ^
But know that the Lord hath set
apart for Himself him that is holy :
* the Lord will hear me when I
call unto Him.
Be ye angry and sin not : * what
ye speak in your heart, repent upon
your bed.^
Offer the sacrifices of righteous-
ness, and put your trust in the Lord.
* There be many that say : Who will
show us any good ?
Lord, Thou hast set upon us the
light of Thy countenance. * Thou
hast put gladness in my heart.
More than in the time that their
corn, and wine, and oil * increased.
1 will both lay me down in peace,
* and sleep,
For Thou, Lord, only * makest
me to dwell in safety.
Second Antiphon. Let all those
that put their trust in Thee rejoice,
O Lord, for Thou hast blessed the
righteous ; * Thou hast compassed
him with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Psalm V.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) superscription.]
GIVE ear unto my words, O
Lord, * consider my suppli-
cation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
* my King and my God !
For unto Thee will I pray. * O
Lord, in the morning Thou shalt
hear my voice :
In the morning will I stand before
Thee and look up. * For Thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness :
Neither shall the evil dwell with
Thee, * nor the unrighteous stand
in Thy sight :
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
* Thou shalt destroy all them that
speak leasing :
The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man. * But as for me,
in the multitude of Thy mercy
I will come into Thine house : *
I will worship toward Thine holy
temple in Thy fear.
Lead me, O Lord, in Thy
righteousness, * because of mine
enemies ; make my way straight
before Thy face.
For there is no faithfulness in
their mouth : * their inward part
is very wickedness.
Their throat is an open sepulchre ;
they flatter with their tongue., *
Judge Thou them, O God !
Let them fall by their own coun-
sels ; cast them out in the multi-
tude of their transgressions, * for
they have rebelled against Thee, O
Lord!
And let all those that put their
trust in Thee, rejoice : * let them
ever shout for joy, because Thou
dwellest in them :
Let them also that love Thy Name
be joyful in Thee. * For Thou wilt
bless the righteous.
O Lord, Thou hast compassed
us * with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Third Antiphon. O Lord, our
Ruler, * how excellent is Thy Name
in all the earth ! Who hast crowned
1 SLH.
602
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Thine holy one with glory and hon-
our, and madest him to have domin-
ion over the works of Thy hands.
Psalm VIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
also a title which' seems to show that it was
a song for the vintage.]
OLORD, our Lord, * how ex-
cellent is Thy Name in all
the earth !
For Thy glory is exalted * above
the heavens.
■^ Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings hast Thou perfected praise
because of Thine enemies, * that
Thou mightest destroy the enemy
and the avenger.
When I consider Thine heavens,
the work of Thy fingers : * the moon
and the stars which Thou hast or-
dained :
What is man, that Thou art mind-
ful of him ? * or the son of man,
that Thou visitest him ?
Thou hast made him a litde lower
than the angels. Thou hast crowned
him with glory and honour, * and
madest him to have dominion over
the works of Thine hands.
Thou hast put all things under
his feet, * all sheep and oxen, yea,
and the beasts of the field.
-The fowl of the air, and the fish
of the sea, * that pass through the
paths of the sea.
O Lord, our Lord, * how excel-
lent is Thy Name in all the earth !
Verse. ^ The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom. [Alleluia.]
Answer. And his tongue talketh
judgment. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Lessojt.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.]
{On St Philogonius, Tom. iii.)
nPHE blessed N., {here insert the
^ name of the Saint whose Feast
is being kept,) whose Feast we are
this day keeping, doth justly call on
our tongue to tell what great deeds
he wrought. To-day did that blessed
servant of God pass into that higher
life, which is a life of peace, a life
where there is no trouble. To-day
his ship reached that harbour where-
after wreck is to be dreaded no more.
He hath felt trouble and anguish of
spirit for the last time. And where-
fore marvel we that that place is one
where the mind is vexed no more,
when we remember that Paul saith
even to men living here in this life
— " Rejoice evermore, pray without
ceasing"? (i Thess. v. i6, 17.)
Fourth Responsory.
^ The Lord made him honourable,
and defended him from his enemies,
and kept him safe from those that
lay in wait for him, and gave him
perpetual glory. [Alleluia.]
Verse. He went down w'ith him
into the pit, and left him not in
bonds.
Answer. And gave him perpetual
glory. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Lesson.
HERE there are sicknesses, here
there are strivings, here there
are untimely deaths, here there are
^ This verse was quoted by our Lord, concerning those who cried Hosannah on Palm
Sunday, Matthew xxi. 16.
2 Ps. xxxvi, 30. 3 wisd. x, 11-14, substituting "Lord" for "Wisdom."
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
603
lies, here there are jealousies, here
there are troubles, here there is
anger, here there are lustings, here
there are pit-falls unnumbered, here
there are daily cares, here one evil
followeth after another, and all bring
vexation. And yet Paul hath it that
even here a man may rejoice ever-
more, if he will but raise his head
above the flood of earthly things,
and order his life aright. How much
better shall we fare when we have
passed away from all these things,
and all these things are taken away
from us, when we shall have no ill-
health, nor disease, nor matter
wherein to sin, when that hard
thing, right of property, shall exist
no more, whereby all unrighteousness
cometh into this life, and strifes un-
numbered are begotten.
Fifth Responsory.
The Lord loved him and beauti-
fied him : He clothed him with a
robe of glory, and crowned him at
the gates of Paradise. [Alleluia.]
Verse. The Lord hath put on
him the breast-plate of faith,^ and
hath adorned him.
Answer. And crowned him at
the gates of Paradise. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
TN this verily do I most chiefly
^ rejoice, for the happiness of
that holy servant of God, in that,
being taken away hence, and having
found here no abiding city, he is
become a citizen of that other city,
which is the city of the living God :
from the Church here he is gone,
but he is come unto the Church of
the first-born, which are written in
heaven, (Heb. xii. 22, 23); he keep-
eth holiday with ils no more, but he
is passed to where he holdeth high
festival with Angels. And what be
that city, and that Church, and that
festival above, Paul biddeth us
know, saying : " Ye are come unto
the city of the living God, the heav-
enly Jerusalem, and unto the Church
of the first-born which are written in
heaven, and to an innumerable com-
pany of Angels."
Sixth Responsory.
2 This is he which did according
unto all that God commanded him ;
and God said unto him : Enter
thou into My rest ; for thee have I
seen righteous before Me among all
people. [Alleluia.]
Verse, This is he which loved
not his life in this world, and is
come unto an everlasting kingdom.
Answer. For thee have I seen
righteous before Me among all
people. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For thee have I seen
righteous before Me among all
people. [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
In Easter-tide all the three Psalms
following are said tender 07ie Antiphon,
viz., the first.
First Antiphon. Lord, this Thy
Saint * shall dwell in Thy taber-
nacle, and this that hath worked
righteousness shall abide upon Thy
holy hill. [Alleluia.]
1 I Thess. V. 8.
2 Cf. Gen. vii. 5, i ; Ps. xciv. 11 ; Heb. iv. ii.
6o4
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Psalm XIV.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David."]
T ORD, who shall abide in Thy
■*-^ tabernacle? * who shall dwell
in Thine holy hill ?
He that walketh uprightly, * and
worketh righteousness.
He that speaketh the truth in his
heart, * he that deceiveth not with
his tongue.
He that hath not done evil to his
neighbour, * nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is
despised : * but he honoureth them
that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour,
and deceiveth him not, * he that
putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the in-
nocent.
He that doeth these things, *
shall never be moved.
Second Antiphon. He asked life
of Thee, * and Thou, O Lord,
gavest it : honour and great ma-
jesty hast Thou laid upon him :
Thou hast set a crown of precious
stones upon his head.
Psalm XX.
[This Psalm also bears the same title as
the xviiith.]
n^HE king shall joy in Thy
^ strength, O Lord : * and in
Thy salvation how greatly shall he
rejoice !
Thou hast given him his heart's
desire, * and hast not withholden
the request of his lips.^
For Thou hast met him with the
blessings of sweetness : * Thou hast
set a crown of precious stones upon
his head.
He asked life of Thee : * and
Thou gavest him length of days for
ever and ever.
His glory is great in Thy salva-
tion : * honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
For Thou wilt give him to be a
blessing for ever : * Thou shalt
make him exceeding glad with Thy
countenance.
For the king trusteth in the
Lord, * and, through the mercy
of the Most High, he shall not be
moved.
Thine hand shall find out all
thine enemies : * thy right hand
shall find out all those that hate
thee.
Thou shalt make them as a fiery
oven in the time of thine anger : *
the Lord shall cut them off in His
wrath, and the fire shall devour
them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from
the earth, * and their seed from
among the children of men.
For they intended evil against
thee : * they imagined a device,
which they were not able to per-
form.
Therefore shalt thou cast them
behind thee : * thou shalt leave
their faces lying in thy track.
Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in
Thine own strength : * we will sing
and praise Thy power.
Third Antiphon. He shall re-
ceive * a blessing from the Lord,
and mercy from the God of his sal-
vation : for this is the generation
of them that seek the Lord.
1 SLH.
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
605
Psalm XXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the first
day of the week. "]
'T^HE earth is the Lord's and
^ the fulness thereof; * the
world, and they that dwell there-
in.
For He hath founded it upon the
seas, * and established it upon the
floods.
Who shall ascend into the moun-
tain of the Lord? * or who shall
stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and
a pure heart, * who hath not
lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor
sworn deceitfully unto his neigh-
bour.
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, * and mercy from the
God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them
that seek Him, * that seek the face
of the God of Jacob.^
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? *
The Lord strong and mighty, the
Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? *
The Lord of hosts. He is the
King of glory.-^
Ve7'se. ^The law of his God is
in his heart. [Alleluia.]
Aftswer. None of his steps shall
slide. [Alleluia.]
1 SLH.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xii.
35-)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
^^^^^ His disciples : Let your loins
be girded about, and your lights
burning. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (13/^ on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren, the
words of the Holy Gospel, which
have just been read, lie open be-
fore you, and, lest their very plain-
ness should make them seem to
some to be hard, we will go through
them with such shortness as that
neither may they which understand
not remain unenlightened, nor they
which understand be wearied. The
Lord saith : " Let your loins be
girded about." Now, we gird our
loins about, when by continency we
master the lustful inclination of the
flesh. But, forasmuch as it sufficeth
not for a man to abstain from evil
deeds, if he strive not to join thereto
the earnest doing of good works, it
is immediately added : " And your
lights burning." Our lights burn
when, by good works, we give bright
example to our neighbour ; concern-
ing which works the Lord saith :
" Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father Which
is in heaven." (Matth. v. 16.)
Seventh Responsory.
This is he which wrought great
wonders before God, and praised
the Lord with all his heart. May
^ Ps. XXX vi. 31.
6o6
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
he pray for all people, that their
sins may be forgiven unto them !
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Behold a man without
blame, a worshipper of God in
truth, keeping himself clean from
every evil work, and abiding still
in his innocency.
Answer. May he pray for all
people, that their sins may be for-
given unto them ! [Alleluia.]
Eighth Blessing.
He whose feast-day we are keeping
Be our Advocate with God.
Eighth Lesson.
HERE, then, are two command-
ments, to gird our loins
about, and to keep our lights burn-
ing— the cleanness of purity in our
body, and the light of the truth in
our works. Whoso hath the one
and not the other, pleaseth not
thereby our Redeemer ; that is, he
pleaseth Him not which doth good
works, but bridleth not himself from
the pollutions of lust, neither he
which is eminent in chastity, but
exerciseth not himself in good
works. Neither is chastity a great
thing without good works, nor good
works anything without chastity.
And if any man do both, it remain-
eth that he must look by hope
toward our Fatherland above, and
not have for his reason wherethrough
he turneth himself away from vice,
the love of honour in this present
world.
Eighth Responsory.
Let your loins be girded about,
and your lights burning, and ye
yourselves like, unto men that wait
for their lord, when he will return
from the wedding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Watch, therefore, for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth
come.
Answer. And ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Responsory for Doctors.
In the midst of the congregation
did the Lord open his mouth. And
filled him with the spirit of wisdom
and understanding. [Alleluia.]
Verse. He made him rich with
joy and gladness.
Answer. And filled him with the
spirit of wisdom and understanding.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And filled him with the
spirit of wisdom and understanding.
[Alleluia.]
Ni7ith Lesson.
" A ^^ y^ yourselves like unto
-^~^ men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wed-
ding : that, when he cometh and
knocketh, they may open unto him
immediately." The Lord cometh
at the hour of judgment : He
knocketh when, by the pains of
sickness, He biddeth us know that
death is nigh. To Him open we
immediately, if we receive Him in
love. Whoso feareth to leave this
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
607
body, will not open to the Judge
when He knocketh, for he dreadeth
to see that Judge, Whom he know-
eth that he hath despised. But
whosoever knoweth that his hope
and works are built upon a good
foundation, when he heareth the
Judge knock, openeth to Him im-
mediately, for to such an one that
coming is blessed, — yea, when the
hour of death is at hand, such an
one haileth with gladness a glorious
reward.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Lord, Thou
deliveredst unto me five talents : *
behold, I have gained beside them
five talents more. [Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. ^Well done,
thou good servant, * thou hast
been faithful in a very little, enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord.
[Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. ^ A faithful and
wise servant * whom his Lord hath
made ruler over His household.
[Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. * Blessed is
that servajjit * whom his Lord,
when He cometh and knocketh
at the door, shall find watching.
[Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. ^Thou good and
faithful servant, * enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxxi. 8.)
BLESSED is the man that is
found without blemish, and
hath not gone after gold, neither
hath put his trust in riches, nor in
treasure. Who is he, and we will
call him blessed ? For wonderful
things hath he done in his life.
Hyinn.^
JESUS ! Eternal Truth sublime !
Through endless years the Same !
Thou Crown of those who through all
time
Confess Thy Holy Name !
through
the
Thy suppliant people,
prayer
Of Thy blest Saint, forgive ;
For his dear sake Thy wrath forbear.
And bid our spirits live.
Again returns the sacred day
With heavenly glory bright.
Which saw him go upon his way
Into the realms of light.
All objects of our vain desire.
All earthly joys and gains.
To him were but as filthy mire ;
And now with Thee he reigns.
Thee, Jesus, his all-gracious Lord,-
Confessing to the last,
He trod beneath him Satan's fraud,
And stood for ever fast.
In holy deeds of faith and love,
In fastings and in prayers,
His days were spent ; and now above
Thy heavenly Feast he shares.
Then for his sake Thy wrath lay by,
And hear us while we pray ;
And pardon us, O Thou Most High !
On this his festal day.
All glory to the Father be.
And Sole Incarnate Son ;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
While endless ages run. Amen.
Verse. The Lord guided the just
in right paths. [Alleluia.]
1 Matth. XXV. 20. - Matth. xxv. 21 ; Luke xix. 17.
3 Matth. xxiv. 45. ^ Matth. xxiv. 46 ; Luke xii. 36, 37 ; Apoc. iii. 20.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, slightly altered ; translation by the Rev. E. Casvi^all.
6o8
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Answer, And showed him the
kingdom of God. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Zacha-
rias. Well done, thou good and
faithful servant ; * thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many things :
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
[Alleluia.]
Prayer.
OGOD, .Who, year by year, dost
gladden us by the solemn
Feast-day of Thy blessed Confessor
{here insert his naffie,) mercifully
grant unto all who keep his birth-
day, grace to follow after the pattern
of his godly conversation. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. A?Jien.
Another Prayer.
r~\ LORD, mercifully hear the
^-^ supplications which we offer
unto Thee on this the solemn
Feast-day of Thy blessed Confes-
sor {here insert his name,) and, for-
asmuch as we put no trust in our
own righteousness, grant that we
may be holpen by his prayers who
walked with Thee. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
For Doctors.
OGod, Who didst give unto
Thy people Thy blessed ser-
vant N. {here insert his name) to
feed them with the bread of eternal
life, grant, we beseech Thee, that
even as on earth he showed unto us
Thy lively word, so in heaven we
may worthily be holpen by the suc-
cour of his prayers to Thee on our
behalf. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
The saine Prayer throughout the day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Lord, Thou deliver-
edst, &c., {First Antiphon at Lauds ^
Chapter at the end. (Wisdom x. lo.)
HP HE Lord guided the just in
^ right paths, showed him the
kingdom of God, and gave him
knowledge of holy things, made him
rich in his travails, and multiplied
the fruit of his labours.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Well done, &c., {Sec-
ond Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Respo?tso0y.
The Lord loved him, and beauti-
fied him.
Answer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him.
Verse. He clothed him with a
robe of glory.
Answer. And beautified him.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A?iswer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him.
Verse. The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom.
Answer. And his tongue talketh
judgment.
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
609
In Easter-tide the above is said thus :
The Lord loved him, and beauti-
fied him. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. He clothed him with a
robe of glory.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord loved him,
and beautified him. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom. Alleluia.
Answer. And his tongue talketh
judgment. Alleluia.
SEXT.
Antiphon. A faithful and wise
servant, * &c., {Third Antiphon at
Lauds ^
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxxix. 6.)
" f ^HE righteous giveth his heart
^ to resort early to the Lord
that made him, and will pray be-
fore the Most High.
Short Responsory.
The mouth of the righteous
speaketh wisdom.
Answer. The mouth of the
righteous speaketh wisdom.
Verse. And his tongue talketh
judgment.
Answer. The righteous speaketh
wisdom.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
VOL. II.
Answer. The mouth of the
righteous speaketh wisdom.
Verse. The law of his God is
in his heart.
Answer. None of his steps shall
slide.
In Easter-tide the above is said thus :
The mouth of the righteous speak-
eth wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. And his tongue talketh
judgment.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The mouth of the right-
eous speaketh wisdom. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. The law of his God is in
his heart. Alleluia.
Answer. None of his steps shall
slide. Alleluia.
NONE.
Antiphofi. Thou good and faith-
ful servant, &c., {Fifth Antiphon at
Lauds. ^
Chapter as at the etid of Pri?ne.
Short Responsory.
The law of his God is in his
heart.
Answer. The law of his God is
in his heart.
Verse. None of his steps shall
slide.
Answer. In his heart.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
X
6io
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Answer. The law of his God is
in his heart.
Verse. The Lord guideth the just
in right paths.
Answer. And showed him the
kingdom of God.
I7i Easter-tide the above is said thus :
The law of his God is in his heart.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The law of his God is
in his heart. - Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. None of his steps shall
slide.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The law of his God is
in his heart. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The Lord guideth the just
in right paths. Alleluia.
Answer. And showed him the
kingdom of God. Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
Same as at First Vespers^ except the
followi7ig.
Verse and Answer from Lauds.
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. ^ Lo, a servant of
God who esteemed but little things
earthly.
And by word and work laid him
up treasure in heaven. [Alleluia.]
For Doctors. .
O right excellent Teacher, Light
of the Holy Church, N. [here insert
his name) blessed lover of the Divine
Law, pray for us to the Son of God.
[Alleluia.]
^ An elegiac couplet.
©tljer iLegsong for Jeasts of
a Confeggor not a Bisfjop.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus (xxxi. 8.)
BLESSED is the man that is
found without blemish, and
hath not gone after gold, neither
hath put his trust in riches nor in
treasure. Who is he, and we will
call him blessed? For wonderful
things hath he done in his life.
Whoso hath been tried thereby,
and found perfect, the same shall
have glory for ever ; who might
offend, and hath not offended ; or
done evil, and hath not done it.
His goods are established in the
Lord, and all the congregation of
the Saints shall declare his alms.
Second Lesson, (xxxii. i8.)
A 1 mOSO feareth the Lord will
^ ^ receive His discipline : and
they that seek Him early shall find
His blessing. He that seeketh the
law shall be filled therewith : but
the hypocrites shall be offended
thereat. They that fear the Lord
shall find righteous judgment, and
shall kindle justice as a light. (28.)
He that believeth God taketh heed
to the commandments : and he that
trusteth in Him shall fare never the
worse, (xxxiii. i.) There shall no
evil happen unto him that feareth
the Lord : but in temptation God
will keep him, and deliver him from
evil. A wise man hateth not the
commandments and judgments,
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
6ll
neither is he tossed to and fro
therein as a ship in a storm. A
man of understanding trusteth in
the law of God, and the law is
faithful unto him.
Third Lesson, (xxxiv. 14.)
nPHE spirit of those that fear God
^ is precious, and is blessed in
His sight. For their hope is in
Him that saveth them, and the eyes
of God are upon them that love
Him. Whoso feareth the Lord
shall fear nothing, nor be afraid,
for He is his hope. Blessed is the
soul of him that feareth the Lord.
To Whom doth he look ? And
Who is his strength ? The eyes of
the Lord are upon them that fear
Him, He is their mighty protection,
and strong stay ; a defence from
heat, and a cover from the sun at
noon, a preservation from stumbling,
and an help from falling. He rais-
eth up the soul, and lighteneth the
eyes ; He giveth health, and life,
and blessing.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Moral [Reflectionjs upon Job,
wTitten by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Bk. x. Chap. xvi. 07i
Job xii.)
" I ^HE simplicity of the righteous
^ is made a subject of derision.
The wisdom of this world hideth our
true feelings by artifice, and useth
language to conceal our thoughts ;
this is the wisdom which demon-
strateth the truth of falsehood, and
showeth the falsehood of the truth.
This kind of shrewdness the young
acquire by practice, and children pay
for the learning it. Those who are
good at this look down upon their
neighbours ; those who are bad at
it are humble and timid, and wonder
at it in others ; they regard this
astuteness too, wrong though it be,
with wistful admiration, under soft-
ened epithets. Unstraightforward-
ness is called good breeding. The
principles of the world teach those
who entertain them, to try and rise
to distinction, and when they have
attained the bubble of glory which
is so soon to pass away, to feel it
sweet to have at their feet them
on whom they may wreak rich
revenge. These principles teach
a man, as long as he is strong
enough, to give way to nobody
else, and, if he hath no chance by
force, to try and attain his object
by diplomacy.
Fifth Lesson.
nPHE wisdom of the righteous is
^ the contrary of all this. They
seek to avoid deception, to give their
thoughts a clear expression in their
words, to love the truth because it is
the truth, to avoid falsehood, and
rather to suffer than to inflict evil.
Such are they who seek not to avenge
themselves for wrong, and deem it
gain to be despised for the truth's
sake. This their simplicity is made
a subject of derision, for such as are
wise in this world believe the purity
of their virtue to be simple foolery.
Whatsoever is done innocently, they
consider without doubt stupid. Such
works as the truth approveth are
idiotic, when tried by carnal stand-
ards of wisdom. After all, what
6l2
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
stupider thing is there in this world
than to express our real thoughts in
our words, to keep nothing quiet by
skilful tact, to repay no injuries, to
pray for them which curse us, to seek
poverty, to give up property, to strive
not with such as take from us, to
turn the other cheek to the smiter ?
Sixth Lesson. {Ck. xvii.)
*' A LAMP despised in the
-^~^ thoughts of the rich, is
ready for the time appointed."
(Job xii. 5.)^ It often happeneth
that one of the elect, who is on his
way to be happy for ever, is crushed
down here by repeated misfortunes.
He reposeth in no luxury of posses-
sions, no distinction marketh him as
honourable among men, no admir-
ing followers court him, no rich
dress maketh comely his bodily
appearance. Everybody seeth in
him a person to be looked down
upon, and his reputation is that of
one unworthy of the world's favour.
And yet, that is a man who, to the
eyes of the Judge Who seeth in
secret, is glorious through virtue,
whose life is radiant with worth.
He disliketh to be honoured, and
doth not refuse to meet with con-
tempt. He bringeth abstinence to
bear on his body, and his luxury is
spiritual richness in love. He trieth
to keep his feelings patient, and
when he hath to stand up for right-
eousness' sake, is glad to be despised.
He feeleth from his heart for the
afflicted, and the prosperity of the
godly giveth him as much pleasure
as if it were his own. He is care-
ful inwardly to digest the food of
the Holy Word. When he is in-
quired of, he doth not know how
to give a double answer.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xii. 32.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
^^~^ His disciples : Fear not, little
flock, for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom.
And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow and Doctor of the
Church.] (Bk. iv. Ch. 54 <?/? Luke
xii.)
The elect are called a little flock,
perchance because the reprobate are
far more in number than they, but,
more probably, because they love to
be lowly, since it is God's will that
however much His Church should
grow in numbers, she should grow
with lowliness even unto the end of
the world, and should enter lowly
into that kingdom which is hers by
His promise. That kingdom He
promiseth to her here, when He
biddeth her to seek only the king-
dom of God, and, to comfort her in
her travail. He doth so sweetly and
so graciously say that her Father will
give it to her.
Eighth Lesson.
" OELL that ye have and give
^ alms." Fear not. He saith,
lest, while ye fight for the kingdom
of God, ye should lack such things
1 /.^,, the just man seems to shine now but dimly, but at the same time he shall shine
in splendour. — Abp. Kenrick.
FOR A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP.
613
as are needful for this life, nay rather,
sell even that which ye have, and
give alms. This doth, whosoever
for the Lord's sake leaveth all that
he hath, and then worketh with his
hands, that so he may have to eat,
and withal to give alms. In this
doth the Apostle boast himself, say-
ing : " I have coveted no man's
silver, or gold, or apparel, as ye
yourselves know : for these hands
have ministered unto my necessities,
and to them that were with me. I
have showed you all things, how
that so labouring ye ought to support
the weak." (Acts xx. S3, 34> 35-)
Ninth Lesson.
" PROVIDE yourselves bags
-■- which wax not old " — that
is to say, by almsgiving, the reward
thereof remaineth for ever. Never-
theless, we must not think here that
this commandment forbiddeth the
Saints to keep money for their own
use, and for helping of the poor.
The Lord Himself, to Whom Angels
ministered, had a bag, and kept
therein that which the faithful people
gave unto Him (John xii. 6,) to re-
lieve therewith the need of His
disciples, and other poor folk. But
we are commanded not to serve
God for gain, nor to work unright-
eousness for fear of poverty.
Number is altered into the Plural. For
example: "The blessed N. and N.,
whose Feast we are this day keeping,
do justly call, &c., &c."
If it should be that several Confessors
not Bishops are to be honoured by one
Feast, the Office is the same as that just
^ive?i., except the following :
1. In the Common Prayer the words
" Thy blessed Confessor N." are altered
into "Thy blessed Confessors N. and
N.," and the word " his" into " their."
2. In the Sermon by St John Chfy-
sostom every thifig said ifi the Siiigular
For Abbats the Office is as above, ex-
cept the following :
Prayer.
(~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, that
^^ the prayers of Thy blessed
Abbat N. {here insert his nanie) may
commend us unto Thee, and that
what for our own worthiness we
cannot obtain. Thou mayest grant
us through his help. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, with the
Homily of St Jerome upon the sajne.,
{P- 537.)
Other Lessojis.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xi.
AT that time Jesus answered
and said : I thank Thee, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because Thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and
hast revealed them unto babes.
And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {\oth Sermon on the Words
of the Lord.)
"Come unto Me, all ye that la-
bour ! " And wherefore labour we
6i4
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
all, but because we are frail, sickly,
dying creatures, burdened with
earthen vessels which distress us?
But if these fleshly vessels be dis-
tressful, let the open expanse of love
be free and wide. " Come unto
Me, all ye that labour ! " — and why?
That we may labour no more. His
promise is an instant promise, for
He calleth such as are labouring.
Perchance they will ask Him what
shall be their reward? "And I,"
saith He, "will give you rest. Take
My yoke upon you, and learn of
Me " — not how to make the world,
not how to create all things visible
and invisible, not to work wonders
in the earth, nor to raise the dead
— but — "for I am meek and
lowly in heart."
Eighth Lesson.
WILT thou be great? Begin
by being little. Dost thou
think to raise up a lofty building?
Then lay the foundations thereof
in lowliness. The greater soever,
and the more massy, be that which
any man thinketh to build, so much
the deeper doth he dig his founda-
tion. And when the house is built,
it towereth heavenward ; but he
which layeth the foundation goeth
down into the earth. The build-
ing, therefore, is low before it is
high, and, after it is low, it riseth
high to the roof.
Ninth Lesson.
WHAT is the roof of the house
on which we labour? Whither
do its spires rise ? I answer you at
once ; to the presence of God. You
see how high it is, yea, what it is to
see God. He that will, under-
standeth what I say, and he
heareth. What is promised you is
to see God, God, the True, God,
the Supreme. Blessed is he who
seeth Him by Whom he is seen.
Such as worship false gods see
them easily, but they see them who
have eyes and see not. But unto
us it is promised that we shall see
that God Who liveth and seeth.
(Gen. xvi. 14.)
Other Lessons.
Seve7ith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xix. 27.)
AT that time : Peter said unto
Jesus : Behold, we have for-
saken all, and followed Thee : what
shall we have therefore? And so
on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow and Doctor of the
Church.] {For St Benedicfs Birth-
day^
In the judgment to come, the
elect will be in two classes. One
class are they who have forsaken all,
and followed the Lord : and these
shall judge along with Him. The
other class are they who have not
equally forsaken all that they had,
but who have been careful daily to
give alms of their goods to the poor
of Christ : these shall be the sub-
jects of judgment, and these are
they who shall then hear these
words: "Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom pre-
pared for you from the foundation
of the world : for I was an hun-
gered, and ye gave me meat : I was
FOR DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH.
615
thirsty, and ye gave Me drink."
(Matth. XXV. 34, 35.)
Eighth Lessoji.
OF the reprobate also we gather,
from the words of the Lord,
that there will be two classes. One
class are they who, being made par-
takers in the mystery of Christian
faith, have neglected to show their
faith by their works : these are they
to whom it will be said at the judg-
ment : " Depart from Me, ye cursed,
into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels : for I was
an-hungered, and ye gave Me no
meat." (41.) The other class are
they who either have never received
the faith and mysteries of Christ,
or who, having received, have apos-
tatised, and abandoned it : and
touching these it is said : " But he
that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed
in the name of the only-begotten
Son of God." (John iii. 18.)
Ninth Lesson.
A ND now that we have touched
-^~^ for a moment, with fear and
just dread, upon these things, let us
rather turn our hearing to the right
joyful promises of our Lord and
Saviour. Let us look what His so
great, beautiful, and fatherly love
will give to such as follow Him ;
not the reward of life everlasting
only, but gifts exceeding precious
in this life also. "Every one,"
saith He, "that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or chil-
dren, or lands, for My Name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and
shall inherit everlasting life." For
every one that shall forsake earthly
affections and goods, to go and be
Christ's disciple, the further he
goeth on in Christ's love, the more
shall he find who will rejoice to
give him a place in their hearts,
and to minister to him of their
substance.
'SJEH. dFor ISottor^ of tftc QS^\xxt%
The Office is that of a Bishop ajtd
Confessor, or of a Confessor not a
Bishop, {pp. 581 and 598) accordi?tg as
the particular Doctor was a Bishop or
not, with the differences marked in those
Hvo Offices, and the following.
Lessons.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Less07i._
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus (xxxix. i.)
TJE that is wise will seek out the
^ ^ wisdom of all the antient,
and be occupied in prophecies. He
will keep the sayings of the renowned
men, and where subtil parables are,
he will be there also. He will seek
out the secrets of grave sentences,
and be conversant in dark parables.
He will serve among great men, and
appear before princes. He will
travel through strange countries, for
he will try the good and the evil
among men.
Seco7td Lesson.
TJE will give his heart to resort
^ ^ early to the Lord that made
him, and will pray before the most
6i6
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
High. He will open his mouth in
prayer, and make supplication for
his sins. If the great Lord will,
He will fill him with the spirit of
understanding, and he shall make
the utterances of his wisdom to
distil as the rain, and shall give
thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
He shall direct his counsel and
knowledge, and in His secrets
shall he meditate.
Third Lesso7t.
HE shall show forth that which
he hath learnt, and shall
glory in the law of the covenant of
the Lord. Many shall commend
his understanding, and it shall not
be blotted out for ever. His me-
morial shall not depart away, and
his name shall live from generation
to generation. Nations shall show
forth his wisdom, and the Church
shall declare his praise.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Moral [Reflection]s on Job,
written by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Bk. ix. ch. vi.)
1 T N the Book of Job (ix. 9), it is
■^ written that it is God "which
maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Hy-
ades." Now if by the constellation
Orion be mystically signified the
spiritual constellation of the holy
Martyrs, whom can we understand
to be named after them under the
title of the Hyades, but the Doctors
of the Holy Church? When the
glorious constellation of the Martyrs
had set, and the light of the faith
grew stronger, then appeared the
constellation of the Doctors in the
firmament of the Church, even in
that spring-time when the winter of
unbelief was past, and the Sun of
truth rose higher to shine on the
hearts of His faithful ones. The
storms of persecution were gone, and
the long nights of unbelief were
over ; then rose the Doctors to shine
on the Church, when the spring-
time of belief promised her a
brighter year.
Fifth Lesson.
TT beseemeth well that the holy
-■' Doctors be figured by Hyades,
for these stars are so styled from the
Greek word " hyetos," and " hyetos "
signifieth rain. The Hyades are
therefore named after rain, because
when they rise they undoubtedly
bring rain. Well, then, do we apply
the name of the Hyades to those
who, when they rise to shine in the
firmament of the universal Church,
make the rain of holy preaching to
fall upon the parched ground of
man's heart. For if the word of
preaching had not been as rain,
then had Moses never said : " My
doctrine shall drop as the rain,"
(Deut. xxxii. 2,) nor had the Truth
said by Isaiah : " I will also com-
mand the clouds that they rain no
rain upon it," (v. 6,) nor yet these
words which we have just quoted :
" Therefore the rain-stars have been
withholden."2
1 The first and part of the second sentence is here inserted for the sake of the sense.
2 Quamobrem prohibitae sunt stellae pluviarum. This would appear to have been a
copyist's bkmder in St Gregory's Bible for " Quamobrem prohibitae sunt stillce pluviarum
— Therefore the x^Sn-drops have been withholden." — Jer. iii. 3.
FOR DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH.
617
Sixth Lesson.
AT the same time that the Hy-
ades come bringing rain, the
sun daily riseth higher in the heavens :
thus do we, seeing the learning of
the Doctors, and having our minds
saturated with the rain of preaching,
grow warmer in faith. And when
the hot heavens shine fiery over her,
the wet earth tendeth to harvest :
thus do we, when the fire of holy
learning burneth bright in our heart,
tend to bring forth the fruit of
good works. When, day by day,
we learn more of the knowledge of
heavenly things, a spring-time of
inward light is opening within us,
a new Sun is irradiating our mind,
and, as we know Him better by the
words of His Teachers, He doth
daily Himself shine the more therein.
As the end of . the world groweth
nearer, the knowledge of things
heavenly w'ill grow greater, and con-
tinue to develop with time.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
AT that time : Jesus said unto
His disciples : Ye are the
salt of the earth ; but if the salt
have lost his savour, wherewith shall
it be salted ? And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop
[of Hippo.] {Bk. i. on the Lord^s
Sermon on the Mount, ch. vi.
torn. 4.)
The Lord showeth how that such
men are to be esteemed but fools as
do so run after things temporal,
VOL. II.
either through lust for abundance
thereof, or through dread of lack of
the same, as to lose those things
which are eternal, and which, as
men cannot give them, so likewise
neither can they take them away.
If, therefore, the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted ?
This is as much as to say : Ye are
they by whom the stale mass of
mankind is to be sweetened ; if ye,
therefore, through shrinking from
the trials of persecutions, which en-
dure but for a moment, do your-
selves cast away that kingdom which
is everlasting, who will there be to
correct your backsliding, seeing that
ye be they, and none other, whom
God hath chosen to correct the
backslidings of all others ?
Eighth Lesson.
" TT is thenceforth good for
-■- nothing, but to be cast ,out,
and to be trodden under foot of
men." He that suffereth persecu-
tion is not thus trodden under foot
of men ; he that in good sooth is
trodden under foot of men, is he
which, through fear of persecution,
hath lost his savour. No man can
be trodden upon, unless he be be-
neath him which treadeth upon him ;
but ■ he cannot be beneath his tor-
mentor, who, suffer he how grievously
soever in his body upon earth, hath
still his heart in heaven.
Ninth Lesso7t.
YE are the light of the world."
They whom the Lord hath,
just above, called the salt of the
earth, the same doth He now call
the light of the world. By the
X 2
6i8
THE COMMON OF SAINTS,
earth, whereof they were said to
be the salt, we have not understood
to be signified that earth whereupon
we walk with our bodily feet, but
the men which dwell upon the earth,
or sinners, for the sweetening and
correction of whose stinking corrup-
tion the Lord hath sent His Apostles,
as it were, as so much salt. And so
here also, by the world we are to
understand, not the heavens and the
earth, but the men which are in the
world, or which love the world for
the enlightening of whom the Apos-
tles have been sent.
"A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid" — that is, set upon
the heights of the same plain and
great righteousness, whereof the
mountain upon the which the Lord
taught was itself a figure.
Another Hojnily for the Third
Nocturn.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
AT that time : Jesus said unto
His disciples : Ye are the
salt of the earth. But if the salt
have lost his savour, wherewith shall
it be salted? And so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop [of
Poitiers.] {Comment, on Matth. v.)
"Ye are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted ? It is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out, and to be trodden under
foot of men." There is, I take it,
no such thing as salt of the earth.
How, then, can the Apostles be
called the salt of the earth ? But
the true meaning of these words
will be made plain, when we con-
sider the duty of Apostles, and the
nature of salt itself. Now, salt is a
compound of the elements of water
and fire, out of the which two things
in salt there is made one.
Eighth Lesso7t.
nPHIS thing, therefore, thus made
^ to serve in divers ways the
use of men, doth keep from corrup-
tion bodies whereon it is sprinkled,
and doth readily yield to all the
senses the perception of its inborn
savour. And thus are the Apostles,
seeing that they are the preachers of
the kingdom of heaven, and in a
certain sense the sowers of the
seed of life everlasting, since that
Word of God which they scatter
hath power to make this mortal
put on immortality. Meetly then
are they called salt, the savour of
whose teaching doth keep sweet
the receiver thereof even unto
life everlasting.
Ninth Lesson.
BUT the nature of salt is to be
ever the same, and unchang-
ing, and, on the other hand, the
nature of man hath this weakness,
to be changeable. He only is blessed
who hath continued even unto the
end in all the works which God
hath commanded. Therefore doth
the Lord warn them whom He
calleth the salt of the earth, that
they are behoven to remain strong
in that strength which He hath
given unto them, lest, becoming
FOR DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH.
619
themselves savourless, they should
be impotent to season others ; losing
the freshness of their own saltness,
be unable to stop the corruption
round about them ; and so the
Church cast them out of her but-
tery, and they and those that they
should have salted, be together
trodden under foot of such as
enter in.
A Third Homily for the Third
Nocturn.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
A T that time : Jesus said unto
-^^"^ His disciples : Ye are the
salt of the earth. But if the salt
have lost his savour, wherewith shall
it be salted ? And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.] (i 5//?
on Matth.)
Consider how that the Lord saith :
^'Ye are the salt of the earth," by
the which figure He showeth what a
necessary of life is the Gospel. By
this figure, He hath us to know that
they unto whom He spake have an
account to render, not of their
own life only, but for the whole
•world. Not unto two cities, saith
the Lord, nor unto ten, nor
unto twenty, nor unto one people,
'as I sent the Prophets, send I you.
But I send you unto every land and
sea, even unto the whole world, lying
groaning, as it is, under the burden
•of divers sins.
Eighth Lesson.
"pHESE words, "Ye are the salt
^ of the earth," show unto us
the whole nature of man as savour-
less and stinking with the strong
corruption of sin. And therefore
demandeth He of His Apostles such
qualities as are most needful and
useful to the furthering the salvation
of many. He that is gentle and
lowly, tender and just, shutteth not
up all these good things in his own
heart, but openeth these bright foun-
tains that they may gush forth for
the use of his neighbour. He whose
heart is pure, and who seeketh peace,
suffering persecution for the truth's
sake, doth still lead a life for the
good of the commonwealth.
Ninth Lesson.
HTHINK not, saith the Lord,
-■- that the struggle is easy
whereunto ye shall be led, neither
shall your reckoning be of light
matters. Ye are the salt of the
earth. Have ye then salted that
which is corrupted? Nay, for it is
impossible that that which is once
corrupted can be made sound again
by the rubbing it with salt. This
it is not asked of them to do. But
their work is to sprinkle with salt,
and to keep fresh thereafter, such
things as the Lord hath given over
into their charge, and which He
Himself hath made new, and freed
from all taint, before giving them.
To make sound after the cor-
ruption of sin, is the work of
Christ's power alone ; to preserve
from falling away again, is the
duty and the toil commanded to
the Apostles.
620
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
IX. dFor :^mm of m mt^^tH Yfivqin ittara.^
Al/ as on Sundays^ except the fol-
lowi7tg.
The " Alleluias " i7i brackets [ ] are
only inserted during Paschal-time.
. FIRST VESPERS.
■ Antiphons^ Chapter^ and Pi^ayer from
Lauds.
Ps. cix. The Lord said, &c., {p.
Ps. cxii. Praise the Lord, O ye
His servants, &c., (/. 178.)
Psalm CXXI.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees, of David."]
I
WAS glad when they said unto
me : * Let us go into the house
of the Lord.
Our feet have been wont to stand
* within thy gates, O Jerusalem !
Jerusalem is builded as a city *
that is compact together :
Whither the tribes go up, the
tribes of the Lord, * the testimony
of Israel, to give thanks unto the
name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judg-
ment, * the thrones for the house of
David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem :
* they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, * and
prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions'
sakes, * I will now say — Peace be
within thee !
Because of the house of the Lord
our God, * I will seek thy good.
Psalm CXXVI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees, of Solo-
mon." The LXX. omits the ascription to
Solomon.]
JPXCEPT the Lord build the
-*— ' house, * they labour in vain
that build it :
Except the Lord keep the city,
* the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up
early, * rise up when ye are
rested, ye that eat the bread of
sorrow :
For He giveth His beloved sleep.
Lo, children are an heritage of the
Lord, * the fruit of the womb is His
reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a
mighty man, * so are the children
of the out-cast.
Happy is the man that hath his
desire satisfied with them : * he shall
not be ashamed when he speaketh
with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm CXLVII.
[In the Hebrew this is the continuation
of the preceding Psalm. The Vulgate and
the LXX. prefix "Alleluia," and the LXX.
adds " of Haggai and Zechariah."]
PRAISE the Lord, O Jerusalem !
* praise thy God, O Zion !
For He hath strengthened the
bars of thy gates : * He hath blessed
thy children within thee :
He maketh peace in thy borders :
* and filleth thee with the finest of
the wheat.
He sendeth forth His command-
^ It is now usual to insert this Common Office into Breviaries, but it is placed last of
all, after the Office for the Consecration of Churches.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
621
ment upon earth : * His word run-
neth very swiftly.
He giveth snow hke wool : * He
scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He casteth forth His ice like
morsels : * who can stand before
His cold ?
He sendeth out His word, and
melteth them : * He causeth His
wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He declareth His word unto
Jacob, * His statutes and His
judgments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any
nation : * neither hath He made
known to them His judgments.
[The Hebrew adds " Alleluia," which
the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to the
next Psalm.]
Hyinii. ^
TTAIL, thou " Star-of-Ocean," 2
-■- ^ Portal of the sky.
Ever- Virgin Mother
Of the Lord Most High !
Oh, by Gabriel's AVE
Uttered long ago,
EVA's name reversing,^
'Stablish peace below !
Break the captive's fetters —
Light on blindness pour-
All our ills expelling.
Every bliss implore —
Show thyself a Mother —
Offer Him our sighs.
Who, for us Incarnate,
Did not thee despise.
Virgin of all virgins !
To thy shelter take us —
Gentlest of the gentle !
Chaste and gentle make us.
Still as on we journey.
Help our weak endeavour,
Till with thee and Jesus,
We rejoice for ever.
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
Ve7'se. Holy Virgin, my praise
by thee accepted be. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Give me strength a-
gainst thine enemies. [Alleluia.]
An tip ho ?i at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. O Holy Mary, be
thou an help to the helpless, a
strength to the fearful, a comfort
to the sorrowful; * pray for the
people, plead for the clergy, make
intercession for all women vowed
to God ; may all that are keeping
this thine holy Feast-day feel the
might of thine assistance. [Alle-
luia.]
The words^ "Are keeping this thine
holy Feast-day," are very often altered
on the different Festivals., which alter-
ations will be found in their own
places.
At Compline the last verse of the
Hyimi is altered in honour of the In-
carnation.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Holy Virgin Mary,
* Mother of God, pray for us. [Al-
leluia.]
'T^HE God Whom earth, and sea, and
-'- sky
Adore, and laud, and magnify.
Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,
The Virgin's spotless womb contains.
^ Authorship and date unsettled ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
- Apparently meant for a translation of MRYM. See note in the Office of her name,
between September 8 and September 9.
^ I.e., Eva, vv^ritten backv^^ards, reads Ave (Hail). This quaint conceit is clearer in the
translation than in the Latin.
^ From an hymn ascribed to Venantius Fortunatus ; translation by the late Rev. Dr Neale.
622
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
The God, Whose will by moon and sun,
And all things in due course is done,
Is borne upon a maiden's breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possessed.
How blest that Mother in whose shrine
That great Artificer Divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and
Vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie !
Blest, in the message Gabriel brought ;
Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought ;
From whom the great Desire of earth
Took human Flesh and human birth.
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee !
All glory, as is ever meet.
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
0?ily three Psalms are said, and i7i
Easter-tide all under one Antiphon,
viz., the first, " Blessed art thou among
women."
First Antiphon. ^ Blessed art
thou among women, * and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb. [Alle-
luia.]
Psalm Vn I.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." It has
also a title which seems to show that it was
a song for the vintage. ]
/^ LORD, our Lord, * how ex-
^-^ cellent is Thy Name in all
the earth !
For Thy glory is exalted * above
the heavens.
^ Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings hast Thou perfected praise
because of Thine enemies, * that
Thou mightest destroy the enemy
and the avenger.
When I consider Thine heavens,
the work of Thy fingers : * the moon
and the stars which Thou hast or-
dained :
What is man, that Thou art mind-
ful of him ? * or the son of man,
that Thou visitest him ?
Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels, Thou hast crowned
him with glory and honour, * and
madest him to have dominion over
the works of Thine hands.
Thou hast put all things under
his feet, * all sheep and oxen, yea,
and the beasts of the field.
The fowl of the air, and the fish
of the sea, * that pass through the
paths of the sea.
O Lord, our Lord, * how excel-
lent is Thy Name in all the earth !
Seco7id Antiphon. ^ O Holy Mo-
ther of God, * thou hast yielded a
pleasant odour like the best myrrh.
PsalmXVHI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with the
same further obscure superscription, as in
Pss. xii. and xiii,]
nPHE heavens declare the glory
^ of God, * and the firmament
showeth His handy-work.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
* and night unto night showeth
knowledge.
There is no speech nor language,
* where their voice is not heard.
Their sound is gone out through
all the earth : * and their words to
the ends of the world.
He hath set His tabernacle in the
■^ Luke i. 42.
2 This verse was quoted by our Lord, concerning those who cried Hosannah on Palm
Sunday, Matthew xxi. 16.
^ Ecclus. xxiv. 20.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
623
sun : ^ * which is as a bridegroom
coming out of his chamber.
He rejoiceth as a strong man to
run a race : * his going forth is from
the end of the heaven.
And his circuit unto the ends of
it : * and there is nothing hid from
the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul : * the testimony
of the Lord is sure, making wise the
simple.
The statutes of the Lord are
right, rejoicing the heart : * the
commandment of the Lord is clear,
giving light unto the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is holy,
enduring for ever and ever : * the
judgments of the Lord are true,
righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than
gold and store of precious stones,
* sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb.
Verily, Thy servant keepeth them :
* in keeping of them there is great
reward.
Who can understand his errors ?
Cleanse Thou me from secret faults:
* preserve Thy servant also from
the sins of others.
If they get not dominion over me,
then shall I be undefiled : * and
I shall be cleansed from the great
transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and
the meditation of mine heart, * be
acceptable in Thy sight for ever,
1 So the LXX., as well as the Vulgate. Cf. Ps. cii. 19 ; ciii. 2, 3. The sense seems to
be that the physical source of the light and life of this system is represented as a kind of
celestial counterpart of the tabernacle, which was the centre of the Divine authority as
revealed upon earth. The Hebrew, however, which is supported by St Jerome, reads,
" In them [i.e., the starry heavens) hath He set a tabernacle for the sun," and this reading
seems to commend itself to Archbishop Kenrick, who suggests that the "tabernacle" may
signify the region below the horizon, into which the sun retires nightly, as into a tent, to
sleep, and from which he issues in renewed glory every morning. Targum : — " In them
hath He set splendour as a tabernacle for the sun."
2 SLH.
O Lord mine Helper, * and my
Redeemer !
Third Antiphon. Sing for us
again and again before this maiden's
bed * the tender idylls of the play.
Psalm XXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The
Vulgate and the LXX. add "for the first
day of the week."]
'T^HE earth is the Lord's and
^ the fulness thereof; * the
world, and they that dwell there-
in.
For He hath founded it upon the
seas, * and established it upon the
floods.
Who shall ascend into the moun-
tain of the Lord? * or who shall
stand in His holy place ?
He that hath clean hands and a
pure heart, * who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully unto his neighbour. .
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, * and mercy from the
God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them
that seek Him, * that seek the
face of the God of Jacob. ^
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? *"
The Lord strong and mighty, the
Lord mighty in battle.
624
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes,
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
doors ! * and the King of glory
shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? *
The Lord of hosts, He is the
King of glory. ^
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Pro-
verbs of Solomon (viii. 12.)
T WISDOM, dwell with prudence,
^ ) and find out knowledge of
witty inventions. The fear of the
Lord is to hate evil ; pride, and
arrogancy, and the evil way, and the
double mouth, do, I hate. Counsel
is mine, and sound wisdom ; under-
standing is mine ; mine is strength.
By me kings reign and princes
decree justice. By me princes rule,
and nobles command righteousness.
I love them that love me, and those
that seek me early shall find me.
First Responsory.
O how holy and how spotless
is thy virginity ! I am too dull
to praise thee ; for thou hast
borne in thy breast Him Whom
the heavens cannot contain. [Al-
leluia.]
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb.
Answer. For thou hast borne in
thy breast Him Whom the heavens
cannot contain. [Alleluia.]
1 SLH.
Second Lesson.
TO ICHES and honour are with
^^ me, yea, durable riches and
righteousness. My fruit is better
than gold and precious stones, and
my revenue than choice silver. I
walk in the way of righteousness, in
the midst of the paths of judgment ;
that I may cause those that love
me to inherit substance, and that I
may fill their treasures. The Lord
possessed me in the beginning of
His ways, before His works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, or
ever the earth was. When there
were no depths, I was already con-
ceived ; when there were no foun-
tains abounding with water, before
the mountains were settled in their
strength, before the hills, was I
brought forth.
Second Respofisory.
Rejoice with me, all ye that love
the Lord, for while I was yet a little
one, I pleased the Most High.
And I have brought forth from my
bowels God and man. [Alleluia.]
Verse. ^AU generations shall
call me blessed, since the Lord
hath regarded the lowliness of His
handmaiden.
Answer. And I have brought
forth from my bowels God and
man. [Alleluia.]
Third Lesson. (34.)
BLESSED is the man that hear-
eth me, watching daily at my
gates, and waiting at the posts of
my doors. Whoso findeth me find-
eth life, and shall obtain salvation
from the Lord ; but he that sinneth
2 Luke i. 48.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
625
against me wrongeth his own soul.
All they that hate me love death,
(ix. I.) Wisdom hath builded her
house ; she hath hewn out her seven
pillars. She hath killed her beasts ;
she hath mingled her wine : she
hath also furnished her table. She
hath sent forth her maidens unto
the citadel, and unto the walls of
the city, to cry out : Whoso is
simple, let him come unto me.
And unto them that want under-
standing, she saith : Come, eat of
my bread, and drink of the wine
which I have mingled.
Third Responsory.
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary,
who hast carried the Lord, the
Maker of the world. Thou hast
borne Him Who created thee, and
thou abidest a virgin for ever. [Al-
leluia.]
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Ansiver. Thou hast borne Him
Who created thee, and thou abidest
a virgin for ever. [Alleluia.]
Verse, Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Thou hast borne Him
Who created thee, and thou abidest
a virgin for ever. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all the Psalms are
said under the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. In thy comeli-
ness and thy beauty, * go forward,
fare prosperously, and reign. [Al-
leluia.]
Psalm XLIV.
[This Psalm has a long superscription, the
exact meaning of which is not now certain.
It seems to have been a marriage-song writ-
ten to be sung by the Korahites. The Tar-
gum ascribes it to the time of Moses, but it
seems rather to belong to that of the Jewish
Monarchy.]
MINE heart is overflowing with
a good matter : * I speak of
my works unto the king.
My tongue is the pen * of a ready
writer.
Thou art fairer than the children
of men, grace is poured into thy lips :
* therefore God hath blessed thee
for ever.
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, *
O most mighty !
In thy comeliness, and thy beauty,
* go forward, fare prosperously, and
reign.
Because of truth, and meekness,
and righteousness : * and thy right
hand shall lead thee wonderfully.
Thine arrows are sharp — (the
people shall fall under thee) — * into
the heart of the King's enemies.
1 Thy throne, O God, is for ever
and ever : * the sceptre of Thy
kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity : * therefore,
God, thy God, hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows.
Thy garments smell of myrrh, and
aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory
palaces, * whereby kings' daughters
among thine honourable women have
made thee glad.
Upon thy right hand did stand
the queen in a vesture of gold, *
bedecked with divers colours.
Hearken, O daughter, and con-
1 So are these words translated in Heb. i. 8, 9.
626
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
sider, and incline thine ear : * for-
get also thine own people, and thy
father's house.
And the King shall greatly de-
sire thy beauty : * for He is the
Lord thy God/ and Him shall they
worship.
And the daughters of Tyre shall
entreat thy favour * with gifts,
even all the rich among the
people.
The King's daughter is all glo-
rious within, * in a vesture of gold,
clad in divers colours.
After her shall virgins be brought
unto the king : * her fellows shall
be brought unto thee.
With gladness and rejoicing shall
they be brought : * they shall enter
into the King's palace.
Instead of thy fathers shall be
thy children : * thou shalt make
them princes over all the earth.
They shall be mindful of thy
name, * unto all generations.
Therefore shall the people praise
thee for ever, * yea, for ever and
ever.
Second Antiphon. God shall give
her the help of His countenance ;
* God is in the midst of her, she
shall not be moved.
Psalm XLV.
[This Psalm has a superscription of un-
certain meaning, but of which part seems
to imply that it was to be sung by treble
voices, from the choir of the Korahite
family. And the Targum ascribes it, but
apparently by a mere guess, to the time when
Korah and his fellow-rebels were destroyed
by an earthquake in the wilderness, but
"the children of Korah died not" (Num.
xxvi. lo, II).]
r^ OD is our refuge and strength,.
^-^ * our help in trouble, which
is come upon us exceedingly.
Therefore will we not fear, though
the earth be removed, * and though
the mountains be carried into the
midst of the sea ;
Though the waters thereof roar
and be troubled ; * though the
mountains shake with the swelling
thereof^
[There is] a river, the streams
whereof make glad the city of God :
* the Most High hath hallowed His
Tabernacle.
God is in the midst of her, she
shall not be moved : * God shall
help her right early.
The heathen raged, and the king-
doms were moved : * He uttered
His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with
us : * the God of Jacob is our
refuge.^
Come and behold the works of
the Lord, what wonders He hath
wrought in the earth ; * He maketh
wars to cease unto the end of the
earth.
He breaketh the bow and cut-
teth the weapons in sunder : * and
burneth the shields in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am
God : * I will be exalted among
the heathen, and I will be exalted
in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with
us : * the God of Jacob is our
refuge.^
Third Antiphon. O Holy Mo-
ther of God : * all we who dwell
in thee are in gladness.
^ The word "God" is not in the Hebrew, and the original meaning, addressed to the
bride, is, " He is thy lord, and bow thou to him." So also St Jerome.
2 SLH.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
627
Psalm LXXXVI.
[Intituled "A Psalm. A Song of the
sons of Korah." The Targum adds that it
was based upon words of the ancients,
perhaps meaning that the two first verses
before the SLH were an ancient saying to
which the rest was a later addition.]
TTER foundation is in the holy
^ -'- mountains : the Lord lov-
eth the gates of Zion more than all
the dwellings of Jacob !
Glorious things are spoken of
thee, * O city of God ! ^
I will make mention of Rahab ^
and Babylon * that know me.
Behold the " Strangers," ^ and
Tyre, and the people of Ethiopia, *
these were there —
And of Zion shall it not be said :
This and that man was born in her,
* and the Highest Himself hath
established her ? *
The Lord shall make count,
when He writeth up the people [and
the princes,] ^ * of all that are in
her.6
All they that dwell in thee *
are
m gladness.
Verse. God shall give her the
help of His countenance. [Alle-
luia.]
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved. [Al-
leluia.]
Fourth Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.]
{Found in Metaphrastes.^
nPHE Son of God chose for His
-^ Mother not a woman of
wealth, not a woman of substance,
but that blessed maiden whose soul
was bright with grace. It was be-
cause Blessed Mary had preserved a
superhuman chastity, that she con-
ceived the Lord Jesus Christ in her
womb. Let us then fly to the most
holy maiden, who is Mother of God,
that we may gain the help of her
patronage. Yea, all ye that be
virgins, whosoever ye be, run to
the Mother of the Lord. She will
keep for you by her protection your
most beautiful, your most precious,
and your most enduring possession.
Fourth Responsory.
"^ I was exalted like a cedar in
Lebanon, and as a cypress -tree
upon Mount Zion. Like the best
myrrh I yielded a pleasant odour.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Like cinnamon and sweet
balsam.
Ansiver. I yielded a pleasant
odour. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Lesson.
VERILY, dearly beloved bre-
thren, the Blessed Virgin
Mary was a great wonder. What
thing greater or more famous than
she, hath ever at any time been
found, or can be found ? She alone
is greater than heaven and earth.
What thing hoher than she hath
been, or can be found ? Neither
1 SLH. 2 That is "the Insolent One," namely, Egypt.
^ Le., the Philistines.
* Is the meaning that Jerusalem shall be illustrious as the birth-place of all kinds of
distinguished persons? The Targum, curiously enough, says that the persons meant are
David and Solomon, whereas David is a native of Bethlehem.
^ Displaced from the beginning of the next verse.
^ SLH. 7 I.e., Wisdom. Ecclus. xxiv. 17, 20.
628
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Prophets, nor Apostles, nor Martyrs,
nor Patriarchs, nor Angels, nor
Thrones, nor Lordships, nor Sera-
phim, nor Cherubim, nor any other
creature, visible or invisible, can be
found that is greater or more ex-
cellent than she. She is at once the
hand-maid and the parent of God,
at once virgin and mother.
Fifth Responsory.
1 Who is this that cometh up like
the sun ? This, comely as Jerusa-
lem ? The daughters of Zion saw
her, and called her blessed ; the
queens also, and they praised her.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. ^ And about her it was as
the flower of roses in the spring of
the year, and lilies of the valleys.
Anszver. The daughters of Zion
saw her and called her blessed ;
the queens also, and they praised
her. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
SHE is the Mother of Him Who
was begotten of the Father
before all ages, and Who is acknow-
ledged by Angels and men to be
Lord of all. Wouldst thou know
how much nobler is this virgin than
any of the heavenly powers ? They
stand before Him with fear and
trembling, veiling their faces with
their wings, but she offereth human-
ity to Him to Whom she gave birth.
Through her we obtain the remis-
sion of sins. Hail, then, O Mother !
heaven ! damsel ! maiden ! throne !
adornment, and glory, and found-
ation, of our Church ! cease not to
pray for us to thy Son and our
Cant, vlii. 5 ; vi. 10, 4, 8.
Lord Jesus Christ ! that through
thee we may find mercy in the day
of judgment, and may be able to
obtain those good things which God
hath prepared for them that love
Him, by the grace and goodness of
our Lord Jesus Christ; to Whom,
with the Father, and the Holy
Ghost, be ascribed all glory, and
honour, and power, now, and for
ever and ever. Amen.
Sixth Respojisory.
When the Lord beheld the daugh-
ter of Jerusalem adorned with her
jewels. He greatly desired her
beauty ; and when the daughters of
Zion saw her, they cried out that
she was most blessed, saying : Thy
name is as ointment poured forth.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Upon thy right hand
did stand the Queen in a vesture
of gold wrought about with divers
colours.
Answer. And when the daugh-
ters of Zion saw her, they cried
out that she was most blessed.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Saying, Thy name is as
ointment poured forth. [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. Joy to thee, *
O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled
down all the heresies in the whole
world. [Alleluia.]
2 Ecclus. 1. 8.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
629
Psalm XCV.
[In I Par. (Chron. ) xvi. it is stated that
David gave this Psalm to Asaph and his
brethren upon the day that the ark was
brought to Jerusalem. The text is there
given somewhat differently, and the whole
forms the second part of one Psalm, of
which the first part consists of the first
fifteen verses of Ps. civ. The Vulgate and
the LXX. note that it was sung at the
rebuilding of the Temple after the Cap-
tivity.]
OSING unto the Lord a new
song : sing unto the Lord,
all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, and bless
His Name : * show forth His sal-
vation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the
heathen, * His wonders among all
people.
For the Lord is great, and greatly
to be praised : * He is to be feared
above all gods.
For all the gods of the heathen
are devils : * but the Lord made
the heavens.
Praise and beauty are before
Him : * holiness and majesty are
in His sanctuary.
Give unto the Lord, O ye kin-
dreds of the people, give unto the
Lord glory and honour : * give
unto the Lord the glory due unto
His name.
Bring sacrifices, and come into
His courts : * O worship the Lord
in His holy temple !
Let all the earth fear before
Him. * Say among the heathen,
The Lord reign eth !
He hath established the world
also, that it shall not be moved :
* He shall judge the people right-
eously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let
the earth be glad, let the sea roar,
and the fulness thereof: * let the
fields be joyful and all that is
therein.
Then shall all the trees of the
wood rejoice before the Lord, for
He Cometh, * for He cometh to
judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with
righteousness : * and the people
with His truth. 1
Second Antiphon. Holy Virgin,
my praise by thee accepted be ; *
give me strength against thine
enemies.
Psalm XCVI.
[The Vulgate and the LXX. have the
superscription "[A Psalm] of David when
his country was re - established " — per-
haps meaning after the usurpation of Ab-
solom.]
^T^HE Lord reigneth ; let the
^ earth rejoice : * let the mul-
titude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darlcness are round
about Him : * righteousness and
judgment are the foundation of
His throne.
A fire shall go before Him, * and
burn up His enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the
world : * the earth saw and trem-
bled.
The hills melted like wax at
the presence of the Lord, * at
the presence of the Lord of the
whole earth.
^ In I Par. (Chron.) xvi. the Psalm continues: — "O give thanks unto the Lord, for
He is good : for His mercy endureth for ever. And say ye : Save us, O God of our
salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give
thanks to Thy holy Name, and glory in Thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
for ever and ever. And all the people said : ' Amen ' and praised the Lord " — possibly in
Ps. cxxxv.
630
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
The heavens declared His right-
eousness, * and all the people
saw His glory.
Confounded be all they that
worship graven images, * and that
boast themselves of idols.
Worship Him, all ye His An-
gels ! * Zion heard, and was glad.
And the daughters of Judah
rejoiced, * because of thy judg-
ments, O Lord !
For thou, Lord, art high above
all the earth : Thou art exalted
far above all gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate
evil : * the Lord preserveth the
souls of His saints ; He dehver-
eth them out of the hand of the
wicked.
Light is sprung up for the
righteous, * and gladness for the
upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye right-
eous, * and give thanks to the
memorial of His hoKness !
Third Antiphon during most of
the year. After thy delivery thou
still remainest a virgin * undefiled ;
Mother of God, pray for us.
Third Antiphon^ on the Feast of
the Annunciation. The angel of
the Lord announced unto Mary,
* and she conceived of the Holy
Ghost.
Psalm XC VI I.
[Intituled *' A Psalm." The Vulgate and
the LXX. ascribe it to David.]
OSING unto the Lord a new
song : * for He hath done
marvellous things.
His right hand, and His holy arm,
* hath gotten Him the victory.
The Lord hath made known His
salvation : * His righteousness hath
He openly showed in the sight of
the heathen.
He hath remembered His mercy,
* and His truth towards the house
of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have
seen * the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all the earth, * make a
loud noise and rejoice, and sing
praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the
harp, with the harp and the voice
of a psalm. * With trumpets and
sound of cornet,
Make a joyful noise before the
Lord, the King. * Let the sea
roar, and the fulness thereof, the
world and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands,
let the hills be joyful together be-
fore the Lord. * For He cometh
to judge the earth :
With righteousness shall He judge
the world, * and the people with
equity.
Verse. God hath chosen her and
fore-chosen her. [Alleluia.]
Ajisiver. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lesson,
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xi.
27.)
AT that time : as Jesus spake
unto the multitudes, a cer-
tain woman of the company lifted
up her voice and said unto Him :
Blessed is the womb that bare
Thee. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
631
Priest [at Jarrow and Doctor of the
Church.] (^Bk. iv. ch. 4g on Luke xi.)
It is plain that this was a woman
of great earnestness and faith.
The Scribes and Pharisees were
at once tempting and blaspheming
the Lord, but this woman so clearly
grasped His Incarnation, and so
bravely confessed the same, that she
confounded both the lies of the
great men who were present, and
the faithlessness of the heretics who
were yet to . come. Even as the
Jews then, blaspheming the works
of the Holy Ghost, denied the very
Son of God Who is of one sub-
stance with the Father, so after-
wards did the heretics, by denying
that Mary always a Virgin did,
under the operation of the Holy
Ghost, supply flesh to the Only-
begotten One of God, when He
was about being born in an human
Body, even so, I say, did the her-
etics deny that the Son of Man
should be called a true Son, Who is
of one substance ^ with His Mother.
Seventh Responsory.
O Holy Virgin Mary, happy in-
deed art thou, and right worthy
of all praise, for out of thee rose
the Sun of righteousness, even
Christ our God. [Alleluia.]
Verse, Pray for the people,
plead for the clergy, make inter-
cession for all women vowed to
God. May all that are keeping
this thine holy Feast-day feel the
might of thine assistance.
Answer. For out of thee rose
the Sun of righteousness, even
Christ our God. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Blessing.
She whose feast-day we are keep-
ing-
Mary, blessed Maid of maidens,
Be our advocate with God.
Eighth Lesson.
T3UT if we shall say that the
-L^ Flesh, Wherewith the Son of
God was born in the flesh, was
something outside ^ of the flesh of
the Virgin His Mother, without
reason should we bless the womb
that bare Him, and the paps
which He hath sucked. But the
Apostle saith : " God sent forth
His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law," (Gal. iv. 4,) and
they are not to be listened to who
read this passage : " Born of a
woman, made under the law." He
was made of a woman, for He
was conceived in a virgin's womb,
and took His Flesh, not from no-
thing, not from elsewhere, but from
the flesh of His Mother. Other-
wise, and if He had not been
sprung of a woman, He could not
with truth be called the Son of
man. Let us therefore, denying
the doctrine of Eutyches, lift up
our voice, along with the Uni-
versal Church, whereof that woman
was a figure, let us lift up our
heart as well as our voice from the
company, and say unto the Saviour :
" Blessed is the womb that bare
Thee, and the paps which Thou
hast sucked ! " Blessed Mother ! of
whom one ^ hath said :
Thou art His Mother Who reigns o'er
earth and o'er heaven for ever.
^ Verum consubstantialemque matri filium.
^ The poet Sedulius — an Irishman, of the fifth century.
'^ Extranea.
632
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Eighth Responsory.
All generations shall call me
blessed. For He That is Mighty,
even the Lord, hath done to me
great things ; and Holy is His
Name. [Alleluia.]
Verse. And His mercy is on
them that fear Him, from gener-
ation to generation.
Answer. He That is Mighty,
even the Lord, hath done to me
great things,- and Holy is His Name.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Aitswer. He That is Mighty,
even th6 Lord, hath done to me
great things, and Holy is His
Name. [Alleluia.]
Ninth Lesson.
" \/'EA, rather, blessed are they
■^ that hear the Word of God
and keep it." How nobly doth
the Saviour say "Yea" to the
woman's blessing, declaring also
that not only is she blessed who
was meet to give bodily birth to
the Word of God, but that all they
who spiritually conceive the same
Word by the hearing of faith, and,
by keeping it through good works,
bring it forth and, as it were, care-
fully nurse it, in their own hearts,
and in the hearts of their neigh-
bours, are also blessed. Yea, and
that the very Mother of God her-
self was blessed in being for a while
the handmaid of the Word of God
made Flesh, but that she was much
more blessed in this, that through
her love she keepeth Him for ever.
The Hymn^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. While the King
sitteth at his table, * my spikenard
sendeth forth the smell thereof.
[Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. 1 His left hand
is under my head, * and his right
hand doth embrace mfe. [Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. 2 j ^m black
but comely, * O ye daughters of
Jerusalem. Therefore the King
hath loved me, and brought me
into his chamber. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. ^ Lo ! the win-
ter is past, * the rain is over and
gone. Rise up, my love, and come
away. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. O Holy Mother
of God ! thou art become beautiful *
and gentle in thy gladness. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 14.)
^ T WAS created from the begin-
^ ning, before the world ; and
I shall never fail. In the holy taber-
nacle I served before him.
Hymn.^
O GLORIOUS Virgin, ever blest,
All daughters of mankind above,
Who gavest nurture from thy breast
To God, with pure maternal love.
What we had lost through sinful Eve
The Blossom sprung from thee re-
stores,
And, granting bliss to souls that grieve,
Unbars the everlasting doors.
1 Cant. ii. 6. ^ Cant. i. 5, 4.
^ The speaker in these Little Chapters is Wisdom.
Cant.
11. II, 10.
^ From the hymn beginning "The God Whom earth," &c.
Fortunatus ; translation by the Rev. Dr. Littledale.
ascribed to Venantius
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
633
O Gate, through which hath passed the
King!
O Hall, whence light shone through
the gloom !
The ransomed nations praise and sing
The Offspring of thy virgin womb.
Praise from mankind and heaven's host,
To Jesus of a Virgin sprung,
To Father and to Holy Ghost,
Be equal glory ever sung. Amen.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Zacha-
rias. ^ O Mary ! Blessed art thou
that hast believed, * for there shall
be a performance of those things
which were told thee from the
Lord. Alleluia.
Betweeii Septuagesima a?td Easter
omit Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the Office, if there
be none special.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O
Lord God, unto all Thy ser-
vants, that they may remain con-
tinually in the enjoyment of sound-
ness both of mind and body, and
by the glorious intercession of
the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin,
may be delivered from present sad-
ness, and enter into the joy of
Thine eternal gladness. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. While the King, &c.,
{First Antiphon at Lauds.)
In the Short Responsory instead of
the Verse, "Thou that sittest, &c.,"z>
said :
Verse. Thou that wast born of
the Virgin Mary.
Chapter at the e7id. (Ecclus. xxiv. 19.)
TN the broad ways I gave a sweet
^ smell like cinnamon and aro-
matic balm ; I yielded a pleasant
odour like the best myrrh.
TERCE.
The last verse of the Hymn is altered
in honoitr of the Incarncition.
Antiphon. His left hand, &c.,
{Second Antiphon at Latcds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
In thy comeliness and in thy
beauty.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. In thy beauty.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance.
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
The last verse of the Hymn is altered
ift honour of the Incarncition.
In thy comeliness and in thy
beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
^ Luke i. 45.
634
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Answer. In thy comeliness
and in thy beauty. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
. Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness
and in thy beauty. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Ve?'se. God shall help her with
His countenance. Alleluia.
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved. Al-
leluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
SEXT.
The last verse of the Hymn is altered
in hofiour of the Incarnation.
Antipho7i. I am black, &c.,
\Third A?itiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 15.)
A ND so I was established in
-^^^ Zion, and likewise in the
holy city was I given to rest, and
in Jerusalem was my power. And
I took root among the honourable
people, 1 even in the portion of my
God as His own inheritance, and
mine abiding was in the full as-
sembly of the Saints.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. With His counten-
ance.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Aiisiver. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
God shall help her with His
countenance. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her. Alleluia.
Answer. He hath made her
to dwell in His tabernacle. Al-
leluia.
Prayer from L^auds.
Short Respo7tsory.
God shall help her with His
countenance.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
NOTSTE.
The last verse of the Hy7mi is altered
i7i ho7iour of the l7icar7iation.
Antiphon. O Holy Mother, &c.,
i^Fifth A7itiphon at Lauds?)
^ I.e., the Jews.
FOR FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
635
Chapter from the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse, He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
A?zswer. And fore-chosen her.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
lit Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore - chosen her. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore - chosen her. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. Alleluia.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. Alleluia.
Prayer fro?n Lauds.
SECOND VESPERS.
The same as the Firsts except the fol-
lowing :
Verse. Holy Virgin, my praise
by thee accepted be. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Give me strength against
thine enemies. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. All generations shall call
me blessed, * for God hath regarded
the lowliness of His hand-maiden.
[Alleluia.]
At Compline the last verse of the
Hyjmi is altered in honour of the In-
car7iation.
Note. The above-7ne7itio7ted altera-
tio7is of the last verses of the Hy77i7is at
Co7}tpli7te, Pri77ze, Terce, Sext, None,
and Co77ipline, and in the Verse in the
Short Resp07isory at Pri7ne, are made
every day 'withi7t the Octaves of the
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, a7id that
eve7i when the Office of the day is 7iot
of her.
Here follows i7i the original the Office
of the Blessed Virgi7i as a Si7nple for
Saturdays, but it is here 07nitted, as
upon all Saturdays up07i which it could
occur the Votive Office of the hinnacu-
laie Conception is obligatory in Eng-
land up07i all perso7is bou7id to the
recitation of the Divine Office.
636
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Whether One or Many, Martyr or not Martyr.
All as on Simdays, except the fol-
lowing.
The Psalms are the same as in the
Office for Feasts of the Blessed Virgin.,
except the Third Psalm of the Second
Nocturn, which is Psalm XLVIL,
"Great is the Lord, &c.," {p. 98).
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter,
Prayer frotn Lauds.
Hymn, and
Hymn.'^
I.
CHILD of the Virgin, Maker of Thy
Mother,
Virgin-engendered, of the Virgin Son,
Virgin is she of whom we sing another
Victory won.
If the Saint be Jiot a Martyr the 2nd
a7id yd verses are omitted.
For One Virgin.
Verse. ^ In thy comeliness and
thy beauty. [Alleluia.]
A7iswer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign, [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Come, Bride of Christ, and
take the everlasting crown * which
the Lord hath prepared for thee.
[Alleluia.]
For Many Virgins.
Verse. ^ After her shall virgins be
brought unto the King. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Her fellows shall be
brought unto thee. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^Trim your lamps, O ye
wise virgins ! * Behold the Bride-
groom Cometh ! Go ye out to meet
Him ! [Alleluia.]
MATTINS.
I?ivitatory. The Lord He is the
King of the Virgins. * O come,
let us worship Him ! [Alleluia.]
Double the palm of triumph which she
beareth.
Strove she to vanquish woman's fear
of death :
Quelled now the hand of death and hell
appeareth
Her feet beneath.
Death won no conquest, nor the thou-
sand terrors,
Kindred of death — fierce torments
bravely borne :
Gave she her blood : that blood the
radiance mirrors
Of life's new morn.
When she pleads for us, at her sweet
petition,
That we may sing with conscience
pure of sin.
From debt of guilt O grant us Thy re-
mission
And peace within.
5-
and
Glory to Thee, O Father, Son,
Spirit,
Glory co-equal on the throne on high,
Equal in power, in unity of merit,
Eternally. Amen.
^ Ps. xliv. 5, 6. 2 ps_ xliv. 15. 3 Matth. xxv. 6, 7.
^ Author unknown, hymn somewhat altered ; translation by the Rev. G. Moultrie.
FOR VIRGINS.
637
shall have trouble in the flesh. But
I spare you. But this I say, breth-
ren : The time is short — it remain-
eth that both they that have wives
be as though they had none ; and
they that weep, as though they wept
not ; and they that rejoice, as though
they rejoiced not ; and they that
buy, as though they possessed not ;
and they that use this world, as not
abusing it. For the fashion of this
world passeth away.
First Responsory for a Virgin and
Martyr.
Come, Bride of Christ, and
take the everlasting crown, which
the Lord hath prepared for thee,
even for thee who for the love of
Him hast shed thy blood, and art
entered with Angels into His gar-
den.* [Alleluia.]
Verse. Come, O My chosen one,
and I will establish My throne in
thee, for the King hath greatly
desired thy beauty.^
Answer. And thou art entered
with Angels into His garden.*
[Alleluia.]
First Responsory for a Virgin not a
Martyr.
Come, O My chosen one, and I
will establish My throne in thee,
for the King hath greatly desired
thy beauty. [Alleluia.]
^ Wisd. iv. I.
2 Drama. The Song of Solomon (the form of which is dramatic,) seems to be the play
referred to.
^ Cant. vi. 13. The translation follows the Hebrew and Latin as to the proper name.
The Breviary text has " Sunamitis," which seems to be either a misprint or a conjectural
emendation, founded on the belief that the name is a local designation from the town of
Shunem (Cf. 3 (i) Kings i. 3, &c.) But this town, teste Eusebio, was also called "Sulem,"
and is now known as " S61am." However, the most common view has been that the
name is a feminine form of Solomon, (cf. in English, John and Jane, Francis and Frances,
&c.) Vide Gesenius sub vocibus. It is found in the New Testament, under the form of
" Salome." Mark xv. 40, xvi. I.
* Latin : paradisus. ^ Ps. xliv. 12, 5, 3.
FIRST NOCTURN.
hi Paschal-time all three Psahns are
said under the first A7itipho7i.
First Antiphon. ^ O how lovely
and glorious * is the generation of
the chaste ! [Alleluia.]
Seco7id Antiphon. Sing for us
again and again before this maiden's
bed * the tender idylls of the play.^
Third Antiphon. ^Return, return,
O Shulammith ! * Return, return,
that we may look upon thee.
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty — [Alleluia.]
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle
Paul to the Corinthians (vii. 25.)
/CONCERNING virgins I have
^^-^ no commandment of the Lord :
yet I give my judgment, as one that
hath obtained mercy of the Lord, to
be faithful. I suppose, therefore,
that this is good for the present need,
that it is good for a man so to be.
Art thou bound unto a wife ? Seek
not to be loosed. Art thou loosed
from a wife ? Seek not a wife. But
and if thou marry, thou hast not
sinned. And if a virgin marry, she
hath not sinned. Nevertheless, such
638
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.i
Ajzswer. For the King hath
greatly desired thy beauty. [Al-
leluia.]
Second Lesson.
BUT I would have you without
carefulness. He that is un-
married careth for the things that
belong to the Lord, how he may
please God.- But he that is mar-
ried careth for the things that
are of the world, how he may
please his wife, and he is divided.
The unmarried woman, and the
virgin careth for the things of the
Lord, that she may be holy both
in body and in spirit. But she
that is married careth for the things
of the world, how she may please
her husband. And this I speak
for your own profit : not that I
would cast a snare upon you, but
for that which is seemly, and which
giveth occasion to attend upon the
Lord without distraction.
Second Responsory.
^ Grace is poured into thy lips ;
therefore God hath blessed thee
for ever. [Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Ajisiver. God hath blessed thee
for ever. [Alleluia.]
Third Lesson.
IF any man think that he behav-
eth himself unseemly toward
his virgin, if she pass the flower
of her age, and need so require.
let him do what he will — he sin-
neth not, and if she marry. Never-
theless, he that standeth steadfast
in his heart, having no necessity,
but hath power over his own will,
and hath so decreed in his heart,
that he will keep his virgin, doeth
well. So then, he that giveth his
virgin in marriage doeth well ; and
he that giveth her not, doeth better.
The wife is bound by law as long
as her husband liveth. But if her
husband have fallen asleep, she is
free ; she may marry whom she
will — only, in the Lord. But she
will be happier if she so abide,
after my judgment — and I also
think that I have the Spirit of
God.
Third Responso?y.
In thy comeliness and thy beauty,
go forward, fare prosperously, and
reign. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips, therefore God hath blessed
thee for ever.
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
I7Z Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. In thy come-
liness and thy beauty, * go for-
ward, fare prosperously, and reign.
[Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. God shall help
her with His countenance ; * God
1 Ps. xliv. 12, 5, 3.
FOR VIRGINS.
639
is in the midst of her; she shall
not be moved.
Third Antiphoit. ^ Many waters
cannot * quench love.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance. [Alleluia.]
Answer. God is in the midst of
her ; she shall not be moved. [Al-
leluia.]
Fourth Lessofi.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {Bk. i. on Virgins.)
THIS day is a maiden's Birth-
day. The love of virginity
provoketh us to say somewhat
touching maidenhood, lest, if we
pass thereby, we should seem to
cast a slur on that which was her
chief strength. Virginity is not
to be praised because it is a grace
which is poured forth in Martyrs,
but because it is a grace which
maketh Martyrs. But what un-
derstanding of man can rightly
grasp this excellency which riseth
above the laws of nature herself?
What natural voice can pourtray
a thing which is supernaturally
noble? It is a reflection on earth
of a glory whose home is in heaven.
And it is but that which we may
justly look for, when we see her
who hath her Husband in heaven,
live a life whose model is the life
of heaven.
Fourth Responsory.
Because of truth, and meekness,
and righteousness ; and thy right
hand shall lead thee wonderfully.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness, and
^ Cant, viii, 7.
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Ansiver. And thy right hand
shall lead thee wonderfully. [Al-
leluia.]
Fifth Lesson.
TT was maidenhood that pierced
•^ beyond the clouds, the atmos-
phere, the Angels, and the stars,
and came upon the Word of God
in the very bosom of the Father,
and sucked Him into her heart.
For who, that hath once found such
blessedness, would leave it again ?
" For thy name is as ointment
poured forth, therefore do the virgins
love thee," and draw thee after
them. (Cant. i. 3.) Lastly, it is
not I, but the Lord by Whom it
is said that they which neither marry
nor are given in marriage are as the
angels of God in heaven. (Matth.
xxii. 30.) Let no man therefore
marvel that they which be married
unto the Lord of angels should 'be
likened themselves to angels.
Fifth Responsory.
^ Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity; therefore God,
thy God, hath anointed thee with
the oil of gladness. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Because of truth, and
meekness, and righteousness.
Answer. Therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the
oil of gladness. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
WJ^O would deny that this is a
* * life which hath come down
from heaven, seeing it is a life
whereof it is not easy to find an
2 Ps. xliv. 9.
640
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
ensample before God came down to
dwell in a Body of clay? Then
was it a virgin which conceived Him
in her womb, and the Word was
made Flesh, that Flesh might be
made God. Some will say : Con-
cerning Elias also, we find not that
he shared in the lusting after a
bodily coming-together. Yea ; and
therefore it is that he was carried
up in a fiery chariot into heaven ;
therefore is it that he is seen with
the Lord amid all the glory of the
Transfiguration ; therefore it is that
he is to come as a Forerunner of
the Lord's coming again.
Sixth Responsory.
After her shall virgins be brought
unto the King, her fellows shall be
brought unto thee with gladness and
rejoicing. [Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness and thy
beauty, go forward, fare prosperous-
ly, and reign.
Answer. They shall be brought
unto thee with gladness and re-
joicing. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. They shall be brought
unto thee with gladness and re-
joicing. [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said U7ider the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. ^ I am black but
comely, * O ye daughters of Jeru-
salem ; therefore hath the King loved
me, and brought me into his cham-
ber. [Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. ^ Draw me
after thee ; * we will run after the
savour of thy good ointments ; thy
name is as oil poured forth.
Third Antiphon. Come, Bride of
Christ, * and take the everlasting
crown which the Lord hath prepared
for thee.
Verse. God hath chosen her, and
fore-chosen her. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lessoii.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xxv. I.)
A T that time : Jesus said to His
-^^^ disciples : The Kingdom of
heaven shall be likened unto ten
virgins, which took their lamps, and
went forth to meet the Bridegroom
and the Bride. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {12th on the Gospels.)
Dearly beloved brethren ; often-
times do I warn you to fly corrupt
conversation, and to keep yourselves
unspotted from the world. But the
portion which is this day read from
the Holy Gospel doth oblige me to
say that even to these good things
which ye do, ye must needs take
all careful heed. Look ye well to
it, that, when ye work righteousness,
ye do it not as seeking the praise
and admiration of men, for if the
lust of praise do once creep in, that
which seemeth so fair without, loseth
its reward within. Behold how the
Redeemer speaketh of these ten vir-
gins. He calleth them all virgins,
^ Cant. i. 5, 4.
FOR VIRGINS.
641
yet entered not all of them into the
door of blessedness, for there were
some of them who sought outwardly
the honour of virginity, but would
take no oil within their vessels with
their lamps.
Seventh Responsory.
This is one of those wise virgins,
whom the Lord found watching, for
when she took her lamp, she took
oil with her. And when the Lord
came, she went in with him to the
marriage. [Alleluia.]
Verse. At midnight there was a
cry made : Behold ! the Bridegroom
Cometh ! go ye out to meet him !
Answer. And when the Lord
came, she went in with Him to the
marriage. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Blessing.
She {or they) whose feast-day we
are keeping,
Be our Advocate {or Advocates)
with God.
Eighth Lesson.
T3UT, first of all, it is for us to
-■-^ ask : What is the kingdom of
Heaven? And wherefore shall the
same be likened unto ten virgins,
whereof, albeit five were wise, yet
five were foolish ? For if the king-
dom of heaven be such that there
shall in no wise enter into it any-
thing that defileth, neither whatso-
ever worketh abomination, or maketh
a lie, (Apoc. xxi. 27,) how can it be
like unto five virgins which were
foolish? But we must know that,
in the word of God, the kingdom of
heaven doth oftentimes signify the
Church as she now is, touching the
VOL, II.
which the Lord saith in another
place : " The Son of Man shall send
forth His Angels, and they shall
gather out of His kingdom all things
that offend." (Matth. xiii. 41.) In
that kingdom of Blessedness, where-
in peace shall have her perfect reign,
there shall be nothing found that
offendeth for the angels to gather
out.
Eighth Respo7isory.
At midnight there was a cry
made : Behold ! the Bridegroom
Cometh ! go ye out to meet him !
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Trim your lamps, O ye
wise virgins.
Answer. Behold ! the Bridegroom
Cometh ! go ye out to meet him !
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Behold ! the Bridegroom
Cometh ! go ye out to meet him !
[Alleluia.]
Ninth Lesson.
HP HE body of every man doth
^ consist of five senses, and five
being doubled, is ten. Forasmuch,
therefore, as the whole body of the
faithful doth consist of two sexes,
the Holy Church is likened unto
ten virgins. And forasmuch as in
the Church the good are for the
present mingled with the bad, and
the reprobate with the elect, it is
rightly said that, of the ten virgins,
five are wise and five are foolish.
There are many who have self-con-
trol, which do keep themselves from
lusting after things outward, whose
hope beareth them to things inward,
who chastise the flesh, who long
with intense home-sickness for their
Fatherland which is in heaven, who
Y
642
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
seek an eternal reward, and who will
not to receive for their labours the
praise of men. These are they who
reckon their glory, not in the mouths
of men, but in the testimony of their
own conscience. And many there
be likewise who afflict the body by
self-control, and yet who seek for
their self-control applause from men.
The Hy 11171^ "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. This is one of
the wise virgins, * one chosen out
of the number of the careful. [Al-
leluia.]
Second Antiphon. This is one of
the wise virgins, * whom the Lord
found watching. [Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. ^ This is one
which hath not known the sinful
bed, * she shall have fruit in the
visitation of holy souls. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. Come, O my
chosen one, * and I will establish
My throne in thee. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. She is beautiful
* among the daughters of Jerusalem.
[Alleluia.]
Chapter. (2 Cor. x. 17.)
jDRETHREN, he that glorieth,
J-^ let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth him-
self is approved, but whom the
Lord commendeth.
Hymn.'^
JESU, the Virgin's Crown, do Thou
Accept us, as in prayer we. bow ;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.
Amongst the lilies Thou dost feed.
With Virgin choirs accompanied ;
With glory decked, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts Thy love provides.
They, wheresoe'er Thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend ;
In blessed troops they follow Thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.
We pray Thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below.
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.
All laud to God the Father be :
All laud. Eternal Son, to Thee :
All laud, as is for ever meet.
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.
For One Virgin.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
For many Virgins.
Verse. After her shall virgins be
brought unto the King. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Her fellows shall be
brought unto thee. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
For one Virgiii. ^ The kingdom of
heaven is like unto a merchantman
* seeking goodly pearls, who, when
he had found one pearl of great
price, went and sold all that he had,
and bought it.
[Alleluia.]
For many Virgins. Trim your
lamps, O ye wise virgins ! * Behold !
the Bridegroom cometh ! go ye out
to meet him ! [Alleluia.]
1 Wisd. iii. 13.
^ Hymn of the Ambrosian school, somewhat altered ; translation by the Rev, Dr Neale.
3 Matth. xiii. 45, 46.
FOR VIRGINS.
643
Prayer for a Virgin and Martyr.
OGOD, Who, amidst the won-
drous work of Thy Divine
power, dost make even weak women
to be more than conquerors in the
uplifting of their testimony, merci-
fully grant unto all us which do keep
the Birthday of Thy blessed hand-
maiden and witness N. {Jiere mention
her name) grace to follow her steps
to Thee-ward. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Another Prayer for a Virgiii and
Martyr.
OLORD, we pray Thee that Thy
blessed handmaiden and wit-
ness N., {here mention her name,)
in whom Thou hast ever been
well pleased, because of her worthy
maidenhood and her mighty show-
ing-forth of Thy power, may entreat
Thy pardon on our behalf. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
Prayer for a Virgin 7iot a Martyr.
GRACIOUSLY hear us, O God
of our salvation, and grant
that as the Birthday of Thy blessed
handmaiden N. {here mention her
na?ne) doth make us happier, so the
fruit of her godly earnestness may
make us better. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Prayer for maiiy Virgins, Martyrs.
GRANT unto us, we beseech
Thee, O Lord, our God, that
we may ever call to mind, with all
worship and thanksgiving, the vic-
tory of Thy holy Virgin Martyrs
NN., {here mention their names^ and
although we know that our mind
cannot comprehend Thee Who art
this day their exceeding great re-
ward, give us always the grace hum-
bly to worship Thee. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Ajfien.
prime.
Antiphon. This is one, &c.,
{First Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end.
For a Virgifi ajtd Martyr. (Ecclus.
li. 13.)
OLORD my God, Thou hast
lifted up my dwelling on
earth ; and I prayed for deliver-
ance from death — I called upon
the Lord, the Father of my Lord,
that He would not leave me in
the days of my trouble, and in
the time of the proud, when there
was no help.
For a Virgin not a Martyr. (Wisd.
iv. I.)
(^\ HOW lovely and glorious is
^-^ the generation of the chaste !
For the memorial thereof is im-
mortal, because it is known with
God and with men.
644
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
TERCE.
SEXT.
Antiphon. This is one, &c., Antiphon. This is one, &c.,
{Second Antipho?i at Lauds.) {Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter front Lauds.
Short Responsory.
In thy comeliness and in thy
beauty.
Answer, In thy comeHness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. In thy beauty.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance.
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
In Paschal- time the above is said
thus :
In thy comeliness and in thy
beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance. Alleluia.
Answer. God is in the midst
of her, she shall not be moved.
Alleluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
Chapter. (2 Cor. xi. 2.)
71^ OR I am jealous over you
-*- with godly jealousy. For I
have espoused you to one hus-
band, that I may present you as
a chaste virgin to Christ.
Short Responsory.
God shall help her with His
countenance.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. With His countenance.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
God shall help her with His
countenance. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer, God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
FOR VIRGINS.
645
Verse. God hath chosen her
and fore-chosen her. Alleluia.
Anstver. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle. Alleluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. Alleluia.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. Alleluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
NONE.
Aitfifhon. She is beautiful, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Resfonsory.
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
Answer. And fore-chosen her.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore -chosen her. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as First, except the following.
For one Virgin.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. [Alleluia.]
©tfier %t%^m% for
FIRST NOCTURN,
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus (li. i.)
T WILL thank Thee, O Lord and
^ King, and Praise Thee, O God
my Saviour. I will give praise unto
Thy Name; for Thou hast been
mine Helper and Defender, and
hast preserved my body from des-
truction, and from the snare of
the slanderous tongue, and from
the lips that forge lies, and hast
been mine Helper against mine
adversaries. And hast delivered
me, according to the multitude of
the mercies of Thy Name, from
them that roared against me, and
that were ready to devour me : out
of the hands of such as sought after
my life, and from the gates of trouble
that were open all around me ;
from the choking of the fire that
646
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
compassed me, so that when I
stood in the midst of the flame I
was not scorched : from the depth
of the belly of hell, from an unclean
tongue, and from lying words, and
from an unjust king, and from an
unrighteous tongue.
Second Lesson.
1\ /TY soul shall praise the Lord
^^ ^ even unto death, for my life
was near to the hell beneath. They
compassed me on every side, and
there was no man to help me. I
looked for the succour of men, but
there was none. Then thought I
upon Thy mercy, O Lord, and upon
Thine acts of old ; how Thou de-
liverest such as wait for Thee, O
Lord, and savest them out of the
hands of the people.
Third Lesson.
'T^HOU hast lifted up my dwell-
-■- ing on earth, and I prayed
for deliverance from death. I called
upon the Lord, the Father of my
Lord, that He would not leave me
in the days of my trouble, and in
the time of the proud, when there
was no help. I will praise Thy
Name continually, and will sing
praise with thanksgiving; for that
my prayer was heard. For Thou
savedst me from destruction, and
deliveredst me from the evil time.
Therefore will I give thanks, and
praise Thee, and bless the Name
of the Lord.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the holy Martyr Cyprian, Bishop
[of Carthage,] concerning the rules
and clothing of Virgins. (2.)
T AM now to address myself to
-^ virgins, and as their condition
is one of such glorious exaltation, I
am the more behoven to be careful.
This mass of consecrated virginity
is the flower upon the plant of the
Church. It is the charm and love-
liness of spiritual grace. It is a
generation of gladness. It is a
work of praise and honour, un-
touched and uncorrupted. It is the
image of God reflecting the holiness
of the Lord. It is the brightest
portion of the flock of Christ. It
is the joy of our holy Mother the
Church, and the rich blossom of her
glorious fruitfulness, and every addi-
tion to the number of her virgins
is an increase of her gladness. To
these I speak, them I exhort, more
in tenderness than in authority.
Not that I, who am so worthless,
and little, and feel so keenly the
lowliness of mine own estate, would
speak as finding any fault to re-
prove, but because when I feel the
tenderest care, I feel the most
nervous dread of any troubling by
the wicked one.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HIS is not an unreasonable
^ care, nor a groundless dread,
which looketh to the way of salva-
tion and keepeth the life-giving com-
mandments of the Lord, to the end
that they, who have consecrated
themselves to Christ, who have
turned their back for ever upon
the pleasure of the flesh, who have
vowed themselves God's own in
body as well as in mind, may finish
the work for which so vast a reward
FOR VIRGINS.
647
awaiteth them ; that they may desire
no more to seem fair and pleasing
in any eyes but those of the Lord,
from Whose hand they look to re-
ceive the wage of their continence,
as He Himself hath said : "All men
cannot receive this saying, save they
to whom it is given. For there are
some eunuchs which were so born
from their mother's womb ; and
there are some eunuchs which were
made eunuchs of men ; and there
be eunuchs which have made them-
selves eunuchs for the kingdom of
heaven's sake. He that is able to
receive it, let him receive it."
(Matth. xix. 1 1, 12.)
Sixth Lesso7i.
A ND yet again, the voice of an
-^^^ Angel hath proclaimed what
is the reward of continence. " These
are they which were not defiled with
women ; for they are virgins. These
are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever He goeth." (Apoc.
xiv, 4.) Neither is it to man only
that the Lord hath promised this
glorious reward for virginity. He
passeth not by women, but, since
the woman is made out of the man,
and taken and formed from him,
God in His Holy Scriptures useth
mostly to address Himself to the
race in the form wherein He origin-
ally created it, for they are twain
in one flesh, and when mankind is
spoken of, womankind also is signi-
fied. But if continence be a follow-
ing of Christ, and virginity have her
aim in the kingdom of heaven, what
concern have such with earthly
finery, or with self-adorning, where-
by, while they seek to please men,
they offend God?
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew
(xix. 3.)
A T that time : the Pharisees came
^^^~^ unto Jesus, tempting Him
and saying unto Him : Is it lawful
for a man to put away his wife for
any cause ? And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.] (63^^
on Matthew^
Seeing that directly to exhort them
unto virginity was well-nigh more
than they could bear, our Lord
seeketh to draw them to the desire
thereof, taking occasion by the need-
fulness of a law against divorce.
Then He showeth that virginity is
possible, saying: "There are some
eunuchs which were so born from
their mother's womb ; and there are
some eunuchs which were made
eunuchs of men ; and there be
eunuchs which have made them-
selves eunuchs for the kingdom of
heaven's sake." In these words He
persuadeth them indirectly to choose
virginity, while He teacheth them
that such a gift is not so good as
to be impossible.
Eighth Lesson.
'' I ^HIS His doctrine He establish-
^ eth somewhat thus. Suppos-
ing that thou hadst been born a
eunuch by nature, or hadst been
made a eunuch by the cruelty of
men, so that thou hadst no sexual
enjoyment, and hadst no credit for
having none, what wouldest thou
do ? Give God thanks therefore.
648
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
that thou dost, for a reward and a
crown, what such others suffer with
no reward and no crown — yea, and
that, rather a Hghter burden than
the same, and that not only because
thou hast the joy of hope, and of
knowing that thou doest well, but
also because thou art not so bat-
tered by storms of desire as they
are.
Ninth Lesson.
WHEN,- therefore. He had
spoken of such as are eu-
nuchs by nature, or by mutilation,
and are eunuchs vainly and use-
lessly, unless they also bridle their
thoughts, and of such as deny them-
selves for the kingdom of heaven's
sake. He added : " He that is able
to receive it, let him receive it,"
that He might make them the
readier by showing the very sternness
of the work, and, in His unspeakable
goodness, He would not include
any such precept within the re-
quirements of the law, and, by say-
ing this, showeth it to be the more
possible, that He might increase
the desire of freely choosing it.
Simple ©JOice for Uirgins.
The Office is as on a Semi-double^
with the following exceptions.
FIRST VESPERS.
The Office is of the Week-day^ till the
Chapter exclusive.
The Office of the Sai?tt or Saints be-
gins with the Chapter., which., as also
the Hymn., Verse and Answer^ Anti-
phon at the Song of the Blessed Virgi?t,
and Prayer, are all as just given.
At Compline are said Preces.
MATTINS.
The Invitatory and Hymn are as
just given.
Then follow the Week-day Psalms,
with their own Antiphon.
On Mondays a?td Thursdays.
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
On Tuesdays a7id Fridays.
Verse. God shall give her the
help of His countenance. [Alle-
luia.]
Answer. God is in the midst
of her, she shall not be moved.
[Alleluia.]
For Wednesdays.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle. [Alleluia.]
First Blessing.
May His blessing be upon us.
Who doth live and reign for
ever.
First Lesson from Scripture accord-
ing to the Season, being either the first
part^ or., if the Sai?tt or Saints have two
Lessons, the whole read as one, at will.
First Responsory.
On Monday a?id Thursday.
Come, Bride of Christ, &c. Or^
Come, O My chosen one, &c., (/.
637-)
Oti Ttcesday and Friday.
Because of truth and meekness,
&€., (/. 639.)
FOR HOLY WOMEN.
649
On Wednesday.
This is one of those wise virgins,
«&c., (/. 641.)
Second Blessing.
She {or they) whose feast-day we
are keeping,
Be our Advocate {or Advocates)
with God.
Second Lesson is the first of the
Legend of the Saiiit or Saints^ if there
be two J if not, it is the secoiid from
Scripture.^ to which the third may be
added at will.
Second Responsory.
On Mofiday and Thursday.
Grace is poured into thy lips, &c.,
(/. 6385) with this addition:
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer, God hath blessed thee
for ever. [Alleluia.]
Oil Tuesday and Friday.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
&c., (/. 639,) with this addition:
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the
oil of gladness. [Alleluia.]
On Wednesday.
At midnight, &c., (/. 641.)
Third Blessing.
May He That is the angels' King
To that high realm His people
bring.
Third Lesson^ the whole or secoiid
purt of the Lesson of the Feast.
Then the Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said, and so end Matti77s.
The rest as on a Semi- double, as
just given; it ends at No7te, inclusive;
Preces are said at Prime, and the
Cornmon Commemoratiojis are made at
Lauds or not, according to the Week-day.
ATE. d?or Hola aaomen.
Whether One or Many., Martyr or not Martyr, but not Virgin.
All as on Sundays, except the follow-
ing.
The Psalms are the same as in
the Office for Feasts of the Blessed
Virgin, except the Third Psalm
of the Seco?td Nocturn, which is
Psahn XLVIL, "Great is the Lord,
&c.," {p. 98.)
FIRST VESPERS.
A7ttipho7ts, Chapter, Hy77i7t, and
Prayer front Lauds.
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty. [Alleluia.]
1 Matth.
VOL. II.
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. ^The kingdom of heaven
is like unto a merchantman, seeking
goodly pearls ; * who, when he had
found one pearl of great price, gave
up all that he had and bought it.
[Alleluia.]
MATTINS.
Invitatory. For the confession
of Blessed N. * {^here insert her
name), let us praise our God.
xiii. 45, 46.
Y 2
650
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Hymn.
"\"X /"HEN she pleads for us, at her
^^ sweet petition,
That we may sing with conscience pure
of sin.
From debt of guilt, O grant us Thy
remission
And peace within.
Glory to Thee, O Father, Son, and
Spirit,
Glory co-equal on the throne on high !
Equal in power, in unity of merit
Eternally ! Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
/;/ Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under the First Antiphon.
First Antiphon, O how lovely
and glorious is the generation * of
the chaste. [Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. His left hand
is under my head, * and his right
hand doth embrace me.
Third Antiphon. Return, return,
O Shulammith, * return, return, that
we may look upon thee.
Verse. In thy comeliness and thy
beauty. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
Lessojts for a Martyr from Ecclus. li. i,
{p. 645.)
For a Woman not a Martyr.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Pro-
verbs of Solomon (xxxi. 10.)
T "\ THO can find a virtuous wo-
* ^ man ? For her price is far
above the rarest merchandise. The
heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he shall have
no need of spoil. She will do him
good and not evil, all the days of
her life. She seeketh wool and flax,
and worketh wisely with her hands.
She is like the merchant's ship, she
bringeth her food from afar ; she
riseth also, while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a
portion to her maidens. She con-
sidereth a field, and buyeth it ; with
the fruit of her hands she planteth
a vineyard. She girdeth her loins
with strength, and strengtheneth her
arms.
First Responsory.
Come, O My chosen one, and I
will establish My throne in thee, for
the King hath greatly desired thy
beauty. [Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. For the King hath
greatly desired thy beauty. [Alle-
luia.]
Second Lesson.
SHE tasteth and perceiveth that
her merchandise is good. Her
candle goeth not out by night. She
layeth her hands to hard work, and
her fingers hold the distaff. She
spreadeth out her hands to the poor,
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to
the needy. She is not afraid of the
cold of snow for her household, for
all her servants are clothed with
double garments. She maketh for
herself coverings of tapestry : her
clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders
of the land. She maketh linen and
selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto
the Canaanite.-^
^ Used by the Jews for an itinerant trader, much as we call a tramp an Egyptian (vulg.
Gipsy.)
FOR HOLY WOMEN.
651
Second Responsory.
Grace is poured into thy lips ;
therefore God hath blessed thee for
ever. [Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Ajiswer. God hath blessed thee
for ever. [Alleluia.]
Third Lesso7t.
STRENGTH and honour are her
clothing ; and she will laugh
in the latter day. She openeth her
mouth with wisdom, and in her
tongue is the law of kindness. She
looketh well to the ways of her
household, and eateth not the bread
of idleness. Her children arise up,
and call her blessed ; her husband,
and he praiseth her. Many daugh-
ters have gotten riches, but thou
excellest them all. Favour is de-
ceitful, and beauty is vain : a woman
that feareth the Lord, she shall be
praised. Give her of the fruit of
her hands, and let her own works
praise her in the gates.
Third Responsory.
In thy comeliness and thy beauty,
go forward, fare prosperously, and
reign. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips, therefore God hath blessed thee
for ever.
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Paschal-tinie all three Psalms are
said tender the First A ntiphon.
First Antiphon. In thy comeli-
ness and thy beauty, * go forward,
fare prosperously, and reign. [Alle-
luia.]
Second Antiphon. God shall help
her with His countenance : * God is
in the midst of her ; she shall not
be moved.
Third Antiphon. Many waters
cannot * quench love.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance. [Alleluia.]
Answer. God is in the midst of
her : she shall not be moved. [Al-
leluia.]
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
upon Widows by St Ambrose,
Bishop [of Milan.] {Near the
end. )
T BEHOLD the field of the
^ Church, that the same is a
fruitful field, somewhile smiling with
the brightness of virginity, some-
while golden with the ripe harvest
of widowhood, somewhile rich with
the crop of marriage. These things
be diverse, but they be the fruits of
the same field. There are not so
many choice lilies as stalks of
bearded grain, ears for the harvest,
and there are more places in the
soil fitted once to receive seed than
there are places which, when they
have yielded a crop, are fitted again
to be ploughed. Good, then, is
widowhood, which the judgment of
an Apostle hath so often commend-
ed, widowhood, which is the teacher
of faith and of purity.
652
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Fourth Responsory.
Because of truth, and meekness,
and righteousness ; and thy right
hand shall lead thee wonderfully.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. In thy comeliness and
thy beauty, go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer, And thy right hand
shall lead thee wonderfully. [Al-
leluia.]
'Fifth Lessojt.
THEREFORE, they who worship
adultery and uncleanness in
their gods made celibacy and widow-
hood punishable. They who lusted
after abominations, taxed self-con-
trol. The pretence was the desire
of fruitfulness, but the aim was to
abolish virginity, the resolution of
chastity. When a soldier hath served
his time he layeth down his arms,
leaveth his trade, and retireth him
to his own lands, that as well him-
self may rest after the toils of life,
as that the hope of rest to come
may make others the more ready to
undergo work. So also the aged
labourer leaveth it for others to
guide the handle of the plough, and
withdraweth from the weariness of
his younger days' labour to essay the
task of an old man's thoughtful super-
vision. It is easier to prune vines,
than to stamp them out, to check the
first wild outburst of their vigour, and
to curtail the wantonness of their
young growth, so teaching, even by
the ensample of the vineyard, that
chastity, which keepeth itself within
the bearing of but a few children.
Fifth Responsory.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity ; therefore God,
thy God, hath anointed thee with the
oil of gladness. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Because of truth, and
meekness, and righteousness.
Answer. Therefore God, thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
T IKE to these is a widow, a
-^ veteran retiring to rest upon
the earned rewards of her chastity,
and who, albeit she layeth down the
arms of wifehood, still ruleth the
order of all her household ; albeit
she be at rest from bearing burdens,
she is careful in the marriage of her
youngers, and with the wisdom of
age chooseth what study is the most
useful, what fruit is the richest, what
wedlock is the meetest. And so,
if the government of the field be
given more to the elder than to the
younger, wherefore shouldest thou
hold that a wife is more useful
than a widow? But if they which
persecuted the faith persecuted also
widowhood, then, surely, in the eyes
of them which hold the faith, must
widowhood be looked upon as a
reward, rather than shrunk from as
a punishment.
Sixth Responsory.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is
vain : a woman that feareth God she
shall be praised. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Give her of the fruit of
her hands, and let her own works
praise her in the gates.
Answer. A woman that feareth
God, she shall be praised. [Alle-
luia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
FOR HOLY WOMEN.
653
Answer. A woman that feareth
God, she shall be praised. [Alle-
luia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
I7t Paschal-time are said tinder the
First Antiphon.
First Antiphon. I am black but
comely, * O ye daughters of Jeru-
salem ; therefore hath the King
loved me, and brought me into His
chamber. [Alleluia.]
Secojtd Antipho7i. Draw me after
thee : * we will run after the savour
of thy good ointments, thy name is
as oil poured forth.
Third Antiphon, Come, Bride of
Christ, * and take the everlasting
crown, which the Lord hath prepared
for thee.
Verse. God hath chosen her, and
fore-chosen her. [Alleluia.]
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His Tabernacle. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lesson,
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xiii.
44-)
A
T that time : Jesus spake unto
His disciples this parable :
The kingdom of heaven is like unto
treasure hid in a field. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {\\th on the Gospels^
Dearly beloved brethren, the king-
dom of heaven is likened unto the
things of earth, to the end that by
the mean of things which we know,
our mind may rise to the contem-
plation of the things which we
know not ; by the ensample of
things which are seen, may fix her
gaze on things which are not seen ;
by the touch of things which she
useth, may be warmed towards the
things which she useth not ; by
things which she knoweth and lov-
eth, to love also the things which
she knoweth not. For, behold,
" the kingdom of heaven is likened
unto treasure hid in a field, the
which when a man hath found, he
hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth
and selleth all that he hath and
buyeth that field."
Seventh Respo7isory.
She openeth her mouth with wis-
dom, and in her tongue is the law of
kindness. She looketh well to the
ways of her household, and eateth
not the bread of idleness. [Alleluia.]
Verse. She tasteth and perceiv-
eth that her merchandise is good.
Her candle goeth not out by night.
Answer. And she eateth not the
bread of idleness. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Lesson.
A ND herein we must remark that
-^~*- the treasure, when once it
hath been found, is hidden to keep
it safe. He who keepeth not
hidden from the praises of men his
eager striving heavenwards, doth not
enough to keep the same safe from
the attacks of evil spirits. In this
life we are, as it were, on the way
home, and the road is beset by evil
spirits, as it were, by highwaymen.
He, therefore, inviteth robbery who
carrieth his treasure glaringly. This
I say, not that our neighbour should
not see our good works — since it is
written : " Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father
654
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Which is in heaven" (Matth. v.
1 6) — but that we should not seek,
by what we do, to gain the praise
of men. Let the outward work
agree with the inward thought, that
by our good works we may give an
ensample to our neighbour, and still,
by our intention, directed only to
the pleasing God, we may also have
liefer that our works were secret.
Eighth Respo7tsory.
^ The kingdom of this world and
all the beauty of life I have es-
teemed as nothing, for the excel-
lency of the love of Jesus Christ
my Lord, Whom, having seen, I
loved ; Whom, having believed, I
longed after. [Alleluia.]
Verse. My heart is overflowing
with a good matter ; I speak of my
works unto the King.
Ajiswer. Whom, having seen, I
loved ; Whom, having believed, I
longed after. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Whom, having seen, I
loved; Whom, having beUeved, I
longed after. [Alleluia.]
Ninth Lesson.
" I ^HE treasure is the desire for
^ heaven ; the field wherein it
is hidden is the earnest observance
wherewith this desire is surrounded.
Whosoever turneth his back upon
the enjoyments of the flesh, and by
earnest striving heavenward, putteth
all earthly lusts under the feet of
disciphne, so that he smileth back
no more when the flesh smileth at
him, and shuddereth no more at
anything that can only kill the body
— whosoever doth thus, hath sold all
that he had, and bought that field.
The Hyjn7i, "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
. First Antiphon. ^ While the king
* sitteth at his table, my spikenard
sendeth forth the smell thereof.
[Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. ^ We will run
after thee, * in the savour of thy
good ointments. The virgins love
them exceedingly. [Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. ^ Lo ! the
winter is past, * the rain is over
and gone. Rise up, my love, and
come away. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. Come, O My
chosen one, * and I will establish
My throne in thee. Alleluia.
Omit this Alleluia betwee?! Septua-
gesima and Easter.
Fifth Antiphon. She is beauti-
ful * among the daughters of Jer-
usalem. [Alleluia.]
Chapter for a Martyr. (Ecclus. li. i.)
T WILL thank Thee, O Lord and
-*- King, and praise Thee, O God
my Saviour. I will give praise un-
to Thy Name, for Thou hast been
my Helper and Defender, and hast
preserved my body from destruction.
Chapter for a Woman neither Virgin
nor Martyr. (Prov, xxxi. lo.)
T 7[ THO can find a virtuous wo-
^ ^ man ? For her price is far
above the rarest merchandise. The
heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he shall have
no need of spoil.
1 Cf. Phil. iii. 8.
Cant. i. II.
^ Cant i. 3, 2 ; ii. ii, lo.
FOR HOLY WOMEN.
655
LAUD we the Saint most sweet
Shining in glory blest,
Who bore a hero's noble heart
Within a woman's breast.
Pierced with the love of Christ
The world's false love she fled :
And Heavenward with might and main
Upon her journey sped.
With fasts she pined the flesh,
But on sweet food of prayer
Feasted her spirit pure ; and now
Doth joys eternal share.
O Christ our King and God !
Thou strength of all the strong !
To Whom alone all holy deeds,
And all great works belong ;
For her deep plaints on high,
To us propitious be ;
And in the glorious Trinity
Glory eterne to Thee. Amen.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Z^acha-
rias. Give her of the fruit of her
hands, * and let her own works
praise her in the gates. [Alleluia.]
Prayer as for Virgins.
/GRACIOUSLY hear us, O God
^^ of our salvation, and grant
that as the Birthday of Thy blessed
handmaid N. {here 7nention her nanie)
doth make us happier, so the fruit
of her godly earnestness may make
us better. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame?i.
PRIME.
Antiphon. While the king, &c.,
(First Antiphon at Lauds. ^
Chapter at the end.
For a Martyr. (Ecclus. li. 8.)
MY soul shall praise the Lord
even unto death, for Thou,
O Lord our God, deliverest such
as wait for Thee, and savest them
out of trouble.
For a Woman neither Virgin nor
Martyr. (Prov. xxxi. 29.)
MANY daughters have gotten
riches, but thou excellest
them all. Favour is deceitful and
beauty is vain ; a woman that feareth
the Lord, she shall be praised.
TERCE.
Afitiphon. We will run, &c.,
{Secoftd Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
In thy comehness and in thy
beauty.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. In thy beauty.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance.
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
^ Hymn by Cardinal Silvius Antonianus ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
656
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
In thy comeliness and in thy
beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Go forward, fare pros-
perously, and reign.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. In thy comeliness and
in thy beauty. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. God shall help her with
His countenance. Alleluia.
Answer. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved. Al-
leluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Lo ! the winter is
past, &c., {Third Antiphon at
Lauds. ^
Chapter for a Martyr. (Ecclus. li. 4.)
THOU hast delivered me, ac-
cording to the multitude of
the mercies of Thy Name, from
them that roared against me, and
that were ready to devour me,
out of the hands of such as sought
after my life, and from the gates
of trouble that were open all
around me.
Chapter for a Woman neither Virgin
nor Martyr. (Prov. xxxi. 10.)
SHE spreadeth out her hand to
the poor, yea, she reacheth
forth her hands to the needy. She
is not afraid of the cold of snow
for her household.
Short Responsory.
God shall help her with His
countenance.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. With His countenance.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
God shall help her with His
countenance. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God is in the midst of
her, she shall not be moved.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God shall help her
with His countenance. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her. Alleluia.
Answer. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle. Alleluia.
Prayer from Lauds.
NONE.
She is beautiful, &c., {Fifth Anti-
phon at Lauds ^
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
FOR HOLY WOMEN.
657
Short Respo?isory.
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
A^iswer. And fore-chosen her.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her,
and fore-chosen her.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
In Paschal-time the above is said
ihus :
God hath chosen her, and fore-
chosen her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. God hath chosen her, and
fore-chosen her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He hath made her to
dwell in His tabernacle.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. God hath chosen her, and
fore-chosen her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips. Alleluia.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever. Alleluia.
Prayer from Lands.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphojts, Chapter^ Hy?n7t, and Verse
/and Answer from Lauds.
Psalms as at First Vespers.
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. She spreadeth out
her hand to the poor, * yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the
needy, and eateth not the bread of
idleness. [Alleluia.]
i©ti}£r iLessons for ti}e SecontJ
^octurn for a jaartgreti
aEoman not a Ftrgtn.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.]
(67M on divers places in the New
Testament.)
THE commemorations which I
love and welcome the most are
the commemorations of the Martyrs,
and, while I love and welcome them
all, more especially do I do so
when the wrestling set before us is
the wrestling of a woman. The
weaker the vessel, the stronger the
grace, the greater the spoils, the
clearer the victory; and that, not
because the sex of the wrestler is
frail, but because the enemy is now
conquered by her through whom
he once conquered.
Fifth Lesson.
BY a woman he overcame, by a
woman he is overcome. A
woman was once his weapon ; a
woman is now become the instru-
ment of his defeat ; he findeth that
the weak vessel cannot be broken.
The first woman sinned and died ;
this one died rather than sin. The
658
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
first, under the delusion of a lying
promise, (Gen. iii. 4,) broke the
law of God ; this one chose rather
to keep covenant with her Bene-
factor, than to keep this present
life. What excuse for softness and
sloth can men any longer hope to
make ? or what forgiveness, when
women bear themselves so bravely
and manfully, and gird themselves
up so nobly for the wrestling of
godliness ?
Sixth Lesson.
SHE had a weak body, and a
sex which is exposed to hurt ;
but grace came, and made nothing
of these frailties. Nothing is stronger
than one in whose mind the fear of
God is firmly and wilfully rooted.
The enemy may threaten fire, or
iron, or beasts, or anything else, but
such an one taketh them all for
matters not worth consideration.
And thus did this blessed woman do.
XEE* dFor i\^t UBiiricatton of a ©fiurtS*
All as 071 Sundays except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST VESPERS.
A7tUpho7is, Chapter, a7id Prayer fro7n
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem,
&c., (Ps. cxlvii., /. 203).
Hy 71171.^
"DLESSED City, heavenly Salem,
^ Vision dear of peace and love.
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of Heaven above,
And, with angel cohorts circled.
As a Bride to earth dost move !
From celestial reahns descending.
Bridal glory round her shed,
To His Presence, decked with jewels,
By her Lord shall she be led :
All her streets, and all her bulwarks.
Of pure gold are fashioned.
Bright with pearls her portal glitters ;
It is open evermore ;
And, by virtue of His merits.
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name, in this
world
Pain and tribulation bore.
Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the Heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed for ever
That His Palace should be decked.
Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son ;
Laud and honour to the Spirit ;
Ever Three and ever One :
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run. Amen.
Verse. This is the house of God,
stoutly builded. [Alleluia.]
Afiswer. Well founded upon a
sure rock. [Alleluia.]
A7itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ The Most High hath hal-
lowed His Tabernacle. * For this
is the House of God, whereon His
Name shall be called, whereof it is
written : My Name shall be there,
saith the Lord. [Alleluia.]
MATTINS.
Invitatory. ^Holiness becometh
the house of God. * In her let us
^ Mediseval hymn, author unknown. Dr Neale's translation from the original text, with
one line altered.
^ Ps. xlv. 5 ; Jer. vii. lo ; 3 Kings viii. 29, &c. ^ Ps. xcii. 5.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
659
worship her Bridegroom, even Christ.
[Alleluia.]
Hyin7i from Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
/;? Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under the first A?itiphon.
First Antiphon. Lift up your
gates, O ye princes, * and be ye lift
up, ye everlasting doors. [Alleluia.]
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the
Lord's, &c., (/. 46.)
Second Antiphon. ^ The Lord
shall be my God, * and this stone
shall be called God's house.
Ps. xlv. God is our refuge, &c.,
0- 97-) "
Third Antiphon. ^ Moses built
an altar * unto the Lord God.
Ps. xlvii. Great is the Lord,
&c., {p. 98.)
Verse. Holiness becometh Thine
house, O Lord, — [Alleluia.]
Answer. For ever. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Second
Book of Paralipomena (vii. i.)
IV T OW when Solomon had made
-*- ^ an end of praying, the fire
came down from heaven, and con-
sumed the burnt-offerings and the
sacrifices ; and the glory of the Lord
filled the house. And the Priests
could not enter into the house of
the Lord, because the glory of the
Lord had filled the Lord's house.
And when all the children of Israel
saw how the fire came down, and
the glory of the Lord upon the
^ Gen. xxviii. 21, 22. ^
house, they bowed themselves with
their faces to the ground upon
the pavement, and worshipped and
praised the Lord, [saying :] For He
is good ; for His mercy endureth for
ever ! Then the King and all the
people offered sacrifices before the
Lord. And King Solomon offered
a sacrifice of twenty-and-two thou-
sand oxen, and an hundred and
twenty thousand sheep. So the
King and all the people dedicated
the house of God.
First Responsory.
When the Temple was dedicated
the people sang praise, and sweet
in their mouths was the sound.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. ^The Lord's house is es-
tablished in the top of the moun-
tains ; and all nations shall flow
unto it.
Answer. And sweet in their
mouths was the sound. [Alleluia.]
Second Lesson.
A ND the Priests waited on their
-^~^ offices ; the Levites also with
instruments of music of the Lord,
which David the King had made
to praise the Lord — " Because His
mercy endureth for ever" — singing
David's hymns by their ministry.
And the Priests sounded trumpets
before them, and all Israel stood.
Moreover, Solomon hallowed the
middle of the Court that was before
the house of the Lord ; for there
he offered burnt-offerings and the
fat of the peace-offerings, because
the brazen altar which Solomon had
made was not able to receive the
burnt-offerings and the meat-offerings
Ex. xvii. 15.
^ Isa. ii. 2.
660
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
and the fat. Also at the same time
Solomon kept the Feast seven days
and all Israel with him, a very great
congregation, from the entering in
of Hamath unto the River of Egypt.
And in the eighth day he made a
solemn assembly ; for they kept the
dedication of the altar seven days,
and the Feast seven days.
Second Responsory.
The Lord's house is established
in the top of the mountains, and
exalted above the hills, and all
nations shall flow unto it, and shall
say : Glory be to Thee, O Lord !
[Alleluia.]
Verse. ^ They shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bring-
ing their sheaves with them.
Answer. And all nations shall
flow unto it, and shall say : Glory
be to Thee, O Lord ! [Alleluia.]
Third Lesson.
nPHUS Solomon finished the
-'- house of the Lord, and the
King's house, and all that came
into Solomon's heart to make in
the house of the Lord, and in
his own house, he prosperously
effected. And the Lord appeared
to him by night, and said unto
him : I have heard thy prayer,
and have chosen this place to My-
self for an house of sacrifice. If
I shut up heaven that there be
no rain, or if I command the locusts
to devour the land, or if I send
pestilence among My people ; if
My people, upon whom My Name
is called, shall pray, and seek My
face, and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land. Now Mine eyes
shall be open and Mine ears attent
unto the prayer that is made in
this place. For now have I chosen
and sanctified this place, that My
Name may be there for ever, and
Mine eyes and Mine heart shall
be there perpetually.
Third Respo7tsory.
^ O Lord, bless this house which
I have built unto Thy Name.
Whosoever shall come unto this
place and pray, then hear Thou
from the excellent throne of Thy
glory. [Alleluia.]
Verse. O Lord, if Thy people
turn and pray toward Thy sanc-
tuary.
Answer. Hear Thou from the
excellent throne of Thy glory.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Hear Thou from the
excellent throne of Thy glory.
[Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. This is none
other but the house of God, and
this is the gate of heaven. [Alle-
luia.]
Ps. Ixxxiii. How lovely are Thy
tabernacles, &c., {p. 142,)
Second Antiphon. ^ Jacob beheld
a ladder set up on the earth, and
^ Ps. cxxv, 6. ^ Founded on Solomon's Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple.
^ Gen. xxviii. 17, 12, 18.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
66 1
the top of it reached to heaven,
and the angels of God descending
on it. And he said : Surely this
place is holy.
Ps. Ixxxvi. Her foundation, &c.,
(A 144.)
Third Antiphon. ^ Jacob set up
the stone for a pillar, and poured
oil upon the top of it.
Ps. Ixxxvii. O Lord God of my
salvation, (/. 145.)
Verse, ^ My house — [Alleluia,]
Answer. Shall be called the
house of prayer. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Lesson.
Fourth Kesponsory.
^ If they pray toward this place,
forgive the sin of Thy people, O
God, and teach them the good way
wherein they should walk, and mani-
fest forth Thy glory in this place.
Verse. * Give ear, O Shepherd of
Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph
like a flock. Thou that sittest upon
the Cherubim.
Answer. Forgive the sin of Thy
people, O God, and teach them
the good way wherein they should
walk, and manifest forth Thy glory
in this place.
Fifth Lesson.
the Tabernacle
of our
T ET
-■— ' heart be swept clean of vices
The Lesson is taken from the
Sermons of St Austin, Bishop
[of Hippo.] {2^27id for the
Season.) and filled with virtues. Let it be
DEARLY beloved brethren, as locked to the devil, and thrown
often as we keep the Dedi- ^P^^ ^^ Christ. Yea, let us so
cation - Feast of some Altar or work, that we may be able to open
Church, if we think faithfully and the door of the kingdom of heaven
carefully, and live holily and right- ^ith the key of good works. For
eously, that which is done in temples ^^en as evil works are so many
made with hands, is done in our ^^Its and bars to close against us
soul by a spiritual building. He ^^^ entrance into life, so beyond
lied not who said : " The temple ^^ubt are good works the key there-
of God is holy; which temple ye ^o. And therefore, dearly beloved
are" (i Cor. iii. 17,) and again: brethren, let each one look into his
"Know ye not that your body is own conscience, and when he findeth
the temple of the Holy Ghost, Which ^^^^ wounds of guilt there, let him
is in you," (vi. 19.) And therefore,
dearly beloved brethren, since by
the grace of God, without any fore-
going deserts of our own, we have
been made meet to become the
Temple of God, let us work as
hard as we can, with His help,
that our Lord may not find in His Surely this is none other but the
Temple, that is, in us, anything house of God, and this is the gate
to offend the eyes of His Majesty. of heaven. [Alleluia.]
^ Gen. xxviii. 17, 12, 18. 2 Mark xi. 17.
^ Founded on Solomon's prayer at the Dedication of the Temple. ^ Ps. Ixxix. i.
first Strive by prayers, fasting, or
almsdeeds to purge his conscience,
and so let him dare to take the
Eucharist.
Fifth Responsory.
How dreadful is this place !
662
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Verse. This is the house of
God, stoutly builded, well founded
upon a sure rock.
Answer. Surely this is none
other but the house of God, and
this is the gate of heaven. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
IIJ^OR if he acknowledge his ini-
"*- quity, and withdraw himself
from the Altar of God, he will
soon attain unto the mercy of the
pardon of God, for, as he that
exalted himself shall be abased,
so shall he that humbleth himself
be exalted. (Luke xiv. ii.) He
who, as I have said, acknowledg-
ing his iniquity, withdraweth him-
self through lowliness from the
Altar of the Church, till he have
mended his life, need have but
little fear that he will be excom-
municated from the eternal marriage-
supper in heaven.
Sixth Resp07isory,
Jacob rose up early in the morn-
ing, and set up the stone for a
pillar, and poured oil upon the top
of it, and vowed a vow unto the
Lord. Surely this place is holy, and
I knew it not. [Alleluia.]
Verse. And Jacob awaked out
of his sleep, and he said :
Answer. Surely this place is holy,
and I knew it not. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Surely this place is holy,
and I knew it not. [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
I?i Paschal-time the Psahns are all
said under the first Antiphon.
First Antiphon. He that dwell-
eth in the help of the Most High
* shall abide under the shadow of
the God of heaven. [Alleluia.]
When " Alleluia " is not said, if the
Office be Semi-double the Psalm begins
with the words " Shall abide under the
shadow;" if Double, with, "He will
say to the Lord."
Ps. xc. He that dwelleth, &c.,
(/. 207.)
Second Antiphon. The Temple
of the Lord is holy. * The same
is God's workmanship and God's
building.
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 148.)
Third Antiphon. ^Blessed be the
glory of the Lord * from His [holy]
place. Alleluia.
OwzV " Alleluia " between Septuages-
ima and Easter.
Ps. xcviii. The Lord reigneth,
&c., O. 158.)
Verse. This is the house of God,
stoutly builded. [Alleluia.]
Ans7uer. Well founded upon a
sure rock. [Alleluia.]
Seve?ith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered
-^~^ and passed through Jericho.
And, behold, there was a man
named Zacchaeus, which was the
chief among the publicans, and he
was rich. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {Bk. viii. on Luke})
Zacch^us was little of stature, that
is, he was not raised aloft among
^ Ezek. iii. 12.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
663
men by nobility of birth, and, like
most of the world, he possessed
few merits. When he heard that
the Lord and Saviour, Who had
come unto His Own, and Whom
His Own had not received, (John i.
II,) was coming, he desired to see
Him. But the sight of Jesus is
not easy ; to any on the earth it is
impossible. And since Zacchaeus
had neither the Prophets, nor yet
the Law, as a gracious help to his
nature, he climbed up into a syca-
more tree, raising his feet above the
vanity of the Jews, and straightening
the crooked branches of his former
life, and therefore he received Jesus
to lodge within his house.
Seventh Respoitsory.
My house shall be called the
house of prayer, saith the Lord.
^ Therein, he that asketh, receiv-
eth ; he that seeketh, findeth ; and
to him that knocketh, it shall be
opened. [Alleluia.]
Verse. ^Ask, and ye shall re-
ceive ; seek, and ye shall find.
Answer. And to him that knock-
eth, it shall be opened. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Lesson.
T T E did well to climb up into a
-*- -■- tree, that a good tree might
bring forth good fruits, (Matth. vii.
17,) and that the slip of the wild
olive, grafted, contrary to nature,
into the good olive, might bring
forth the fruits of the law. (Rom.
xi. 17, 24.) For the root is holy,
however unprofitable the branches.
Their barren beauty hath now been
overshadowed by the belief of the
Gentiles in the Resurrection, as by
a material upgrowth. Zacchaeus,
then, was in the sycamore tree, and
the blind man by the way-side,
(xviii. 35.) For the one, Jesus stood
waiting to show mercy, and asked
him before He healed him, what he
would that He should do for him ;
being unbidden of the other, He
bade Himself to be his Guest,
knowing how rich was the reward
of receiving Him. Nevertheless,
albeit He had heard no words of
invitation, yet had He seen how
his heart went.
Eighth Responsory.
* All thy walls are of stones most
precious. The towers of Jerusalem
shall be built up with jewels. [Al-
leluia.]
Verse. The gates of Jerusalem
shall be built up with the sapphire
stone, and the emerald, and all her
walls round about with stones most
precious.
Answer. The towers of Jerusa-
lem shall be built up with jewels.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The towers of Jerusa-
lem shalt be built up with jewels.
[Alleluia.]
Ninth Lesson.
BUT lest we should seem haughti-
ly to pass by the poor blind
man, and to hurry on to the rich
one, let us stand waiting for him,
as the Lord stood and waited ; let
us ask of him, as Christ asked of
him. Let us ask, because we are
ignorant; Christ asked, because He
1 Luke xi. 9, 10. ^ John xvi. 24 ; Matth. vii. 7.
^ Cf. Tobias xiii. 21, and Apoc, xxi. 18-20.
664
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
knew. Let us ask, that we may
know whence he received his cure ;
Christ asked, that all of us may
know from one ensample where-
through we are to earn a sight of
the Lord. Christ asked, that we
might believe that none, save they
that confess Him, can be saved.
The Hymn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," z's said.
■ LAUDS.
First Antiphon. Holiness be-
cometh Thine house, * O Lord,
for ever. [Alleluia,]
Second Antiphon. My house *
shall be called the house of prayer.
[Alleluia.]
Third Antiphon. This is the
Lord's house * stoutly builded, well
founded upon a sure rock. [Alle-
luia.]
Fourth Antiphon. The Lord's
house is well founded * upon a
sure rock. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. All thy walls
are of stones most precious, * and
the towers of Jerusalem shall be
built up with jewels. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Apoc. xxii. 2.)
T SAW the holy city. New Jeru-
-*- salem, coming down from God
out of heaven, prepared as a Bride
adorned for her husband.
Hyimi.'^
CHRIST is made the sure Found-
ation,
And the precious Corner-Stone,
Who, the two walls underlying.
Bound in each, binds both in one :
Holy Zion's Help for ever,
And her Confidence Alone.
All that dedicated City,
Dearly loved by God on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody ;
God the One, and God the Trina],
Singing everlastingly.
To this Temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts, to-day !
With Thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear Thy people as they pray ;
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls for aye.
Here vouchsafed to all Thy servants
That they supplicate to gain :
Here to have and hold for ever
Those good things their prayers ob-
tain ;
And hereafter in Thy glory.
With Thy blessed ones to reign.
Laud and honour to the Father ;
Laud and honour to the Son ;
Laud and honour to the Spirit ;
Ever Three and Ever One :
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run. Amen.
Verse. This is the Lord's house,
stoutly builded — [Alleluia.]
Answer. Well founded upon a
sure rock. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Zacchseus, make haste and come
down, for to-day I must abide at
thy house. * And he made haste
and came down, and received Him
joyfully into his house. This day
is salvation come from God to this
house. Alleluia.
Between Septuagesima and Easter
omit "Alleluia."
Prayer.
r~\ GOD, Who dost every year
^-^ bring round unto us again
the day whereon this Thine holy
^ Dr Neale, with two lines altered — an alteration applauded by himself. (Mediaeval
Hymns, p. 22.)
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
665
temple was hallowed, and bringest
us again in soundness of body and
mind to be present at Thine holy
worship, graciously hear the suppli-
cations of Thy people, and grant
that whosoever shall come into
this Thine house to ask good at
Thine hand, may be rejoiced in
the obtaining of all his request.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
Oil the actual day o?t which the
Church is dedicated^ aitd also when the
Dedicatio7i Feasts of two Churches come
together, for the other Prayer^ is used
the followi?tg.
OGOD, Who invisibly contain-
est all things, and yet art
pleased for the salvation of men to
show forth visible signs of Thy
power, fill this house with the glory
of Thine indwelling power ; and
grant that all who gather themselves
together to pray in this place, may
receive the good comfort of Thine
help in every tribulation where-
in they cry unto Thee. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who hveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. Holiness becometh,
&c., {First Antiphon at Lauds?)
Chapter at the end. (Apoc. xxi. 4.)
A ND God shall wipe away all
-^^ tears from their eyes, and
there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain ; for
the former things are passed away.
And He That sat upon the throne
said : Behold, I make all things
new.
TERCE.
Antiphon, My house, &c., {Se-
cond Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
Holiness becometh Thine house,
O Lord.
Answer. Holiness becometh
Thine house, O Lord —
Verse. For ever.
Answer. O Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Holiness becometh
Thine house, O Lord.
Verse. This place is holy, where-
in the Priest prayeth.
Answer. For the pardon of the
transgressions and offences of the
people.
/;/ Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
Holiness becometh Thine house,
O Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. Holiness becometh
Thine house, O Lord. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. For ever.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Holiness becometh
Thine house, O Lord. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Ve7'se. This place is holy, where-
in the Priest prayeth — Alleluia.
666
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
• Answer. For the pardon of the
transgressions and offences of the
people. Alleluia.
SEXT.
Antiphon. This is the Lord's
house, &c., {Third Antiphon at
Lauds^
Chapter, (Apoc. xxi. 3.)
AND I heard a great voice out of
the throne, saying : Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them. And
they shall be His people ; and God
Himself shall be with them, and be
their God.
Short Responsory.
This place is holy, wherein the
Priest prayeth.
Answer. This place is holy,
wherein the Priest prayeth —
Verse. For the pardon of the
transgressions and offences of the
people.
Answer. The Priest prayeth.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. This place is holy,
wherein the Priest prayeth.
Verse. This is the Lord's house,
stoutly builded —
Answer. Well founded upon a
sure rock.
In Paschal-time the above is said
thus :
This place is holy, wherein the
Priest prayeth. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. This place is holy,
wherein the Priest prayeth. Al-
leluia, Alleluia.
Verse. For the pardon of the.
transgressions and offences of the
people.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. This place is holy,
wherein the Priest prayeth. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. This is the Lord's house,
stoutly builded. Alleluia.
Answer. - Well founded upon a
sure rock. Alleluia.
NONE.
Antipho7i. All thy walls, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds ^
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
This is the Lord's house, stoutly
builded.
Answer. This is the Lord's
house, stoutly builded —
Verse. Well founded upon a
sure rock.
Answer. Stoutly builded.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. This is the Lord's
house, stoutly builded.
Verse. The Lord's house is
well founded —
Answer. Upon a sure rock,
l?i Paschal-ti?ne the above is said
thus :
This is the Lord's house, stoutly
builded. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. This is the Lord's
house, stoutly builded. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
667
Verse. Well founded upon a
sure rock.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. This is the Lord's
house, stoutly builded. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. The Lord's house is well
founded. Alleluia.
Answer. Upon a sure rock. Al-
leluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphons^ Chapter, and Prayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem,
&c., (Ps. cxlvii.,/. 203.)
Hymn. Blessed city, heavenly
Salem, &c,, {First Vespers.^
Verse. Holiness becometh Thine
house, O Lord — [Alleluia.]
Answer. For ever. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the
Blessed Virgin. How dreadful is
this place. * Surely this is none
other but the house of God and ^^^ ^^ ^^^^.^ ^^i^^ building.^
this IS the gate of heaven. [Alleluia.] 1 g^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ j^^^^ ^^^ ^^
the mountains by the hands of them
~ that preach the truth, and are be-
ing cut square, that they may be
fitted into the everlasting walls.
Many stones are still in the hands
of the workman, and they must not
fall out of his hands if they would
be meet stones, and make part of
the masonry of the temple. This
is that Jerusalem which is builded as
a city, and her foundation is Christ.
So saith the Apostle Paul : " Other
second nocturn.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the
Treatise upon the Psalms, written
by St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
i^On Ps. cxxi.)
JERUSALEM is builded as a
city." Brethren, when David
said that, Jerusalem was no longer
in building, but already builded.
He speaketh then of some city which
is even now being built, and which
I know not, whereunto do run in
faith, the living stones, concerning
whom Peter saith (I. ii. 5): "Ye
also, as lively stones, are built up
a spiritual house," that is, an holy
temple unto God. But what
meaneth he by the words, " Ye al-
so, as lively stones, are built up " ?
If thou believest, thou Hvest ; but
if thou believest, then art thou be-
come a temple of God; as indeed
the Apostle Paul hath it: "The
temple of God is holy, which temple
ye are." (i Cor. iii. 17.)
Fifth Lessofi.
§econ^ ®a^ wttgtn tU Octave.
All as on the Feast, except that the
Antiphons are not doubled, and the
followijig.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture accordi?tg to
the Season.
1 The next two sentences seem to be quoted, or at least taken from the Shepherd of
Hermas.
66^
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
foundation can no man lay than
that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
(i Cor. iii. ii.)
Sixth Lesso7t.
THERE the foundation is first
laid in the earth, then the
walls are builded up thereon, and
the weight of the walls presseth
downward, for the foundation is be-
neath them. But if our foundation
be in heaven, then must we be so
builded as to press, not downward,
but upward. This great Church
which ye behold with your bodily
eyes was builded up by bodies,
and because bodies builded it up,
they laid the foundations thereof
beneath. But we who are builded
up a spiritual house, have our found-
ation above us. Thitherward let us
run, that we may be built in, for
it is of Jerusalem that it is said :
" Our feet have been wont to stand
within thy gates, O Jerusalem ! "
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered and
-^~^ passed through Jericho. And,
behold, there was a man named
Zacchseus, which was the chief
among the publicans, and he w^as
rich. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {^Bk. viii. on Luke.)
(xviii. 43.) " And immediately
[the blind man] received his sight,
and followed Him, glorifying God."
He could not have received his sight
but by following Christ, by glorify-
ing God, and by turning away from
the world. But now let us turn to
speak words of kindness to the rich.
We are fain, if we can, to heal all
men, and we would give no offence
to the rich; and they would have
ground of righteous offence if we
applied to them roughly and untruly
that which is said about a camel
passing through the eye of a needle,
or if we passed them by too quickly,
as represented in Zacchseus.
Eighth Lesson.
'T^HE rich should learn that there
^ is nothing wrong in possess-
ing wealth ; the wrong is in those
who possess wealth without knowing
how to use it. Riches are indeed
a stumbling-block to the wicked, but
to the good they are a means of
grace. Zacchaeus was rich, and he
was one of Christ's chosen ones ;
but when he gave the half of his
goods to the poor, and restored
four -fold anything which he had
taken from any man by false ac-
cusation (for simple restoration is
not enough, neither doth one who
keepeth possession of ill-gotten gains,
really give gifts, in that which he
giveth, since it is not his plunder,
but gifts out of that which is his
own, that are asked for,) [when
Zacchseus, I say, did these things,]
he received manifold recompense.
Ni?ith Lesson.
IT is well mentioned that he was
the chief among the publicans.
Who need give up hope, when he
seeth one that had acquired wealth
by false accusation attain unto
salvation ?
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
669
" And he was rich." Know that
all rich men are not misers.
" He was little of stature." The
Scripture saith nothing of any man's
stature, save of that of Zacchaeus.^
And wherefore ? Perchance his
littleness of stature was spiritual,
being a mental dwarfing through sin,
or a childishness in faith. He had
not yet promised to make restitution;
he had not yet seen Christ ; and he
is well called little. Whereas John
was called great, (Luke i. 15,) John,
who saw Christ, and the Spirit like
a dove descending and abiding on
Him, as he himself "bare record,
saying : I saw the Spirit descending
from heaven like a dove, and It
abode on Him." (John i. 32.)
in this world, that we may be con-
secrated at the end of this world.
The time of building is the time of
work ; the time of consecration is
the time of holiday-keeping. Thus
it was with this building; while it
was yet being put together, there
was toil; now that the believers
in Christ are gathered together in
it, there is rejoicing. BeHeving is,
as it were, the hewing of timbers
from the forests, and stones from
the mountains. Catechising and
baptizing are the shaping and squar-
ing and polishing of the stones by
the hands of the workmen. And
still they make not an house for
the Lord, until they be mortared
together with charity.
Z^iv^ ®a^ voitUn tge ^ctau.
All as on the Feast ^ except that the
Antiphons are not doubled, and the
following.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordiiig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {2^6thfor the Season.)
" I ^HE reason of the present gather-
^ ing is the dedication of an
house of prayer. That house is the
house of our prayers, but the house
of God is ourselves. If we are the
house of God, we are being built
Fifth Lesson.
1VT ONE of these beams and stones
^ ^ could have entered into this
building, unless they had been
meetly joined together, unless they
had been coupled in agreement one
with another, and united, as it were,
in the embrace of love. When thou
seest in any house that the beams
and stones are well joined together,
thou enterest therein boldly, fearing
not that it will fall upon thee. So
also, when the Lord Christ was fain
to enter [into His spiritual temple,
the Church,] and to dwell in us,
He said, as it were to build us :
" A new commandment I give unto
you, that ye love one another."
(John xiii. 34.) "A new command-
ment I give unto you " — ye have
hitherto been old ; ye made Me no
house ; ye lay in your ruins. That
ye may rise, therefore, from your
ruins, love one another.
1 However, Deut. iii. ii ; i Kings (Sam.) x. 23, &c.
670
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Sixth Lesson.
THINK then, my kind friends,^
that according to what hath
been foretold and promised, this
house is being builded throughout
the whole world. When the Jews
returned from the captivity, and the
house of God was builded up again,
it was said in a song extracted from
an older psalm : " Sing unto the
Lord a new song ; sing unto the
Lord, all the earth." ^ That which
the Psalm calleth a new song, the
Lord calleth a new commandment.
For wherefore should we sing a new
song unless it were to tell of a new
love? Since singing is lovers'
wont —
" Love upon the singer's tongue
Prompts the measure that is sung." ^
Let us love, and love unselfishly ;
for we love the Lord, and better
than He there is nothing ; let us
love Him for His own sake, and
ourselves in Him, as for Him.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered, and
-^^^ passed through Jericho. And,
behold, there was a man named
Zacchaeus, which was the chief
among the publicans. And he was
rich. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {^Bk. viii. on Luke.)
[" He sought to see Jesus . . .
and could not, for the press."] What
is this press but the brute herd, which
cannot perceive the crown of wis-
dom ? Therefore, as long as
Zacchaeus remained in the herd, he
could not see Christ. When he
riseth above the herd, then he seeth
Him ; that is to say, when he had
got over the stupidity of the common
people, he gained a view of Him
Whom he desired. " For the Lord
was to pass that way." This is
beautifully added — signifying that
He was about to pass, either where
the sycamore-tree stood, or where
Zacchseus was to believe in Him —
thereby at once affording a mystic
type and conferring a grace. For
thus had He come, to pass by way
of the Jews unto the Gentiles.
Eighth Lesson.
" A ND when Jesus came to the
"^^~^ place, He looked up and
saw him." For now w^as Zacchaeus
climbed up on high amid the blossom
of good works, as in the boughs of
a fruitful tree. And here, since we
have begun to take mystic inter-
pretations, we may remark how de-
lightful a fruit to a believer's taste
is the cheerful rest of the Lord's
Day. See also, how that Zacch^us
in the sycamore was like a young
fig of the new season, in whom, as
^ Charitas vestra.
- Ps. xcv. In the LXX. this Psalm is intituled " An Ode of David, when the house was
built up after the captivity." It is really by David, as appears from i Par. (Chron.) xvi.,
and was composed by him as part of a Psalm for the occasion of the Ark's arrival at
Jerusalem, whence it seems (according to the LXX.) to have been extracted, and used
as suitable to the occasion to which they refer it.
^ Vox hujus cantoris
Fervor est sancti amoris.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
671
in other things, was fulfilled that
which is written : " The fig-tree
putteth forth her green figs." (Cant,
ii. 13.)
Ninth Lesson.
CHRIST came for this, that trees
might bring forth, not fruit,
but men. We have read elsewhere :
" When thou wast under the fig-tree,
I saw thee." (John i. 48.) Nathaniel
was under the tree, that is, above
the root ; for the root is holy, and
he was a righteous man. Neverthe-
less, Nathaniel was still underneath
the tree, for he was under the law ;
but, Zacchgeus had gone up the tree,
for he was above the law ; Nathaniel
was Christ's privy defender, but
Zacchaius was His open preacher.
Nathaniel was still seeking Christ
out of the law, but Zacchgeus had
gone above the law, by giving up
his goods in order to follow the
Lord.
jfoud^ ®<iH mi^ixi i%t Octave.
All as on the Feast ^ except that the
Antiphons are not doubled, and the
followiiig.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seasoji.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso?2.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (256//^ on the Season.)
/^ONSIDER that passage in the
^^ "Song of rejoicing at the
opening of the house of David,".^
which we have just sung amid the
wrecks of the masons' sheds : " Thou
hast put off my sackcloth." That
referreth to the wrecks ; but what
to the new building ? " And girded
me with gladness." Here is the
utterance for the opening of the
house : " To the end that my glory
may sing praise to Thee." And
who is the speaker? Tell it from
his own words. Were I to explain
it, I should only make it darker,
therefore I will but repeat his own
words, and at the sound of his speech
ye shall know him forthwith, that
ye may love him for his address.
Who is he that can say : " O Lord,
Thou hast brought up My soul
from the grave " ?
Fifth Lesson.
^fSJYLO is He Whose soul hath
^ ^ already been brought up from
the grave, but He in Whose mouth
are put elsewhere the words, " Thou
wilt not leave My soul in hell " ?
This Psalm is intituled " a Song of
rejoicing at the opening of the house
of David," and the first thing spoken
of therein is deliverance, as it is
said : " I will extol Thee, O Lord,
for Thou hast lifted me up, and
hast not made my foes to rejoice
over me." Consider that by these
foes are meant the Jews, who
thought that they had slain Christ,
overcome in Him their enemy, and
destroyed Him as they might a man
mortal like other men.
Sixth Lesson.
B
UT He rose again the third day.
and His utterance is
I
will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou
^ Ps. xxix. from which all the texts quoted are taken, except those marked otherwise.
672
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
hast lifted Me up " — in connection
with which, consider the saying of
the Apostle : " God hath highly
exalted Him." (Phil. ii. 9.) "And
hast not made My foes to rejoice
over Me." They rejoiced indeed
over the death of Christ, but at His
Resurrection, Ascension, and preach-
ing, some of them were cut to the
heart. When He was preached, the
faithful testimony of His Apostles
cut some of them to the heart,
and some were converted, and
some were hardened, and some were
confounded, but none rejoiced.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
A T that time : Jesus entered and
-^~^ passed through Jericho. And
behold, there was a man named
Zacch^eus, which was the chief
among the publicans, and he was
rich. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great,] {Bk. xxviii. of Moral {Re-
flections on Job\ ch. 27.)
If we would be truly wise, and
behold wisdom herself, we must
humbly acknowledge ourselves to be
fools. Let us cast away harmful
wisdom, and learn praiseworthy folly.
For this reason indeed is it written :
" God hath chosen the foolish things
of the world, to confound the wise."
(i Cor. i. 27.) And again it is
said : " If any man among you
seemeth to be wise in this world,
let him become a fool, that he may
be wise." (iii. 18.) And unto this
doth the very Gospel bear witness.
wherein it is said that Zacchseus
" sought to see Jesus, Who He
was ; and could not for the press,
because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed
up into a sycamore tree to see Him ;
for He was to pass that way." For
this name Sycamore, being inter-
preted, signifieth the " Foolish Fig." ^
Eighth Lesson.
T ITTLE Zacchgeus therefore ac-
^-^ cepted the humiliation of hav-
ing recourse to the sycamore — and
saw the Lord. They who humbly
choose to be fools in the estimation
of the world, have a deep insight
into the wisdom of God. The press
standeth in our way, on account
of our little stature, when we are
fain to see the Lord ; for the toil-
some din of worldly business tor-
menteth our weak minds, so as to
hinder our perceiving the light of
the truth. But we climb up wisely
into the sycamore tree, if we willingly
give up our minds to that folly which
God giveth unto us. What can be
more utter folly (in this world) than
not to seek for that we have lost, to
leave that whereof we have been
robbed in the hands of our de-
spoilers, to take no revenge for
wrongs which have been done us,
yea, even to offer to him that taketh
away our cloak, our coat also, and
be patient?
Ninth Lessofi.
" f ^HE Lord biddeth us, as it were,
^ to climb up into the syca-
more, where He saith : " Of him
^ Sukamoros — which St Gregory seems to have derived from sukos, a fig, and m6ros,
(pr. vnuros,) a fool, but the derivation now generally accepted is sukos, a fig, and moros,
a mulberry, as a plant combining certain characteristic features of both trees.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
673
that taketh away thy goods, ask
them not again." (Luke vi. 30.)
And again : " Whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him
the other also." (Matth. v. 39.)
From the boughs of this sycamore
tree, the Lord is seen passing by.
He may indeed, as yet, not be seen
face to Face, but by this wise folly
the inward eye may see the Wisdom
of God, as it were, passing by, even
that Wisdom Which they that are
wise in their own conceit cannot
see. They are mixed up in the
overbearing press of their own im-
aginations, and have not yet found
the sycamore tree whereinto to climb
up, if they would see the Lord.
imagine that this maketh the Jews
to rejoice ? Churches are built, con-
secrated, and filled ; wherefore should
they rejoice ? Not only do they not
rejoice, but they are put to con-
fusion ; and the words are fulfilled
which are written : "I will extol
Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast lifted
me up, and hast not made my foes
to rejoice over me " — Thou hast not
made them to rejoice over Me, for
even if they turn and believe in
Me, Thou wilt make them to re-
joice, not over Me, but in Me.
Lest we should make overlong our
exposition of our song, let us take
another point. How saith Christ :
" Thou hast put off My sackcloth,
and girded Me with gladness " ?
His sackcloth was the likeness of
sinful flesh.
All as on the Feast, except that the
Antiphons are 7iot doubled, and the fol-
lowing.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {^2^6thfor the Seaso?i.)
" nPHOU hast not made my foes
^ to rejoice over me." (Ps.
xxix. 2.) Now-a-days, when Churches
are filled with
VOL. II.
believers, do we
Fifth Lesson.
THINK not lightly thereof, be-
cause He calleth it His sack-
cloth; the price of thy redemption
was wrapped up in it. " Thou hast
put off My sackcloth." Let us turn
aside to look more closely at this
sackcloth — "Thou hast put off My
sackcloth." The sackcloth was put
off when He suffered. How saith
He, therefore, unto God the Father,
" Thou hast put off My sackcloth " ?
Wilt thou hear how it is that He
saith unto the Father, "Thou
hast put off My sackcloth"? It
is because God "spared not His
Own Son, but deHvered Him up
for us all." (Rom. viii. 32.) By
means of the Jews, w^ho knew^ not
what they did. He did that where-
by they that knew should be re-
deemed, and they that gainsaid
should be put to confusion. They
6/4
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
know not what good their evil deed
hath done for us. The sackcloth
was hung up, amid the rejoicings
of the ungodly — the persecutor
rent it with his spear, and the Re-
deemer caused our price to spring
forth.
Sixth Lesso?t.
LET Christ the Redeemer sing,
let Judas that sold Him groan,
and the Jews that bought Him
blush. Judas sold Him, and the
Jews bought Him, and both buyer
and seller in the wicked bargain are
condemned, both alike have cast
themselves away. Let our Head
therefore speak concerning His slain
Body, His hallowed Body — let Him
speak, and let us Hsten. " ' Thou,' "
saith He, " ' hast put off My sack-
cloth, and girded Me with gladness '
— Thou hast put off My mortality,
and hast girded Me with immortality
and incorruption — 'to the end that
My glory may sing praise unto Thee,
and not be silent.' " What meaneth
this, "and not be silent"? "No
more shall the lance pierce Me,
and I hang silent under the blow."
For " Christ being raised from
the dead, dieth no more ; death
hath no more dominion over Him."
(Rom. vi. 9.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered and
^^^ passed through Jerichq. And,
behold, there was a man named
Zacchaeus, which • was the chief
among the publicans. And he was
rich. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow, and Doctor of the
Church,] (yBk. v. ch. 77 on Luke
xix.)
" The things which are impossible
with men, are possible with God."
(xviii. 27.) For behold the camel,
when he hath laid aside his load,
passeth through the eye of a needle,
that is to say, the rich man and the
publican, when he putteth off from
him the burden of his riches, and
despiseth to be wealthy by unjust
means, entereth into the strait gate
and narrow way which leadeth unto
life. He that with earnest faith
desired to see the Saviour, helped
the defect of his natural stature by
climbing up into a tree, and thereby
he earned what he longed for, but
dared not to ask, even the blessed-
ness of having the Lord to abide
as a guest at his house.
Eighth Lesson.
^7 ACCH^US, whose name, being
-^-^ interpreted, signifieth "Justi-
fied," is a type of such from among
the Gentiles as believe. The more
they be harassed by the cares of
this world, the more they be weighed
down by the sense of sin, the hum-
bler is their prayer. " But," [saith
the Apostle Paul unto such,] " ye are
washed, — but, ye are sanctified, —
but, ye are justified, in the Name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of
our God." (i Cor. vi. 11.) Such
desired to see the Saviour as He
entered into Jericho, but could not
for the press, for, albeit wishful for
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
675
that grace of faith which the Saviour
brought into the world, the long-used
habit of sin stood in the way of the
desire.
Ninth Lesso7z.
" ! ^HE press of evil habits which
-^ rebuked the blind man, that
he should hold his peace, and not
cry for light, the same press hind-
ered the publican from seeing Jesus.
But even as the blind man over-
came them by crying so much the
more, so must he that is little of
stature needs get above the obstruc-
tion of the harmful crowd, by seek-
ing an higher place, ascending from
the earth, and betaking him up into
the tree, that is, the Cross. And
the Cross is a Sycamore, (a tree
with leaves somewhat like to those
of a mulberry, but higher, whence
also it is called by the Latins
"Celsa," that is, the High tree,)
for the name " Sycamore " signifi-
eth, being interpreted, the " Foolish
Fig," and thus is the Cross, which
feedeth us with figs them that be-
lieve, but is mocked at as foolish-
ness by them that believe not.
^ijct^ ®a^ wt^gtn iU Octave.
All as on the Feast ^ except that the
Ajitiphons are ?iot doubled^ a?id the fol-
lowing.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordifig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop
[of Hippo.] (256M for the
Season.)
T^HEREFORE, while I joyfully
^ gaze upon the new walls of
this holy Church, which we this day
hallow unto the name of God, I find
that I owe high praise to our God,
and to you, my holy brethren, a
suitable discourse upon the building
of the house of God. But my dis-
course will only be suitable if it
contain for your spiritual up-build-
ing,^ that which, God inwardly
building, may avail toward your
souls' health. That building which
we behold with our bodily eyes,
wrought in these walls, must be re-
flected spiritually in our minds, and
that finish which we see in stone
and wood, it must be the work of
God's grace to finish within our
own bodies.
Fifth Lesson.
TN the first place, therefore, let us
■^ give thanks unto our Lord
God, from Whom cometh down
every good gift and every perfect
gift. (James i. 17.) Let us with all
the cheerfulness of our hearts praise
Him for having put it into the
thoughts of His faithful ones to
raise unto Him this house of prayer,
stirred up their love and given them
help, breathed the will into them
when they as yet had it not, and
then enabled them to carry out
^ This sentence contains an untranslateable play upon the word "edification."
6j6
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
their will. " For it is God Which
worketh in you both to will and
to do of His good pleasure."
(Phil. ii. 13.) And thus it is He
Himself Who hath begun, and
hath finished.
Sixth Lesson.
A ND forasmuch as He never
■^^^ suffereth good works to lie
unrewarded' in His sight, He will
give a reward meet for so great a
work to those His faithful ones, unto
whose labours He hath already given
His helpful blessing. And yet have
we more thanks to give unto our
Lord God. For this Church, which
He hath caused to be builded unto
His Name, He hath made more
honourable with the reliques of His
holy Martyrs.
Zacchaeus had already run before,
and climbed up into a sycamore-
tree. Thus did He send through-
out the world the preachers of His
Word, in whom Himself did indeed
speak and go, and so came unto
those who were already high up-
lifted by believing in His sufferings,
and fain to be blessed with the full
revelation of His Godhead. " He
looked up, and saw him " — for the
eyes of His choice were toward one
whom the grace of faith had raised
above earthly desires, and who stood
aloft above the unbelieving multi-
tudes. " To look on " signifieth
with God to choose or to love ;
whence it. is said : "The eyes of the
Lord are upon the righteous." (Ps.
xxxiii. 16.) Even we also hasten to
look at things which we love, while
we turn our eyes away from what is
loathesome to us.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered and
-^^^ passed through Jericho. And,
behold, there was a man named
Zacchaeus, which was the chief
among the publicans. And he was
rich. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow, and Doctor of the
Church.] {Bk. v. ch, 77, on Luke
xix.)
"And when Jesus came to the
place. He looked up, and saw him."
The Saviour, passing through Je-
richo, came to the place whither
Eighth Lesson.
JESUS therefore looked on one
that was fain to look on Him,
chose one that chose Him, and
loved one that loved Him. This
progress, namely, to go on, by be-
lieving in the Lord's Incarnation, to
an acknowledgment of His God-
head, is, as it were, to climb up
into a sycamore-tree to catch a sight
of Jesus' Face ; this progress, I say,
the excellent Teacher [Paul] point-
eth at, when he saith : "I deter-
mined not to know anything among
you, save Jesus Christ, and Him
Crucified." (i Cor. ii. 2.) And
again in rebuking certain he saith :
"Ye are become such as have need
of milk, and not of strong meat,"
(Heb. V. 12)— herein signifying by
milk the weakness of the dispensa-
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
677
tion in time, and by strong meat,
the sublimity of the everlasting
glory.
Nmth Lesson.
" A ND [Jesus] said unto him :
^^^ Zaccheeus, make haste and
come down, for to-day I must abide
at thine house. And he made
haste, and came down, and received
Him joyfully." The Lord abode
awhile in the house of the chief of
the Pharisees — that is to say, He
taught in the synagogue of the Jews ;
but since they spake against Him
with envenomed tongues, because
He washed not His hands before
He sat down to eat, because He
healed on the Sabbath Day, because
He received publicans and sinners,
because He rebuked their greed, and
did other things worthy of God, He
was wearied by their wickedness,
and turned away and left them, say-
ing : " Behold, your house is left
unto you desolate." (Matth. xxiii.
38.) But to-day He must abide in
the house of little Zacchseus — that
is to say. He must rest, while the
beams of the new light are bright,
in the lowly hearts of the believing
nations.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
^tnx^i% ®a^ mi^\\K i^ Octave.
All as on the Feast., except that the
A7itipho7is are not doubled., a7id the fol-
lowing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.]
{Horn. 2>?> ^^ Matth. ix.)
^ I ^HE Church is the common
^ house of all. Hereinto ye
first do enter, and then we, keeping
the form of the disciples ; and there-
fore, so soon as we be come in, that
we may follow the rule given to
them, (Luke x. 5,) we greet you all
with the salutation of "Peace." Let
no one then be drowsy, let no one
keep his mind occupied with worldly
business, when the Priests are come
in for the sermon. The punishment
for doing so is no light one. I had
a thousand times rather be left alone
in one of your own houses, when I
come to visit you, than that ye
should not listen unto me when I
am preaching here. This would vex
me more than that, for this is more
your house than that.
Fifth Lesson.
FOR this is the house wherein
our greatest treasures and our
hopes are laid up. What is there
here that is not great and wonder-
ful ? The Table here is the most
precious and glorious of tables. The
lamp here is the most precious and
glorious of lamps, as they know who
have in faith been anointed with oil
therefrom, and been healed of sick-
ness.^ The Ambry '^ here is far the
best and the most needful, for there-
1 The oil used for Extreme Unction is; in the Greek rite, taken from the lamp that
burns before the picture of our Lord.
- Area, no doubt the Tabernacle.
6jZ
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
in is laid up, not raiment, but mercy
— albeit they be few that take It.
The bed here is the noblest of beds,
for what can be better than that
pillow whereon resteth the written
Word of God ? ^
Sixth Lesson.
AND in good sooth, if we were
all at one, we should have
none other house than this. And
that I utter not herein an hard
saying, witness those three thousand
and five thousand who had but one
house and one table and one mind.
"The multitude of them that be-
lieved," saith [the author of the Acts
of the Apostles] "were of one heart
and of one soul" (iv. 32.) But
since we are far from such perfection
as their's, and are parted in divers
houses, let us strive to be like them,
at least when we come together here.
For albeit in other things we are
poor and needy, do ye at the least
welcome us kindly when we come in
hither among you ; and when I say,
"Peace be unto you," do ye answer,
not with your voices only but with
your hearts, " And with thy spirit."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. i.)
A T that time : Jesus entered and
-^-^ passed through Jericho. And,
behold, there was a man named
Zacchseus, which was the chief
among the publicans. And he was
rich. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow, and Doctor of
the Church.] {Continuation of the
last. )
" And when they saw it, they all
murmured, saying, That He was
gone to be guest with a man that
is a sinner." It is clear that the
Jews have always hated that the
Gentiles should be saved. It is
written : " And the next Sabbath-
Day came almost the whole city
together, to hear the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multi-
tudes, they were filled with envy,
and spake against those things which
were spoken by Paul." (Acts xiii.
44.) And elsewhere it is told how
that even the faithful brethren con-
tended with the Prince of the
Apostles, " saying, Thou wentest in
to men uncircumcised, and didst eat
with them." (xi. 3.)
Eighth Lesson.
" A ND Zacchaeus stood, and said
■^^ unto the Lord : Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give
to the poor ; and if I have taken
anything from any man by false
accusation I restore him four-fold."
While others were blaming the
sinner, Zacchaeus himself stood, that
is, continued in that truth of faith
wherein he had begun, and showed
himself to be not only a sinner con-
verted, but even to have taken a
place among the perfect. " If,"
saith the Lord, "thou wilt be per-
fect, go and sell that thou hast, and
give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven." (Matth.
xix. 21.) If a man before his con-
lu Greek Churches a copy of the Gospels is kept lying on the altar.
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
679
version have lived blamelessly, after
his conversion he can give to the
poor all that he hath —
Ninth Lesson.
BUT if he have had any unjust
dealings, he is bound first of
all, according to law, to make resti-
tution, and not till afterwards must
he give to the poor that which re-
maineth unto him. And thus will it
become true of him also, when he
keepeth nothing for himself, but
hath dispersed and hath given to
the poor, that " his righteousness
endureth for ever." (Ps. cxi. 9.)
And this is that wise folly, which
the publican gathered from his
sycamore-tree, like life-giving fruit,
namely, to make restitution of that
which he had robbed, to give away
that which was his own, to hold
cheap the things which are seen, to
be fain even to die for the things
which are not seen, to deny himself,
and to will to follow in the steps of
that Lord upon Whom thitherto he
had not looked.
Oc^at>e=:®a^ of i^t ©e^tcatton.
Double.
All as on the Feast ^ except the fol-
lowing.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of Pope St Felix IV.i
(^On Consecration, dist, i. ch. 2.)
"Kl T'E read that Moses, by the
^ * command of the Lord,
made and hallowed a tabernacle,
with the table and altar, and other
vessels and furniture thereof, for the
worship of God ; and we know that
he hallowed the same, not only by
prayers to God, but by anointing
them, at the command of the Lord,
with holy oil. How these things
were done, and how none others but
Priests anointed with holy ointment,
and arrayed before the Lord in holy
garments, and Levites, handled, car-
ried, set up, and put in order these
holy things, all this is to be found
written in the Law of the Lord,
among the ordinances which Moses
wrote down at the command of the
Lord.
Fifth Lesson.
TN the Books of Kings we read
^ how David, the most godly of
princes, made more splendid the
worship of God, and was fain to
build a temple unto the Lord, but
was withheld, because of the quantity
of blood which he had shed, and
only gathered together treasures for
that end ; and how Solomon his
son, at the command and with the
help of God, did that which his
father had desired to do, and hal-
lowed the temple and the altar and
the other things pertaining to the
worship of God. "And at that time
Solomon held a Feast, and all Israel
with him, a great congregation, from
the entering in of Hamath unto the
River of Egypt, before the Lord
our God seven days and seven days,
even fourteen days, and on the
eighth day he sent the people away."
(3 Kings viii. 65, 66.)
A.D. 526-30.
68o
THE COMMON OF SAINTS.
Sixth Lesson. {Ch. 17.)
THE Feast of the Dedication of
Churches and Priests is to be
kept year by year, as the Lord Him-
self hath given us an ensample, that
we should follow His steps, by com-
ing with the rest of the people to
keep the Feast of the Dedication of
the Temple ; as it is written : " It
was at Jerusalem the Feast of the
Dedication, and it was winter. And
Jesus walked in the temple in
Solomon's Porch." (John x. 22,
23.) That these Dedication.Feasts
are to be kept for eight days, ye will
find in the Third Book of Kings,
after the account of the Dedication
of the Temple.
In the Third Nocturn are read the
Lessons from the first day omitted with-
in the Octave.
Clje ^toptv £)ffice of t|)e faints.
February 4.
&i ^nlixt'm Corstnt, 3Stsi|op
[of JFte00le,] donfejSgor.
Doitble.
All from the Common Office for One
Bishop and Confessor^ (J). 581,) except
10 hat is otherwise given here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Prayer throughout.
C\ GOD, Who dost continually
^-^ raise up in Thy Church new
ensamples of godly living, grant
unto Thy people so to follow in
the steps of Thy blessed Bishop
and Confessor Andrew, that at the
last they may together with him
attain unto Thine eternal reward.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
First Vespers as regards St Andrew
begin with the Chapter. A Commem-
oration is made of St Lawre7tce from
the Common Office., (p. 591,) with the
Prayer, " Hear, O Lord, &c." If it
he Leiit a Commemoration must be
made of the Week-day., which rule is
to be invariably observed throughout
that Season.
JNIATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season. If it be in Lent., then
they are from the Common Office^
("This is a true saying, &c.," p.
582,) which ride is to be invariably
observed when neither the Week-day
nor the Feast has proper Lessons from
Scripture.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
■T^HIS Andrew was born at Flor-
ence, of the noble family of
Corsini, [upon the 30th day of No-
vember, in the year 1302.] His
birth was a special answer to prayer,
and his parents vowed him to the
Blessed Virgin. ^ God fore -showed
even before his birth what he was
to be. While his mother was great
with child she dreamt that she
brought forth a wolf, which ran to
the Carmelite Church and was
changed into a lamb as soon as
it reached the porch. The lad was
brought up, in godliness and learn-
ing becoming his rank, but turned
to bad courses ; wherefore his mother
often rebuked him. Nevertheless,
when he knew how his parents had
vowed him to the Maiden Mother
of God, the love of God touched
1 Perhaps to wear white for his first seven years, in honour of her purity. Such is not an
uncommon vow in some Cathohc countries.
VOL. II.
2 A
682
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
his heart, and the vision of his
mother moving him, he betook him-
self to the Institute of the Carme-
htes. In that place the devil ex-
ercised him with many and divers
temptations, but could not break
him off from his determination to
profess as a friar. He was soon
after sent to Paris, where he finished
his studies at the University, and
took his degree ; after which he
returned to his own country, and
was set over the houses of his
Order in Tuscany.
FiftJi Lesson.
'T^HE Bishop of Fiesole being
dead, the Church in that place
chose Andrew Corsini for his suc-
cessor. He held himself altogether
unworthy of that office, and for a
long time lay hidden and unknown,
till he was betrayed by the voice
of a child marvellously speaking,
and found outside the city. Then,
lest he should seem to resist the
Will of God, he took the Bishoprick,
[in the year 1360.] Being dignified
with this office, he set himself to a
more perfect exercise of the virtue
of lowliness, whereof he was already
a diligent practiser. He was emi-
nent in watchfulness over the flock
committed to his charge, joining
thereto great tenderness and liber-
ality towards the poor. He con-
tinued instant in prayer and watch-
ing. Thus was he so adorned with
these and many other virtues, and
even with the gift of prophecy, that
the fame of his holy life was in the
mouths of all men.
Sixth Lesson.
T T RBAN v., moved by the fame
of his godly conversation, sent
him as his Legate to quiet disturb-
ances at Bologna. He endured
much in the discharge of this duty,
calming with great wisdom the
angry passions of the citizens, who
had broken out into civil war, and
when peace was restored, he re-
turned home. Shortly after, he re-
ceived from the Blessed Virgin a
warning of his approaching death,
and being worn out with his un-
ceasing toil, and the rigour of his
voluntary mortifications, he passed
to the kingdom of heaven, [upon
the 6th day of January,] in the
year of our Lord 1373, and the
71st of his own age. His name
became illustrious for many and
great miracles, and Urban VIII.
enrolled him in the number of the
Saints. His body resteth at Flor-
ence in the Church of his Order,
and is looked on with great rever-
ence b)^ the citizens, to whom, even
in these days, he hath more than
once shown himself a protector.
THIRD XOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 14, "A
man travelling, &c.," with the Homily
of St Gregory., (^.588.)
If it is ill Lent the Ninth Lesson
("And so he that had received five
talents, &c.,") is either omitted or read
as one with the Eighth., and the NiJtth
Lesson is of the Gospel of the Week-
day., with the Comme7itary up07i the
same., being either the first of the three
Lesso7is of the Week-day^ or the whole
three read as 07ie. This ride is i7iva-
riably to be observed whe7i the Week-
day has a p7'oper Gospel.
Prayer throughout the day as at
First Vespers^ a7id at Lauds a C0771-
me77ioratio7i is 7nade of the Week-day if
it be i7i Le7it., which rule is i7ivariably
to be observed. '
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
683
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 5 th day of February, were
born into the better life—
At Catania, in Sicily, [in the year
251,] the holy Virgin and martyr
Agatha. In the time of the Emperor
Decius, under the Judge Quinctian, she
endured buffeting and imprisonment,
racking and torments. Her breasts
were cut off, and she was rolled upon
potsherds and coals, and at last died
in prison, in prayer to God.
In Pontus, are commemorated very
many holy martyrs in the persecution
under the Emperor Maximian, [fourth
century.] Some had molten lead
poured upon them, some were tor-
tured by having sharp reeds thrust
under their nails, and were tormented
with many most grievous sufferings,
Avhich were renewed again and again,
and so by their illustrious passion
earned palms and crowns from the
Lord.
At Alexandria, the holy martyr
Isidore, who in the persecution under
the Emperor Decius was beheaded by
Numerian, chief of the army, for
Christ's faith's sake.
In the empire of Japan, [in the year
15975] twenty-six holy martyrs, [some
Franciscans, some their pupils, and
three Jesuits — killed at Naugazaki,]
who were crucified, and then died
gloriously, transfixed with spears, while
they were praising God and proclaim-
ing His Gospel, whose names were en-
rolled among those of the saints by
the supreme Pontiff Pius IX.
At Vienne, [in Dauphiny,] the
blessed Confessor Avitus, [in the year
525,] Bishop of that see, by whose
faith, labour, and wonderful teaching
Gaul was shielded against the Arian
heresy.
At Brixen, holy Genuinus, [or In-
genuinus, in the year 640,] Bishop [of
Siben, in the Tyrol,] and Albinus, [in
the year 1015,] Bishop [of Brixen,]
whose lives were rendered glorious by
miracles.
Vespers are from the Chapter {in-
clusive) of the following.
February 5.
St agat{)a, Ftrgin ant»
Jflartgr.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Virgin and Martyr., {p. 636,) except
what is otherwise give?i here.
FIRST VESPERS.
These Vespers are of St Andrew
Corsini^ up to the Chapter exclusive.,
but if they should be all of St Agatha^
{as for instance^ in her own Churchy)
the Antipho7is are taken from Lauds.,
and the Psalms are as on Sundays.^
except the last., which is Ps. cxvi., " O
praise the LORD, &c.," {p. 186.)
Chapter and Prayer from Lauds. -
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. The blessed Agatha stood in
the midst of the prison, and stretched
forth her hands, and prayed unto the
Lord, saying : O Lord jESUS Christ,
my Good Master, I thank Thee be-
cause Thou hast made me to over-
come the cruelty of the executioners :
and now, O Lord, may it please Thee
that I should happily attain unto Thy
glory, which fadeth not away.
A Cojn^nemoration is made of St
Andrew Corsini. Prayer as at his
First Vespers.
MATTINS.
Psalms as i7i the Common Office for
One Martyr {p. 548.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. I am well born.
684
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
and of a respectable family, as all my
relations testify.
Second Antiphon. The best Of my
birth is, that I was born the slave of
Christ.
Third Antipli07t. I look like a
slave, because I am one — the slave of
Christ.
Lessons fro?n Ecclus. li. i, {p. 645-)
First Responsory.
While the blessed Agatha was being
grievously tortured in the breasts, she
said to the judge : Thou foul, cruel,
and bloody tyrant, art thou not
ashamed to do this to me, having
thyself sucked at a mother's breast ?
Verse. I have breasts within,
which have been the Lord's from my
childhood, and them thou canst .not
mangle.
Answer. Thou foul, cruel, and
bloody tyrant, art thou not ashamed
to do this to me, having thyself sucked
at a mother's breast ?
Second Responsory.
Agatha went to prison with great
joy and exultation, like a guest to a
banquet, and recommended her struggle
to the Lord in prayer.
Verse. She, the daughter of a most
noble race, rejoiced when a vile person
haled her to prison.
Ansiver. She went like a guest
to a banquet, and recommended her
struggle to the Lord in prayer.
Third Responsory.
Who art thou, who comest to heal
my wounds ? I am an Apostle of
Christ : have no fear of me, my
daughter : He hath sent me to thee
Whom thy soul and thy pure heart
love.
Verse. For I am His Apostle, and
I bid thee know that thou art healed
in the Name of Him.
A7tswer. Whom thy soul and thy
pure heart love.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Whom thy soul and thy
pure heart love.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The holy Agatha
said : Dost thou promise me beasts ?
When they hear Christ's name they
grow tame.
Second Antiphon. If thou put the
fire to me, Angels will bring me a
saving dew from heaven.
Third Antiphon. Agatha went to
prison with great joy and exultation,
like a guest to a banquet, and recom-
mended her struggle to the Lord in
prayer.
Fourth Lesson.
'T^HE Maiden Agatha was a Sicilian
of noble birth. The citizens of
Palermo and Catania dispute as to
which city had the honour of being
her birthplace. It was at Catania
that, during the persecution under the
Emperor Decius, she won the crown
of a glorious martyrdom. She was
equally celebrated for her beauty and
her chastity, and Quintianus, Praetor
of Sicily, conceived a passion for her.
He tried every sort of device to over-
come her modesty, and when he found
it impossible to make her consent to
his wishes, he caused her to be ar-
rested on a charge of Christian super-
stition, and handed over to a woman
named Aphrodisia to be corrupted.
The company, however, of this woman
had no effect in shaking her con-
stancy in the Christian worship, nor
her settled determination to preserve
her purity. Aphrodisia therefore re-
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
685
ported to Quintianns that she was
only throwing away her pains on
Agatha. He ordered her to be
brought before him. "Thou," said
he, "art the daughter of a noble
family — dost thou feel no shame in
living the degraded and slavish life
of a Christian ? " Agatha answered
him, "The lowliness and bondage of
a Christian are far nobler than the
estate and pride of a king."
Fourth Responsory.
But by the Lord's help I will con-
tinue to acknowledge Him Who hath
saved me, and strengthened me.
Verse. I thank Thee, O my Lord
Jesus Christ, because Thou hast sent
Thine Apostle unto me to heal my
wounds.
Answer. And strengthened me.
Fifth Lesson.
n^HEN the Prsetor, being incensed
against her, gave her the alter-
native of -either sacrificing to the gods,
or being submitted to the torture ;
and as she remained firm in the faith,
she was buffeted and sent back to
prison. The next day she was brought
forth, and, because her resolution was
still unshaken, she was stretched on
the rack and tortured Avith pieces of
white-hot metal. Then her breasts
were cut off. When Agatha received
this injury she cried out to Quintianus,
" Cruel tyrant, art thou not ashamed
to do this to me, having thyself sucked
at a mother's breast ? " She was re-
manded again to prison and put in
irons. That night an old man, who
called himself an Apostle of Christ,
came to her, and healed her wounds.
The following day she was brought
for the last time before the Praetor.
Her constancy was unmoved, and she
was rolled on sharp potsherds and
live embers.
Fifth Responsory .
He hath cured me Who hath sent
His Apostle Peter to the prison to
strengthen me, after I was ordered
to be put on the rack. Because
of my chastity, help me, O Lord
my God, for they are torturing my
breasts.
Verse. He hath vouchsafed to heal
me of all my wounds, and to put new-
paps on my breasts.
Answer. Because of my chastity,
help me, O Lord my God, for they
are torturing my breasts.
Sixth Lesson.
A T that time the whole city was
^^ shaken with a great earth-
quake, and two of the PrcStor's
dearest friends, Silvinus and Fal-
conius, were killed by falling
walls. The townspeople were in
an uproar, and Quintianus, in fear
of a riot, ordered Agatha, who was
half dead, to be carried back to
prison quietly. Then she made
the following prayer: "O Lord,
Who hast been my Keeper from
my childhood. Who hast taken
from me all love for this present
world, Who hast strengthened me
so that I am more than conqueror
over the cruelty of the executioners,
receive my spirit," and with these
words she passed to heaven. She
finished her testimony on the 5th
day of February, [in the year of
our Lord 251.] Her body was
buried by the Christians.
Sixth Responsory.
O Lord, Thou hast seen and
known how I have fought, and
how I have run in the race ; but,
because I would not obey the
magistrates, they ordered me to be
tortured in the breasts.
6S6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Verse. Because of truth, and
meekness, and righteousness,
Aiiswer. They ordered me to be
tortured in the breasts.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. They ordered me to be
tortured in the breasts.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Unless thou
make the executioners to handle my
body vigorously, my soul will not be
able to enter into the Lord's para-
dise with the palm of martyrdom.
Seco7td Antiphon. O Lord, Thou
hast seen how I have fought, and
how I have run in the race ; but,
because I would not obey the
magistrates, they ordered me to be
tortured in the breasts.
TJiird AntipJion. Because of my
chastity they ordered me to " be
stretched upon the rack : help me,
O Lord my God, for they are tor-
turing" my breasts.
Ps. XV. Preserve me, O Lord, iS:c.,
(A 1^0
Lessons from Matth. xix. 3, with
the Homily of St fohn Chrysostom.,
{p. 647.)
Seventh Responsory.
When the blessed Agatha came
into the prison, she stretched forth
her hands to God, and said : O
Lord, Who hast made me to over-
come the cruelty of the execu-
tioners, may it please Thee that I
should attain unto Thy mercy.
Ve7se. O Lord, Who hast made
me, Who hast taken from me all
love for this present world, and Who
hast saved my body from pollution,
Answer. May it please Thee
that I should attain unto Thy
mercy.
Eighth Responsory .
I have used no earthly medicine
for my body, but I have for a
Master, Christ Jesus, by Whose
Word alone all things are made.
Verse. He hath vouchsafed to heal
me of all my wounds, and to put new
paps on my breasts, and upon Him
will I call, even upon the Living God.
Answer. By Whose Word alone
all things are made.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. By Whose Word alone
all things are made.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. Who art thou ^
who comest to heal my wounds ?
I am an Apostle of Christ : have
no fear of me, my daughter.
Second Antiphon. I have used
no earthly medicine ^ for my body,
but I have for a Master Christ
Jesus, by Whose Word alone all
things were made.
Third Antiphon. O my Lord
Jesus Christ, I thank Thee, * be-
cause Thou hast been mindful of
me, and hast sent unto me Thine
Apostle, to heal my wounds.
Fourth Antiphoi2. I bless Thee,
O Father of my Lord Jesus Christ,
because by Thine Apostle Thou hast
put new paps on my breasts.
Fifth Antiphon. Upon Him Who
hath vouchsafed "^ to heal me of all
my wounds, and to put new paps
on my breasts, upon Him will I call,
even upon the Living God.
Chapter {Ecclus. li. i ) fro7n the
Common Office for an Holy Womaiiy
Martyr but not Virgin., {p. 645.)
Antipho7i at the So7ig of Zacha7'ias.
The heathen multitude made haste.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
687
and came to the grave of the virgin,
and took therefrom her veil wherewith
to stem the fire ; 1 that the Lord might
show Himself to be a Deliverer from
the burning, for the sake of Agatha,
His blessed Martyr.
Prayer. O God, Who amidst the
wondrous, «Scc., [j). 643.)
At Prime^ Terce^ Sext., and None.,
the Antipho7is are taken from Lauds ;
viz.^ at Prime the first., at Terce the
seco7id^ at Sext the third., and at None
the fifth. The rest is from the Com-
mon Office for an Holy Woman ^ Mar-
tyr but not Virgin., (J). 649,) and
the Prayer at Terce., Sext., and None
is — " O God, Who midst wondrous,
&c.," as at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Titus, A.rch-
bishop of Gortyna, in Crete, of whom
mention is made upon the 4th day
of January.
Upon the same 6th day of Febru-
ary, were born into the better life —
At Csesarea, in Cappadocia, the
holy Virgin and martyr Dorothy,
who under Sapricius, President of
that province, was first racked, then
long scourged with palm -branches,
and at length put to death, [in the
year 304.] At the sight of her
sufferings a certain student, named
Theophilus, was converted to Christ,
and forthwith grievously racked, and
at length beheaded.
On the same day the holy martyrs
Saturninus, Theophilus, and Revocata.
At Emessa, in Phoenicia, the holy
Bishop Silvan, who, when he had
been forty years in rule over that
church, was cast to wild beasts
along with two others, under the
Emperor Maximian, and, torn to
1 Yiz., an eruption of Mount Etna,
occasions for the same purpose.
pieces, received the palm of martyr-
dom, [in the year 312.]
At [Clermont,] Auvergne, in Gaul,
the holy martyr Antholian, [about the
year 265.]
On the same day, [in the year 540,]
holy Bishop Vedastus, and [in the year
684,] holy Bishop Amandus, the first of
whom ruled over the Church of Arras,
the second the Church of Maestricht,
whose lives and deaths were rendered
glorious by divers miracles.
At Bologna, [in the year 1 1 59,] holy
Guarinus, Cardinal Bishop of Pales-
trina, eminent for the holiness of his
life.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphons., Chapter., and Prayer
from Lauds.
Psalms as on Simdays., except the
last., which is Ps. cxlvii., " Praise the
Lord, O Jerusalem, &c.," (p. 203.)
From the Chapter., the Office is of
St Titus., Bishop and Confessor. All
from the Common., {p. S^^O ^^^^
first verse of the Hymn is altered.
Prayer., " O God, Who didst glorify,
&c.," as below.
A Commemoration is made of St
Agatha. Antipho7t, "The blessed
Agatha stood in the midst, &c.,"
{p. 683.) Then of the holy Virgift
Martyr Dorothy. Antiphon, Vej^se
and Answer from the Co?nmon Office.,
\p. 636,) and Prayer., "O Lord, we
pray Thee, &c.," {fi. 643.)
February 6.
St Eitus, Srcptsljop [o£ ffior-
tgna xxi Crete,] Confejssor,
Double.
A II from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor., {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
The same veil is still carried up the mountain on similar
688
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst glorify Thy
^-^^ blessed Confessor and Bishop
Titus with the graces of an Apostle,
grant unto us for his sake and at
his prayers, that we may so live
soberly, righteously, and godly in
this present world, that hereafter we
may worthily attain unto the Father-
land which is in heaven. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
AIATTINS.
TJte first verse of the hymn is
altered.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according
to the Seaso?ts, or^ in Le7it^ from the
Common Office.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'T^HE Apostle Paul had no sooner
by his preaching gathered the
Cretans to the Sacraments and doc-
trines of the Christian Faith, than
he made Titus- their Bishop. It is
agreed that the holiness of Titus
shone with so bright a light before
the infant Church, that he earned
fellowship with the disciples of the
Teacher of the Gentiles. Being-
taken to share in the work of
preaching, he so endeared himself
to Paul by his faithfulness and zeal
in declaring the Gospel, that the
Apostle saith : " When I came to
Troas to preach Christ's Gospel,
and a door was opened unto me
of the Lord, I had no rest in my
spirit, because I found not Titus
my brother : but taking my leave
of them, I went from thence into
Macedonia.'' (2 Cor. ii. 12, 13.)
And again he saith : " When we
were come into Macedonia, our
flesh had no rest, but we were
troubled on every side ; without
were fightings, within were fears.
Nevertheless, God, that comforteth
those that are cast down, comforted
us by the coming of Titus." (vii.
5, 6.)
Fifth Lesson.
T T v/as this affection of Paul toward
Titus, which had induced him to
send him to Corinth upon a Mission
which mainly concerned the collec-
tion of alms from the charity of the
faithful for the relief of the poor
Hebrew Saints at Jerusalem. This
mission Titus discharged with such
wisdom and gentleness, that he not
only strengthened the Corinthians in
the faith, but also stirred up in them
an earnest desire, a mourning, a fer-
vent mind toward Paul, their earliest
teacher. (vii. 7.) Many were the
other journeys by land and sea
which Titus undertook in order to
sow the seed of God's word among
men of divers nations, tongues, and
countries. Filled with bold loyalty
to the banner of the Cross, he went
with Paul to the island of Crete.
Of the Church of Crete the Apostle
himself made him the first Bishop ;
and we may not doubt that, as such,
he was what his Teacher bade him
be, " in all things showing himself a
pattern of good works, in doctrine,
in uncorruptness, in gravity." (Tit.
ii. 7.)
Sixth Lesson.
T IKE a candle, he gave forth the
light of faith in the midst of
men sitting in the darkness of idolatry
and falsehood, as in the shadow of
death. He is said to have sweated
mightily to unfurl the banner of the
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
689
Cross among the Dalmatians. He
was full of days and good works,
when, upon a 4th of January, in the
94th year of his age, he died one of
those deaths which are precious in the
sight of the Lord. He was buried in
the Church of which the Apostle had
made him the minister. His praises
have been mostly written by St John
Chrysostom and St Jerome. The 4th
of January is the day upon which his
name is read in the Roman Martyrol-
ogy, but Pope Pius IX. assigned for
his Festival, to be kept with an Office
and Mass by the clergy secular and
regular throughout the Catholic world,
the first free day afterwards.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7ts from Luke x. i, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 547.) The
last part is omitted^ or read as one
with the Eighth^ to make room i7i Lent
for the Homily of the Week-day^ and
out of Le7it.
Ninth Lesson. {For St Dorothy.)
n^HE maiden Dorothy, of Caesarea
in Cappadocia, was betrayed to
Apricius the President by her two
sisters, Chrysta and Callista, who had
denied the faith, in the hope that he
would induce her to do likewise. She
was arrested, but it came not to pass
as they hoped. On the contrary, she
brought them back to the Christian
worship, and they received martyr-
dom. She was long tormented upon
the rack, and scourged with palm-
branches, and in the end was be-
headed, receiving the double palm of
virginity and martyrdom.
At Lauds a Co7nme77ioration is
7iiade of St Dorothy. All fro77i the
1 The subject is obscure, and Alban Butler inclines to think that he was one of the victims of
the Diocletian persecution ; if so, he was a Roman or Romano-British bishop, and it is to be
remarked that in the text London is called by its Roman name of Augusta.
VOL. IL 2 A 2
Co77i77io7t. Prayer., " O Lord, we pray
Thee, &c.," if). 643.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Abbat Romuald, [buried
at Fabriano in Piceno, in the year
1027,1 father of the monks of the
Camaldolese Institute, of whom men-
tion is made upon the 19th day of
June,
Upon the same 7th day of Febru-
ary, were born into the better life —
In London, [in the fourth century,]
the blessed Augulus, Bishop of that
city, who ended his life by martyr-
dom, and so secured the everlasting
prize. 1
In Phrygia, the holy martyr Adau-
cus. He was an Italian of noble
birth, and had been honoured by the
emperors with dignities of almost
every rank, and was still quaestor
when he gained the crown of mar-
tyrdom in defence of the faith, [in the
year 304, at Andandros, a town of
Phrygia.]
Likewise many other holy martyrs,
citizens of the same city, [including
the Prefect of the Treasury, the Mili-
tary Prefect, and the Senate,] who
followed with Adaucus. They were
all Christians and remained stead-
fast in the confession of the faith,
and the Emperor Galerius Maximian
caused them all to be burned with
fire.
At Heraclea, the holy martyr Theo-
dore. He was a trainer of the
soldiery, and in the reign of the
Emperor Licinius was beheaded after
suffering many torments, and so
passed away a conqueror to heaven,
[in the year 319.]
In Egypt, holy Moses, the ven-
erable Bishop of [the Saracens in
690
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Arabia.] He first lived as a hermit
in the desert, but afterwards was
made Bishop at the desire of Mauvia,
Queen of the Saracens, converted
many of that fierce people to the faith,
and at length fell asleep in peace,
glorious for worthy works.
At Lucca, in Tuscany, [in the year
722,] holy Richard, Prince of the
West Saxons in England, and father
of holy Winibald, Willibald, and
Walburg.
At Bologna, [in the year 430,] the
holy widow Juliana.
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter i?tclusive.
February 7.
St Eomualt!, a&liat.
Double.
All from the Co?nmo?i Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ (p. 598,) ex-
cept what is otherwise giveji here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Prayer. O Lord, we beseech Thee,
&c., {p. 613.)
A Comineinoration is made of St
Titus. Prayer as in his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons frojn Scripture according to
the Season. If it be in Lent they are
from the Couinioit Office^ viz. Ecclus.
xxxi. 8, " Blessed is the man, &c.,"
and the two which follow^ {p. 610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'X*HE holy Abbat Romuald was the
son of one Sergius, of a noble
family of Ravenna. While he was
still very young, he went to a neigh-
bouring monastery at Classis to do
penance. While he was there he
heard a discourse by a monk, which
stirred him up strongly to aim at
godliness of living ; and he had after-
wards in the Church by night two
visions in which the blessed servant
of God Apollinaris foretold to him
that he should become a monk him-
self. He accordingly did so ; and
soon afterwards betook himself to one
Marinus, whose holy life and strict
discipline were then much noised
about in all the coasts of the Vene-
tians, that he might by his teaching
and guidance attain towards the hard
and lofty point of perfection.
Fifth Lessofi.
HP HE more he was assailed by the
wiles of Satan and the unkind-
ness of men, the more did he exercise
himself in lowliness, with continual
fasting and prayer, and rejoice in
thinking of heavenly things, with
abundance of tears. And all the
while he bore so bright a face as
gladdened all who looked on him.
He was held in great honour by
princes and kings, and his counsel
moved many to leave the blandish-
ments of the world and withdraw to
the desert. He had such a burning
desire to obtain the crown of martyr-
dom that he set out for Pannonia on
purpose to seek it, but, falling into
sickness whenever he went forward
though growing strong again whenever
he drew back, he behoved to return
home.
Sixth Lesso7i.
r^OY) worked miracles by him both
^^ during his life and after his
death, and likewise gave him the
gift of prophecy. Like the Patriarch
Jacob, he saw a ladder reaching from
earth to heaven, and men in white
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
691
garments ascending and descending
upon it, in whom he marvellously
knew were represented the monks of
the Camaldolese Institute, of which he
was the founder. At the age of 120
years, of which he had spent 100 in
serving God in great hardness, he
passed into His Presence, in the year
of Salvation 1027. Five years after
his death his body was found in-
corrupt, and laid in a magnificent
grave in the Church of his Order at
Fabriano.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Matth. xix. 27, with
the Ho7nily of the Ven. Bede^ (J?. 614.)
Prayer throughout the day as at
First Vespers.
The Second Vespers are of the fol-
lowing^ frofn the Chapter inclusive.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor John de la
Mata, founder of the Order of the
Most Holy Trinity for the Redemp-
tion of Captives, of whom mention
is made upon the 17th day of De-
cember, upon the which day he fell
asleep in the Lord, [in the year
1213.]
Upon the same 8th day of Febru-
ary, were born into the better life —
The holy Confessor Jerome Miani,
founder of the Congregation of Som-
ascha, whose name was enrolled
among those of the saints by Clement
XIII., and whose feast we keep upon
the 20th day of July.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Paul,
Lucius, and Cyriacus.
In the Lesser Armenia, the holy
martyrs Denis, yEmilian, and Se-
bastian.
At Alexandria, under the Emperor
Decius, the holy martyr Cointhe.
The heathen took her and led her
before the idols to make her worship
them, and when she would not, they
tied her feet with chains and dragged
her through the streets of the city
until she was mangled to death, [in
the year 249.]
At Constantinople, the martyr monks
of the monastery of Dirn, who were
slain in defence of the Catholic faith,
[in the year 485,] for that they brought
the letter of holy Pope Felix against
the [Patriarch] Acacius,
In Persia are commemorated those
holy martyrs who were put to death
in divers ways, [in the sixth century,]
for the Christian faith's sake, under
Cabades, King of Persia.
At Pavia, holy Juventius, Bishop of
that see, who laboured earnestly in
the Gospel, [in the second century.]
At Milan, [in the year 620,] the
holy Confessor Honoratus, Bishop of
that see.
At Verdun, in Gaul, [in the year
649,] holy Paul, Bishop of that see,
famous for the glory of his miracles."
At Muret, in the country of Limoges,
[in the year 1124,] the holy Abbat
Stephen, founder of the Order of
Grandmont, famous for his graces
and miracles.
In the monastery of Vallombrosa,
[in the year 1089,] blessed Peter,
Cardinal - Bishop of Albano, of the
congregation of Vallombrosa, of the
Order of St Benedict. He was sur-
named the Fireproof because he
passed unhurt through fire.
February 8.
St Soljn tie la JHata, (l0n=
Double.
All frojji the Coinmo7i Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop., {p. 598,) ex-
cept what is otherwise given here.
>92
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
FIRST VESPERS.
These Vespers are of St Roimiald^
up to the Chapter^ exclusive.
Prayer throughout the Office.
f~\ GOD, Who by a sign from heaven
^-^ didst choose Thy holy servant
John to be the founder of the Order
of the Most Holy Trinity for the
Ransom of Prisoners held in the
power of the Saracens, mercifully
grant unto us for his sake that we
may be delivered by Thine Almighty
power from all bonds and chains of
sin whether in our bodies or in our
souls. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, One God, world
without end. Amen.
A Commeinoration is made of St
Romuald. Prayer as at his First ,
Vespers.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordijig to
the Season. In Lent., the same as
yesterday.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
JOHN de la Mata, the founder of
the Order of the Most Holy
Trinity for the Ransom of Prisoners,
was born at Faucon, in Provence,
[upon Midsummer's Day, in the year
1 169,] and was the child of parents
equally distinguished for their rank
and their godly life. He went for
his education first to Aix and then
to Paris. At the University of Paris,
where he went through the course of
Divinity and took the degree of
Doctor, he became eminent for learn-
ing and virtue. For this reason the
Bishop of Paris ordained him Priest,
an honour from which his lowliness
caused him to shrink, in the hope
that he should induce him to remain
at Paris, and be a bright example
of wisdom and manners to the
students who resorted thither. He
offered up the Holy Sacrifice to God
for the first time in the private Chapel
of the Bishop, and in the presence of
that Prelate and divers other persons.
In the midst of the ceremony, a vision
from God appeared to John. There
appeared to him an angel, clad in
raiment white and glistering ; having
sewn on his breast a cross of red and
blue. His arms were crossed before
him, and his hands were upon the
heads of two slaves, one a Christian
and the other a Moor. And im-
mediately the man of God was in
the spirit, and knew that he was
called to the work of ransoming
bondsmen from the power of the
unbelievers.
Fifth Lesson.
n^HAT he might set himself with
due forethought to the carrying
out of his work, he withdrew into a
certain desert, and there, by the will
of God, he found Felix de Valois, who
had alread)^ spent many years in that
place. With him he joined company,
and they passed three years together
in continual prayer, meditation, and
all spiritual exercises. It came to
pass, one day, when they were sitting
on the bank of a spring, that there
came to them a stag having between
his horns a cross of red and blue.
Felix cried out in wonder at that sight,
and John then told him of the vision
that had appeared to him when he
was saying his first Mass. Thence-
forth they gave themselves with re-
doubled fervour to prayer, and, being
three times warned in sleep, they
determined to go to Rome, and pray
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
693
the Pope to institute an Order for
the ransom of prisoners. They arrived
at the time of the election of Innocent
III., who received them courteously,
and entertained in his mind their
petition. While he was in considera-
tion, he went to the Lateran Cathedral,
on the second Feast of St Agnes, and
there, while Mass was being solemnly
sung, at the moment of the elevation
of the Sacred Host, there appeared
to him an angel, clad in raiment
white and glistering, having sewn on
his breast a cross of red and blue,
and making as though he would free
prisoners. Thereupon the Pope
founded the Order, commanding that
it should be called the Order of the
Most Holy Trinity for the Ransom
of Prisoners, and that they who pro-
fessed in it should be clad in white
raiment, having sewn on their breasts
a cross of red and blue.
Sixth Lesson.
nPHE Order being thus established,
the holy Founders returned into
France and built their first Convent
at Cerfroid, in the diocese of Meaux.
Felix remained in charge of this house,
and John went back to Rome with
several companions. To them In-
nocent gave the house, Church, and
hospital of St Thomas de Formis on
the Coelian Mount, with great endow-
ments and property. Moreover he
gave them a letter of introduction to
Miramolin, King of Morocco, and they
began with bright hopes the work of
ransoming prisoners. John next be-
took himself to Spain, great part of
which was then in the hands of the
Saracens, and stirred up the hearts of
the kings, princes, and all the faithful
to have pity on slaves and the poor.
He built Convents, founded Hospitals,
and ransomed many bondsmen, to the
great gain of souls. At last he re-
turned to Rome, still busied in good
works, but worn out by unceasing toil,
and weakened by sickness. As he
drew near the end of his earthly
pilgrimage, his burning love for God
and for his neighbour suffered no
diminution. He called together his
brethren, and earnestly exhorted them
to go on with that work of ransom
which had been pointed out to them
from heaven, and then fell asleep in
the Lord, on the 2 ist day of December,
1 2 13. His body was buried with
due honour in the Church of St
Thomas de Formis.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with the
Homily of St Gregory., (^.605.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Cyril, Pope of
Alexandria, a most eminent champion
of the Catholic faith, and illustrious
for his teaching and holiness, of whom
mention is made upon the 28th day
of January, on the which day he fell
asleep in peace.
Upon the same 9th day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Alexandria, [in the year 249,]
the holy Virgin Apollonia. The per-
secutors under the Emperor Decius
first beat out all her teeth, then they
built and kindled a funeral fire and
threatened to burn her alive upon it
unless she would join them in uttering
sinful words. She thought a little
while within herself, and then the
fire of the Holy Ghost flaming up
within her, she tore herself suddenly
out of the hands of those wicked men
and leapt of her own accord into the
fire which they had made ready, so
that the very actors in this cruelty
were awestruck to find a woman more
ready to die than were they to kill her.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Alex-
694
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
ander, and thirty- eight others who
were crowned at the same time.
At Solis, in Cyprus, the holy
martyrs Ammonius and Alexander.
At Antioch, [in the year 260,] the
holy martyr Nicephorus, who received
his crown by being beheaded, under
the Emperor Valerian.
In Africa, in the castle of Lemele,
the holy Deacons Primus and Dona-
tus, who suffered martyrdom in de-
fending the altar in the church against
the Donatists, [sixth century.]
In the monastery of Fontanelle,
holy Ausbert, Bishop of Rouen, [in
the year 695.]
At Canosa, in Apulia, the holy
Confessor Sabinus, Bishop of that see,
[in the year 566.]
Vespers of the following from the
Chapter inclusive.
At Vespers a Commemoration is
made of the following: Antiphon^'
Verse aiid Answer^ from the Commo7i
Office for a Virgiit and Martyr., and
Prayer., " O God, Who amidst the
wondrous, &c.," {j). 643.)
February 9.
St ffi^rtl, Pope of aiexantirta,
Confessor anti ©oetor of
tije (Sfture}).
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor., {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst make Thy
^"'^ blessed Confessor and Bishop
Cyril to be an unconquered teacher
that the most blessed Virgin Mary is
Mother of God, grant unto us that
through his prayers we who believe
her to be Mother of God in very deed
may find safety under her motherly
protection. Through the same our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ameii. .
First Vespers as regards St Cyril
begi?i with the Chapter. Antipho7i at
Song of the Blessed Virgin., "O right
excellent, &c." A Commemoratio7i is
made of St Joh?i de la Mata., Prayer
from his Office., then i7i Le7it of the
Week-day ; a7id lastly of the holy
Virgi7i a7id 7Jiartyr Apollo7iia. Fro7n
the Co7Ji7no7i Office for a Virgi7i and
Martyr., {p. 636,) a7id the Prayer., "O
God, Who amidst the wondrous, &c.,"
(A 643-)
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7i,s from Scripture., accordi7ig
to the Seaso7i. I71 Le7it., from Ecclus.
xxxix., (J). 615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
nPHE praises of Cyril of Alexandria
have been celebrated not only
by one writer or another, but have
even been registered in the acts of
the (Ecumenical Councils of Ephesus
and Chalcedon. He was born of dis-
tinguished parents, and was the
nephew of Theophilus, Pope of
Alexandria. While he was still young
he displayed marks of his excellent
understanding. After giving a deep
study to letters and science he betook
himself to John, Bishop of Jerusalem,
to be perfected in the Christian faith.
After his return to Alexandria, and
the death of Theophilus, he was raised
to that see. In this office he kept
ever before his eyes the type of the
Shepherd of souls as it had been laid
down by the Apostle ; and by ever
adhering thereto deservedly earned
the glory of an holy Bishop.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
695
Fifth Lesson.
^EAL for the salvation of souls was
kindled in him, and he under-
took all cares to keep in the faith and
in soundness of life the flock unto him
committed, and to preserve them from
the poisonous pastures of infidelity and
heresy ; hence, in accordance with the
laws, he caused the followers of
Novatus to be expelled from the city,
and those Jews to be punished who
had been induced by rage to plan a
massacre of the Christians. His
eminent care for the preservation of
the Catholic faith pure and undefiled
shone forth especially in his controversy
against Nestorius, Patriarch of Con-
stantinople, who asserted that Jesus
Christ had been born of the Virgin
Mary as man only and not as God,
and that the Godhead had been be-
stowed upon Him because of His
merits. Cyril first attempted to con-
vert Nestorius, but when he found
this hopeless he denounced him to
the Supreme Pontiff the holy Celes-
tine.
Sixth Lesso7i.
A S delegate of Pope Celestine, Cyril
'^^ presided at the Council of Ephe-
sus where the Nestorian heresy was
condemned ; Nestorius was deprived
of his see ; and the Catholic doctrine
as to the unity of Person in Christ and
the divine Motherhood of the glorious
Virgin Mary was laid down amid the
rejoicings of all the people, who
escorted the bishops to their lodgings
with a torch -light procession. For
this reason Nestorius and his followers
made Cyril the object of slanders,
insults, and persecutions which he
bore with profound patience, having
all his care for the purity of the faith,
and taking no heed to what the
heretics might say or try against him.
At length he died a holy death, in
the year of salvation 444 and of his
own papacy the 32nd. After vast
work for the Church of God, and
leaving behind him divers writings
directed either against heathens and
heretics or to the exposition of the
holy Scriptures and of Catholic
doctrine, the Supreme Pontiff Leo
XIII. extended to the Universal
Church the Office and Mass of this
most eminent champion of the
Cathohc faith, and light of the
Eastern Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7i froDi Matth. v. 13, with the
Homily of St Aztsti7t, (J), 617.) The
last Lesso7i is 077iitted to 77iake roo77i
i7t Le7tt for the Ho77iily of the Week-
day., or out of Le7it for the
Ni7tth LessoTt. {For St Apol-
lo7iia^ &c.)
A POLLONIA was an aged virgin
of Alexandria, who, [in the year
of salvation 249,] in the reign of the
Emperor Decius, was brought before
the idols to worship them, but refused,
declaring that Christ jESUS is True
God, and that to Him worship is due.
The cruel executioners beat and pulled
out all her teeth, and threatened to
burn her alive if she would not deny
Christ. To whom she answered, that
for Christ Jesus' sake she was ready
to die. Being taken to the place of
execution she stood for a few moments
as if in doubt, and then, the fire of
the Holy Ghost burning up in her
heart, she broke from those that held
her, and leapt of her own accord into
the flames. 1 Her body was quickly
consumed, and her soul departed pure
to obtain the eternal crown of martyr-
dom.
1 On this see Alban Butler, Feb. 9.
696
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Lauds 171 Lent a Coinmemor-
atio7i is fnade of the Week-day ; then
in any case of St Apollonia^ from
the Coinmoji Oflice^ with the Prayer^
" O God, Who amidst the wondrous,
&c.,"(;5. 643.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the loth day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Monte Cassino, [in the year
543,] the holy Virgin Scholastica,
sister of the holy Abbat Benedict,
who saw her soul leave her body
and soar heavenward in a bodily
shape, like a dove.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Zoticus,
Irenaeus, Hyacinth, and Amantius, [all
in the year 304.]
At Rome likewise, [under Decius,]
upon the Lavican Way, ten holy
martyrs, all soldiers.
Also at Rome, [in the year 304,]
upon the Appian Way, the holy
Virgin and martyr Soteres, who, as
holy Ambrose writeth, was born of a
noble family, but for Christ's sake
despised the consular and prefectural
dignities of her race. When she was
commanded to offer sacrifice and
would not, she was long and heavily
buffeted, and when she had over-
come other punishments also, she
was smitten with the sword and so
departed joyfully hence, to be ever
with Christ the Bridegroom.
In Campania, the holy Confessor
Silvan, Bishop of [Terracine, in the
fourth or fifth century.]
At Mala-Vallis, in the country of
Sienna, [in the year 11 57,] the holy
hermit William.
At Rouen, [in the year 704,] the
holy Virgin Austre-berta, famous for
miracles.
Vespers are of the following fro7n
the Chapter inclusive.
February 10.
St Scfjolksttca, Ftrgin\
Double.
All from the Comtnon Office for
Virgins^ {p. 636,) except what is other-
wise giveji here.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who, to show the way of
^■^^ the undefiled, wast pleased that
the soul of Thy blessed Virgin
Scholastica should fly to heaven in a
bodily shape, like a dove, mercifully
grant unto us Thy servants, for her
sake, and at her petition, worthily to
attain unto Thine everlasting joy.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
I?i Lent a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture, according to
the Season. In Le7it from i Cor. vii.
25, (A 637.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Second
Book of the Dialogues of Pope St
Gregory [the Great.] {Ch. 33.)
n^HE worshipful Scholastica, the
sister of our Father Benedict,
was hallowed unto the Lord Almighty
from a child. Her custom was to
come to see her brother once every
year. And when she came, the man
of God went down unto her, not far
1 Died circa A,D. 543.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
697
from the gate, but, as it were, within
the borders of his monastery. And
there was a day when she came, as
her custom was, and her worshipful
brother went down to her, and his
disciples with him. Then they passed
the whole day together, praising God,
and speaking one to the other of spi-
ritual things. And when the night
came, they brake bread together.
And while they were yet at table, and
conversed together on spiritual things,
the hour was late. Then the holy
woman his sister besought him, say-
ing : " Leave me not, I pray thee,
this night, but let us speak even until
morning of the gladness of the eternal
life." He answered her : " What is
it that thou sayest, my sister ? I can
by no means remain out of my cell."
Now the firmament was so clear that
there were no clouds in the sky. Then
the holy nun, when she had heard
the words of her brother, that he
would not abide with her, clasped
her hands on the table, and laid her
face on her hands, and besought the
Lord Almighty. And it came to
pass that when she lifted up her head
from the table, there were great
thunderings and lightnings, and a
flood of rain, insomuch that neither
the worshipful Benedict nor the breth-
ren that were with him could move as
much as a foot over the threshold of
the place where they sat.
Fifth Lesson.
"M" OW when the holy woman laid
her head in her hands upon the
table, she wept bitterly, and as she
wept, the clearness of the sky was
turned to a tempest. As she prayed,
immediately the flood followed. And
the time was so, that she lifted up her
head when it thundered, and when
she had lifted up her head, the rain
came. When the man of God saw
that he could not return to his monas-
tery, because of the lightnings, and
thunderings, and the great rain, he
was sorrowful and grieved, saying :
"Almighty God forgive thee, my
sister ; what is this that thou hast
done ? " She answered him : " Be-
hold, I besought thee, and thou
wouldest not hear ; I besought my
God, and He hath heard me ; if,
therefore, thou wilt, go forth, leave
me alone, and go thy way to thy
monastery." But he could not, and
so he tarried in the same place, not
wiUingly, but of necessity. And so
it came to pass that they slept not
all that night, but fed one another
with discourse on spiritual things.
Sixth Lesson.
AND when the morning was come,
the worshipful woman arose, and
went unto her own cell, and the man
of God went back to his monastery.
And, behold, after three days he was
sitting in his cell, and he lifted up his
eyes to heaven, and saw the soul of his
sister, delivered from the body, fly to
heaven in a bodily shape like a dove.
Wherefore he rejoiced because of the
glory that was revealed in her, and
gave thanks to Almighty God in
hymns and praises, and made known
to the brethren that she was dead.
He commanded them also to go and
take up her body, and bring it to his
monastery, and lay it in the grave
which he had made ready for himself.
Whereby it came to pass that they
twain who had ever been of one
mind in the Lord, even in death were
not divided.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro7Ji Matth, xxv. i, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 640.)
Li Le7it the last is omitted to leave
roo7n for the Ho7nily of the Week-day.^
698
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
of which also a Co7}tmemoration is
made at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Gilbert, founder
of the Order of Sempringham, of
whom mention hath been made upon
the 4th day of this present month
of February.
Upon the same 1 1 th day of Febru-
ary, were born into the better life —
In Africa, [in the year 304,] the
holy martyrs the Priest Saturninus,
Dativus, Felix, Ampelius, and their
Companions, who were taken by the
soldiers in the persecution under the
Emperor Diocletian when they came
together in one, as the use is, to
hold the Lord's Supper, and suffered
under the proconsul Anolinus.
In Numidia are commemorated
many holy martyrs who were ar-
rested, [in the year 303 or 304,]
in the persecution aforesaid, and for
as much as they would not obey
the edict of the Emperor to give
up the Scriptures of God, they were
put to grievous torments and slain.
At Adrianople, the holy martyrs
Lucius, Bishop [of Adrianople,] and
his Companions. He suffered much
from the Arians under the Emperor
Constantius, and finished his testi-
mony in chains, [in the year 348.]
The others were some of the nobler
of the citizens who were condemned
to death by Count Philagrius be-
cause they refused to receive the
Arians who had been then con-
demned in the Council of Sardica.
At Lyons, [in the year 608,] the
holy martyr Desiderius, Bishop of
Vienne, [in Gaul.]
At Ravenna, [about the year 170,]
the holy Confessor Calocerus, Bishop
of that see.
At Milan, [in the year 449,] the
holy Lazarus, Bishop of that see.
At Capua, [in the year 450,] holy
Castrensis, Bishop of that see.
At the village of Landon, [in the
year 507,] holy Severinus, Abbot of
the monastery of St Maurice, at
whose prayers the servant of God,
King Clovis, was healed of a long
malady.
In Egypt, [about the middle of the
fourth century,] the holy monk Jonah,
renowned for his graces.
At Second Vespers a Comjiiemora-
tioft is made of the following from
the Coim7ion Office., {p. 598,) with
the Prayer., ' ' O Lord, mercifully hear,
&c.," {f. 608.) Then in Lent of the
Week-day.
February ii.
St ©tltiert, Confessor.
Semi-double.
All fro7n the Common Office for
a Confessor 7iot a Bishop., {p. 598,)
except the followi7tg. Prayer through-
out., " O Lord, mercifully hear, &c.,"
{p. 608.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture accordi7ig to
the Seaso7t. Ln Lent., fro77i Ecclus.
xxxi. 8, [p. 610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
/^~*ILBERT was born of a noble
^^ family at Sempringham, in
Lincolnshire. In his youth he gave
himself to the study of letters, but
afterwards entirely to works of god-
liness, especially under a chaste dis-
cipline, and with great fruit, to the
teaching of little boys and girls in
-the faith and in the fear and love
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
699
of God. His father was patron of
the parishes of Sempringham and
Terington, and in the exercise of
that right presented him to them.
By the efficacy of his words and
the power of his example, he so
stirred up his parishioners to seek
after Christian perfection, that many
of them hved in the world the lives
of monks, and their careful exercise
of all virtues made it everywhere
manifest to whose flock they be-
longed. After he was ordained
priest by Alexander, Bishop of Lin-
coln, the light of Gilbert's holiness
shed its rays wider and wider. He
shrank from riches and honours, re-
fused the Archdeaconry of the Church
of Lincoln, and was fain to be a door-
keeper in the house of his Lord.
Fifth Lesson.
A MONG other works of charity,
that which most chiefly oc-
cupied him was to separate virgins
from the world and to consecrate
them to the love of God, especially
if they were poor and in danger ;
for these he built a dwelling hard
by the Church of Sempringham, and
thus laid the first foundations of
his Order. Many persons of both
sexes afterwards came to him, and
under the approbation of blessed
Eugene lU. and of other Supreme
Pontiffs he spread his Order mar-
vellously, and built monasteries
throughout all England. To the
men he gave the rule of St Austin,
and to the women that of St Bene-
dict, with the addition of some con-
stitutions to meet their special voca-
tion. The man of God endured many
calumnies and persecutions, partly
from his own, and partly from out-
siders ; but God gave him the vic-
tory, and he conquered everywhere
and always. His whole Order was
in the greatest jeopardy in the reign
of Henry 11. , when this holy man
was accused of sending subsidies to
holy Thomas of Canterbury while the
said Thomas was in exile. The
judges were willing to let him and
his go free if only they would de-
clare themselves not guilty, but the
man of God was willing to suffer
rather than describe as a crime a
thing which he had indeed not done,
but which to his thinking would have
been rather a duty and a good work ;
but God softened the mind of the
king, and Gilbert was delivered.
Sixth Lesson.
T_J E practised great self-control and
hardness of living. He never
ate meat unless he were seriously
ill, and in Lent he abstained from
fish also. He always wore haircloth.
He never slept in a bed. He gave
a great part of the night to prayer,
and to meditation upon things of
God. He never willingly either
heard or said anything which did
not tend to procure glory for God
and salvation for souls. He was an
hundred years of age when he was
recalled from exile to our father-
land, which is in heaven, upon the
3rd day of February, in the year of
salvation 11 90. At that time the
Order which he had instituted counted
seven hundred monks, and fifteen
hundred sacred virgins in the dif-
ferent monasteries. Gilbert worked
many wonders, both in his life and
after his death, upon the due proof of
which the Supreme Pontiff Innocent
III. solemnly enrolled his name among
those of the saints in the year 1202.
Lesson from Luke xii. 32, with the
Homily of the Venerable Bede, if).
612.) In Lent the Ninth Lessoii is
read with the Eighth to make room
for the Homily of the Week-day^ which
is also commemorated at Lauds.
700
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep in England
the feast of the holy Confessor Bene-
dict Biscop, founder and Abbat of the
monastery of Jarrow-upon-Tyne, of
whom mention hath been made upon
the 1 2th day of January.
Upon the same 12 th day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life —
At Barcelona, in Spain, the holy
Virgin Eulalia, who received a glorious
crown in the time of the Emperor
Diocletian. She suffered racking,
tearing with hooks, and scorching
with fire, and was finally crucified,
[in the year 304.]
In Africa, the holy soldier and mar-
tyr Damian.
At Carthage, the holy martyrs
Modestus and Julian.
At Benevento, the holy martyr
Modestus the Levite.
At Alexandria, the holy children
Modestus and Ammonius.
At Constantinople, [in the year
381,] holy Meletius, Patriarch of
Antioch, who passed away to be
ever with the Lord, when he was in
exile, which he oftentimes suffered
for the Catholic faith's sake. Holy
John Chrysostom and Gregory of
Nyssa have greatly praised him.
At Constantinople, [in the year
895,] in the time of the Emperor
Leo VI., holy Anthony, Bishop [of
Constantinople.]
At Verona, the holy Confessor Gau-
dentius. Bishop of that see.
Vespers of the following.
February 12.
St Benetitct Biscop, aijbat.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor ?tot a Bishop, {p. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout.
r^ GOD, by the gift of Whose grace
^■^^ the blessed Abbat Benedict, in
order that he might be perfect, left all
things. Grant unto all them which
enter upon the path of Gospel perfec-
tion that they may neither look behind
them nor stand still by the way, but
may run on unto Thee without
stumbling, and from Thee receive life
eternal. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made of the preceding.
All from the Covwion Office., {p.
610,) with the Prayer, "O Lord,
mercifully hear, &c.," {p. 608,) a7id
in Lent of the Week-day.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Season. M Lent fi^om Wisdom
iv. 7, ip' 599-)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
n^HE surname of this Benedict was
Biscop ; he was of noble birth,
and was a servant of Osway, King of
the Northumbrians. When he was
about twenty-five years of age he went
to Rome, and visited the shrines of
the blessed Apostles. After his return
home he ceased not to preach, as well
as to love and to honour the models
of the ecclesiastical life. He returned
again to Rome in the time of holy
Pope Vitelian, and after some months
left it again and went to the island of
Lerius. There he received the tonsure
and took the monastic vows, but after
two years the love of the prince of the
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
701
Apostles drew him again to visit the
city which is hallowed by his grave.
At that time the Roman Pontiff had
chosen holy Theodore to be sent as
Archbishop to rule the Church of
Canterbury, and knowing Benedict to
be wise, hard working, and devout, he
ordained him and sent him with him.
Fifth Lesson.
Al /"HEN they came to Canterbury
Theodore ascended the archi-
episcopal throne, and Benedict received
the government of the monastery of St
Peter. After a while Hadrian was
made Abbat, and in two years Bene-
dict undertook another journey to
Rome, and brought back books of
theology which he had either bought
or received as gifts. On his return
home he betook himself to Egfrid,
King of the Northumbrians, who made
him an ample gift of ground at Wear-
mouth, and desired him there to build
a monastery. After founding this
monastery, Benedict obtained masons
from Gaul to build him a stone church,
and glass-workers such as had been
until then unknown in England to
glaze the windows. Some things
which he could not obtain in Gaul
he again went to Rome and brought
back with him. Pope Agatho com-
manded John, precentor of the church
of St Peter, to go with him in order
to teach singing after the Roman
manner. Benedict carried with him
countless gifts with which he had been
enriched, a great number of books and
images and relics of the Saints.
Sixth Lesson.
/~\N his return home Benedict, by
^-^^ another benefaction of the same
King Egfrid, founded another monas-
tery at Jarrow - upon - Tyne. This
monastery was placed under the in-
vocation of the holy Apostle Paul, and
the monks were fain to have Benedict
for Abbat. Not long afterwards he
lost his health, and suffered for three
years. During this time he oftentimes
impressed upon the brethren who came
to see him the necessity of keeping
the rule which he had laid down. He
commanded that the excellent and
abundant library which he had brought
from Rome as a needful equipment
for his church should be carefully kept
together and not permitted through
carelessness to be either damaged
or scattered. But what he repeated
most often to the monks was that
in electing an Abbat they should
look less to birth than to soundness
of life and teaching. He fell asleep
in the Lord upon the 12 th day of
January in the year of Christ 690,
and the i6th since the foundation
of his monastery. He was buried
in the church of the blessed Apostle
Peter, that as he had loved him in
life so he might not be parted from
his altar in death, Benedict is men-
tioned in the Roman Martyrology
upon the 12th day of January, being
that of his death.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from the Coinino7i of Abbat s.,
{p. 613,) with the Homily of St
ferome on Matt. xix. 27, {p. 537.) Ln
Lent the last is omitted or read along"
with the Eighth to leave room for
the Homily of the Week-day., which
is also commemorated at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast of
the Seven holy Founders of the Order
of Servants of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, who after great hardship of life,
famous for works and wonders, died
a death precious in the sight of the
Lord, upon Monte Senario, in Tus-
702
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
cany. The same spirit of brotherhood
had made them one in Hfe, the vener-
ation of the people had not divided
them in death, and Leo XIII. enrolled
their names together among those of
the Saints.
Upon the same 13th day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better
life—
At Antioch, the holy prophet Ag-
abus, [first century,] of whom blessed
Luke writeth in the Acts of the
Apostles.
At Ravenna, the holy women the
Virgin Fusca, and Maura ^ her foster-
mother, who after suffering many
things under the President Quinctian,
by order of the Emperor Decius
were run through with the sword,
and so finished their testimony, [third
century.]
At Melitina, in Armenia, the holy
martyr Polyeuctus, who suffered many
things in the persecution under the
Emperor Decius, and received the
crown of martyrdom, [in the year
259-]
At Lyons, the holy martyr Julian.
At Todi, [under Diocletian,] the
holy martyr Benignus.
At Rome, [in the year 731,] the
holy Pope Gregory II., who sharply
withstood the ungodliness of the
Emperor Leo the I saurian, and who
sent holy Boniface into Germany to
preach the Gospel there.
At Angers, holy Lucinius, Bishop
of that city, a man of reverend
holiness.
At Lyons, [about the year 512,]
the holy Confessor Stephen, Bishop of
that see.
At Riete, [sixth century,] the holy
Abbat Stephen, a man of wonderful
patience, at whose passing away the
presence of the holy angels, as is
stated by blessed Pope Gregory, was
visible.
At Prati, in Tuscany, Catherine de
Ricci, a Virgin of Florence, of the
Order of Preachers, illustrious in the
number of her heavenly gifts, whom
Pope Benedict XIV. added to the
roll of Holy Virgins. She died full
of graces and merit on the 2nd of
February, but her Feast is celebrated
to-day.
Vespers of the following^ from the
Chapter inclusive.
February 13.
W^t S^ben Ijolg JFount»er;5 of
tJje Serbite ©rtier.
Double.
All from the Common Office of a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
T ORD Jesus Christ, Who, that
Thou mightest recall to mind the
woes of Thy most holy Mother, didst
through the Seven blessed Fathers
make Thy Church herself the mother
of a new household of her servants.
Grant unto us in mercy that we may
so share their tears as to share their
blessedness also. Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
first vespers.
These., as regards the Seven
Foujiders., begin with the Chapter^
(i Peter iv. 13,) "Dearly beloved
1 These two names, which might be translated mulatta and negress, are so very singular
as to inspire the conjecture that they are not proper names but descriptive epithets of two
sufferers whose names have been lost.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
703
brethren, rejoice, inasmuch as you
are partakers of Christ's sufferings ;
that, when His glory shall be revealed,
ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy."
■\A7'HEN war was raging, and the town
Was red with blood of brother bands,
Our Virgin Mother bowed her down
With bounteous hands.
Seven faithful sons she bid to share
Her dolours, all the shame and loss,
Which Jesus suffered and she bare
Beneath His Cross.
Soon as their Lady called, as nought
They deemed their palaces and wealth,
The mountains, desert places, sought
Far off, by stealth.
For others' sins the scourge they plied
As they the way of penance trod,
By prayers and tears they turned aside
The wrath of God.
Token of love the Mother's hand
Gave to her sons their garb of woe.
Sanctioned the pious work they planned
With wondrous show.
The vine to spread their honours wide
Her shoots in winter greenly flung ;
"See, those are Mary's servants," cried
The infant tongue.
Now to the Father thanks and praise ;
To Thee, O Son, the same we send ;
To Thee, O Spirit, through all days,
World without end. Amen.
Verse. These were merciful men
whose righteousness hath not been
forgotten.
Answer. Their seed and their glory
shall not be blotted out.
Antiphoii at the So?tg of the Blessed
Virgin. O Virgin Mary, thy praise
shall not depart from the mouths of
men which shall remember the power
of the Lord for ever, because thou
hast not spared thy life.
Coimnenioratiofi of the preceding.,
froin the Co7n7nojt, Prayer from his
Offt.ce^ and in Lent of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
Hymn.^
'X'HE Fathers lived a life in shade,
Yet seemed to Peter's vision seven
White glistening lilies, for the Maid,
The Queen of Heaven.
Through city street, o'er hills and plains,
Upborne by Love Divine, they trod,
To fix in men the Mother's pains,
The swords of God.
This was the power in which they spoke
Till each wild passion owned their sway :
They cheered the sad, from sinners broke
Their chains away.
Till at the last the Virgin Queen
Led them to mansions in the sky.
Mansions where garlands aye are green.
And never die.
May they hear cries of all who pray,
And see how hard our earthly strife ;
Aiding us onward to the day
When all is life.
Now to the Father thanks and praise ;
To Thee, O Son, the same we send ;
To Thee, Great Spirit, through all days.
World without end. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Seaso?t. In Lent from Ecclus.
xliv. I, p. 596.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
T N the thirteenth century, when the
more cultured parts of Italy were
rent by the dread dissension of the
1 Translation by Mr C. Kegan Paul, extracted from the Hymnal of the Servite Church in
London.
2 Translation kindly made by Mr C. Kegan Paul.
704
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Emperor Frederick the Second and
by bloody civil wars, the mercy of
God set forth divers men eminent for
holiness, and among others raised
up seven nobles of Florence, who
were bound one to another in charity
and gave an illustrious example of
brotherly love. Their names were
Bonfiglio Monaldi, BonajunctaManetti,
Manetto Antalli, Amadeo de' Amidei,
Uguccio de' Uguccioni, Sosteneo de'
Sostenei, and Alexis de' Falconieri.
Upon the holiday of the Assumption
of the Virgin into heaven in the year
1233 they were praying in the oratory
of a guild called the Guild of Praise,
when the same Mother of God ap-
peared to each one of them, and
bade them embrace a life of greater
holiness and perfection. These seven
men discussed the matter with the
Bishop of Florence, and then, con-
sidering neither the nobility of their
birth nor their wealth, and clad in
haircloth under vile and worn-out
garments, withdrew into a little house
in the country upon the 8th day of
September, that they might begin
their holier life upon the same day
whereon the Mother of God herself
had by her birth begun her life of
holiness upon earth.
Fifth Lesson.
/^^OD showed by a miracle how
^■^ acceptable in His sight should
be their manner of life, for a short
while after, when these seven men
were begging alms from door to door
through the city of Florence, it came
to pass that some children, among
whom was holy Philip Benizi, who
had then scarcely entered the fifth
month of his age, called thern blessed
Mary's servants, by the which name
they were called ever after. To avoid
meeting people, and in the desire to
be alone, they all withdrew together
to the solitude of Monte Senario, and
there began a kind of heavenly life.
They lived in caves and upon herbs
and water only, while they wore out
their bodies with watching and other
hardships, while they contemplated
unweariedly the sufferings of Christ
and the woes of His most sorrowful
Mother. One Good Friday, when
their thoughts were fixed thereon more
than ever, the Blessed Virgin appeared
to them twice, and showed them her
garments of mourning as those wherein
they should clothe themselves. She
bade them know that she would take
it right well that they should raise up
in the Church a new Order to recall
the memory of the sorrows which she
bore beneath the Cross of the Lord.
Holy Peter, the illustrious martyr of
the Order of Friars Preachers, learnt
this not only from his familiar converse
with these holy men, but also from a
special vision of the Mother of God,
and it was on his incitement that they
founded the regular Order called that
of the Servites, or servants of the
Blessed Virgin, the which Order was
afterward approved by the Supreme
Pontiff Innocent IV. These holy
men, when they had gathered to
themselves some companions, began
to go through the cities and towns
of Italy, and especially of Tuscany,
everywhere preaching Christ crucified,
stilling contests among the citizens,
and calling back almost countless
backsliders into the path of grace.
Neither did they make Italy only the
field of their Gospel labours, but
also France, Germany, and Poland.
They passed away to be ever with
the Lord when they had spread far
and wide a sweet savour of Christ,
and were famous also for the glory
of signs and wonders. As one love
of brotherhood and of the monastic
life had joined them together upon
earth, so one grave held their dead
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
705
bodies, and one honour was paid
them by the people. For this reason
the Supreme Pontiffs Clement XI.
and Benedict XIII. confirmed the
honour which had for centuries been
paid to them individually, and Leo
XIII., after proof of their miracles
which had been wrought by God on
the common invocation of these
saints, after their veneration had
been sanctioned in the jubilee year
of his priesthood, decreed to them
the honours paid to Saints, and
ordered that their memory should
every year be kept throughout the
universal Church with an office and
Mass.
THIRD XOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, with
the Homily of St Jerome^ {j). 537.) In
Lent the last is omitted to make room
for the Homily of the Week-day.
Lands., Chapter from First Vespers.
Hymn.
"DY Mary's inspiration led,
A sevenfold offspring comes to light ;
At Mary's call away they sped
To Mount Senario's rugged height.
What fruits of grace the earth shall bear
When they have sown their seed divine !
Christ's vine shall bud with clusters rare,
Empurpled with the ruddy wine.
A holy death to heaven speeds
The souls with virtue's glory crowned ;
When Mary for her servants pleads,
Heaven's blessed portals they have found.
O happy souls who now obtain
The Kingdom, and the sceptre bear,
Look down on us who still remain
Where Satan spreads his subtle snare.
Therefore on bended knee we pray,
For sake of Mary's bitter grief ;
Chase darkness from our mind away,
And give our troubled hearts relief.
And Thou, O Trinity Divine !
Confirm us in Thy Holy Grace !
That as we may our hearts incline
To walk in these thy servants' ways. Amen.
Verse. May their memory be
blessed.
A7is2ver. And let their bones
flourish again out of their place.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Behold how good and 'how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 14th day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Flaminian Way,
the blessed martyr Valentine, a Priest,
who after much healing and teaching
was cudgelled and beheaded under
Claudius Caesar, [in the year 268.]
Likewise at Rome, the holy martyrs
Vi talis, Felicula, and Zeno.
At Teramo, [in Umbria, in the year
273,] the holy martyr Valentine,
Bishop of that see. He was heavily
flogged and committed to jail, but as
he would not yield he v>'as thrown out
of the prison in the silence of mid-
night and beheaded by command of
Placidus, Prefect of the city.
There likewise, [in the year 273,]
the holy martyrs Proculus, Ephebus,
and Apollonius, who were watching
by the body of holy Valentine when
they were apprehended by order of
Leontius, the consular, and slain with
the sword.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs
Bassus, Anthony, and Protolicus, who
were drowned in the sea.
Likewise at Alexandria, the Priest
Cyrion, Bassian the Reader, Agatho
the Exorcist, and Moses, who were
all burnt with fire and passed away
to heaven.
Also likewise at Alexandria, the
holy martyrs Denis and Ammonius,
who were beheaded.
7o6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Ravenna, the holy Confessor
Eleuchadius, Bishop of that see.
In Bithynia, [in the year 470,] the
holy Abbat Auxentius.
At Sorrento, the holy Abbat
Antonino. He was in the monastery
of Monte Cassino when it was des-
troyed by the Lombards, and he went
thence to a solitude hard by the city
of Sorrento, and there [in the year
830,] fell asleep in the Lord, famed
for holiness. His body is daily re-
markable for many miracles, most
chiefly in the delivery of them that
are vexed by evil spirits.
Chapter at Teixe^ as at First
Vespers. Seco7id Vespers the same as
the First, except the
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin, Ecclus. xlvi. 15. Their name
endureth for ever, enduring unto their
sons, the glory of holy men.
In Lent a Coinnienioration is made
of the Week-day, then in any case a
Commemoratio7i is made of the follow-
ing from the Common Office, [p. 548,)
with the Prayer from his Office.
February i 4.
St Falmtme, priest anti
JBlartsr.
Simple.
In Lent this Office is not observed,
but a Commemoration only is made of
Vespers a7id Lauds witJwut the last
Lesson at Mattins.
All from the Commo7i Office for Si77i-
ple Feasts of 07ie Martyr, {p. 562,)
except the followi7zg.
Prayer througJwut.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
mighty God, that we who keep
the birthday of Thy blessed Martyr
Valentine may be delivered by his
prayers from all the ills that hang over
us. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
A77ie7l.
MATTINS.
TJie First a7id Second Lesso72S a7'e
fro77i Scripture accordi7ig to the Season.,
the Third bei7ig oi7iitted, or read as
07ie with the Seco7id. The Third
Lesso7i is from the Ser77i07is of St
Austi7i, " The illustrious day, &c.,"
(/. 552.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 15th day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Brescia, the holy martyrs
Faustinus and Jovita, who under the
Emperor Hadrian, after many glorious
contendings for Christ's faith, received
by martyrdom a crown of victory,
[about the year 122.]
At Rome, the holy martyr Crato,
[the Orator,] who was baptized by
blessed Valentine, Bishop [of Terni,
in Umbria,] along with- his wife and
his whole house ; and no long while
after, he and they together attained
unto martyrdom, [in the year 273.]
At Terni, [in the year 270,] the
holy Virgin and martyr Agapis.
Also the holy martyrs Saturninus,
Castulus, Magnus, and Lucius.
At Vaison, in Gaul, holy Quinidius,
Bishop of that see, whose death, [in
the year 578,] how precious it was in
the sight of the Lord miracles do
oftentimes witness.
At Capua, [in the year 695,] the
holy Confessor Decorosus, Bishop of
that city.
In the province of Valeria, [in the
sixth century,] the holy Priest Severus,
of whom blessed Gregory writeth that
by his tears he recalled a dead man
- to life.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
-joy
At Antioch, the holy Deacon Joseph.
In Auvergne, [in the sixth century,]
the holy Virgin Georgia.
February 15.
Efje S^olg JHartgrjs, Jausttnus
antJ So&ita.
Simple.
In Lent this Office is not observed^
but a Co7nnienwration only is made at
Vespers and Lauds without the last
Lesson at Mattins.
All from the Common Office for
Simple Feasts of Many Martyrs.,
{f- 579)5 except what is otherwise
given here.
Prayer throughout the Office. " O
God, Who year by year, &c.," {f.
574.)
MATTINS.
The First and Second Lessons are
from Scripture according to the Sea-
son., the Third beijtg omitted^ or read
as one with the Seco?id.
tormented with fire. Being both still
alive, they were brought to Milan,
without their chains having ever been
taken off. At Milan they were tor-
tured again with every invention of
cruelty that could be devised. Never-
theless the great power of their faith
made them more than conquerors,
shining even as gold tried in the
furnace. From Milan they were
brought to Rome, where they were
confirmed by Pope Evaristus, and
where they were put to the torture
again with extreme barbarity. They
were afterwards shown in public at
Naples, where the tormentors dis-
played their skill in divers ways upon
them. Here they were thrown chained
into the sea, but the angels delivered
them. Their stations of suffering, by
their God-like patience, and the won-
derful Power displayed in them, had
now turned many souls to Jesus. In
the end they were carried back to
Brescia, and, when Hadrian took the
empire, they were put to death by the
axe at that place. ^ The crown of mar-
tyrdom which they won is glorious.
Second Responsory.
Theirs is a brotherhood indeed, &c.,
(/• 572).
Third Lesson.
■JPAUSTINUS and Jovita were bro-
thers, born of a noble family at
Brescia. While Trajan's persecution
was raging, they were taken about
in chains from one city of Italy to
another, and exhibited in torture in
each. This cruelty utterly failed to
silence their confession of Christ,
Whom they preached by their suffer-
ings in every place where they were
shown. They were afterwards kept
for a long time at Brescia, where they
were exhibited with wild beasts, and
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the i6th day of February,
were born into the better life —
Blessed Onesimus, of whom the
holy Apostle Paul writeth unto
Philemon ; and whom also he or-
dained Bishop of Ephesus after holy
Timothy, and committed unto him
the preaching of the word. In the
end he was brought to Rome in
chains, and there stoned to death for
Christ's faith's sake. His body was
first buried there, but was thence
taken to the place where he had been
ordained bishop.
On the same day is commemorated
at Camse in Campania the translation
of the holy Virgin and martyr Juliana.
1 About A.D. 121.
708
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Nicomedia, under the Emperor
Maximian, she was cruelly beaten by
her own father Africanus, then put
to divers torments by the Prefect
Evilasius, whom she refused to marry,
and afterwards cast into prison, where
she fought visibly with the devil : she
overcame fire and boiling water, and
at length finished her martyrdom by
being beheaded, [in the year 299.]
On the same daj^, were also born
into the better life —
In Egypt, the holy martyr Julian,
and five thousand others, [in the year
309-]
At Cassarea, in Palestine, the holy
Egyptian martyrs Elijah, Jeremiah,
Isaiah, Samuel, and Daniel. They
went of their own accord to Cilicia
to minister to the Confessors who had
been condemned to penal servitude
in the mines ; when they were return-
ing thence, they were apprehended,
and most cruelly tortured by the Pre-
sident Firmihan under the Emperor
Galerius Maximian, and in the end
were beheaded, [in the year 309.]
After whom holy Porphyry, the
servant of the martyr Pamphilus, and
holy Seleucus the Cappadocian, who
had oftentimes contended and always
been conquerors, were put to the
torture again, and [in the year 309]
received their crowns — Porphyry by
fire, and Seleucus by the sword.
At Arezzo, in Tuscany, [in the year
1276,] the blessed Pope Gregory X. ;
he was a man of Piacenza, and was
raised to the Supreme Pontificate
from the arch-deaconry [of Liege.]
He held the Second Council of Lyons,
received the Greeks into the unity of
the faith, healed the dissensions of
Christendom, set forward the recovery
■of the Holy Land, and governed the
Church in holiness.
At Brescia, [in the year 350,] the
holy Confessor Faustinus, Bishop of
that see.
February 16.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 17th day of February,
were born into the better life—
At Rome, the holy martyr Faustinus,
and forty -four others, who followed
him to his crown.
In Persia, [in the year 251,] holy
Polychronius, Bishop of Babylon, who
in the persecution of Decius had his
mouth broken with stones, and then
with his hands stretched out and his
eyes lifted up to heaven, gave up the
ghost.
At Concordia, [in the year 303,]
the holy martyrs Donatus, Secun-
dianus, and Romulus, together with
eighty-six others, who were partakers
in their crown.
At Ccesarea, in Palestine, [in the
year 309,] holy Theodulus the Elder,
of the household of the President
Firmilian. He was stirred up by
the example of the martyrs stead-
fastly to confess Christ, and being
himself crucified gained by a noble
victory the palm of martyrdom.
There also the holy martyr Julian
the Cappadocian. He kissed the
bodies of the slaughtered martyrs,
and was therefore accused of Christ-
ianity, brought before the President,
and burnt on a slow fire.
In the country of Tervan, holy
Silvin, Bishop of Toulouse.
In Ireland, [in the middle of the
sixth century,] the holy Priest and
Confessor Fintan, [of the race of
whom was Brigid ; he was Abbat
of Cluain-ed-nech in Leinster, and
was called chief head of the monks
of Ireland.]
At Florence, [at the end of the
thirteenth century,] the blessed Con-
fessor Alexis de' Falconieri, one of
the seven founders of the Order of
Servants of the blessed Virgin Mary.
He died a blessed death in the hun-
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
709
died and tenth year of his life,
strengthened by the presence of
Christ Jesus and of the angels.
February 17.
martyrology.
Upon the i8th day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Jerusalem, the blessed martyr
Simeon, Bishop of that holy city
[from the year 46 to the year 107.]
This is he of whom it is recorded that
he was the son of Cleophas and the
kinsman of the Saviour according to
the flesh. He was ordained Bishop of
Jerusalem next after James, the brother
of the Lord. In the persecution under
Trajan he was put to many torments
and suffered martyrdom, and the judge
and all men marvelled to see with how
great boldness and firmness he endured
the grievous torment of the cross at
his great age, for he was an hundred
and twenty years old.
At Ostia, the holy brethren Maxi-
mus and Claudius, and Pr^perdigna,
the wife of Claudius, and their two
sons, Alexander and Cutias, all mar-
tyrs, [in the year 295.] They were
a very noble race, and by command
of the Emperor Diocletian they were
arrested and sent into exile, then they
were consumed with fire, and so offered
a sacrifice of sweet savour unto God
himself. Their relics were cast into the
river, but the Christians sought for them
and buried them hard by the city.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Lucius,
Sylvan, Rutulus, Classicus, Secun-
dinus, Fructulus, and Maximus.
At Constantinople, [in the year 449,]
holy Flavian, Bishop of that see, who,
because he defended the Catholic faith
at Ephesus, was assailed by the fol-
lowers of the wicked Dios corns with
cuffs and kicks, and sent into exile,
where he died after three days.
At Toledo, [in the year 631,] the
holy Confessor Helladius, Bishop of
that see.
February 18.
St Simeon, Btsljop [of
SerusaUmJ JMartgr.
Simple.
I71 Lent this Office is ?tot observed,
but a Connnevwration o?ily is made at
Vespers and Laitds without the last
Lesson at Mattiiis.
All from the Common Office for
Simple Feasts of a Bishop a?zd Martyr,
{p. 562,) except what is otherwise
givejt here.
Prayer throughout. Mercifully con-
sider our weakness, &c., {p. 557.)
MATTINS.
The First and Secojid Lessons are
from Scripture according to the Sea-
son, the Third being omitted, or read
as one with the Second.
Third Lesson.
CI ME ON, the son of Cleophas,
'^ (Matth. xiii. 55,) was [chosen]
the second Bishop of Jerusalem, [in
the year 62,] being the first after
James. Under the Emperor Trajan
he was accused before the Pro-Consul
Atticus, as being both a Christian
and a relation of Christ, this being
the time when all were arrested that
were of the lineage of David. He
underwent with great suffering the
same things that were inflicted on our
Saviour, and all men marvelled to
see with how great boldness and firm-
ness he endured the grievous torment
of the cross, at his great age, for he
was an hundred and twenty years old.^
1 A.D. 107 or 116.
710
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 19th day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, [in the year 296,] the
holy martyr Gavin, a Priest who was
the brother of the blessed Pope Gains,
and who was long kept in prison and
chains by the Emperor Diocletian,
and gained the gladness of heaven
through a death precious in the sight
of the Lord.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Publius,
Julian, Marcellus, and others.
In Palestine are commemorated the
holy monks and other martyrs who
[about the year 508] were cruelly
slain for Ghrist's faith's sake by the
Saracens under Al Mundar, their
general.
At Jerusalem, [in the year 304,]
holy Zambdas, [counted thirty-ninth]
Bishop of that holy city.
At Soli, [in Gyprus, in the year
102,] holy Auxibius, Bishop [of that
see.]
At Beneventum, [in the year 682,]
holy Barbatus, Bishop of that see,
famous for his holiness, who brought
the Lombards and their leader to
Christ.
At Milan, [about the year 700,]
the holy Confessor Mansuetus, Bishop
of that see.
February 19.
martyrology.
Upon the 20th day of February are
commemorated the blessed martyrs
of Tyre, in Phoenicia, whose number
is known only to God. They were
slain by Veturius, military instructor
under the Emperor Diocletian, with
a great number and variety of
torments. They were first lacerated
with stripes, then given to divers
kinds of beasts ; but as these, through
the power of God, would not hurt
them, they were savagely tortured
anew with fire and iron and put to
death. This glorious multitude were
cheered on to victory by the Bishops
Tyrannio, Silvan, Peleus, and Nilus,
and the Priest Zenobius, who by a
happy contention, along with them,
gained the same palm of martyrdom
together with them.
On the same 20th day of February,
were also born into the better life —
In the island of Gyprus, the holy
martyrs Pothamius and Nemesius.
At Constantinople, [in the year
490,] the holy martyr Eleutherius,
[eighth] Patriarch of that city. [He
had replaced Acacius, who favoured
the Eutychians.]
In Persia, [in the year 342,] holy
Sadoth, [Arch]bishop [of Seleucia and
Gtesephon, in Persia, successor to St
Simeon,] and an hundred and twenty-
eight others who refused to worship
the sun, under Sapor, King of the
Persians, and by cruel deaths gained
glorious crowns.
At Catania, in Sicily, [in the eighth
century,] holy Leo, Bishop of that see,
who shone with graces and miracles.
On the same day, [in the year 738,]
holy Eucherius, Bishop of Orleans,
who shone with more miracles the
more he was belied by his enemies.
At Tournay, in Gaul, [in the year
531,] the holy Confessor Eleutherius,
Bishop of that see.
February 20.
martyrology.
Upon the 2 1 st day of February,
were born into the better life —
In Sicily, under the Emperor Dio-
cletian, [fourth century,] seventy-nine
holy martyrs, who through divers
torments won the crown of their
confession.
At Adrumetum, [Susa ?] in Africa,
[in fourth century,] the holy martyrs
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
711
Verulus, Secundinus, Syricius, Felix,
Servulus, Saturninus, Fortunatus, and
sixteen others, who were crowned
with martyrdom for their confession
of the Catholic faith in the persecution
under the Vandals.
At Bethsan, [about 452,] the holy
martyr Severian, Bishop of that see.
At Damascus, [in the year 743,]
holy Peter Mavimeno. Some Arabs
came to see him while he was ill,
and to them he said, " Whoever does
not embrace the Catholic Christian
religion will be damned, as your false
prophet Mohammed is," whereupon
they killed him.
At Ravenna, [in the year 556,] the
holy Confessor Maximian.
At Metz, [about the year 500,] holy
Felix, Bishop of that see.
At Brescia, [in the seventh centmy,]
holy Paterius, [twenty-third] Bishop of
that see.
February 21.
martyrology.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the See of the holy Apostle Peter,
wherein he first sat at Antioch. In
the which city the disciples were first
called Christians.
At Hierapolis, in Phrygia, holy
Papias, Bishop of that city, who was
the hearer of the holy elder John, and
the companion of Polycarp.
At Salamis, in Cyprus, holy Aristion,
who, as the said Papias doth testify,
was one of the seventy-two disciples
•of Christ.
In Arabia are commemorated many
holy martyrs who were cruelly slain
imder the Emperor Galerius Max-
imian.
At Alexandria, holy Abilius, Pope
of that see, who was the second who
held it after the blessed Evangelist
Mark, and administered his office
1 Part of the mediaeval hymn Felix per omnes,
•tion by the Rev. E. Caswall.
with an eminent manifestation of
grace.
At Yienne, holy Paschasius, Bishop
of that see, very famous for his learn-
ing and the holiness of his life.
At Cortona, in Tuscany, [in the
year 1297,] holy Margaret, of the third
order of St Francis, whose body hath
marvellously remained incorrupt for
more than four hundred years, breath-
ing a sweet savour, and famous for
many miracles, and is there deeply
honoured.
Vespers are of the folloiuing.
February 22.
St Jeter's; See at anttocfj.
Greater Double.
All from the Coniino7i Office for a
Bishop and Coifessor^ {p. 581,) except
what is otherwise given here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Hy 1)171.^
"DETER, whatever thou shalt bind on
earth,
The same is bound above the starry sky ;
What here thy delegated power doth loose,
Is loosed in heaven's supremest court on
high:
To Judgment shalt thou come when the
world's end is nigh.
Praise to the Father through all ages be !
The same to Thee, O Co-eternal Son !
And Holy Ghost, One Glorious Trinity !
To Whom all majesty and might belong :
So sing we now, and such be our eternal
song. Amen.
Verse. Thou art Peter.
Answer. And upon this rock I will
build My Church.
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Thou art the Shepherd of the
&c., nmch altered ; author unknown ; transla-
712
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
sheep, and the Prince of the Apostles,
and unto thee are given the keys of
the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer and Commemoration of St
Paul from Lauds j in Le?it^ Com-
memoration of the Feria.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Thou art the Shepherd
of the sheep, and the Prince of the
Apostles : "^ and unto thee hath God
given the keys of the kingdom of
heaven.
Hymn from First Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
Here beginneth the First Epistle of
the 1 Blessed Apostle Peter (i. i.)
pETER, an Apostle of Jesus Christ,
to the strangers scattered through-
out Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia, elect, according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, unto
the sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience, and sprinkling of the Blood
of Jesus Christ : Grace unto you, and
peace, be multiplied. Blessed be God
and the Father of our Lord jESUS
Christ, Which, according to His abun-
dant mercy, hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the Resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for you, who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto sal-
vation ready to be revealed in the last
time.
First Responsory.
Simon Peter, before I called thee
out of the ship, I knew thee, and
appointed thee for a ruler over My
people. And I have given unto thee
the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. Whatsoever; thou shalt bind
on earth, shall be bound in heaven ;
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Anszuer. And I have given unto thee
the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Second Lesson^
A 1 THEREIN ye greatly rejoice,
though now for a season, if
need be, ye are in heaviness, through
manifold temptations ; that the trial
of your faith, being much more pre-
cious than gold (which is tried with
fire,) may be found unto praise, and
glory, and honour at the appearing of
Jesus Christ : Whom, having not
seen, ye love ; in Whom, though now
ye see Him not, yet ye believe ; and
believing, rejoice, with joy unspeakable
and full of glory ; receiving the end
of your faith, even the salvation of
your souls.
Second Responsory.
"^ Simon Peter, if thou lovest Me,,
feed My sheep. Lord, Thou knowest
that I love Thee : I will lay down my
life for Thy sake.
Verse. ^ If I should die with Thee,
I will not deny Thee.
Ans^ver. I will lay down my life
for Thy sake.
Third Lesson.
/^F which salvation, the Prophets
^-"^ have inquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the
grace that should come unto you,
1 Abp. Kenrick says: "The period when this letter was written cannot be fixed with cer-
tainty. Hug assigns it to the eleventh year of Nero." (If so, three years before the martyrdom
of the Apostle.) "The common opinion is that it was written from Rome, which is understood
to have been designated by the name of Babylon (v. 13) as in the Apocalypse ; but the critic
just mentioned .... supposes that it was written from Babylon in Asia."
- John xxi. 17 ; xiii. 37. -' Mark xiv. 31.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
713
searching what or what time the
Spirit of Christ Which was in them
did signify, when It testified before-
hand the sufferings of Christ, and the
glory that should follow. Unto whom
it was revealed that, not unto them-
selves, but unto you, they did minister
the things which are now reported
unto you by them that have preached
the Gospel unto you, with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven, on
Whom the angels desire to look.
Third Responsory.
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock
I will build My Church, and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of
the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. Whatsoever thou shalt bind
on earth, shall be bound in heaven ;
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Answer. And I vv^ill give unto thee
the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And I will give unto thee
the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
{i^th 071 the Samts.)
'T^HE solemn Feast of to-day re-
ceived from our forefathers the
name of that of St Peter's Chair at
Antioch, because there is a tradition
that it was on this day that Peter,
first of the Apostles, was enthroned
in a Bishop's Chair. Rightly, there-
fore, do the Churches observe the first
day of that Chair, the right to which
the Apostle received for the salvation
of the Churches from the Lord of the
Churches Himself, with the words :
"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock
I will build My Church."
Fourth Responsory.
Thou art the Shepherd of the sheep,
and the Prince of the Apostles, and
unto thee hath God given all the
kingdoms of the world. Therefore
unto thee hath He given the keys of
the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. Whatsoever thou shalt bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven ;
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Answer. Therefore unto thee hath
He given the keys of the kingdom
of heaven.
Fifth Lesson.
TT was the Lord Himself Who called
Peter the foundation of the
Church, and therefore it is right that
the Church should reverence this
foundation whereon her mighty struct-
ure riseth. Justly is it written in the
Psalm which we have just heard :
" Let them exalt him in the con-
gregation of the people, and praise
him in the assembly of the elders."
Blessed be God, Who hath com-
manded that the Blessed Apostle
Peter should be exalted in the con-
gregation! Worthy to be honoured
by the Church is that foundation from
which her goodly towers rise, pointing
to heaven !
Fifth Responsory.
1 Peter, I have prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not ; and when thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Verse. Flesh and blood hath not
- Luke xxii. 32.
VOL. IL
2 B
714
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
revealed it unto thee, but My Father
Which is in heaven.
Answer. And when thou art con-
verted, strengthen thy brethren.
Sixth Lesson,
T N the honour which is this day paid
to the inauguration of the first
Bishop's throne, an honour is paid
to the office of all Bishops. The
Churches testify one to another, that,
the greater the Church's dignity, the
greater the reverence due to her
priests. While I confess how rightly
godly custom hath exalted this Feast
in the estimation of all the Churches,
the more do I wonder at the growth
of that unhealthy error which at this
day causeth some unbelievers to lay
food and wine upon the graves of the
dead,^ as if souls once rid of the body
had any longer any need of bodily
refreshment.
Sixth Responsory.
Peter, lovest thou Me ? Lord, Thou
knowest that I love Thee. Feed My
sheep.
Verse. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou Me more than these ? Lord,
Thou knowest that I love Thee.
Answer. Feed My sheep.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Feed My sheep.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xvi.
13.)
AT that time : Jesus came into the
coasts of Cassarea Philippi, and
He asked His disciples, saying : Who
do men say that I, the Son of Man
am ? And so on.
Homily by Pope St Leo [the Great]
(3r^ on the A?t7iiversary of his own
electio7t. )
The Lord asked His disciples Who
men said that He was, and their
answers were human as long as they
were the answers of human reason,
unilluminated by Divine light. At
last, when the glimmerings of earthly
conjecture were spoken, he whose
Apostleship is the first in dignity, was
the first to confess his Lord. " And
Simon Peter answered and said: Thou
art the Christ, the Son of the living-
God. And Jesus answered and said
unto him : Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but My Father
Which is in heaven." That is to say,
" For this cause art thou blessed,
because My Father Himself hath
taught thee ; the opinions of men
have not beguiled thee, the voices of
angels have not taught thee, not flesh
and blood, but He, Whose Only-
begotten Son I am, hath revealed Me
unto thee."
Sevejzth Responsory.
Jesus asked His disciples, saying :
Who do men say that I, the Son of
Man, am ? Peter answered, and said :
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God. And I say unto thee,
that thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build My Church.
Verse. Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but My Father
Which is in heaven.
A7tswer. And I say unto thee, that
thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build My Church.
1 Perhaps alluding to some practice, in celebration of festivals, which had grown out of the
agapae or love-feasts, and had become an abuse.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
715
Eighth Lesson.
'T^HUS saith the Lord unto Simon
Peter: "And I say also unto
thee, That thou art Peter." That is
to say, " Even as My Father hath
revealed unto thee concerning Me that
I am God, even so now will I also
reveal unto thee that thou art Peter ;
I am the sure Rock of defence, the
Corner Stone, Who make both one,
(Eph. ii. 20, 15,) I am the Founda-
tion, beside Which other can no man
lay, (i Cor. iii. 11,) and thou also
art a rock, in My Strength made hard,
and those things whereof I by right
am Lord, into thy hand do I give
them, that thou mayst bear rule over
them, for Me, and with Me." "And
upon this rock I will build My
Church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it." " Upon this
strength of thine, whereof I am the
Strength, I will build My eternal
temple, and upon the truth of thy
confession of Me I will make to rise
that My glorious Church whose spires
shall pierce to heaven."
Eighth Responsory.
The Lord hath chosen thee for a
priest unto Himself, to offer up unto
Him the sacrifice of praise.
Verse. ^ Offer unto God thanks-
giving, and pay thy vows unto the
Most High.
A?ts'wer. The sacrifice of praise.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The sacrifice of praise.
Ninth Lesson.
Note. If this Feast fall on a
Saturday before Lent^ or be trans-
ferred to a Monday^ and it be not
Leap Year., then the Ninth Lesso7t
will be the Homily for St Matthias''
Eve., of which a Commemoration will
also be made at Lauds., after that of
St Paid. If moreover this Feast fall
in Le?it^ then the Ninth Lesson will
be the Ho7nily of the Week-day., of
which also a Cojnme7noratio7i will be
j?iade at Lauds, hi Lent no notice of
St Matthias'' Eve is taken in the
Offt-ce., but at Mass only.
A GAINST this confession the gates
of hell shall never prevail,
neither shall the bands of death take
hold upon it. Thus saith He That is
faithful and true. And as this con-
fession hath power to lift up to heaven
them that make it, so is it able to
thrust down to hell them that gainsay
it. Wherefore it is said unto the most
blessed Peter : " And I will give unto
thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth, shall be bound in
heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth, shall be loosed in
heaven." This power passed indeed
to the other Apostles also ; this the
Lord's will had effect in them ; but
it is not in vain that it is written
that that was given to one which
passed from him to all. To Peter
alone were the keys given, and Peter
is set as the pattern for all them
that bear rule in the Church to follow.
There remaineth therefore the right
of Peter, wheresoever his judgment
decreeth justice. Neither is there
anything too hard, or too lax, where
there is nothing bound and nothing
loosed, save when Peter bindeth or
looseth.
I71 Lent a Commemoration of the
Week-day is 7nade at First Vespers.
1 Ps. xlix. 14.
7i6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
SECOND VESPERS.
A Conimemoratioji is made of the
followiitg. Aiitiphon^ " O right excel-
lent Teacher, &c.," {j). 581,) Verse,
"The Lord loved him, &c.," a?td
Ajiswer, {p. 581,) and the followi7tg
Prayer.
/^~^RANT unto us, we beseech Thee,
^^ O Almighty God, so to profit
by the teaching and example of Thy
blessed Confessor and Bishop Peter,
that like him we may lightly esteem
the things which are seen and tem-
poral, and finally attain unto those
good things which are unseen and
eternal. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Aine?t.
LAUDS.
Hyvm.'^
pETER, blest Shepherd ! hearken to our
cry,
And with a word unloose our guilty
chain ;
Thou ! who hast power to ope the gates on
high
To men below, and power to shut them
fast again.
Praise, blessing, majesty, through endless
days,
Be to the Trinity immortal given ;
Who in pure Unity profoundly sways
Eternally alike all things in earth and
heaven. Amen.
Verse. ^ Let them exalt Him in
the congregation of the people.
Answer. And praise Him in the
assembly of the elders.
Antiphofi at the Song of Zacharias.
Thus saith the Lord unto Simon
Peter : Whatsoever thou shalt bind
on earth, shall be bound in heaven ;
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Prayer throughout the Office.
f~\ GOD, Who hast given unto Thy
^-'^ Blessed Apostle Peter the keys
of the kingdom of heaven, and the
power to bind and to loose, loose us,
we beseech Thee, at his mighty in-
tercession, from all the bands of our
sins. Who livest and reignest with
God the Father, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Aine7t.
The?i the following Cojmnejnoration
of St Paul.
Antipho7i. O Holy Apostle Paul,
Preacher of the truth, and Teacher of
the Gentiles, pray for us to God Who
hath chosen thee.
Verse. O Holy Apostle Paul, thou
art a chosen vessel unto God.
A7tswer. To preach the Gospel
throughout the whole world.
Prayer.
f~\ GOD, Who, through the preach-
^~"^ ing of the Blessed Apostle Paul,
hast caused the light of the Gospel to
shine throughout the world, grant, we
beseech Thee, that we, who do keep
his memorial, may continually be
holpen by his intercession with Thee.
MARTYROLOGY.
The morrow is the eve of the holy
Apostle Matthias.
But in Leap year the above words
must be omitted.
Upon the 23 rd day of February,
were born into the better life —
At Faenza, the holy Peter Damian,
[988-1072,] Cardinal Bishop of Ostia,
1 A part, much altered, of the hymn Aurea Luce, composed probably near the end of the
fifth century by Elpis, first wife of the learned Boethius, minister of Theodoric ; translation by
the Rev. E. Caswall. 2 Ps. cvi. 32.
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
717
famous for his teaching and hoH-
ness, whom Pope Leo XII. declared
to be a Doctor of the Universal
Church.
At Sirmium, [in the year 307,] the
blessed martyr Sirenus ; a monk who
was apprehended by order of the
Emperor Maximian, and when he
confessed himself to be a Christian
was beheaded.
There likewise, seventy- two holy
martyrs, who finished the combat of
martyrdom in that city, and received
kingdoms which fade not away, eternal
in the heavens.
At Rome, [in the fourth century,]
the holy Priest Polycarp, who, along
with the blessed Sebastian, brought
many to believe in Christ, and by his
exhortations led them to the glory of
martyrdom.
In the city of Astorga, [in the year
252,] the holy Virgin Martha, mar-
tyred under the Emperor Decius and
the Proconsul Paternus.
At Constantinople, [about the year
860,] the holy monk Lazarus. Be-
cause he painted holy images, the
Emperor Theophilus, the Iconoclast,
put him to grievous tortures, and
burnt his hands with a white-hot iron ;
but he was healed by the power of
God, restored the painting upon the
holy images that had been defaced,
and at length fell asleep in peace.
At Brescia, [about 652,] holy Felix,
Bishop of that see.
At Seville, in Spain, [in the year
485,] the holy Confessor Florence.
At Todi, [in 324,] the holy Virgin
Romana, who was baptized by holy
Pope Sylvester, led a heavenly life in
dens and caves of the earth, and shone
with the glory of miracles.
In England, [in the seventh cen-
tury,] the holy Virgin Milburga, daugh-
ter of the king of the Mercians, [sister
of St Mildred, and Abbess of Wenlock,
Shropshire.]
February 23.
St Peter ©amtatt, [Carlimal]
BtsJjop [0£©stia,]eEonfessor
anU lioetor of tJje ®i}urei^.
Double.
All from the Common Office fo7' a
Bishop and Co7ifessor^ (J). 581,) except
what is otherwise given here.
Iji Lent a Commemoration of the
Week-day is made at First Vespers.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season. Ln Lent from i Tim. iii,
I, {p. 582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'X'HE holy Doctor Peter Damian
was born of respectable parents
at Ravenna, [about the year of our
Lord 988.] While he was still a
suckling, his mother, overcome with
the care of many children, cast him
out to perish, but one of the women
servants saved him when he was nigh
to death, and fed him until natural
affection appeared again in his mother,
to whom she then gave him back.
After the death of both his parents he
lived with a brother who treated him
like the lowest slave, and in whose
house he underwent a hard bondage.
Even while he was in this condition
he gave a wonderful proof of his faith
toward God, and his dutiful love
toward his father. It chanced that
one day he found a considerable sum
of money, but instead of using it to
relieve his own poverty, he gave it
7i8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
all to a priest to offer God's sacrifice
for the forgiveness of his father's sins.
He had happily another brother called
Damian, the same from whom he
seemeth afterwards to have taken his
surname. By him he was affection-
ately adopted, and put in the way of
being educated. He made such pro-
gress in learning as astonished his
teachers, and when he had won an
eminent name in letters, he began to
teach on his own accord with general
applause. Meanwhile, lest his body
should get the better of his mind, he
constantly wore a hair-shirt under his
softer clothes, and exercised himself in
fasting, watching, and prayer. In the
spring-time of his age he was griev-
ously tormented by the stings of the
flesh ; and sometimes, when the re-
bellions of lust seemed about to get
the mastery over him at night, he
threw himself into a freezing stream
to check them. After this he wouM
go about visiting consecrated places,
and repeat the whole book of Psalms.
He was most careful in relieving the
poor, on whom he would wait with
his own hands.
Fifth Lesso?i.
"T^ESIRING to attain to perfection
of life he betook himself to the
convent of Font-Avellano, in the dio-
cese of Gubbio, in Umbria, a house
founded by the blessed Ludolph, the
disciple of St Romuald, for the monks
of the Holy Cross. He dwelt there
not long before he was sent by his
Abbat, first to the Abbey of Pomposia,
and, secondly, to that of St Vincent
at Pietra Pertusa, both which brother-
hoods he greatly profited by his godly
exhortations, discreet rules, and grave
manners. After his return home, and
the death of his Superior, he was
chosen to rule the brethren of Avellano.
Here he founded divers new hermi-
tages, and made the community so
to flourish under his saintly direction,
that he is esteemed the second Father
and chief ornament of that Order.
This healthful care of Peter was made
a blessing to convents of other Rules
than his own, to houses of Canons,
and to the people. He was many
ways profitable to the diocese of
Urbino. He sat with Theuzo the
Bishop of that See to judge of a
most weighty matter, and led him by
his counsel and assistance rightly to
administer his Bishoprick. He Avas
foremost in contemplation of the
things of God, in severity toward his
own body, and in other things where-
by to set a bright example of godli-
ness. In consideration of these things
the Supreme Pontiff Stephen IX.,
[in the year 1057,] created him, in
spite of his own unwillingness and
objections, a Cardinal of the Holy
Roman Church, and appointed him
Bishop of Ostia. This dignity Peter
bore with the highest reputation for
piety, and adorned with works meet
for a Bishop.
Sixth Lesson.
A T the most anxious times he
greatly sustained the Church of
Rome and the Supreme Pontiffs by
his teaching, by missions which he
discharged, and by divers other
labours which he undertook on their
behalf He strove manfully even
unto death against the heresies of
the Nicolaitans and the Simoniacs, by
putting down which evils he reconciled
the Church of Milan to that of Rome.
He was one of the stoutest opponents
of the false Popes Benedict and
Cadalous. He deterred Henry IV.,
King of Germany, from his wicked
scheme for putting away his wife.
He recalled the people of Ravenna to
their bounden duty to the Bishop of
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
719
Rome, and restored them to the
communion of the Church. He re-
formed the Canons of Velletri, and
brought them to lead more godly lives.
There were hardly any Cathedral
Churches, especially in the province
of Urbino, of which he did not deserve
w€ll. In Gubbio, of which he had at
one time the management, he abolished
many things unseemly. He brought
about improvements in many and
divers places, as if each were his
special charge. [In 1062] he gave
up his dignities of Cardinal and
Bishop, but he allowed his love toward
his neighbours to know no diminution.
He was particularly zealous in spread-
ing abroad four devout practices : ist,
To fast every Friday in honour of
the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ ; 2nd,
To recite the Hours of the Blessed
Mother of God, called also her Little
Office ; 3rd, To sanctify Saturday in
her honour ; and 4th, and especially,
to scourge oneself in punishment for
sin committed. At length he de-
parted to be with Christ, at Faenza,
on his way back from his mission to
Ravenna, on the 22nd of February,
[in the year 1072,] at the height of
his reputation for holiness, learning,
miracles, and good works. His body
is buried in the house of the Cister-
cians at Faenza, where the people
resort often to his grave with great
reverence. The citizens of Faenza,
to whom he hath been found good at
need even to this day, have chosen
him for their Patron in the presence
of God. The supreme Pontiff Leo
XII., finding that an Office and Mass
in memory of him, as a Confessor
and Bishop, was in use in some
dioceses, and in the Camaldolese
Order, by advice of the Sacred Con-
gregation of Rites, added the title of
Doctor, and extended the use of the
said Office and Mass to the whole
Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. v. 13, with the
Homily of St Austi?t^ {p. 617.)
Eighth Responsory .
In the midst, &c., {p. 606.)
If it be neither Lejtt nor Leap Year
the Ninth Lesson will be the Homily
for St Matthias'' Eve. Then the
Third Lesson of the Ho?nily on Matth.
V. 13 is omitted., or read as one with
the Second, a?id the First Lesson only
of the Homily of the Eve is read., or
else the three as one. In Lent no
fiotice is take?! of St Matthias'' Eve.,
a7id the Ni?ith Lesson is the Hofuily
for the Week-day, either the first part
or all three in one, and the Coni-
7nenioratio7i of the Week-day is made
at Lauds.
Prayer throughout the day as at the
Co7n7ue?noratio7i the preceding evening.
In Leap Year St Matthias' Eve is
kept 071 February 24.
In Lent it is 077iitted.
All fro 771 the Co77i77ion Office for
Apostles' Eves, {p. 513.)
In Leap Year the following is the
MARTYROLOGY.
The morrow is the eve of the holy
Apostle Matthias.
Upon the same 24th day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life
many holy martyrs and confessors and
holy virgins.
But the following is the ordi7iary
Martyrology which is read in Leap
Year upon St Matthias' Eve.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 24th (or 25th) day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life —
In Judea, the holy Apostle Matthias,
720
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
who was chosen by the Apostles right
after the Ascension of the Lord to
take the place of the traitor Judas,
and who suffered martyrdom for
preaching the Gospel.
At Rome, the holy martyr Primitiva.
At Cassarea, in Cappadocia, [in the
year 304,] the holy martyr Sergius,
whose acts are held most famous.
In Africa, [in the year 259,] the
holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Julian,
Victoricus, Flavian, and their Com-
panions, who were disciples of holy
Cyprian, and finished their testimony
under the Emperor Valerian.
At Rouen, [in the year 588,] the holy
martyr Pretextatus, Bishop of that see.
At Treves, [about the year 499,] the
holy Confessor Modestus, Bishop of
that see.
In England, [in the year 616,] holy
Ethelbert, King of Kent, whom holy
Augustin, first Archbishop of Canter-
bury, converted to the faith of Christ,
and whose feast we keep upon the
26th (27th) day of this present month
of February.
At Jerusalem is commemorated the
first finding, [in the fourth century,]
of the Head of the Lord's forerunner.
February 24, or in Leap Year
Feb. 25.
St iHattl}tas, Apostle*
Double of the Secojid Class.
All from the Cojimion Office for the
Feasts of Apostles^ {p. 528,) except
what is otherwise give7i here.
FIRST vespers.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst choose Thy
^^^ blessed servant Matthias to be
of the number of the twelve Apostles,
grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy
Church, being upholden by his prayers,
may ever feel about her the arms ^
of Thy most mighty protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
In Le7it a Commemoratioii is made
of the Week-day.
If this be the evening of February
2'^rd^ then a Commenioratio7i is made
of St Peter Damian. Antiphon^ " O
right excellent Teacher, &c.," (/. 581.)
Verse^ "The Lord guided, &c.," a7id
A7tswer, {p. 590,) a7id the Prayer of
St Peter Da7]iia7i as throughout the
day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles, (i. 15.)
T N those days Peter stood up in the
midst of the brethren, and said :
(the number of the men together was
about an hundred and twenty) Men
and brethren, this Scripture must
needs be fulfilled, which the Holy
Ghost by the mouth of David spake
before concerning Judas, which was
guide to them that took Jesus : for
he was numbered with us, and had
obtained part of this ministry. Now
this man purchased a field with the
reward of iniquity ; wherein also he
hanged himself, and bursting asunder
in the midst, all his bowels gushed
out.
Seco7id Lesso7i.
A ND it was known unto all the
dwellers at Jerusalem, insomuch
as that field is called in their proper
tongue "Haceldama," that is to say.
1 Literally, "about her the bowels of Thy mercy."
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
721
"The field of blood." For it is
written in the book of Psalms : " Let
his habitation be desolate, and let no
man dwell therein, and his Bishoprick
let another take." (cviii. 8.) Where-
fore, of these men which have com-
panied with us all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
beginning from the baptism of John,
unto that same day that He was taken
up from us, must one be ordained to
be a witness with us of His resurrec-
tion.
Third Lesson.
A ND they appointed two, Joseph
'^^ called Barsabas, which was sur-
named the Just, and Matthias. And
they prayed, and said : Thou, Lord,
Which knowest the hearts of all men,
show whether of these two Thou hast
chosen, that he may take part of this
ministry and Apostleship, from which
Judas by transgression fell, that he
might go to his own place. And they
gave forth their lots, and the lot fell
upon Matthias, and he was numbered
with the eleven Apostles.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Les softs from St Austin's Exposition
<?/ Psalm Ixxxvi. (^.543.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xi. 25, with
the Homily of St Austin^ {p. 613.) Ln
Lent the Third Lesson of St Austin's
Homily is omitted or read as one with
the Seco7id^ and the Ninth Lessojt is
the Homily on the Gospel for the
Week-day.
In Lent a Commemoratio7i is made
of the Week-day at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 25th (26th) day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life —
VOL. II.
In Egypt, [in the third century,]
under the Emperor Numerian, the
holy martyrs Victorinus, Victor, Ni-
cephorus, Claudian, Dioscorus, Sera-
pion, and Papias. Victorinus and
Victor steadfastly bore grievous tor-
tures on account of their confession
of the faith, and were beheaded.
Nicephorus was laid upon a hot
iron bed, and when he had over-
come the fire was cut joint from
joint. Claudian and Dioscorus were
burnt. Serapion and Papias were
slain with the sword.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Do-
natus, Justus, Herenas, and their
Companions.
At Rome, [in the year 492,] the
holy Pope Felix IIL, who was the
great-grandfather of holy Gregory
the Great, who saith of him that
he appeared unto his holy niece
Tharsilla, and called her unto the
kingdom of heaven.
At Constantinople, [in the year
806,] holy Tharasius, Patriarch of
that see, famous for his learning
and godliness. There remaineth an
epistle addressed unto him by Pope
Adrian L in defence of holy images.
At Nazianzum, [in 369,] holy Cses-
arius, brother of blessed Gregory the
Theologian, whom the said Gregory
doth testify that he saw among the
multitude of the blessed.
February 25 (26).
martyrology.
On the morrow we keep in Eng-
land the feast of holy Ethelbert,
King of Kent, whom holy Augustin,.
first Archbishop of Canterbury, con-
verted to the faith of Christ, and
of whom mention hath been made
upon the 24th (25th) day of this
present month of February.
Upon the same 26th (27th) day
2 B 2
722
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
of February, were born into the
better life —
At Perga, in Pamphylia, [in the
37ear 251,] blessed Nestor, Bishop
[of Magydensis.] During th^ perse-
cution under Decius he was instant
in prayer by day and by night
that Christ's flock might be kept
safe. When he was arrested he
confessed the name of the Lord
with wonderful freedom and readi-
ness. By command of the President
Pollio he was most cruelly racked,
and as he steadfastly declared that
he would alway cleave unto Christ,
he was at last crucified, and from
the cross passed to heaven a
conqueror.
At Perga likewise, [in 251,] the
holy martyrs Papias, Diodorus,
Conon, and Claudian, who suffered
before holy Nestor.
Also the holy martyrs Fortunatus
Felix, and twenty-seven others.
At Alexandria, [in the year 326,]
the glorious Elder, holy Alexander,
Pope of that see, wherein he suc-
ceeded blessed Peter. He it was
who cast his priest Arius out of the
church when he became perverted
with wicked heresy, and reprobate
from the truth of God, and he was
afterward one of the three hundred
and eighteen fathers who condemned
him in the Council of Nice.
At Bologna, [in the fourth cen-
tury,] the holy Bishop [of that see,]
Faustinian, who by the preaching of
the word of God strengthened and
increased that Church when it had
been troubled in the persecution
under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Gaza, in Palestine, [in the year
420,] holy Porphyry, Bishop of that
see, who in the time of the Emperor
Arcadius cast down the idol Marna
and its temple, and after many suf-
ferings fell asleep in the Lord.
At Florence, [in the fif^h century,]
the holy Confessor Andrew, Bishop
of that city, [who succeeded St
Zenobius.]
In the country of Arctoi, [Vitre,
in Champaign, in the sixth century,]
the holy Confessor Victor, [Victor
of Plancy, Priest and Hermit,] whose
praises have been written by holy
Bernard.
Vespers of the following.
February 26 (27).
St ffitfjel&ert, HXiu^ of Eent,
Double.
All from the Commo?i Office for
a Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout,
r\ GOD, Who hast crowned the
^-'^ blessed King Ethelbert, Thy
Confessor, with a crown of eternal
glory, cause us, we beseech Thee,
so to honour him upon earth that
we may reign with him in heaven.
At First Vespers in Lefit a Coin-
ine7noration is made of the Week-day.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons froni Scripture according
to the Season. In Lent from Ecclus.,
(/. 610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
pTHELBERT, King of Kent, was
the most powerful of the princes
in England, and exercised a suzerainty
over them as far north as the Hum-
ber. He was born a heathen, but
took to wife that most earnest Christ-
FEAST-DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
723.,
ian, Bertha, daughter of the King of
the Franks. By her example and
the example of the holy Lindhard,
who was her chaplain, the King and
many of his chief men were brought
to admire the Christian life. When,
therefore, there came Augustine with
his companions sent by holy Gregory,
and Ethelbert had heard the teach-
ing and had seen the miracles of the
servants of God, he believed and re-
ceived the sacrament of the faith.
After him many began to come to-
gether every day to hear the word
of God, to give up their pagan rites,
and to join in faith the holy Church
of Christ. Their belief and conver-
sion caused the King much joy,
nevertheless he would not force any
to make themselves Christians, but
only embraced with a warmer love
them that believed as being co-heirs
with himself of the kingdom of
heaven.
Fifth Lesson.
"DORN again in baptism, Ethelbert,
as a new man, gave himself
wholly to the spreading of the faith
in his own dominion, and among
^. the princes who were subject unto
" him, but above all to make the
kingdom of Christ come in all its
fulness in his own soul. During the
twenty years which he lived as a
Christian he never wavered in that
holy design. He passed most wise
laws for the good of his people ;
he set up churches, and at the ex-
hortation of holy Gregory he pulled
down the temples of the idols ; among
others he founded the metropolitical
Church of the Saviour at Canterbury,
the monastery of SS. Peter and Paul
hard by the city, the cathedral Church
of St Paul in London, and the cathe-
dral Church of St Andrew at Rochester,
upon all which with a bounty truly royal
he bestowed lands and possessions.
Sixth Lesson.
AT length the holy King, after
gloriously holding an earthly
kingdom for fifty-six years, and after
having held the faith for twenty-one
years, passed to the everlasting joys of
a heavenly kingdom in the year of our
Lord 616, upon the 24th day of the
month of February, upon the which
day mention is made of him in the
Roman martyrology. He was buried
in the porch of St Martin, within
the Church of the blessed Apostles
Peter and Paul, where also had been
buried the Queen Bertha.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessofts from Luke xii. 35, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 605.) Ln
Lent the last is read along with the
Eighth in order to leave room for the
Homily of the Week-day^ of which a
ComineTnoration is also made at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 27th (28th) day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Alex-
ander, Abundius, Antigonus, and
Fortunatus.
At Alexandria, [in the year 250,]
the holy martyr Julian. He was so
crippled by the gout that he could
neither walk nor stand, and was
carried before the judge in a chair
by two servants. Of these two ser-
vants one denied the faith ; the other,
whose name was Eunus, persisted in
confessing Christ along with Julian.
They were both placed upon camels
and led about the whole city, lashed,
and at length publicly burnt upon a
pyre.
There also the holy soldier Besas.
He rebuked some who were jeering
at the martyrs aforenamed, foi? which
724
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
cause he was accused before the
judge, and as he stood firm in the
faith he was beheaded.
At Seville, in Spain, [in the year
596,] holy Leander, Bishop of that
city, by whose preaching and labours,
assisted by Reccared, King of the
Visigoths, that nation were converted
from the Arian misbelief to the
Catholic faith.
At Constantinople, [in 750,] the
holy Confessors Basil and Procopius,
who in the time of the Emperor Leo
the I saurian, contended valiantly for
the honouring of holy images.
At Lyons, [about the year 660,]
holy Baldomer, [locksmith and sub-
deacon,] the man of God whose
grave is famous on account of the
miracles which are oftentimes wrought
there.
February 27 (28).
martyrology.
On the 28th (29th) day of Feb-
ruary, were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Mac-
arius, Rufinus, Justus, and The-
ophilus.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs
Casrealis, Pupulus, Caius, and Ser-
apion.
Likewise at Alexandria are com-
memorated the holy Priests, Deacons,
and many others who cheerfully met
death in ministering to the sick in
the great plague which devastated that
city, [in the third century,] in the time
of the Emperor Valerian, and whom
the godly reverence of the faithful hath
been used to honour as martyrs.
In the Jura mountains, toward Lyons,
[in 460,] the holy Abbat [of Condat,]
Romanus, who was the first to live
there as a hermit, and becoming
famous for many graces and miracles,
became also the father of many
monks. [Founder of monasteries in
Switzerland.]
At Pavia is commemorated the
translation of the body of holy Aug-
ustine, Bishop of Hippo, which was
brought [in the year 722] from the
island of Sardinia by the care of
Luitprand, King of the Lombards.
February 28 (29).
martyrology.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor David, Arch-
bishop of Casrleon upon Usk.^
Upon the same ist day of March,
were also born into the better life —
At Rome, two hundred and sixty
holy martyrs whom for Christ's name's
sake the Emperor Claudius first con-
demned to dig sand outside the
Salarian Gate, and then to be shot
to death with arrows in the amphi-
theatre.
Likewise the holy martyrs Leo,
Donatus, Abundantius, Nicephorus,
and nine others.
At Marseilles, [in the year 290,] the
holy martyrs Hermes and Hadrian.
At Heliopolis, [in 114,] the holy
martyr Eudocia [of Samaria, now
Balbek in Turkey-in-Asia,] during the
persecution under the Emperor Trajan.
She was baptized by Theodotus, Bishop
of [Heliopolis,] and, armed for the
battle, the President Vincentius
ordered her to be smitten with the
sword, and thus she received the
crown of martyrdom.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyr Antonina. During the per-
secution under the Emperor Dio-
cletian she laughed at the gods of
the Gentiles, for the which cause
she was diversly tortured, shut up
in a barrel, and drowned in the
marsh at the city of Cea.
1 This is a purely local addition. The name of St David does not occur in the Roman
Martyrology, nor in that of any religious order with which the writer is acquainted.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
725
At Werdt, [in the year 713,] holy
Swibert, Bishop of that city, [Apostle
of the Frisians,] who in the time of
Pope Sergius preached the gospel to
the Frieslanders, Hollanders, and
other peoples of Lower Germany.
At Angers, [in the year 550,] the
holy Confessor Albinus, Bishop of that
see, a man of eminent graces and
holiness.
At Mans, [in the year 687,] the
holy Siviard, Abbat [of Saint Calais.]
At Perugia is commemorated the
translation [in the year 547] of the
holy martyr Herculanus, Bishop of
that see, of whom mention is made
upon the 7th day of November. He
was beheaded by order of Totila, King
of the Goths, and it is written by holy
Pope Gregory that, forty days after
his head was cut off, head and body
were found united again, as though
the iron had never touched him.
Vespers of the following^ with in
Lent a Coimnemoration of the Week-
day,
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
On the day 7text before Lent on which
Nine Lessons are not read^ is said the
Office of the Dead.
March i.
<St ©abitr, ^rrij&tsljop [of
Caerleon,] Confessor.
Double.
All from the Comjnon Office for a
Bishop and Confessor., {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^■^ mighty God, that the fatherly
prayers of Thy blessed Confessor and
Bishop David may help us, and that
while we keep his solemn Feast, we
may follow the example of his stead-
fastness in defending the Catholic
Faith. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
In Le7it^ at First Vespers a Commem-
oration is made of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season. In Lent from i Tim. iii.
I, (A 582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. {From his Life by
Giraldus Ca7nbrensis. Anglia Sa-
cra, ii. 628.)
'T^HIS David was born of a Princely
race in Cardiganshire. After
becoming a Priest he was moved by
the desire of a more perfect life to
betake himself to Paulinus, the disciple
of St Germain, who dwelt in the Isle
of Wight. Under this master he
made great progress, and began, at
his exhortation, to preach to the
people of the neighbourhood. In pro-
gress of time he founded many monas-
teries, wherein his disciples, in quiet
retreat from men, passed their days
in working with their hands, reading,
praying, and succouring the poor.
Fifth Lesson.
T^HE revival in Britain of the Pela-
gian heresy brought it about
that a Council was got together in
Cardiganshire, wherein David, for his
zealous contending for the Catholic
Faith, was unanimously chosen Arch-
726
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
bishop of Wales, in the place of holy
Dyfrug, who had resigned. The new
Archbishop called together a second
Council, in which all the decrees of
the first were confirmed. From these
decrees, approved by the authority
■of the Pope, all the Churches of
Wales received their usage and
rule.
Sixth Lesson.
T N those days the Church of God
flourished exceedingly. Monas-
teries were set up in many places,
and great multitudes of the faithful,
of divers orders, were brought unto
Christ, and unto all of them David
was as a mirror and an ensample.
Not by word alone but by his life
also, he shone as a light to others ;
a great preacher, but a greater prac-
tiser. In an old age, and full of
good works, he resigned his soul to
God, upon a ist day of March, about
the year of salvation 544,
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 14, with
the Homily of St Gregory, {p. 588.)
Lft Lent the last Lesson is read
along with the Eighth to make room
far Homily of the Week-day, of which
a Co7n7nemoration is also made at
Lands.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 2nd day of March, were
born into the better life —
In England, [about the year 672,]
holy Chad, Bishop of the Mercians
and of Lindisfarne, whose eminent
graces are recorded by Bede. [His
body was buried at Lichfield, first in
the Church of Our Lady, second in
the Church of St Peter, and thirdly
in the Cathedral dedicated to Our
Lady and St Chad. The town was
named Lichfield on account of the
number martyred and buried there
under Maximian Hercules.]
At Rome, upon the Latin Way^
[about the year 258,] under the Em-
perors Valerian and Gallienus, the
holy martyrs Jovinus and Basileus.
Likewise at Rome, under the Em-
peror Alexander and the Prefect Ul-
pian, many holy martyrs, who w^ere
long tortured, and at length put to
death.
At Porto, the holy martyrs Paul,
Heraclius, Secundilla, and Januaria.
At Csesarea, in Cappadocia, the
holy martyrs Lucius the Bishop,
Absolom, Lorgius.
In Campania are commemorated
eighty holy martyrs, who would not
eat meat sacrificed unto idols, nor
adore a she-goat's head, and there-
fore, [about the year 629,] were
cruelly slain by the Lombards.
At Rome, [about the year 483,] the
holy Confessor Pope Simplicius.
Vespers are of the followifig, from
the Chapter inclusive.
March 2.
St Cfjatr/ 23isl)op [of HtcJ).
feltrj donfessior.
Double.
All from the Commo?i Office for a
Bishop a7id Confessor, {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout. ( Taken from the
Salisbury Missal.)
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^^ God, Who dost this day gladden
us by the Feast of Thy blessed Con-
fessor and Bishop Chad, we humbly
beseech Thy mercy that we may be
holpen toward life eternal by his
1 Chad, or Cead, Saxon form of Gaelic Cad, or Cedd.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
727
fatherly prayers whom we do solemnly
honour. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Ame7i.
First Vespers as regards St Chad
begm with the Chapter.
A Com?nenLoration is made of St
David. Prayer from his Office^ theii
in Lent of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season. Ln Lent., i Tim. iii. i,
{p. 582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. {Frotn the Venerable
Bede, iii. 23, 28 ; ix. 2, 3.)
/'^HAD was Abbat of the monastery
called Lestingay, [in the Wolds
of Yorkshire.] He was a man holy
and lowly, well read in the Scriptures,
and a diligent practiser of that which
he learnt therefrom. Wherefore Wini,
Bishop of the West Saxons, at the
desire of King Oswin, ordained him
Bishop of York. Being so conse-
crated, he set himself to look to the
orthodoxy and clean living of the
clergy, to seek after lowliness, self-
control, and learning, and to make a
visitation of the towns, country, cot-
tages, hamlets, and castles, to preach
the Gospel therein, going always not
on horseback, but on foot, after the
fashion of the Apostles.
Fifth Lesson.
nPHEODORE, Archbishop of Can-
terbury, took Bishop Chad to
task, as though he had not been
rightly consecrated. To whom he
answered : " If thou knowest that I
have not rightly been made a Bishop,
I willingly lay down mine office ;
neither did I ever deem myself fit to
hold it, but when I was commanded,
I took it, for obedience' sake." Theo-
dore marvelled at his lowliness, and
made him Bishop of the Mercians
and of Lindisfarne, in the which office
he strove to do his duty in great per-
fection of life, after the ensample of
the old Fathers.
Sixth Lesson.
VyHEN the hour of his death
drew near, he exhorted the
brethren who stood by to keep love
and peace with each other and with
all the faithful, and never to relax from
the strict observance of the monastic
life. His sickness increasing, he made
him ready to depart, by receiving the
Body and Blood of the Lord, and on
the seventh day his soul was set free
from the toilsome prison of the body,
and went away to be in gladness for
ever. He died at his own See of
Lichfield, upon the 2nd day of March,
in the year 672.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxiv. 42, with
the Homily of St Hilary., {p. 594.)
In Lent., the last Lesson is read
along with the Eighth to 7tiake room
for Homily of the Week-day^ of which
a Co7nme7noratio7i is also 7nade at
Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor ^Elred, Abbat
of Rievaux, of the Cistercian 1 Order,
famous for his knowledge of sacred
I The name of St ^Elred does not occur in the Roman Martyrology, and the above is accord-
ingly taken from the Martyrology of the Cistercians.
728
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
letters, uprightness of life, self-content,
wondrous long-suffering, spirit of pro-
phecy, heavenly conversation, and
great miracles, who departed this life
upon the 12th day of January.
Upon the same 3rd day of March,
were born into the better life —
At Csesarea, in Palestine, in the
persecution under the Emperor Val-
erian, the holy martyrs Marinus the
soldier and Asterius the senator.
Marinus was accused by his com-
rades of being a Christian, and when
asked by the judge so declared with
a loud voice, and was beheaded.
Asterius took off his own garment,
wrapt in it the headless body of the
martyr, and took it upon his own
shoulder, and for so doing himself
received the honour of martyrdom.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Hemi-
terius, [or Madir,] and Chelidonius.
They were stationed as soldiers in
camp at Leon in Galicia, when the
storm of persecution broke. On ac-
count of their confession of the
Name of Christ they were taken to
Calaxorra, where they were put to
divers torments and crowned with
martyrdom. [Their bodies rest in
the Cathedral of Calahorra, of which
they are the patrons.]
Upon the same day the holy
martyrs Felix, Luciolus, Fortunatus,
Marcia, and their Companions.
Likewise the holy soldiers Cleonicus,
Eutropius, and Basiliscus, who won a
happy triumph upon the cross under
the President Asclepiades, in the per-
secution under the Emperor Maximian.
At Brescia, [in the year 526,] the
holy Confessor Titian, Bishop of that
see.
At Bamberg, holy Cunegunda,
Empress of the Romans, bride of
the Emperor Henry the First, with
whose consent she remained always
a Virgin. She fell asleep in peace,
richly adorned with good works, and
after her death was famous for mir-
acles, [in the year 1040.]
At Second Vespers a Commemora-
tion of the following^ Prayer from,
his Office^ atid in Lent of the Week-
day.
March 3.
St %z\xt\ ^liiiat
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office, {p.
598,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^~"^ God, Who as Thou never
ceasest to chasten the children of
Thy Church, so also dost never
cease to help them, grant unto Thy
faithful people, at the prayers of
blessed Abbat ^Ired, whom Thou
didst give unto them to be a
minister in the things of eternal
Salvation, that through Thy mercy
they should receive not only the
knowledge of the right which they
ought to do, but also the power to do
it. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according
to the Seas 071. In Lent from, Wisd.
iv. 7, (/. 599-)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
TpLRED was born of the noblest
"^^ blood of England and Scot-
land. From his earliest years he
gave bright promise of his future
holiness. While he lay in the cradle
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
729
bis face was seen surrounded with
rays of light, and when he was a
little child he knew things at a dis-
tance. He was trained up at the
court of David I., King of Scots,
along with the son of that king,
and was a great favourite of the
king himself. As his godliness and
wisdom grew with his years he de-
termined to bid farewell to the world.
Before he received the Cistercian
habit in the monastery of Reivaux,
in the archdiocese of York, he in-
stantaneously extinguished by a mir-
acle a fire which had got enkindled
in that house. As master of the
novices he kept within the cloister,
by another miracle, a clerk who had
become shaken in his vocation.
Fifth Lesso7t.
TLJE was made Abbat first of Re-
vesby, and afterwards of Rei-
vaux, and showed himself a perfect
example in that office. He gave
himself up wholly to the contem-
plation of heavenly things, and to
sacred reading, over which he often-
times wept. No branch of know-
ledge escaped him, and in every form
of writing he closely resembled Ber-
nard, that teacher of honeyed-tongue.
How he, like Bernard, received the
anointing of the Holy Ghost as a
teacher from heaven is attested by
his published works. He refused
dignities in the Church — including
a bishoprick which was offered to
him by David, King of Scots — in
order that he might be the more
free to give himself up to contempla-
tion and preaching. He strove man-
fully on behalf of the true Pope,
Alexander III., against the Anti-Pope
and the pretended Council of Pavia.
With insults he bore most patiently,
and nothing lay closer to his heart
than to foster peace among all men.
Sixth Lesson.
TTE trained up at his monastery
one hundred and forty monks
and five hundred brethren. To them
he was accustomed to say, My child-
ren, speak what ye will as long as
there come not out of your mouth any
base word, any evil against a brother,
or any blasphemy against God. He
worked many miracles during his life.
He was ill for ten years before his
death, and bore great suffering with
wonderful patience. From his excess-
ive leanness his bones were hardly
covered with skin, but he set at naught
the advice of the physicians and cared
for no health except that of his soul.
He foretold the day of his own death,
in the year of salvation 1166, and of
his own life the fifty-seventh. He was
famous for miracles, and his name was
enrolled among those of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesson from the Common of Abbats^
with the Homily of St ferome on
Matth. xix. 27, {p. 537.) In Lent
the last is read as one with the
Eighth to leave room for the Homily
of the Week-day^ of which also a
Commemoration is made at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 4th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Wilna, in Lithuania, the blessed
Casimir, [Duke of Lithuania,] son of
Casimir III., King of Poland, whose
name the Roman Pontiff, Leo X.,
numbered with those of the Saints,
[in the year 1458-83.]
At Rome, upon the Appian Way,
the holy martyr Pope Lucius. He was
first banished in the persecution under
the Emperor Valerian, but was after-
wards permitted by the will of God to
return to his church, and after toiling
730
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
much against the Novatians, finished
his testimony by being beheaded. He
is highly praised by holy Cyprian.
Likewise at Rome, upon the Appian
Way, nine hundred holy martyrs, [led
by Aristion and Licinius, both Bis-
hops,] who are laid in the cemetery
called that of St Cecilia.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyr Caius, [an officer of the Im-
perial Palace,] who was drowned in
the sea, and twenty-seven others.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Hadrian, and twenty -three others,
who, under the Emperor Diocletian,
all had their legs broken, and were
so left to die. The principal feast in
memory of Hadrian is kept upon the
8th day of September, when his body
was brought to Rome.
Likewise the holy martyrs Arch-
elaus, Cyril, and Photius.
In the Crimea, the holy Bishops
Basil, Eugenius, Agathodormus, El-
pidius, Aetherius, Capito, Ephrem,
Nestor, and Arcadius.
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter^ inclusive.
March 4.
St Castmir, ®otttosor.
Semi-double.
All from, the Cotmnon Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,) ex-
cept what is otherwise given here.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, in the strength of Whose
^~^ grace Thine holy servant Cas-
imir did Thee leal and brave service
amidst the softness of kings' palaces
and the temptations of the world.
grant that Thy people, being holpen
by his intercession, may ever despise
earthly things, and breathe after those
that are heavenly. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. A7ne7i.
First Vespers as regards St Casimir
begin with the Chapter.
A Co?7t7nemoratio?t is made of St
^Ired. Prayer froin his Office.
hi Lent a Commemoratio7i is 77iade
of the Week-day.
The7i of St Lucius., Pope a7id Mar-
tyr.^ All from the Co7n7no7i Office for
071 e Martyr., {p. 548.) Prayer., "O
God, Who year by year, &c.," (^.
557.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons frofn Scripture accordi7ig to
the Season. I71 Lent fro7n Wisd. iv. 7
a7id\. I, {pp. 599, 600.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'HP HIS Casimir was the son of Cas-
imir III., King of Poland, by
Elizabeth of Austria, his wife, [and
was born upon the 5 th day of October,
in the year 1458.] From his child-
hood he was taught by the best
masters, and was trained in all godli-
ness and good learning. While he
was still a boy he wore rough hair-
cloth, and chastened himself with
much fasting. He forsook the soft-
ness of his princely bed, and lay
upon the hard ground, and on stormy
nights he would go out secretly and
prostrate himself before the doors of
1 The Martyrology says that "at Rome, on the Appian Way, was born into the higher
Ufe, the holy Martyr Pope Lucius. He was first banished in the persecution under Valerian,
but was afterwards permitted by the will of God to return to his Church, and, after toil-
ing much against the Novatians, finished his testimony by being beheaded. He is highly
praised by St Cyprian." Succeeded Cornelius A.D. 252. Testified next year.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
731
the churches, crying to God for mercy.
He was unwearied in contemplating
the Passion of Christ, and when he
was present at Mass, so profound was
his recollection, that he seemed to be
altogether beside himself.
Fifth Lesson.
T T E made the propagation of the
Catholic faith one of the chief
works of his life, and strove hard
against the schism in Ruthenia. He
persuaded his father to forbid by law
that the schismatics should build any
new churches, or repair the existing
ones when they fell into decay. So
great was his liberality and tenderness
toward the needy and the afflicted,
that he came to be called the father
and guardian of the poor. From his
infancy he never soiled his purity,
and in his last illness, when his phy-
sicians advised him to seek for relief
from his grievous sufferings by the
sacrifice of his chastity, he cheerfully
determined rather to die.
Sixth Lesson,
TDEING made perfect in a short
space, and full of piety and
good works, he foretold the day of
his own death, and, gathering round
him a choir of priests and monks, he
rendered his soul into the hands of
God Whom they were praising, [upon
the 4th day of March, in the year
of our Lord 1482, and] the 25th of
his own age. His body was carried
to Wilna, where many miracles are
reputed to have been wrought around
it. At his grave a dead girl is said
to have received her life again, blind
men their sight, cripples the power of
walking, and many sick folk health.
Moreover, on an occasion when the
Lithuanians in scanty numbers were
exposed to the shock of a powerful
enemy, they believed that he appeared
in the air, and gave them the signal
victory which they won. On the
assurance of these things, Leo X. was
moved to add his name to those of the
Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 605.) In
Lent the Ninth Lesso7t is the Hojnily
on the Gospel for the Week-day^ in
which case the Third Lesso7i 07i Luke
xii. 35 is omitted or read as 07te with
the Second^ and the three Lessons for
the Week-day read as one, or else the
first only,
LAUDS.
A Commemoratio?i is 7nade of St
Lucius. All fro7n the Co77i77ion Office
for 07ie Martyr, {p. 548.) Prayer, " O
God, Who year by year, &c.," (/. 557.)
In Le7it a Co77tme7noratio7i of the
Week-day is 77iade before that of St
Lucius.
Prayer throtcghout the day as at First
Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 5 th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Antioch, [about the year 320,]
the holy martyr Phocas. For the
Redeemer's name's sake he gained
the victory over many an assault of
the old serpent, and that victory is
still held forth before the people,
with this miracle, that if any be
bitten of a serpent and touch in faith
the door of this martyr's church, he is
forthwith healed of the poison.
At Caesarea, in Palestine, [in the
year 308,] the holy martyr Hadrian,
who was crowned by command of the
President Firmilian, in the persecution
under the Emperor Diocletian. He
was first thrown to a lion, but after-
ward slain with the sword.
On the same day, the holy martyr
Eusebius, and nine others.
732
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Csesarea, in Palestine, [in the
year 200,] holy Theophilus, Bishop of
that see, who was a great light for
wisdom and good living in the time of
the Emperor Severus.
Likewise in Palestine, on the bank
of the Jordan, [in the year 475,] the
holy hermit Gerasimus, who flourished
in the time of the Emperor Zeno.
At Naples, [in the year 1734,] holy
John Joseph of the Cross, barefooted
Friar Minor, first Provincial of the
Italian followers of holy Peter of
Alcantara. He strove to tread in
the footsteps of holy Francis of Assisi
and Peter of Alcantara, was a bright
ornament of the Seraphic Order, and
was numbered among the saints by
Pope Gregory XVI.
At Second Vespers in Lent a Com-
memoration is made of the Week-day.
March 5.
martyrology.
Upon the 6th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs
Victor and Victorinus, who were im-
prisoned for three years, and many
ways tormented, along with Claudian
and Bassa his wife, and being still
recommitted to prison, died therein,
[third century.]
At Tortona, the holy martyr Marcian,
Bishop of that see, who was crowned
under the Emperor Trajan, being slain
for Christ's greater -glory.
At Constantinople, holy Evagrius,
who was elected Patriarch of that
see by the Catholics in the time of
the Emperor Valens, but was sent
by the Emperor into exile, and there
passed away to be ever with the Lord.
In Cyprus, the holy martyr Conon,
who under the Emperor Decius had
nails driven through his feet, and was
then made to run in front of a chariot,
under the which torment he fell upon
his knees and gave up his soul in
prayer to God.
Likewise, forty -two holy martyrs,
who were apprehended in Amorium
and brought to Syria, where they
passed through a noble conflict and
triumphantly grasped the palm of
martyrdom, [in the year 845.]
At Bologna, holy Basil, Bishop of
that city, who was ordained by holy
Pope Sylvester, and both by his word
and example governed in holiness the
church committed unto his care, [fourth
century.]
At Barcelona, in Spain, [in the year
1 137,] blessed Oligarius, who was first
Canon and afterward Bishop of Barce-
lona, and Archbishop of Taragona.
At Ghent, in Flanders, the holy
Virgin Coletta, [in the year 1447,]
who first professed in the Third Order
of Friars Minors, and then being
filled with the Holy Ghost, set up
many monasteries of sisters of the
Second Order under the primitive dis-
cipline. She was ennobled by the
grace of God, and famous for countless
miracles, and the Supreme Pontiff
Pius VII. enrolled her name among
those of the saints.
March 6.
martyrology.
Upon the 7th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In the monastery of Fossa Nuova,
near Terracina, the holy Confessor
Thomas of Aquino, [in the year
1274,] of the Order of Friars
Preachers, Doctor of the Church, il-
lustrious for the nobility of his birth,
the holiness of his life, and the depth
of his knowledge of theology. Leo
XIII. declared him the patron in
heaven of all Catholic schools.
At Tuburbe, in Morocco, under the
Emperor Severus, the holy martyrs
Perpetua and Felicitas. Felicitas
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
733
was with child, and therefore was
respited, in accordance with the law,
until after she was delivered. Holy-
Augustine saith that when she was in
travail she had sorrow, but when she
was set before the wild beasts she re-
joiced. There suffered along with them
Revocatus, Saturninus, and Secundol-
us, of whom the last died in prison,
but the others were all killed by beasts.
At Csesarea, in Palestine, the holy
martyr Eubulus. He was a Com-
panion of holy Hadrian, and two
days after him was mangled by the
lions and then despatched with the
sword, being the last of all those who
received the crown of martyrdom in
that city, [in the year 308.]
At Nicomedia, holy Theophilus,
Bishop of that see, who for his hon-
ouring of holy images was sent into
exile and there died, [in the year 845.]
At Pelusium, in Egypt, holy Paul,
Bishop of that see, who likewise died
in exile for the same cause.
At Brescia, [in the year 445,] the
holy Confessor Gaudiosus, Bishop of
that see.
In the Thebaid, [in the fourth
century,] holy Paul, surnamed the
Simple.
March 7.
St EJjotnas of Aquino, Con^
ftssor anti ©octor of t|je
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessornot a Bishop^ (J>. 598,) except
what is otherwise given here.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O right excellent Teacher,
&c., (A 598.)
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who dost enlighten Thy
^■"^ Church by the wonderful learn-
ing of Thy blessed Confessor Thomas,
and quickenest her through his godly
labours, grant unto Thy people, we
humbly beseech Thee, ever to appre-
hend by their understanding what he
teacheth, and in their life faithfully to
practise the same. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
In Lent a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
Then of the Martyrs Perpetua and
Felicitas^ which is done whether it be
Lent or not.
Antiphon. For their's is the king-
dom of heaven, who loved not their
life in this world, and have attained
unto the reward of the kingdom, and
have washed their robes in the Blood
of the Lamb.
Verse. Thou hast crowned them
with glory and honour, O Lord.
Answer. And madest them to have
dominion over the works of Thy hands.
Prayer*
/'^RANT unto us, we beseech Thee,
^^ O Lord our God, that we may
ever call to mind, with all worship
and thanksgiving, the victory of Thy
holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas,
and although we know that our mind
cannot comprehend Thee Who art
this day their exceeding great reward,
give us always the grace humbly to
worship Thee. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
1 These two holy women, along with three men named Revocatus, Saturninus, and Se-
cundolus, suffered in the amphitheatre at Carthage, with circumstances of great cruelty, in
A.D. 203. See the article of Alban Butler, which is very interesting.
734.
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxix. i, {p.
615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoft.
T^HAT splendid adornment of the
Christian world and light of the
Church, blessed Thomas of Aquino, was
the son of Landulph, Earl of Aquino,
and Theodora of Naples, his wife, being
nobly descended on both sides. [He
was born in the year of salvation
1226,] and even as an infant gave
token of the love which he afterwards
bore to the Mother of God. He
found a little bit of paper upon which
was written the Angelic Salutation,
and held it firm in his hand in spite
of the efforts of his wet-nurse ; his
mother took it away by force, but he
cried and stretched out for it, and when
she gave it back to him, he swallowed
it. When he was only four years
old, he was given into the keeping
of the Benedictine monks of Monte
Cassino. He was thence sent to
Naples to study, and there, while
very young, entered the Order of
Friars Preachers. This displeased
his mother and brothers, and he left
Naples for Paris. When he was on
his journey his brothers met him, and
carried him off by force to the castle
of Monte San Giovanni, where they
imprisoned him in the keep. Here
they used every means to break him
of his intention, and at last brought
a woman into his room to try to over-
come his purity. The lad drove her
out with a fire-brand. When he was
alone he knelt down before the figure
of the Cross, and there he fell asleep.
As he slept, it seemed to him that
angels came and girded his loins : and
from this time he never felt the least
sexual inclination. His sisters came
to the castle to beseech him to give up
his purpose of leaving the world, but
he so worked on them by his godly
exhortations, that both of them ever
after set no value on earthly things,
and busied themselves rather with
heavenly.
Fifth Lesson.
T3EING let down from a window,
Thomas escaped out of the castle
of Monte San Giovanni, and returned
to Naples. Thence he went first to
Rome, and then to Paris, in company
of Brother John the German, then
Master-General of the Friars Preachers.
At Paris he studied Philosophy and
Theology under Albert the Great
Doctor. At the age of twenty-five
years he took the degree of Master,
aind gave public disquisitions on the
Philosophers and Theologians with
great distinction. He never set him-
self to read or write till he had first
prayed, and when he was about to
take in hand a hard passage of the
Holy Scriptures, he fasted also.
Hence he was wont to say to Brother
Reginald his comrade, that whatever
he knew, he had learnt, not so much
from his own labour and study, as
from the inspiration of God. At
Naples he was once kneeling in very
earnest prayer before an image of
Christ Crucified, when he heard a
voice which said : " Thomas, thou
hast written well of Me — what reward
wilt thou that I give thee?" He
answered: "Lord, — Thyself." He
studied most carefully the works of the
Fathers, and there was no kind of
author in which he was not well read.
His own writings are so wonderful,
both because of their number, their
variety, and the clearness of his ex-
planations of hard things, that his rich
and pure teaching, marvellously con-
sonant with revealed truth, is an admir-
able antidote for the errors of all times.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
735
Sixth Lesso7i.
'pHE Supreme Pontiff Urban IV.
sent for him to Rome, and at
his command he composed the Church
Office for the feast of Corpus Christi.
The Pope could not persuade him to
accept any dignity. Pope Clement
IV. also offered him the Arch-
bishoprick of Naples, but he refused
it. He did not neglect the preaching
of the Word of God. Once while he
was giving a course of sermons in
the Basilica of St Peter, during the
octave of Easter, a woman who had
an issue of blood was healed by touch-
ing the hem of his garment. He was
sent by blessed Gregory X. to the
Council of Lyons, but fell sick on his
way to the Abbey of Fossa Nuovo,
and there during his illness he made
an exposition of the Song of Songs.
There he died on the 7th day of
March, in the year of salvation 1274,
aged fifty years. He was distinguished
for miracles even after his death, and
on proof of these Pope John XXII.
added his name to those of the Saints
in the year 1323. His body was
afterwards carried to Toulouse by
command of blessed Urban V. He
has been compared to an angel, both
on account of his innocency and of
his intellectual power, and has hence
been deservedly termed the Angelic
Doctor. The use of which title as
applied to him was approved by the
authority of holy Pius V. Leo XIII.
cheerfully agreeing to the prayers and
wishes of nearly all the bishops of
the Catholic world, and in conformity
with a vote of the Congregation of
Sacred Rites, by his Apostolic letters
declared and recognised Thomas of
Aquino as the patron in heaven of
all Catholic schools, as an antidote
to the plague of so many false systems,
especially of philosophy, for the in-
crease of scientific knowledge, and for
the common good of all mankind.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons fro7n Matth. v. 13, with the
Homily of St Austin^ {p. 617.)
Eighth Respo7isory^ "In the midst,
&c." I71 Leitt the Ni7tth LessoTi is the
Ho77iily 071 the Gospel for the Week-day^
i7i which case the Third Lesson of the
Ho77iily 071 Matth. v. 13 is 07nitted^ or
read as 07ie with the Second^ and the
First Lesso7i 07ily of the Week-day is
used^ or else all three as one.
At Lauds a Co7}nne7noration is 7nade
of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas^ the
sa7ne as at the last Vespers^ before
which, in Le7it, is 77iade a CoTnTnemora-
tion of the Week-day.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 8th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In England, [in the year 646,] the
holy Confessor Felix, Bishop of Dun-
wich, who converted the East Angles
to the faith.
At Granada, in Spain, [in the year
1550,] holy John of God, founder of
the Order of brethren Hospitallers of
the Sick. Famous for his pity toward
the poor, and for his lowly esteem
of himself, whom the Supreme Pontiff
Leo XIII. declared the patron in
heaven of all the sick and those who
nurse them, whose feast we keep upon
the I ith day of this present month of
March.
At Antinoe, in Egypt, the holy
martyrs Philemon and Apolonius the
Deacon. They were arrested, and
brought before the judge, but as they
steadfastly refused to sacrifice to idols
their heels were bored through, and
they were cruelly dragged about the
city until at last they were dispatched
with the sword.
There also the holy martyrs the
President Arian, [governor of Thebes,]
Theoticus, and three others whom the
judge caused to be drowned in the sea,
736
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
but their bodies were brought to the
shore by dolphins, [in the year 287.]
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Quinctilis, Bishop of that city.
At Carthage, holy Pontius, Deacon
to blessed Bishop Cyprian, with whom
he remained in exile even unto the day
of his death, and hath left unto us an
excellent book of his life and passion.
In his own sufferings he glorified the
Lord always, and hath earned the
crown of life, [about the year 262.]
In Africa likewise, the holy Bishop
Cyril, Rogatus, Felix, another Rogatus,
Beata, Herenia, Felicitas, Urban,
Silvan, and Mamillus.
At Toledo, in Spain, the blessed
Confessor Julian, Bishop of that see,
[and also native of the same place.]
Very famous for his holiness and
teaching, [in the year 690.]
Vespers of the following from the
Chapter inclusive.
March 8.
St jFelix, Bisljop [of ^^xxi-
toirijj Confessor.
Double.
All front the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout., " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c."
The Vespers of Mdrch 7 - are of St
Thomas of Aquino till the Chapter.,
exclusive.
The Chapter and the rest are of
St Felix., with a Commemoration of
St Thomas. [Antiphon, " O right
excellent, &c.")
And in Lent of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season,
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i {From Bede, xi. 15.)
A BOUT the year of Christ 631
"^^ came from Burgundy, where
he had been born and ordained, to
Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Bishop Felix, and, when he had
shown him all his desire, he com-
missioned him to preach to the
East Angles. And he was not dis-
appointed of his hope. He de-
livered the whole of that land from
their long^-standing sin and sorrow,
and taught them to believe rightly
and to do rightly, and how to be
happy for ever. He established his
See in the town of Dunwich, and
there, after ruling his Diocese for
seventeen years, he brought his life
to a peaceful end.
Fifth Lesson.
"It is idle, &c.," {p. 585,) to which
may be added., "Whatsoever, there-
fore, &c," {p. 585.)
Sixth Lesson.
"Whatsoever, therefore, &c.," or
"It is very meet, &c.," {pp. 585,
586.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro7n Matth. xxv. 1 4, with
the Homily of St Gregory., {p. 588.)
Ln Lent the last is read along with
the Eighth to make room for the Homily
of the Week-day., of which also a Com-
memoration is made at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 9th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy widow Frances,
famous for her nobleness of birth, the
holiness of her life, and the grace of
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
717
working miracles, [in the year 1440.
Foundress of the Oblates.]
At Sebaste, in Armenia, the forty
holy Cappadocian soldiers. Under
the President Agricolaus, in the time
of the Emperor Licinius, after under-
going bonds and a foul imprisonment,
and after their faces had been bruised
with stones, they were stripped naked,
and exposed all night upon the sur-
face of a frozen pool during the bitter-
est cold of winter, where their bodies
perished by the frost, and at length
by the breaking of their legs. The
illustrious glory of them all hath been
celebrated by holy Basil, and the other
Fathers in their writings, the chief
among them were named Cyrion and
Candidus. We keep their feast upon
the morrow after.
At Nyssa, holy Gregory, [in the
year 396,] Bishop of that see, brother
of blessed Basil the Great. He is
very famous for his life and learn-
ing ; for defending the Catholic faith
he was driven out of his own city
by the Arian Emperor Valens.
At Barcelona, in Spain, holy Pa-
cian. Bishop of that see, famous not
only for his life but also for his
words, who died in a good old age
in the time of the Emperor Theo-
dosius.
In Moravia, [in the ninth century,]
the holy Cyril, Bishop [of Moravia,]
and Methodius, Bishop [of Kief,] who
brought to believe in Christ many of
the peoples of those countries and
their kings, [and whose feast we keep
upon the 5th day of July.]
At Bologna, [in the year 1463,] the
holy Virgin Katherine, of the Order
of St Clare, famous for the holiness
of her life, whose body is there rev-
erenced with great honour.
Vespers are of St Fra7ices^ from the
Chapter^ inclusive^ with a Commemo-
ration of St Felix, and ifi Lent of the
Week-day.
March 9.
St JFrances of Eome,
Witioto.
Double.
All fro7n the Com,'mon Office for an
Holy Woman who is neither Virgin
nor Martyr, {p. 649,) except the fol-
lowing.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst give unto
^"'^ Thy blessed hand-maid Frances
many gifts of Thy heavenly grace,
and, among them, to have an angel
for her familiar friend ; mercifully
grant that we, being continually holpen
through her prayers, may worthily
attain unto the fellowship of angels
hereafter. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame7i.
At First Vespers a Com.memoration
is made of the preceding.^ {Prayer as at
his First Vespers, ) and if it be Lent of
the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons fro7n Scripture accordi7tg to
the Season. If it be Lent, from Prov.
xxxi. 10, {p. 650.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7t.
n^HE noble Roman matron Frances
[was born in the year 1384,
and] was a pattern of godliness from
her earliest years. As a child she
shrank from games, and set no store
by the amusements of the world, but
delighted to be continually alone and
71^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
engaged in prayer. At the age of
eleven years she desired to consecrate
her virginity to God, and to enter a
convent, but humbly yielded obedience
to the wishes of her parents, and was
married to Lawrence de' Pontiani, a
young man whose rank was equal to
his wealth. As a wife she persevered,
as far as she lawfully could, in her
determination to lead an austere life ;
she abstained as much as possible
from going to shows, feasts, and such
like amusements, dressed plainly in
woollen stuffs, and spent in prayer
or the service of her neighbour what-
ever time she did not occupy with her
duties as mistress of her husband's
house. She strove earnestly to wean
the married women of Rome from
the vanities of the world and the
frivolities of dress. To this end she
founded during her husband's lifetime
the Sisterhood of the Oblates, under the
rule of the Benedictine congregation
called "of the Mount of Olives."
When it pleased God, [in the year
14 1 3,] that her husband should be
banished, all her goods taken away,
and her home ruined, she meekly
bowed down before His holy will,
often repeating the words of the
blessed Job : " The LORD gave, and
the Lord hath taken away ; blessed
be the name of the Lord." (i. 21.)
Fifth Lesson.
(~\^ her husband's death she [in
^-'^ 1437] betook herself immed-
iately to the house of the Oblates,
and, with her feet bare and a rope
round her neck, threw herself down
on the threshold, entreating the sisters
with tears to receive her into their
number. When she obtained her
wish, although she was the m^other
of them all, she would be among
them only as one that, served, glory-
ing rather to be called the most de-
graded of women and a vessel of
uncleanness. Her lowly esteem of
herself was shown both by her word
and example. She passed often
through the city from a vineyard
in the country carrying a bundle of
sticks on her head, or driving an ass
laden with faggots ; she succoured the
needy, for whom she collected large
alms, and visited the sick in the
hospitals, ministering to them both
food for the body and exhortations
healthful for their souls. She strove
continually to bring her body into
subjection by watchings, fastings,
haircloth, the wearing of an iron
girdle, and the often use of a scourge.
She never ate but once a day, and
then only vegetables, and she took no
drink but water. These severities
she however sometimes relaxed, in
obedience to her confessor, on whose
word and wishes she framed her
customs.
Sixth Lesson.
00 great was her mental realisation
of the things of God, and chiefly
of the sufferings of the Lord Christ,
and so abundant her tears in con-
templating them, that she seemed
sometimes about to sink under her
grief. Often when she was engaged
in prayer, and principally after she
had received the Most Holy Sacra-
ment of the Eucharist, her spirit
became altogether lifted up to God,
and she remained motionless, carried
away by the thought of heavenly
things. The enemy of man assailed
her with divers reproaches and buffet-
ings to break her off her intent, but
she feared him not, and with the help
of an Angel whom God gave her to
be her familiar friend, she won a
noble victory over the tempter. God
glorified her with the gifts of healing
and of prophecy, whereby she fore-
told things to come, and saw the
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
739
secrets of the hearts of men. More
than once while her thoughts were
busy in God she remained unwet by
streams or rain. When there was
left only bread enough for three
sisters, the Lord at her prayers was
pleased so to multiply it, that fifteen
had enough, and the basket was filled
again with the fragments. In the
month of January also, when the
sisters were gathering sticks in the
country, and were thirsty, she sat-
isfied them abundantly with bunches
of fresh grapes from a tree. She
departed to be with the Lord, famous
for good works and miracles, in the
fifty-sixth year of her age, [upon the
9th day of March, in the year of our
Lord 1440.] The Supreme Pontiff
Paul V. caused her to be numbered
among the saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Matth. xiii. 44, with
the Homily of Pope St Gregory^ if).
653.) In Le?it the Ninth Lesson is
the Homily 07t the Gospel for the
Week-day^ in which case the Third
Lesson of the Homily on Matth. xii.
44 is ofjiitted^ or read as 07ie with the
Second^ and the First Lesson only of
the Week-day is read, or else all three
as one.
I?i Lent a Commemoration of the
Week-day is made at Lauds.
Lucius Verus, as is written by Ap-
polinaris. Bishop of Hierapolis, in
his book against the heretics called
Cataphrygians.
In Persia, forty-two holy martyrs,
[about the year 375.]
At Corinth, the holy martyrs Cod-
ratus, Denis, Cyprian, Anectus, Paul,
and Crescens, who were slain with
the sword under the President Jason,
in the persecution under the Em-
perors Decius and Valerian.
In Africa, the holy martyr Victor,
on whose feast day holy Augustine
addressed a discourse to the people.
At Jerusalem, the holy Confessor
Macarius, Patriarch of that see, at
whose exhortation Constantine and
Helen cleansed the holy places, and
adorned them with hallowed churches,
[about the year 334. There is a
letter to him from Constantine pre-
served by Socrates.]
At Paris, [in the year 580,] holy
Drostovseus, Abbat [of the monastery
of St German de Pres,] the disciple
of blessed German, Bishop [of Paris.]
In the monastery of Bobbio, holy
Attala, Abbat [of that monastery,]
famous for miracles, [in the year
627.]
At Second Vespers a Co7nmemora-
tion is made of the following ; Afiti-
phon and Verse and Answer from the
Common Office for Many Martyrs, {p.
564,) aftd the following.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the forty holy martyrs who suffered
at Sebaste, in Armenia.
Upon the same i oth day of March,
were born into a better life —
At Apamea, in Phrygia, the holy
martyrs Caius and Alexander, who
were crowned with a glorious martyr-
dom in the persecution under the
Emperors Marcus Antoninus and
Prayer.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who know
Thy glorious Martyrs to have been in
their testimony leal and true towards
Thee, may, now that they are with
Thee, feel them to be in their petitions
pitiful towards us.
Then the Week-day is commeiitorated.
740
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
March io.
Efje jFortg fgolg jaartgrs at
Srfiaste.
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs^ {p. 564,) except the
following.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons {in Lent) frorn Rom. viii.
12, (/. 565.) If out of Lent, accord-
ing to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
"11 /"HILE Licinius was Emperor and
Agricolaus President, [in the
year of our Lord 320,] forty soldiers
at Sebaste, a city of Armenia, gave
a singular instance of faith in Jesus
Christ, and bravery under suffering.
After being often remanded to an
horrid prison-house, bound in fetters,
and their mouths bruised with stones,
they were ordered out in the depth of
winter, stripped naked, and put upon
a frozen pool, to die of cold during the
night. The prayer of them all was the
same : " O Lord, forty of us have begun
to run in the race, grant that all forty
may receive the crown, let not one be
wanting at the last. Behold,, is it not an
honourable number in Thy sight, Who
didst bless the fast of forty days, and at
the end Thy Divine Law came forth
to the earth ? When also Elias sought
Thee, Thou, O God, didst reveal
Thyself unto him when he had fasted
for forty days." Even so was their
petition.
Fifth Lesson.
AITHEN the keepers were all asleep
and the watchman only was
awake, he heard them praying and
saw a light shining round about them,
and Angels coming down from heaven,
as the messengers of the King, bearing
nine-and-thirty crowns, and distributing
them to the soldiers. Then he said
within himself: "Are not forty here ?
Where is the crown of the fortieth ? "
And as he looked he saw one of them
whose courage could not bear the cold,
come and leap into a warm bath that
stood by ; and the Saints were griev-
ously afflicted. Nevertheless God
suffered not that their prayer should
return unto them void ; for the
watchman wondered, and called the
keepers, and stripped himself of his
clothes ; and, when with a loud voice
he had confessed himself a Christian,
he joined the Martyrs. When the
servants of the President knew that
the watchman also was a Christian,
they brake the legs of them all with
staves.
Sixth Lesson.
T JNDER this torment died they all,
saving Melithon, who was the
youngest. Now, his mother stood by,
and when she saw that his legs were
broken, but that he was yet alive,
she cried, and said : " My son, have
patience but a little longer. Behold
how Christ standeth at the door to
help thee." When she saw the bodies
of all the others put upon carts and
taken away to be burned, and that
her son was left behind, because the
multitude wickedly hoped that being
but a lad, if he lived, he might yet
be drawn to commit idolatry, the holy
mother took him on her own shoulders
and bravely followed behind the carts
laden with the bodies of the Martyrs.
In her arms Melithon gave up his
soul to God, and the mother who
loved him so well laid his body with
her own hands upon the pile, with
those of the other Martyrs, that, as
they had all been one in faith and
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
741
strength, in death they might not
be divided, and might enter heaven
together. After the burning, what
remained of them was thrown into a
running stream, but the ashes were
all washed together into one place,
and being found and rescued, they
were laid in an honourable sepulchre.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke vi. 17, with the
Homily of St Ambrose^ {p. S77-) The
Ninth Lesson is the Homily on the
Gospel for the Week-day^ a?id the
Third Lesson of the Hoinily on Luke
vi. 17 is omitted or read as one with
the Second^ and the First Lesson only
of the Week-day is read^ or else all
three as one.
Prayer throughout the day as at the
Co7nmemoration last evening.
At Lauds a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor John of God,
founder of the Order of Brethren Hos-
pitallers of the Sick. Famous for his
pity toward the poor, and for his
lowly esteem of himself, whom the
Supreme Pontiff Leo XII L declared
the Patron in heaven of all the sick
and those who nurse them, and of
whom mention hath been made upon
the 8th day of this present month of
March.
Upon the same nth day of March,
were born into the better life —
At Carthage, the holy martyrs
Heraclius and Zosimus.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs
Candidus, Piperion, and twenty others.
At Laodicea, in Syria, in the perse-
cution under the Emperor Diocletian,
the holy martyrs Trophimus and
Thalus, who after many cruel torments
gained crowns of glory.
At Antioch, are commemorated
many holy martyrs, of whom some
were laid upon beds of red-hot iron
by command of the Emperor Max-
imian, not until they died, but until
their flesh was cooked, so as to ensure
their prolonged suffering ; and others
were put to other most cruel torments,
before they received the crown of
martyrdom.
Likewise the holy martyrs Gorgonius
and Firmus.
At Cordova, the holy Priest Eulog-
ius, who deserved a place among the
martyrs of the said city, in the perse-
cution under the Saracens, by striving
by his writings to rival their con-
tendings for the faith, [in the year
859.]
At Sardis, holy Euthymius, Bishop
of that see, who for his honouring of
holy images was banished by the
Iconoclast Emperor Michael, and mar-
tyred under Theophilus.
At Jerusalem, holy Sophronius,
Bishop of that see, [about the year
638.]
At Milan, holy Benedict, Bishop of
that see, [about the year 725,]
In the neighbourhood of Amiens,
the holy Abbat Firmin.
At Carthage, the holy Confessor
Constantine.
At Banco, the holy Confessor Peter,
eminent for the fame of his miracles.
[A Spanish soldier who lived as a
hermit in Italy.]
Vespers are of the followiiig from
the Chapter inclusive,
March ii.
St Soljn of ffioti, Contosor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,) except
the following.
742
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst so enkindle in
^-^ Thy servant John the fire of
Thy Divine love, that when he walked
in the midst of earthly fire the flame
thereof had on his body no power,
and Who didst choose him for a mean
whereby Thou hast given unto Thy
Church a new family of sons, merci-
fully grant unto us, for his sake, that
the fire of Thy love may burn up in
us all things that displease Thee, and
make us meet for Thy heavenly king-
dom. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
First Vespers are oj St John.
A Co7nmenioratio7i is made of the
Forty Martyrs. Prayer as in their
Office^ and then of the Week-day.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxi. 8, {J).
6io.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
JOHN of God was born of Catholic
and godly parents in the town
of Montemor in Portugal, [in the year
1495.] The lot to which God had
elected him was foreshown at his birth
by a light shining over the house,
and by the ringing of a bell untouched
by human hands. He fell at one
time into a loose habit of life, but was
recalled by the grace of God, and
began to show tokens of true re-
formation. By hearing the Word of
God, he so felt himself stirred up to
strive after nobler things, that he con-
sidered not that to which he had al-
ready attained, and yearned to be
perfect, as our Father in heaven is
perfect. He gave away all his pro-
perty to the poor and prisoners, and
became a gazing - stock to all that
knew him, by the strength of his re-
pentance, and the depth of his self-
contempt. On this account he was
commonly supposed to be mad, and
was once shut up in a lunatic asylum.
He was only the more filled with
schemes of charity, and collected, by
begging, funds sufficient to build a
large double Hospital in the town ot
Granada. Here he founded the new
Order of Hospital Brethren with
which he enriched the Church. These
Brethren are now spread throughout
all parts of the world, and engaged
in ministering to the souls and bodies
of the sick.
Fifth Lesson.
T_T E strove to get for the sick poor,
whom he sometimes brought to
the Hospital on hi§ own shoulders,
whatever was needful for their souls
or bodies. His charity was extended
to the poor outside of his institution,
and he used to supply food privately
to necessitous widows, and more so
to young women whose virtue was
tempted on account of their poverty.
He was most careful in encouraging
the virtue of purity in all whom he
knew. On one occasion when there
was a great fire in the hospital at
Granada, John bravely entered the
burning house, ran from one part of
it to another, carried out the sick on
his shoulders, and threw the beds out
of the windows, and finally, after pass-
ing half-an-hour in the midst of the
flames, which were now raging with
great violence, by the mercy of God
left the building uninjured, to the
great wonder of all the citizens ; there-
by to teach all them that love God
that the fire which burnt in his heart
gave him strength to risk the fire
which threatened him from without.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
743
Sixth Lesson.
T T E was a marked example of every
kind of austerity, of the most
lowly obedience, of the deepest volun-
tary poverty, of the most constant
prayer, of ghostly contemplation, and
of love towards the blessed Virgin.
He was distinguished for the gift of
tears. Being at last seized by deadly
sickness, he duly received, with saintly
affection, all the Sacraments of the
Church. After all strength seemed to
have left him, he got out of his bed,
put on his own clothes, and knelt
down before an image of the Lord
Christ hanging on the Cross. Round
it he threw his arms and pressed it
against his heart, and in this position,
as it were in the kiss of the Lord, he
died, on the 8th day of March 1550.
After his death his body did not leave
its grip of the crucifix until it was for-
cibly taken away, six hours after.
During these six hours all the in-
habitants of the city came to see it,
and noticed a savour of strange sweet-
ness proceeding from it. His name
was illustrious as a worker of miracles
both before and after his death, and
the Supreme Pontiff Alexander VIII.
added it to those of the Saints, and
Leo XIIL, at the desire of the Bishops
of the Catholic world, and in accord-
ance with a vote of the Congregation
of Rites, declared him the patron in
heaven of all the sick and those who
nurse them, wheresoever dwelling, and
ordered that his name should be
called upon in the Litany for the
dying.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (xxii. 35.)
A T that time : The Pharisees came
"^^ unto Jesus, and one of them,
which was a lawyer, asked Him a
question, tempting Him, saying : Mas-
ter, which is the great commandment
in the Law ? And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom, Pa-
triarch [of Constantinople.] y 2nd on
Matthew.
When the Pharisees had heard that
Christ had put the Sadducees to
silence, they gathered themselves to-
gether for a fresh attack ; just when
it behoved them to be quiet, they
willed to contend ; and so they put
forward one of themselves, who pro-
fessed skill in the law, not wishing
to learn, but to lay a snare. This
person therefore proposed the ques-
tion: "Which is the great command-
ment in the law ? " The first and
great commandment is : " Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God," but they
expected that He would make some
exception or addition to this in His
Own case, since He made Himself
God. (John x. 33.) With this ex-
pectation they asked Him the question:
But what said Christ ? To show that
they had adopted this course, because
they were loveless, and sick with envy,
He answered: "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is
like unto it : Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself."
Eighth Lesson.
^■\ rHY is this second commandment
like unto the first ? Because
the first is the second's source and
sanction. " For every one that doeth
evil hateth the light, neither cometh
to the light." (John. iii. 20.) And
again: "The fool hath said in his
heart : There is no God " — and there
followeth : "They are corrupt, and
744
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
become abominable in their works."
(Ps. xiii. I.) And yet again: "The
love of money is the root of all
evil ; which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith." (i
Tim. vi. lo.) And yet once more:
"If ye love Me, keep My command-
ments." (John xiv. 15,) — of which
commandments the head and root is :
" Thou Shalt love the Lord thy God ;
and thy neighbour as thyself."
Ninth Lesson.
TF, therefore, to love God is to love
our neighbour also, (as it appear-
eth where it is written : " Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou Me ? And he
said unto Him : Lord, Thou knowest
all things ; Thou knowest that I love
Thee. jESUS saith unto him : Feed
My sheep," John xxi. 17,) — and if
" love is the fulfilling of the law,"
(Rom. xiii. 10,) justly doth the Lord
say that " on these two command-
ments hang all the law and the
Prophets." And even as when,
before this, (23-32,) being interrog-
ated about the Resurrection, He
answered them more than they asked,
so, now, being interrogated concern-
ing the first and great commandment.
He answereth them, of His own
accord, touching that second one also,
which is little lower than the first,
for "the second is like unto it."
Herein He would have them under-
stand that it was hatred stirred them
up to question Him. " For Charity,"
saith the Apostle, " envieth not." (i
Cor. xiii. 4.)
The Nmth Lesson zs the Homily on
the Gospel for the Week-day. The
Third Lesson of the Homily on Matth.
xxii. 35, is omitted or read as one with
the Second^ and the First Lesson otily
of the Week-day is read, or else all
three as o?ie.
Ln Lent a Commemoration of the
Week-day is made at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 12th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, holy Pope Gregory [I.,]
an eminent Doctor of the Church,
who, on account of his illustrious acts
and his doings to bring the English
to believe in Christ, is surnamed
the Great, and called the Apostle of
England, [in the year 604.]
Likewise at Rome, the holy martyr
Mamilian, [in the year 295.]
At Nicomedia, the blessed martyr
Peter. He was a chamberlain to the
Emperor Diocletian, and because he
bewailed the fearful slaughter of mar-
tyrs, the Emperor commanded him to
be brought forth, hung up, and lashed
for a long time. After which he was
covered with vinegar and salt, and at
length roasted upon a grating upon a
slow fire, and thus is he worthy to be
reckoned a true inheritor of Peter's
faith, as well as Peter's name.
There likewise the holy martyrs
Egdunus the Priest, and seven others,
of whom one was strangled every day
in order to terrify the others, [about
the year 303.]
At Constantinople, holy Theophanes.
He was originally a very rich man,
but became a monk. The wicked
Emperor Leo, the Armenian, kept him
for two years in prison for honouring
holy images, and then banished him
to Samo-Thrace, where he sank under
his sufferings and gave up the ghost,
[about the year 818.] He is famous
for many miracles.
At Capua, the holy Confessor Ber-
nard, Bishop of Calenum, [in the year
1 109.]
Vespers of the following.
The Second Vespers are of the fol-
lowing, frojn the Chapter, i?iclusive.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
7A
MARCH 12.
St (greprg [tJ)e ®reat,] pope
of J^ome, Confesisor, 3ioc-
tor of t})0 fflljurcl), anU Ap-
ostle of ffinglanti.
Double of the Second Class.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) ex-
cept the follotving.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O right excellent Teacher,
&c., (A 581.)
Prayer throughout.
r^ GOD, who hast blessed the
^~"^ soul of Thy servant Gregory
with an everlasting blessing, merci-
fully grant that we, who groan under
the burden of our sins, may by his
prayers be relieved. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
A Commemoration is made of St
John of God, with Prayer from his
Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxix. i, as
in the Common Office, {p. 615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
/GREGORY the Great was a
^-^ Roman, the son of Gordian
the Senator, [and was born about
the year of our Lord 540.] As a
young man he studied philosophy,
and afterwards discharged the office
VOL. II.
of Praetor. After his father's death
he built six monasteries in Sicily,
and a seventh in honour of St An-
drew, in his own house at Rome,
hard by the Church of Saints John
and Paul at the ascent of the hill
Scaurus. In this monastery of St
Andrew, he and his masters, Hila-
rion and Maximian, professed them-
selves monks, and Gregory was
afterwards Abbat. Later on, he was
created a Cardinal Deacon, and sent
to Constantinople as legate from
Pope Pelagius to the Emperor
Tiberius Constantine. Before the
Emperor he so successfully disputed
against the Patriarch Eutychius, who
had denied that our bodies shall
verily and indeed rise again, that
the Prince threw the book of the
said Patriarch into the fire. Euty-
chius himself also soon after fell
sick, and when he felt death coming
on him, he took hold of the skin
of his own hand and said in the
hearing of many that stood by: "I
acknowledge that we shall all rise
again in this flesh.''
Fifth Lesson.
/GREGORY returned to Rome,
^■^ and, Pelagius being dead of a
plague, he was unanimously chosen
Pope. This honour he refused as
long as he could. He disguised
himself and took refuge in a cave,
but was betrayed by a fiery pillar.
Being discovered and overruled, he
was consecrated at the grave of St
Peter, [upon the 3rd day of Septem-
ber, in the year 590.] He left be-
hind him many ensamples of doc-
trine and holiness to them that
have followed him in the Popedom.
Every day he brought pilgrims to
his table, and among them he en-
tertained not an Angel only, but
the very Lord of Angels in the
guise of a pilgrim. He tenderly
2 c
746
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
cared for the poor, of whom he
kept a list, as well without as
within the city. He restored the
Catholic faith in many places where
it had been overthrown. He fought
successfully against the Donatists in
Africa and the Arians in Spain.
He cleansed Alexandria of the Ag-
noites. He refused to give the Pall
to Syagrius, Bishop of Autun, un-
less he would expel the Neophyte
heretics from Gaul. He caused the
Goths to abandon the Arian heresy.
He sent into Britain Augustine and
divers other learned and holy monks,
who brought the inhabitants of that
island to believe in jESUS Christ.
Hence Gregory is justly called by
Bede, the Priest of Jarrow, "the
Apostle of England." He rebuked
the presumption of John, Patriarch
of Constantinople, who had taken to
himself the title of Bishop of the
Universal Church, and he dissuaded
the Emperor Maurice from forbid-
ding soldiers to become monks.
Sixth Lesson.
/GREGORY adorned the Church
^-^ with holy customs and laws.
He called together a Synod in the
Church of St Peter, and therein or-
dained many things ; among others,
the ninefold repetition of the words
" Kyrie eleison " in the Mass, the
saying of the word " Alleluia " in
the Church service except between
Septuagesima inclusive and Easter
exclusive, and the addition to the
Canon of the Mass of the words
"Do Thou order all our days in
Thy peace." He increased the Lit-
anies, the number of the Churches
where is held the observance called
a Station, and the length of the
Church Service. He would that
the four Councils of Nice, Constan-
tinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon
should be honoured like four Gos-
pels, He released the Sicilian Bish-
ops from visiting Rome every three
years, willing them to come instead
once every five years. He was the
author of many books, and Peter
the Deacon declare th that he often
saw the Holy Ghost on his head in
the form of a dove when he was
dictating them. It is a marvel how
much he spoke, did, wrote, and
legislated, suffering all the while
from a weak and sickly body. He
worked many miracles. At last God
called him away to be blessed for
ever in heaven, in the thirteenth
year, sixth month, and tenth day of
his Pontificate, being the 12th day
of March, [in the year of salvation
604.] This day is observed by the
Greeks, as well as by us, as a festi-
val, on account of the eminent wis-
dom and holiness of this Pope. His
body was buried in the Church of
St Peter, hard by the Private Chapel.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (v. 12.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto
"^^ His disciples : Ye are the salt
of the earth. But if the salt have
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be
salted ? And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] i^Hom. 17 on Luke x.)
We have to consider that he who
is not able by one exhortation to
exhort all at once, must strive ac-
cording to his ability to instruct
each in private and edify each by
personal conversation. We must al-
ways hold in mind that which was
said to the holy Apostles, and,
through the Apostles, to us : "Ye
are the salt of the earth." If we
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
747
are therefore salt, we ought to
season the minds of the faithful.
Ye then that are shepherds, remem-
ber that ye feed the flock of God,
even that flock of which the Psalmist
saith to God : " Thy creatures shall
dwell therein" (Ps. Ixvii. ii.) We
often see pieces of rock-salt given
to animals, which they lick, and the
seasoning of the salt is good for
them. As these pieces of rock-salt
to cattle, so ought Priests to be to
their people. A Priest should be
prudent in what he saith, and what
warning he giveth to each ; and each
one when he meeteth his Priest,
should draw from him a savour unto
life eternal.
Eighth Lesson.
Al ^E are not the saJt of the earth,
if we season not the hearts of
them that hear us. He that faileth
not in preaching, imparteth this season-
ing to his neighbour. And we do not
truly preach to others unless by our own
works and example we show them what
we preach. Dearly beloved brethren,
I think that God is not so much
wronged by any as He is by Priests,
whom He hath ordained to keep
others straight, and then seeth set-
ting an ill example ; when we, who
ought to be the enemies of sin,
work sin, seek not the good of
souls, take leisure to enjoy our own
pursuits, seek worldly things, and
set our minds to gain human re-
spect. And, above all, when we
who, as Prelates, are raised above
the others, and are so far freer to
do what we like, prostitute our
ministry of blessing, wherewith we
are blessed, to compass the ends
of worldly vanity, abandon God's
work, occupy ourselves with earthly
affairs, take in sooth an holy place,
and then involve ourselves in deeds
and thoughts of the world.
Eighth Responsory.
In the midst, &c., (/. 606.)
The Ninth Lesson is the Homily
/or the Week-day^ either the first
part or all three as one.
At Lauds and Vespers a Coni-
memoratiojt is made of the Week-
day.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 1 3th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs
Macedonius, Patricia his wife, and
Modesta their daughter, [in the year
303-]
At Nice, the holy martyrs Theusetas
and Horres his son, Theodora, Nym-
phodora, Mark, and Arabia, who were
all delivered over to the flames for
Christ's sake.
At Eshman, in Egypt, the holy
martyr Sabinus, who after suffering
many things, was at length drowned
in the Nile, [in the year 287. He is
said to have been denounced by a
beggar he maintained by his alms.]
In Persia, the holy Virgin and
martyr Christina.
At Cordova, the holy martyrs
Roderick the Priest and Salomon, [in
the year 857.]
At Constantinople, holy Nicephorus,
Bishop of that see. He was a zealous
upholder of the traditions of the
Fathers, and for the honouring of
holy images constantly withstood the
Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian,
by whom he was sent into exile, where
he suffered a lingering martyrdom for
fourteen years, and then passed away
to be ever with the Lord, [in the year
828.]
At Camerino, the holy Confessor
Ansovinus, Bishop of that see, [in the
year 840.]
In the Thebaid, the holy Virgin
Euphrasia, [in the year 412.]
743
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Note. If any of the Feasts which
follow fall in Holy Week or Easter
Week, they are transferred till after
Low Sunday, with the changes i7i that
case 7zecessary, if they are capable of
being transferred according to the
general rubrics; but if not, they are
simply cojmneinorated at both Vespers
and Lauds without havi7ig the Ninth
Lesson at Mattins,
March 13.
martyrology.
Upon the 14th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, in the Veranian field, the
holy martyr Leo, Bishop.
Likewise at Rome, forty-seven holy
martyrs, who were all baptised by the
blessed Apostle Peter during the nine
months during which he and his
fellow-Apostle Paul were imprisoned
in the Mamertine prison, and who,
all for the loyal confession of their
faith, were slain by the sword, under
the Emperor Nero.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Peter
and Aphrodisius, who received their
crown in the persecution under the
Vandals.
At Haran, in Mesopotamia, the
holy martyrs Eutychius the Patrician
and his Companions, who were slain
by Evelid, King of the Arabs, for con-
fessing their faith, [in the year 741.]
In the province of Valeria, two
holy monks, whom the Lombards
hung upon a tree, whereon after they
were dead their very enemies heard
them singing. In the same persecu-
tion, a Deacon of the church of
Maruvium, [now called that of
Pescina,] was beheaded for confess-
ing the faith.
At Halberstadt, in Germany, the
blessed Matilda, Queen of the Romans,
Mother of the Emperor Otho I., who
fell asleep in peace, illustrious for
her lowliness and long suffering, [in
the year 968.]
March 14.
martyrology.
Upon the 15th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Cccsarea, in Cappadocia, the holy
martyr Longinus, who is said to have
been the soldier who pierced the
Lord's side with a spear.
Upon the same day, holy Aristo-
bulus, the disciple of the Apostles,
who when the work of his preaching
was done suffered martyrdom.
At Thessalonica, holy Matrona.
She was a slave, belonging to a cer-
tain Jewess. She was a Christian
in secret, and went to the church every
day for private prayer. Her mistress
found this. She afflicted her in many
ways, and at last caused her to be
cudgelled, until, still confessing Christ,
she gave up her pure spirit to God,
[probably about the year 800.]
On the same day, the holy martyr
Menignus, a fuller, who suffered under
the Emperor Decius.
In Egypt, the holy martyr Nicander,
who would make careful search for the
relics of holy martyrs, and earned to
become a martyr himself under the
Emperor Diocletian.
At Cordova, the holy Virgin and
mart3^r Leocritia, [in the year 880.]
At Rome, holy Pope Zachary, who
governed the Church of God with all
watchfulness, and fell asleep in peace,
famous for good works, [in the year
752.]
At Riete, holy Probus, Bishop of
that see, at whose death, [in the year
570,] the martyrs Juvenal and Eleu-
therius were present.
At Rome, [in the sixth century,]
the holy [Benedictine] monk, [at Ter-
racina,] Speciosus, whose soul his
brother saw being borne heavenward.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
749
March 15.
martyrology.
Upon the i6th day of March, were
born into the better Hfe —
At Rome, the holy deacon Cyriacus.
After long suffering in prison, he was
covered with pitch, stretched upon a
block, racked, and cudgelled, and at
last beheaded along with Largus
Smaragdus and twenty others, by
command of the Emperor Maximian.
Their feast is kept upon the 8th
day of August, upon the which day
blessed Pope Marcellus exhumed
their bodies and buried them again
with honour.
At Aquileia, the blessed martyrs
Hilary, Bishop of that see, and the
Deacon Tatian, who after suffering
the rack and other torments were
martyred, along with Felix, Largus,
and Denis, under the President Beron-
ius, in the persecution under the Em-
peror Numerian.
In Lycaonia, the holy martyr Papas,
who for Christ's faith's sake was
hided, torn with iron hooks, and made
to walk in shoes with nails through
them, and then tied up to a barren
tree, which became fruitful when he
passed away to be with the Lord,
[fourth century.]
At Anazarba, in Cilicia, the holy
martyr Julian, who suffered a long
course of torture under the President
Martian, and was at length put into
a sack along with serpents and
drowned in the sea, [probably under
Diocletian.]
At Ravenna, the holy Confessor
Agapitus, Bishop of that see, [in the
year 341.]
At Cologne, holy Heribert, Bishop
of that see, famous for his holiness,
[in the year 102 1.]
In Auvergne, holy Bishop Patrick.^
1 This personage is generally supposed to be Palladius Patricius, and it has been suggested
that Arvernis is really a corruption for in Hibernia.
In Syria, the holy hermit Abraham,
[in the year 370,] whose acts have
been written by the blessed Deacon
Ephrem.
March 16.
martyrology.
Upon the 17th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In Ireland, the holy Confessor
Patrick, Bishop [of Armagh,] the first
who there preached the Gospel of
Christ, and who was famous for great
miracles and works of power, [in the
year 464.]
At Jerusalem, holy Joseph of Ari-
mathea, the honourable councillor, the
disciple of the Lord, who took down
His Body from the cross and laid it
in his own new tomb.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Alex-
ander and Theodore.
At Alexandria are commemorated
many holy martyrs, who were seized
by the worshippers of Serapis, and
because they would not worship that
idol were cruelly murdered by them,
in the time of the Emperor Theo-
dosius, who presently afterward sent
a rescript to destroy the temple of
Serapis.
At Constantinople, the holy martyr
Paul, who was burnt under the Emperor
Constantine Copronymus for defending
the honouring of holy images.
At Chalons [-sur-Saone,] in Gaul,
holy Agricola, Bishop of that see, [in
the year 580.]
At Nivelle, in Brabant, the holy
Virgin Gertrude, the daughter of an
illustrious race, who despised this
world, and busied herself all her life
in holy deeds, so that she won to be
espoused to Christ in heaven, [in the
year 659.]
Vespers of the follo'wing.
750
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
March 17.
St Patrick, arcpisijop [of
^rmagJ),] Confessor*
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the follozving.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst send forth Thy
^-^^ Blessed Confessor and Bishop
Patrick to preach Thy glory among
the Gentiles, mercifully grant unto us,
for his sake and at his petition, what-
soever Thou commandest us to do,
to have grace and power faithfully to
fulfil the same. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, worjd
without end. Ameii.
At First Vespers a Cojnmemoration
is made of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Tim. iii. i, {p. 582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. .
pATRICK, called the Apostle of
Ireland, was born in Great
Britain. The name of his father was
Calphurnius, and that of his mother
Conchessa. She is said to have been
a relation of St Martin, Bishop of
Tours. When Patrick was a lad, he
was several times taken prisoner by
savages, and while being in their
hands he was employed as a shep-
herd, he already showed marks of his
saintliness to come. His spirit was
filled with faith, and love, and fear
of God, so that he would rise before
the light, in snow, and frost, and rain,
to make his prayers to God, being
accustomed to address God in prayer
an hundred times every day, and an
hundred times every night. After
being rescued from his third captivity,
he was placed among the clergy, and
for a long time exercised himself in
sacred learning. To this end he
travelled with much labour, through
Gaul, Italy, and the islands of the
Tyrrhenian Sea, but at last being
called of God to work for the salva-
tion of the Irish, and, having received
from the Blessed Pope Celestine a
commission to preach the gospel, and
likewise being consecrated a Bishop,
he betook himself to Ireland.
Fifth Lesson.
T N the discharge of his calling it is
a marvel with how many evils,
with how many sufferings and labours,
and with how many adversaries the
Apostolic Patrick had to bear. Never-
theless, by the goodness of God, that
island, which had up to that time been
given over to the serving of idols, was,
through the preaching of Patrick, so
wrought on that she soon brought
forth the fruit which won her the
name of the Island of Saints. Patrick
caused many of her people to be born
again by the washing of regeneration ;
he ordained many Bishops and clerks ;
he decreed rules for virgins and widows
living in continency. By the authority
of the Bishop of Rome he established
the See of Armagh as the Primatial
See of all Ireland, and enriched the
Church with reliques of the Saints
brought from Rome. Patrick, more-
over, was so eminently adorned with
heavenly visions, with the gift of pro-
phecy, and with great signs and won-
ders from God, that the fame of him
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
751
spread itself abroad more and more,
day by day.
Sixth Lesso7i.
TDESIDES that which came upon
him daily, the care of all the
Churches of Ireland, he never suffered
his spirit to weary in constant prayer.
They say that it was his custom to
repeat every day the whole Book
of Psalms, together with Songs and
Hymns, and two hundred Prayers ;
that he bent his knees to God in
worship three hundred times every
day, and that he made on himself
the sign of the Cross an hundred
times at each of the Seven Hours
of the Church Service. He divided
the night into three portions ; during
the first he repeated the first hun-
dred Psalms, and bent his knees two
hundred times ; during the second
he remained plunged in cold water,
with heart, eyes, and hands lifted up
to heaven, and in that state repeated
the remaining fifty Psalms ; during
the third he took his short rest, lying
upon a bare stone. He was a great
practiser of lowliness, and, after the
pattern of the Apostle, he always con-
tinued to work with his own hands.
At last he fell asleep in the Lord in
extreme old age, refreshed with the
Divine Mysteries, worn out with un-
ceasing care for the Churches, and
glorious both in word and work. His
body is buried in Down in Ulster. He
passed away in the fifth century after
the giving of salvation by Christ.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 14, with
the Hoinily of St Gregory^ {p. 588.)
The Third is either ojnitted or read
as 07ie with the Second^ and the Ninth
Lesson is either the first part or the
whole of the Homily for the Week-
day.
A t Lauds a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Archangel Gabriel, ^ who
announced to the Blessed Virgin
Mary the mystery of the Incarna-
tion of the Lord.
At Jerusalem, holy Confessor Cyril,
Bishop of that see, and Doctor of
the Church, who suffered many
things from the Arians for the
faith's sake. He was several times
driven from the see, but at length
fell asleep in peace, [in the year
386,] illustrious for the glory of
holiness. The Oecumenical Council
[of Constantinople,] in writing to
Pope Damasus, gave a noble wit-
ness to the purity of his faith. We
keep his feast upon the 22nd day
of this present month of March.
Upon the same 1 8th day of March,
were born into the better life- —
At Csesarea, in Palestine, the
blessed martyr Alexander, Bishop
[of Jerusalem.] He came to Jeru-
salem from his own city, in Cappa-
docia, whereof he was Bishop, in
order to visit the holy places. Nar-
cissus, who was already very old,
was then ruling the Church of Jeru-
salem, and Alexander by the revela-
tion of God received the government
thereof, afterward, and when he him-
self was in the venerable glory of
grey hairs he was brought to Caesarea
in the persecution under the Em-
peror Decius, and was put in prison,
and finished his testimony confessing
Christ.
At Augsburg, the holy martyrs
Narcissus, Bishop of Augsburg, and
1 The Archangel Gabriel has no place in the Roman Martyrology, and this entry is accord-
ingly given as found in the Martyrologies of several of the Religious Orders.
752
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE, SAINTS.
the Deacon Felix. Narcissus was
the first who preached the gospel
in Rhsetia ; he afterwards went into
Spain, and after he had brought many
to believe in Christ at Girona he there
received the palm of martyrdom, along
with the Deacon Felix, in the persecu-
tion under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Nicomedia, the ten thousand
holy martyrs who were slain with
the sword for confessing Christ.
Also the holy martyrs Trophimus
and Eucarpius, [fourth century.]
In England, holy Edward II.,
King of the English, who was mur-
dered through a plot of his step-
mother, and hath been famous for
many miracles, [962-978.]
At Lucca, in Tuscany, holy Fin-
nan, Bishop of that see, [in the sixth
century,] famous for the power of
working miracles, but whose prin-
cipal feast is kept upon the i8th
day of November, which is that of
the translation of his body.
At Mantua, the holy Confessor
Anselm, Bishop of the see, [in the
year 1086.]
Vespers of the followi7ig.
March 18.
St (©airtel, gtrcljangeL
Greater Double.
If this Feast be observed iji Lent,
the Week-day is commemorated at
Vespers and Laicds, and has the
Ninth Lesson at Matti7is. If it be
transferred into Paschal - time, the
word " Alleluia " is added wherever
it is given iji [ ], and all three
Psalms of each Nocturn are said
under the First Antiphoji.
All as 071 Sundays except the fol-
lowi7ig.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antipho7ts, Chapter, a7id Prayer
fro77i Lauds.
Last Psal77i.
Ps. cxvi. O praise the Lord, &c.,
(/. 186.)
Hy 77171.^ a7id Verse a7id A7tswer as
at Lauds on May 8.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7i. The Angel Gabriel came
in unto the Virgin Mary, and said :
Hail, thou that art full of grace ;
the Lord is with thee ; blessed art
thou among women. [Alleluia.]
A Co77i77ie77ioratio7i is 77iade of the
Seco7id Vespers of St Patrick, a7id
of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
l7ivitatory. The Lord, He is the
King of the Archangels, * O come
let us worship Him. [Alleluia.]
Hy77i7i as at Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First A7ttipho7i. ^ The Angel Ga-
briel said unto Daniel : Understand,
O son of man ; for at the time of
the end shall the vision be fulfilled.
[Alleluia.]
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Ruler, &c.,
(A 7.)
Second A7itipho7t. Behold the man
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the
vision [at the beginning,] being caused
to fly swiftly, touched me about the
time of the evening oblation ; and he
informed me.
Ps. x. In the LORD put I my
trust, &c., {p. 9.)
Third A7itipho7i. 1 When Gabriel
was about speaking" unto me, I fell
1 Dan. viii. 17, 18.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
753
upon my face toward the ground ;
but he touched me, and set me
upright.
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide,
&c., {p. lO.)
Verse. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple, [Alleluia.]
Answer. Having a golden censer
in his hand. [Alleluia.]
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Prophet Daniel (ix. 20.)
^"\7'HILES I, Daniel, was speaking
and praying, and confessing
my sins, and the sins of my people
Israel, and presenting my supplication
before my God for the holy mountain
of my God, whiles yet I was speaking
in prayer, behold, the man Gabriel,
whom I had seen in the vision at the
beginning, being caused to fly swiftly,
touched me about the time of the
evening oblation. And he informed
me, and talked with me, and said :
O Daniel, I am now come forth to
give thee skill and understanding.
At the beginning of thy supplications
the commandment came forth ; and I
am come to show thee, for thou art
greatly beloved ; therefore consider
the matter, and understand the vision.
First Responsory.
Whiles Daniel was praying, and
confessing his sins, and the sins of
his people, behold, the Archangel
Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly,
touched him about the time of the
evening oblation. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Whiles he was presenting
his supplication before his God —
Anszuer. Behold, the Archangel
Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly,
touched him about the time of the
evening oblation. [Alleluia.]
VOL. II.
Second Lesson,
CEVENTY weeks are determined
upon thy people, and upon thine
holy city, to finish the transgression,
and to make an end of sins, and to
make reconciliation for iniquity, and to
bring in everlasting righteousness, and
to seal up the vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the Most Holy. Know,
therefore, and understand, that from
the going forth of the commandment
to build up again Jerusalem, unto the
Prince, the Anointed, shall be seven
weeks, and three-score-and-two weeks.
The street shall be built again, and
the walls, even in troublous times.
Second Responsory.
And Gabriel talked with Daniel,
and said : At the beginning of thy
supplications the commandment came
forth ; and I am come to show thee,
for thou art greatly beloved. [Al-
leluia.]
Verse. Therefore consider the
matter and understand the vision.
A7iswer. And I am come to show
thee, for thou art greatly beloved.
[Alleluia.]
Third Lesson,
AND after three-score-and-two weeks
shall Christ be cut off — and they
shall not be His own people that shall
deny Him. And a people, with a
Prince that shall come, shall destroy
the city and the sanctuary ; and the
end thereof shall be desolation, and
after the end of the war desolation is
appointed. But he shall confirm the
covenant with many for one week ;
and in the midst of the week the
sacrifice and the oblation shall cease ;
and in the temple shall be the abom-
ination of desolation ; and even until
the consummation and the end shall
endure the desolation.
2 c 2
754
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Third Respojisory.
Behold, the man Gabriel, whom I
had seen [in the vision at the be-
ginning,] being caused to fly swiftly,
touched me about the time of the
evening oblation ; and he informed
me, [and talked with me,] and said :
O Daniel, I am now come forth to
give thee skill and understanding.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. O Gabriel, make me to
understand the vision. So he came
near where I stood. And he said
unto me : —
Answer. O Daniel, I am now
come forth to give thee skill and
understanding. [Alleluia,]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. O Daniel, I am now
come forth to give thee skill and
understanding. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. ^ The Angel Ga-
briel appeared unto Zacharias, and
said unto him : Thy wife Elizabeth
shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt
call his name John. [Alleluia.]
Ps. xviii. The heavens declare,
&c., (A 17.)
Second Ajitiphoji. And Zacharias
said unto the Angel : Whereby shall
I know this ? for I am an old man,
and my wife well stricken in years.
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the Lord's,
&c., {p. 46.)
Third Antiphon. And the Angel,
answering, said unto him : I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence
of God, and am sent to speak unto
thee, and to show thee these glad
tidings.
Ps. xxxiii. I will bless the LORD
&c., (/. 78.)
Verse. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord — [Al-
leluia.]
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
[Alleluia.]
Fourth Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
((9;? Luke i. 26.)
" T^HE Angel Gabriel was sent from
-*■ God."
I opine that this Angel is not one
of those lesser ones who are often
sent to earth with messages upon one
occasion and another. This may well
be understood from his name, which
signifieth "the strong- man-of- God,"
and because it is especially said that
he was sent, not by some spirit haply
more excellent than he, but from God
Himself. It is said "from God" —
lest it should be imagined that God
had revealed His counsel to any of
the blessed spirits before revealing it
to the Virgin, except to the Arch-
angel Gabriel, who is thus discovered
to possess such an excellency in the
heavenly host as becomes at once his
name and his message.
Fourth Responsory.
It came to pass that while Zacharias
executed the Priest's office before God,
in the order of his course, there ap-
peared unto him the Angel Gabriel,
standing on the right side of the Altar
of incense. [Alleluia.]
Verse. When he went into the
temple of the Lord to burn incense,
according to the custom of the Priest's
office.
Answer. There appeared unto him
1 Antiphons from Luke i. 11, 13, i8, 19.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
755
the Angel Gabriel, standing on the
right side of the Altar of incense.
[Alleluia.]
Fifth Lesson.
"\T EITHER do his name and his
message disagree, for whom
did it more beseem to be the herald
of "Christ, the Power of God," (i
Cor. i. 24,) than him who was hon-
oured by bearing a like name ? For
power and strength are much the
same. Neither doth it appear unmeet
or unseemly that the Lord and His
messenger should have a like title,
when we consider that that title dif-
fereth in meaning in each. Christ is
called the Power or Strength of God
in a sense very different to that in
which the like appellation is given to
the Angel. In the Angel it is a
bestowed title ; in Christ, an essential
description.
Fifth Responsory.
The Angel Gabriel came down unto
Zacharias, and said unto him : Fear
not ; for thy prayer is heard ; and thy
wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son,
and thou shalt call his name John.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. And when Zacharias saw
him, he was troubled, and fear fell
upon him ; but the Angel said unto
him : —
A7is'wer. Fear not ; for thy prayer
is heard ; and thy wife Elizabeth shall
bear thee a son, and thou shalt call
his name John. [Alleluia.]
all his armour wherein he trusted, and
divided his spoils. (Luke xi. 21, 22.)
But the Angel is called the "strong-
man-of-God," either because this title
was his right as the herald of the
Power of God, or because it was his
mission to comfort the Virgin, nat-
urally fearful, simple, and shame-faced,
lest she should be beside herself with
terror at the newness of the miracle,
which office indeed he discharged
when he said : " Fear not, Mary ;
for thou hast found grace with God,"
Meetly therefore was Gabriel chosen
for this work, or rather, meetly was
his name given him since he had
been so chosen.
Sixth Responsory.
I am Gabriel, that stand in the
presence of God ; and am sent to
speak unto thee, and to show thee
these glad tidings. Behold, thou
shalt be dumb, and not able to speak,
until the day that these things shall be
performed. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Because thou believest not
my words, which shall be fulfilled in
their season.
Answer. Behold, thou shalt be
dumb, and not able to speak, until
the day that these things shall be
performed. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Behold, thou shalt be
dumb, and not able to speak, until
the day that these things shall be
performed. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
/^^HRIST is called, and absolutely
^^ is, " the Power of God." When
the strong man armed kept his palace,
and all his goods were in peace, Christ
came upon him as One stronger than
he, and overcame him by the strength
of His Own arm, and took from him
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antipho7i. The Angel Gabriel
was sent to a virgin espoused to [a
man whose name was] Joseph, [and
the virgin's name was] Mary. [Al-
leluia.]
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {j>. 148.)
n^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Secoftd A7itiphon. The Angel Gab-
riel said unto Mary: Behold, thy
cousin Elizabeth, she hath also con-
ceived a son in her old age.
Ps. xcvi. The Lord reigneth, &c.,
{p. 149.)
Third Ajitiphon. O Virgin Mary,
receive the word of the Lord which is
sent thee by His Angel Gabriel.
Ps. cii. Bless the Lord, O my
soul, &c., (/. 160.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
[Alleluia.]
Answer. I will worship toward Thy
holy Temple, and praise Thy Name.
[Alleluia.]
»
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (i. 26.).
A T that time : The Angel Gabriel
"^^ was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin
espoused to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David : and
the Virgin's -name was Mary. And
so on.
Homily by St Julian, Archbishop
of Toledo. 1 ( ind against the Jews. )
It was from an Angel that Daniel
learnt the secret of the seventy weeks
until the birth of the Christ ; it was by
the apparition of an Angel that Zacha-
rias heard that he was about to beget
a son ; and it was when an Angel
foretold that the Christ should be born
of her, that Mary believed and con-
sented. These three things we see
announced by an Angel, and fulfilled.
Let us now then look carefully whether
the Angel who appeared to Zacharias
and Mary was the same who had fore-
told these same, things to Daniel.
Sevejith Resp07isory.
The Angel Gabriel was sent to
Mary, the virgin espoused to Joseph,
and the Virgin was afraid of the light.
Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found
grace with the Lord. Behold, thou
shalt conceive and bring forth a Son,
and He shall be called the Son of
the Highest. [Alleluia.]
Verse. And when she heard it, she
was troubled at his saying, and cast in
her mind what manner of salutation
this should be. And the Angel said
unto her :
Answer. Fear not, Mary, for thou
hast found grace with the Lord. Be-
hold, thou shalt conceive, and bring
forth a Son, and He shall be called
the Son of the Highest. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Blessing.
He whose Feast-day, &c.
Eighth Lesson.
A S for Daniel, he, in the Book of his
Prophecy, when he learnt from
the Angel the mystery of the seventy
weeks, which should mark the date of
the Birth of Christ, plainly expresseth
the name of the said Angel. For he
saith : " Behold, the man Gabriel,
whom I had seen [in the vision] at
the beginning, being caused to fly
swiftly, touched me [about the time
of the evening oblation ; and he in-
formed me, and talked with me,] and
said : O Daniel, [I am now come forth
to give thee skill and understanding.
At the beginning of thy supplications
the commandment came forth, and I
am come to show thee, for thou art
greatly beloved ; therefore] consider
the matter," and so on, as is there
narrated. And so, when the time
pointed at drew near, we find in the
1 March 8.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
757
Gospel the wondrous name of this
same Angel. For the Angel said
unto Zacharias : " I am Gabriel, that
stand in the presence of God ; and
am sent to speak unto thee, and to
show thee these glad tidings." {Nmtk
Lesso7t.) And this is also the name
which we read in the Gospel where the
child-bearing of the BlessedVirgin Mary
is spoken of, as it is written : " The
Angel Gabriel was sent from God,
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of
David ; and the virgin's name was
Mary." We see then that it was the
one and the same Angel Gabriel who
revealed to Daniel the time prefixed
for the Birth of Christ, and who an-
nounced the delivery of the Virgin
when the time came. He cometh at
the very time which he himself had
foretold, and showeth by actual de-
monstration the fulfilment of his former
word, faithful in the prophecy of the
weeks, faithful in the revelation of
the mystery.
Eighth RespoJisory.
Rejoice, O Mary, by whose mighty
hand the Church hath victory o'er her
foes achieved, since thou to Gabriel's
word of quickening power in lowliness
hast listened and believed — thou, still
a virgin, in thy blessed womb hast
God Incarnate of thy flesh conceived,
and, still of heaven, of that virginity
remainest after childbirth unbereaved.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb.
Answer. Since thou to Gabriel's
word of quickening power in lowliness
hast listened and believed — thou, still
a virgin, in thy blessed womb hast
God Incarnate of thy flesh conceived,
and, still of heaven, of that virginity
remainest after childbirth unbereaved.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Since thou to Gabriel's
word of quickening power in lowliness
hast listened and believed — thou, still
a virgin, in thy blessed womb hast
God Incarnate of thy flesh conceived,
and, still of heaven, of that virginity
remainest after childbirth unbereaved.
[Alleluia.]
The Ninth Lesson is the Homily of
the Week-day.
The Hymn., "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. When Zacharias
went into the temple of the Lord, "^
there appeared unto him the Angel
Gabriel, standing on the right side of
the Altar of incense. [Alleluia.]
Second A7itiphon. But the Angel
said unto him : Fear not, ^ Zacharias :
for thy prayer is heard. [Alleluia.]
Third A7itiphon. I am the Angel
Gabriel, * that stand in the presence
of God, and am sent to speak unto
thee. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. The Angel Ga-
briel spake unto Mary * and said :
Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy
womb, and bring forth a Son, and
shalt call His Name Jesus. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Antipho7i. Then said Mary
unto the Angel : How shall this be,
seeing I know not a man ? "^ And the
Angel Gabriel answered and said unto
her : The Holy Ghost shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Dan. ix. 21.)
T)EHOLD, the man Gabriel, whom
•^ I had seen in the vision at the
beginning, being caused to fly swiftly,
753
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
.touched me about the time of the
evening oblation ; and he informed
me, and talked with me, and said : O
Daniel, I am now come forth to give
thee skill and understanding.
Hyvin.^
r\ CHRIST, Redeemer of mankind,
Thy servants here protect and spare,
Who hearest with a loving mind
The Blessed Virgin's holy prayer.
May those glad hosts which see Thy Face,
The spirits of the heavenly home,
Away from us all evils chase,
Both past, and present, and to come.
Then purge away all unbelief,
From every land where Christians dwell,
That unto Thee, our Victor Chief,
Our thanks and praises we may tell.
The Father Unbegot we laud,
We praise the sole-begotten Son,
And Holy Spirit, with them God,
Now, and while endless ages run. Amen.
Verse. An Angel stood at the Altar
of the Temple. [Alleluia.]
Aitswer. Having a golden censer
in his hand. [Alleluia.]
A7itiphon at the So7ig of Zacharias.
The Angel Gabriel came down unto
Zacharias, and said unto him : Thy
wife shall bear thee a son, and thou
shalt call his name John, and many
shall rejoice at his birth ; for he shall
go before the face of the Lord, to
prepare His ways. [Alleluia.]
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst choose the
^-"^ Archangel Gabriel from among
all Thine other Angels, and send him
to herald the mystery of Thine Incar-
nation, mercifully grant that we who
keep his feast upon earth may feel
his protection in heaven. Who livest
and reignest with God the Father, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
Ill Lent a Commeinoratio7i is made
of the Week-day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. When Zacharias, &c.,
[First Antiphon at Lands.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 19th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In Judea, holy Joseph, the husband
of the most blessed Virgin Mary.
The Supreme Pontiff Pius IX., in
answer to the wish and request of the
whole Catholic world, declared him
Patron of the universal Church.
At Sorrento, the holy martyrs
Quintus, Quintilla, Quartilla, Mark,
and nine others.
At Nicomedia, holy Pancharius, the
Roman, who w^as beheaded under the
Emperor Diocletian, and so received
the crown of martyrdom.
On the same day, the holy Bishops
Apollonius and Leontius.
At Ghent, the holy Roman Priest
Landoald, and Amantius the Deacon,
who were sent by holy Pope Martin
to preach the gospel, and were famed
for m^any miracles after their deaths,
[in the year 666.]
In the city of Pinna, blessed John,
a man of great holiness, who came
from Syria to Italy, and there built a
monastery, wherein he remained, the
Father of many servants of God, for
forty-and-four years, and fell asleep in
peace, famous for many graces, [sixth
century.]
Vespers of the following.
1 The whole hymn, of which this is a part, is sung at the vespers of All Saints. Translation
extracted from "The People's Hymnal." '
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
759
Chapter at the e7id. (Dan. ix. 25.)
T/' NOW therefore, and understand,
that from the going forth of the
commandment to rebuild Jerusalem
unto Christ the Prince shall be seven
weeks, and three-score-and-two weeks.
TERCE.
Aiitiphofi. But the Angel, &c.,
(^Second A7itiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
An Angel stood at the Altar of the
Temple.
Answer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple.
Verse. Having a golden censer in
his hand.
Answer. At the Altar of the
Temple.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple.
Verse. And the smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord —
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
But if 171 Paschal-ti7Jte^ it is said as
071 May 8.
SEXT.
A7itiphon. I am the Angel, &c.,
{Third A7ttipho7z at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Dan. ix. 3.)
A ND I am come to show thee, for
thou art greatly beloved : Seventy
weeks are determined, to finish the
trangression, and to make an end of
sin, and to seal up the vision and pro-
phecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
Short Responsory.
The smoke of the incense ascended
up before the Lord.
A7iswer. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord —
Verse. Out of the Angel's hand.
A7tswer. Before the Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord.
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
A7iswer. I will worship toward
Thy holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name.
But if i7i Paschal-ti77ie^ it is said as
071 May 8.
NONE.
A7itiphon. Then said Mary, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the e7id of Pri7ne.
Short Respo7tsory.
Before the Angels will I sing praise
unto Thee, O my God.
A77S2i>er. Before the Angels will
I sing praise unto Thee, O my
God.
Verse. I will worship toward Thy
holy Temple, and praise Thy Name.
Answer. O my God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost. WZ^^^'"^
A7iswer. Before the Angels will
I sing praise unto Thee, O my
God.
Verse. Worship God,
A7tswer. All ye His Angels.
But if i7t Paschal-ti77te, it is said as
071 May 8.
76o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
SECOND VESPERS.
( These are usually the First Vespers
of St Joseph. )
Same as the First ^ except the follow-
ing.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxxxvii. I will praise Thee,
&c., (/. 197.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
[Alleluia.]
Answer. I will worship toward
Thy holy temple, and praise Thy
Name. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The Archangel Gabriel said
unto Mary : With God nothing shall be
impossible. And Mary said : Behold
the handmaid of the Lord ; be it unto
me according to thy word. And the
Angel departed from her. [Alleluia.]
March 19.
i^aijj, 0onft0j5oi\
Double of the First Class. {Patronal Feast of the U?iiversal Church. )
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
FIRST VESPERS.^
First A7itipho7t. And Jacob begat
Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom
was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.
Second Antiphon. The Angel Ga-
briel was sent from God, unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a
virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of
David, and the virgin's name was
Mary.
Third Antiphoji. When as Mary,
the mother of jESUS, was espoused
to Joseph, before they came together,
she was found with child, of the Holy
Ghost.
Fourth Antiphoji. [Then] Joseph
her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a public
example, was minded to put her
away privily.
Fifth Antiphon. [But while he
thought pn these things, behold,] the
angel of the Lord appeared unto him
[in a dream,] saying : Joseph, thou
son of David, fear not to take unto
thee Mary thy wife ; for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost:
and she shall bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call His name jESUS.
Chapter. (Prov. xxviii. 20 and xxvii.
18.)
A FAITHFUL man shall abound
with blessings, and he that guard-
eth his Master shall be honoured.
Hynin.'^
JOSEPH ! to thee by hosts on high
J And choirs of Christians, laud be paid !—
Saintly of life, — by purest tie
Joined unto her, the glorious Maid.
1 All the Antiphons are from Matth. i. i6, 18-21, 24, except the second, from Luke i. 26, 27.
2 Translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
761
When thou didst doubt thy wife's repute,
And mark her great with Sacred Load,
The angel taught thee that her Fruit
Came from the Holy Ghost of God.
To clasp the Son, thy Lord, was thine, —
To share His flight to Egypt's shore, —
With tears, to seek in Salem's Shrine
Him lost, — with joy, to find once more.
Death brings to other saints their rest ;
Through toil they win the victor's place ; —
Thou happier, like the angels blest,
Alive, hast seen God Face to face.
Spare us, O Trinity Most High !
Grant that, with Joseph, we may gain
Thy starry realm, and ceaselessly
There raise to Thee our thankful strain.
Amen.
Verse. ^ He made him lord of His
house. Alleluia.
Answer. And ruler of all His sub-
stance. Alleluia.
Afitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Joseph, being raised from
sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord
had bidden him, and took unto him
his wife.
Prayer.
TJELP us, we beseech Thee, O
Lord, for the sake of the Hus-
band of Thy most holy Mother, that
what we cannot for ourselves obtain,
Thou mayest grant us at his peti-
tion : Who livest and reignest with
God the Father, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
A Comineinoration is made of the
Sunday or Week-day.
MATTINS.
Ijivitatory. O come, let us wor-
ship "^ Christ the Son of God, Who
vouchsafed to be supposed the son
of Joseph.
Hymn.'^
JOY of the Saints ! who didst uphold
Our life's sure Hope, the world's one
Stay, —
Joseph ! as now thy praise is told,
Hearken to us in love to-day.
The great Creator made it thine
To be the spouse of purest Maid,
And father of the Word Divine
In name — salvation's work to aid.
Thou seest with joy in manger lie
The Saviour sung by seers of yore,
And Him, the Son of God Most High,
In lowliness thou didst adore.
The King of kings, the Lord of all,
The God Whom heaven in awe attends,
Whose nod makes trembling demons fall,
To thee in meek submission bends.
To God Most High, the Three in One,
Be praise. Who gave such grace to thee,
He make us win what thou hast won,
The joys of life eternally. Amen.
FIRST N0CTURN.3
First A7itipho?i. Joseph went up
from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem,
to be enrolled with Mary.
Second A7itipho7i. The shepherds
came with haste, and found Mary
and Joseph, and the Babe lying in
a manger.
Third A7itiphon. Behold, the
Angel of the Lord appeared to
Joseph in a dream, saying : Arise,
and take the young Child and His
mother, and flee into Egypt.
Verse. ^ He made him lord of
His house.
A/Jswer. And ruler of all His
substance.
1 Ps. civ. 21. 2 Translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
3 Antiphons from Luke ii. 4, 5, 16 ; Matth. ii. 13.
762
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
First Lesso7t.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Genesis (xxxix. i.)
00 Joseph was brought down to
Egypt, and Potiphar, an offi-
cer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard,
an Egyptian, bought him of the
hands of the Ishmaelites, which had
brought him down thither. And the
Lord was with him, and he was
a prosperous man ; and he was in
the house of his master ; and [his
master] knew well that the Lord
was with him, and made all that
he did to prosper in his hand. And
Joseph found grace in his master's
sight, and he served him ; and he
made him overseer over his house,
and all that he had he put into his
hand. And the Lord blessed the
Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake.
First Responsory.
1 The Lord was with Joseph, and
gave him favour in the sight of the
keeper of the prison. And the keeper
of the prison committed to Joseph's
hand all the prisoners that were in
the prison.
Verse. And whatsoever they did
there, he was the doer of it : because
the Lord was with him, and that
which he did, the LORD made it to
prosper.
Answer. And the keeper of the
prison committed to Joseph's hand
all the prisoners that were in the
prison.
Second Lesso7t. (xli. 37.)
the Spirit of God is ? Unto Joseph
therefore he said : Forasmuch as God
hath showed thee all this which thou
hast spoken, how shall I find any
man more discreet and wise than
thou art ? Thou shalt be over my
house, and according to thy word
shall all my people be ruled : only
in the throne will I be greater than
thou.
Second Respoitsory.
2 When all the land of Egypt was
famished, the people cried to the king
for bread. And the king said unto
all the Egyptians : Go unto Joseph ;
and what he saith to you, do.
Verse. The famine was more griev-
ous every day over all the face of the
earth, and Joseph opened all the store-
houses, and sold unto the Egyptians.
Answer. Go unto Joseph ; and
what he saith to you, do.
Third Lessoii.
A ND Pharaoh said again unto
Joseph : See, I have set thee
over all the land of Egypt. And
he took off his ring from his hand,
and put it upon his hand ; and ar-
rayed him in a vesture of fine linen,
and put a gold chain about his neck,
and he made him to ride in the
second chariot which he had, and
an herald cried out that all men
should bow the knee before him,
and should know that he had been
made ruler over all the land of
Egypt. And Pharaoh said moreover
unto Joseph : I am Pharaoh : with-
out thee shall no man lift up his
hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
HTHE counsel of Joseph was good
in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in
the eyes of all his servants, and he
said unto them : Can we find such
an one as this is, a man in whom
1 Gen. xxxix. 21, 23. 2 Qen. xli. 55, 56.
Third Responsory.
^ The Lord hath made me as a
father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his
house : fear not — for God sent me
3 Gen. xlv. 8, 7, 18.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
763
before you into Egypt, to save your
lives.
Verse. Come unto me, and I will
give you all the good things of
Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of
the land.
Ajiswer. For God sent me be-
fore you into Egypt, to save your
lives.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. For God sent me be-
fore you into Egypt, to save your
lives.
SECOND NOCTURN.l
First Ajitiphon. Joseph arose, and
took the young child and His mother
by night, and departed into Egypt :
and was there until the death of
Herod.
Second Antiphon. When Herod
was dead, an Angel of the Lord ap-
peareth in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt, saying : Arise, and take the
young Child and His mother, and go
into the land of Israel : for they are
dead which sought the young Child's
life.
Third Aiitiphoii. Joseph took the
young Child and His mother, and
came into the land of Israel.
Verse. ^ His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
Answer. Honour and great majesty
shalt Thou lay upon him.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat of Clairvaux.
{2nd on Luke i. 26.)
Ay^rHAT and what manner of man
the blessed Joseph was, we may
gather from that title wherewith, albeit
only as a deputy, God deemed him
1 Antiphons from Matth. ii. 14, 19-21. 2 pg. xx. 6. 3 Luke ii. 4, 5. ^ Matth. ii. 13, 15.
fit to be honoured — -he was both called,
and supposed to be the Father of God.
We may gather it from his very name,
which, being interpreted, signifieth
" Increase." Remember likewise that
great Patriarch who was sold into
Egypt, and know that the Husband of
Mary not only received his name, but
inherited his purity, and was likened
to him in innocence and in grace.
Fourth Responsory.
^ Joseph went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, into Judea,
unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem : because he was of the
house and lineage of David.
Verse. To be enrolled with Mary
his espoused wife.
Answer. Because he was of the
house and lineage of David.
Fifth Lesson.
T F then, that Joseph that was sold
-"■ by his brethren through envy,
and was brought down to Egypt, was
a type of Christ sold by a disciple,
and handed over to the Gentiles, the
other Joseph flying from the envy of
Herod carried Christ into Egypt.
That first Joseph kept loyal to his
master, and would not carnally know
his master's wife ; that second Joseph
knew that the Lady, the Mother of
his Lord, was a virgin, and he him-
self remained faithfully virgin toward
her. To that first Joseph it was
given to know dark things in inter-
preting of dreams ; to the second
Joseph it was given in sleep to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven.
Fifth Responsory.
4 Arise, and take the young Child
and His mother, and flee into Egypt ;
764
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
and be thou there until I bring thee
word.
Verse. That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the
Prophet, saying : Out of Egypt have
I called My Son.
Anszuer. And be thou there until
I bring thee word.
Sixth Lesson.
HTHE first Joseph laid by bread, not
for himself, but for all people ;
the second Joseph received into his
keeping that Living Bread Which
came down from heaven, not for him
only, but for the whole world. We
cannot doubt but that that Joseph
was good and faithful to whom was
espoused the Mother of the Saviour.
Yea, I say, he was a faithful and wise
servant, whom the Lord appointed to
be the comfort of His own Mother,
the keeper of His own Body, and the
only and trusty helper in the Eternal
Counsels.
Sixth Responsory.
1 When His parents brought the
Child Jesus into the temple, to do
for Him after the custom of the law,
Simeon took Him up in his arms, and
blessed God.
Verse. And His father and mother
marvelled at those things which were
spoken of Him.
Answer. Simeon took Him up in
his arms, and blessed God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Simeon took Him up in
his arms, and blessed God.
THIRD N0CTURN.2
First Antiphon. When Joseph
heard that Archelaus did reign in
Judea in the room of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go thither.
Second A?iiiphon. Joseph, being
warned of God in a dream, turned
aside into the parts of Galilee ; and
he came and dwelt in a city called
Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the Prophets :
He shall be called a Nazarene.
Third Antipho?i. The father and
mother of Jesus marvelled at those
things which were spoken of. Him ;
and Simeon blessed them.
Verse. The righteous shall grow as
the lily.
Answer. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (i.
i8.)
"^VTHEN as Mary, the Mother of
Jesus, was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost.
And so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem,] {ist Bk. of Co?njne?itaries,
on Matth. i.)
Why was the Lord conceived of
an espoused virgin rather than of a
free ? First, for the sake of the
genealogy of Mary, which we have
obtained by that of Joseph. Secondly,
because she was thus saved from be-
ing stoned by the Jews as an adult-
eress. Thirdly, that Himself and His
mother might have a guardian on
their journey into Egypt. To these,
Ignatius, the martyr of Antioch, has
added a fourth reason : namely, that
the birth might take place unknown
to the devil ; who would naturally
suppose that Mary had conceived by
Joseph.
1 Luke ii. 27, 28, 33.
2 Antiphons from Matth. ii. 22, 23 ; Luke ii. 33, 34.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
765
Seventh Responsory.
1 The Mother of jESUS said unto
Him : Son, why hast Thou thus dealt
with us ? Behold, Thy father and I
have sought Thee sorrowing.
Verse. And He said unto them :
How is it that ye sought Me ? Wist
ye not that I must be about My
Father's business ?
Aiiswer. Behold, Thy father and I
have sought Thee sorrowing.
Eighth Lesso7i.
" TDEFORE they came together,
she was found with child of
the Holy Ghost." She was found,
that is, by Joseph, but by no one
else. He had already almost an
husband's privilege to know all that
concerned her. " Before they came
together." This doth not imply that
they ever did come together : the
Scripture merely showeth the abso-
lute fact that up to this time they
had not done so. "Then Joseph
her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a public ex-
ample, was minded to put her away
privily." If any man be joined to
a fornicatress they become one body ;
and according to the law they that
are privy to a crime are thereby
guilty. How then can it be that
Joseph is described as a just man,
at the very time he was compound-
ing the criminality of his espoused ?
It must have been that he knew her
to be pure, and yet understood not
the mystery of her pregnancy, but,
on account of his entire trust in her,
was willing to hold his peace.
Eighth Responsory.
2 Jesus went down with them, and
came to Nazareth, and was subject
unto them.
Verse. He increased in wisdom
and stature, and in favour with God
and man.
Answer. And was subject unto
them.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And was subject unto
them.
The Ninth Lesso7i is either the first
part or the whole of the Homily for
the Sunday or Week-day.
LAUDS.2
First Antiphon. The parents of
Jesus "^ went to Jerusalem every year,
at the feast of the Passover.
Seco7id Aiitipho?!. When they re-
turned * the Child Jesus tarried be-
hind in Jerusalem, and His parents
knew not of it.
Third Antiphojt. When they found
not Jesus, * they turned back again
to Jerusalem, seeking Him ; and after
three days they found Him in the
Temple, sitting in the midst of the
Doctors, both hearing them and ask-
ing them questions.
Fourth A?ttiphon. His mother said
unto Him : Son, why hast Thou thus
dealt with us ? Behold, Thy father
and I have sought Thee sorrowing.
Fifth Antiphon. jESUS went down
with them, "^ and came to Nazareth,
and was subject unto them.
Chapter as at First Vespers.
Hynin.^
vyORSHIPP'D throughout the Church to
earth's far ends
With prayer and solemn rite,
Joseph this day triumphantly ascends
Into the realms of lisrht.
1 Luke ii.
41-51-
2 Luke ii. 41-51. ^ Translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
^(^6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Oh, blest beyond the lot of mortal men !
O'er whose last dying sigh,
Christ and the Virgin Mother watch'd serene,
Soothing his agony.
Loosed from his fleshly chain, gently he fleets
As in calm sleep away ;
And diadem'd with light, enters the seats
Of everlasting day.
There throned in pow'r, let us his loving aid
With fervent prayers implore ;
So may he gain us pardon in our need,
And peace for evermore.
Glory and praise to Thee, blest Trinity !
One only God and Lord,
Who to Thy faithful ones unfailingly
Their aureoles dost award. Amen.
Verse. The mouth of the righteous
speaketh wisdom.
Ajiswer. And his tongue talketh
judgment.
Aiitiphoii at the Song of Zacharias.
1 Jesus Himself began to be about
thirty years of age, being, (as was
supposed,) the son of Joseph.
Prayer as at First Vespers^ which
Prayer is the sa7ne throughout the
day.
A Counneinoration is 7nade of the
Sunday or Week-day.
PRIME.
Ajitiphon. The parents, t&c, {First
Antiphon at Lauds.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 20th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In England, holy Cuthbert, Bishop
of Lindisfarne, who from his child-
hood until his death shone with holy
works and miraculous signs, [in the
year 687.]
In Judea, holy Joachim, father of
the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of God. We keep his feast upon
the Lord's day within the octave of
the Assumption of the same blessed
Virgin Mary.
In Asia, holy Archippus, the fellow-
soldier of the blessed Apostle Paul, of
whom the same Apostle doth make
mention in his Epistles unto Philemon
and unto the Colossians. [Archippus
is called by St Ambrose, Bishop of
the Colossians.]
In Syria, the holy martyrs Paul,
Cyril, Eugene, and four others.
On the same day, the holy martyrs
Photina of Samaria ^ and her sons
Joseph and Victor, also Sebastian
the general, Anatolius, Photius, Photis,
Parasceve, and Cyriaca, sisters, who
all confessed Christ and obtained
martyrdom.
At Amisus, in Paphlagonia, the
seven holy women, Alexandra, Claudia,
Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphe-
mia, and Theodosia, who were slain
for confessing the faith, and to
whom were added afterward Der-
phuta and her sister, [about the
year 300.]
At Apollonia, holy Nicetas, Bishop
of that see, who was driven into
banishment for the honouring of holy
images, and there gave up the ghost,
[eighth century.]
At the monastery of Fontenelle,
holy Wolfran, Bishop of Sens, who
resigned his see, and died famous for
miracles, [in the year 720.]
At Sienna, in Tuscany, blessed
Ambrose, of the Order of Friars
Preachers, famous for his holiness,
his preachments, and his miracles,
[in the year 1286.]
Chapter at the e?id. (Wisdom x. 10.)
VyHEN the righteous fled. Wisdom
guided him in right paths,
showed him the kingdom of God,
1 Luke iii. 23. 2 ghe was probably the woman of the well, died most likely under Nero.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
7^7
and gave him knowledge of holy
things, made him rich in his travails,
and multiplied the fruit of his labours.
TERCE.
A7itipho7i, When they returned,
&c., {Second A7ttipho?t at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
He made him lord of His house.
Answer. He made him lord of
His house.
Verse. And ruler of all His sub-
stance.
Answer. Lord of His house.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He made him lord of
His house.
Verse. His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
Answer. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
^EXT.
Antiphon. When they found not,
&c., ( Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Ecclus. xlv. i, 4.)
A MAN beloved of God and men,
whose memorial is blessed. He
sanctified him in his faithfulness and
meekness, and chose him out of all
men.
Short Responsory.
His glory is great in Thy salvation.
Ajzswer. His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
Verse. Honour and great majesty
5halt Thou lay upon him.
Answer. In Thy salvation.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7zswer. His glory is great in Thy
salvation.
Verse. The righteous shall grow as
the lily.
Answer. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
NONE.
A7ttiphon. Jesus went down, &c.,
{Fifth A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Pri7ne.
Short Resp07isory.
The righteous shall grow as the lily.
A7iswer, The righteous shall grow
as the lily.
Verse. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
Answer. As the lily.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7iswer. The righteous shall grow
as the lily.
Verse. ^ Planted in the house of
the Lord —
A7iswer. In the courts of the house
of our God.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at First Vespers., except the
following :
Verse. 2 Glory and riches shall be
in his house.
A7iswer. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7t. 3 Behold a faithful and wise
servant, whom his Lord hath made
ruler over His household.
A Co77wie77ioratio7t is 77iade of the
following^ and then of the Sunday or
Week-day.
1 Ps. xci. 14.
2 Ps. cxi. 3.
3 Matth. xxiv. 45.
762>
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
March 20.
St Cutpert, JSisfjop [of
HmtiisfarneJ Confessor.
Double.
All from the Co7nmo7i Office for a
Bishop a?id Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout. ( Take?t from the
Salisbury Missal.)
r\ GOD, Who, through the price-
^■^^ less gift of Thy grace, dost make
Thine holy ones glorious, mercifully
grant that the prayers of Thy blessed
Confessor and Bishop Cuthbert may
help us worthily there to attain, where
are the spirits of just men made per-
fect. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Avien.
In the Seco7id Vespers of St Joseph
a Commemoration is made of St Cuth-
bert.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Tim. iii., &c., {p.
582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. {From Bede, iv. 27,
32, and Life of St Cuthbert.)
"\^7HILE Cuthbert was Provost, first,
of Melrose, and then of Lindis-
farne, he not only afforded to the
monks a beautiful example of the
monastic life, and admirable exhorta-
tions to the same, but would also go
out of the monastery and preach to
the people round about. Such was
his skill in teaching, such the persua-
sive power of his tenderness, such
the light of his face, as it had been
the face of an angel, that all came to
him, and openly confessed their deeds,
and then by fruits meet for repentance,
repaired their former iniquities.
Fifth Lesso7i.
TT was afterward, that, while he was
living as an hermit in the isle of
Fame, he was chosen Bishop of Lin-
disfarne. In this office he helped by
unceasing prayer the people to him
committed, and taught them in in-
structions full of soul-saving doctrine.
And he did that which is the main
help of a teacher — whatsoever he bade
others do, he did first himself. He
loved warmly, he was long-suffering
and lowly, he was constant and instant
in prayer. He was very courteous to
all men. He thought it better than
prayer to go and help a sick brother.
But when he had been Bishop two
years, he went back to Fame Island,
to make himself readier to meet death.
Sixth Lesso7i.
"VyHEN," saith the Priest Here-
frid, who was present, "he
was come very near to death, he gave
some words of exhortation concerning
peace and lowly-mindedness, short but
sharp ; and then passed the rest of
the day quietly waiting for the blessed-
ness which was coming. When night
came, he still continued in prayer,
without sleeping. At the usual hour
for the night prayer, he received from
me the life-giving Sacraments, and
provisioned himself for his departure
by taking the Body and Blood of the
Lord. Then he turned his eyes
heavenward, and stretched up his
hands, and so breathed forth, to re-
joice for ever in the kingdom of
heaven, a soul whose whole bent was
already gone home to the praise-
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
769
giving above." [He fell asleep upon
the 20th day of March,] in the year
of salvation 687.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxiv. 42,
with the Homily of St Hilary^ {p.
594,) the third part is read along
with the eighth to make room for
the Homily of the Week - day, of
which also a Commemoration is made
at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 21st day of March, were
born to the better life —
At Monte Cassino, the holy Abbat
Benedict, who restored Monasticism
in the West, when it was almost
fallen away, and wonderfully spread
it, [in the year 543.] Blessed Pope
Gregory hath written his life, which
was rendered glorious by his graces
and miracles.
At Alexandria, are commemorated
those holy martyrs who were massacred
when the Arians and Gentiles broke
into the churches on Good Friday,
under the Emperor Constantius and
the Prefect Philagrius.
On the same day, [in the end of
fourth century,] the holy martyrs
Philemon and Domninus.
At Catana, holy Birillus, who was
ordained Bishop of that see by the
blessed Apostle Peter, and after he
had converted many Gentiles to the
faith fell asleep in peace in extreme
old age.
At Alexandria, the blessed Hermit
Serapion, Bishop of Thmuis, a man
of great power, who was driven into
exile by the rage of the Arians, and
there passed away to be ever with
the Lord.
In the country of Lyone, holy
Lupicinus, Abbat [of Laucorme, in the
Jura,] whose life was made illustrious
by the fame of his holiness and
miracles, [in the year 480.]
Vespers of the following, with a
Commemoration of St Cuthbert.
March 21.
St i3eiTet(ict, ^tibat anti
Confessor*
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop, {p. 598,) ex-
cept the follow i7ig.
Prayer throughout from the Common
Office, ("O Lord, we beseech Thee,
that the prayers, &c.,"/. 613.)
First Vespers are of St Benedict.
A Commemoration is made of St
Cuthbert. Prayer from his Office, and
then of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Ecclus. xliv. i, {p. 596.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Foicrth Lesson.
"DENEDICT was born of a noble
family at Norcia, [about the year
of our Lord 480,] and studied letters
at Rome. Desiring to give himself
altogether to Christ jESUS, he betook
himself to a very deep cave at the
place now called Subiaco. In this
place he lay hid for three years,
unknown to all except the monk ^
■ 1 As St Benedict invented Western monasticism, the monks spoken of in this Lesson were
probably of some Eastern Order. There are still such in Italy.
770
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Romanus, by means of whom he
received the necessaries of life. While
he was in the cave at Subiaco, the
devil one day assailed him with an
extraordinary storm of impure tempt-
ation, and to get it under, he rolled
himself in brambles till his whole
body was lacerated, and the sting
of pain drove out the sallies of
lust. At last the fame of his holi-
ness spread itself abroad from the
desert, and some monks came to
him for guidance, but the loose-
ness of their lives was such that
they could not bear his exhort-
ations, and they plotted together
to poison him in his drink. When
they gave him the cup, he made the
sign of the Cross over it, whereupon
it immediately broke, and Benedict
left that monastery, and retired to a
desert place alone.
Fifth Lesso7i.
1\TEVERTHELESS his disciples
followed him daily, and for
them he built twelve monasteries,
and set holy laws to govern them.
Afterwards he went to Cassino, and
brake the image of Apollo which
was still worshipped there, over-
turned the altar, and burnt the
groves. There, [in the year 529,]
he built the Church of St Martin
and the little chapel of St John;
and instilled Christianity into the
townspeople and inhabitants. He
grew in the grace of God day by
day, so that being endowed with
the spirit of prophecy he foretold
things to come. When Totila, King
of the Goths, heard of it, and
would see whether it really were
so, he sent his spatharius before
him, with the kingly ensigns and
attendance, and feigning himself to
be Totila. But as soon as Benedict
saw him he said: "My son, put off
that which thou wearest, for it is
not thine." To Totila himself he
foretold that he would go to Rome,
would cross the sea, and would
die after nine years.
Sixth Lesson.
COME months before he departed
this life, Benedict forewarned his
disciples on what day he was to die ;
and he ordered his grave to be opened
six days before he was carried to it.
On the sixth day, [being the 21st of
March, in the year 543,] he would
be carried into the Church, where he
received the Eucharist, and then, in
the arms of his disciples, with his
eyes lifted up to heaven, and wrapt
in prayer, he gave up the ghost. Two
monks saw his soul rising to heaven,
clothed in a most precious garment,
and surrounded with lights, and One
of a most glorious and awful aspect
standing above, Whom they heard
saying : " This is the way whereby
Benedict, the beloved of the Lord,
goeth up to heaven."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, with
the Homily of St Jeroine., (J). 537.)
I71 Lent the third part is omitted or
read along with the seco?id, afid the
Ninth Lesson is the Homily for the
Week-day^ of which either the first
part only is read, or else all three
as 07ie.
A Commemoratio7i of the Week-day
is 77iade at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Cyril, Bishop of
Jerusalem, who suffered many things
from the Arians for the faith's sake.
. He was several times driven from his
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
771
see, but at length fell asleep in peace,
illustrious for the glory of holiness.
The CEcumenical Council of Constan-
tinople, in writing to Pope Damasus,
gave a noble witness to the purity of
his faith. Mention hath been made of
him on the i8th day of this present
month of March.
Upon the same 22nd day of March,
were born into the better life —
At Narbonne, in Gaul, holy Paul,
Bishop of that see. A disciple of the
Apostle, who is said to have been
the same person as the Proconsul
Sergius Paulus, baptized by the blessed
Apostle Paul, and on his way into
Spain left at Narbonne, where he re-
ceived the dignity of Bishop, laboured
much in the office of preaching, and
passed away to heaven, famous for
miracles.
At Terracina, holy Epaphroditus,
the disciple of the Apostles, who was
ordained Bishop of the said city, by
the blessed Apostle Peter.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Saturn-
inus and nine others.
On the same day, [in the year
252,] the holy martyrs Callinice
and Basilissa.
At Ancyra, the holy martyr Basil,
a Priest, who was put to most griev-
ous torments under the Emperor Julian
the Apostate, and gave up his soul to
God.
At Carthage, the holy Archdeacon
Octavian and many thousand martyrs,
who were slaughtered by the Vandals
for the Catholic faith's sake.
There also, holy Deogratias, Bishop
of Carthage, who redeemed many
captives whom the Vandals had
brought from Rome, and fell asleep
in the Lord, famous for holy works,
[in the year 457.]
At Osimo, in Picenum, holy Ben-
venuto. Bishop of that see, [in the
year 1276.]
In Sweden, the holy Virgin Kather-
ine, daughter of holy Bridget, [in the
year 1381.]
At Rome, the holy widow Lea,
whose graces and her going hence
to be with God have been recorded
by Holy Jerome, [about the year
384.]
At Genoa, the holy widow Kather-
ine, eminent for her contempt of the
world and her love toward God, [in
the year 15 10.]
In Second Vespers a Commejnoration
is made of the followmg. Antiphon at
the Song of the Blessed Virgin^ " O
right excellent, &c." Then of the
Week-day.
March 22.
St Cgrtl, ^Patrtarclj [of Seru^
salem,] Confessor aittf ©oc-
tor of tlje dljurclj.
Double.
All from the Commoii Office for a
Bishop ajid Confessor^ {p. 581 ), except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, grant unto us,
^~^^ we beseech Thee, at the prayers
of Thy blessed Bishop Cyril, so to
know Thee, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent,
that we may hear His Voice, and He
may give unto us eternal life. Through
the same our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Tim. iii. &c., {p.
582.)
772
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
SECOND NOCTURN.
/^^YRIL of Jerusalem was given to
^ the study of the Holy Scriptures
from a child, and so learnt therein
that he became an eminent champion
of the orthodox faith. He embraced
the monastic institute in perpetual
continency, and all hardship of liv-
ing. He was ordained Priest by holy
Maximus, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and
undertook with eminent success the
task of preaching the word of God
to the faithful and of instructing the
catechumens. Thus did he compose
those truly wonderful Catecheses,
wherein he has embraced, clearly and
fully, all the teaching of the Church,
and stoutly defended every one of her
doctrines against the enemies of the
faith. His treatment of these subjects
was such that he has overthrown
therein, not only the heresies which
had then come into being, but, by
a kind of foreknowledge, even those
which were to arise in later times.
Of this an instance is his conten-
tion for the real Presence of the
Body and Blood of Christ in the
wondrous Sacrament of the Euchar-
ist. After the death of holy Max-
imus, the bishops of the province
chose Cyril in his place.
Fifth Lesson.
T N his office of Bishop he had for
the faith's sake, like his blessed
contemporary Athanasius, to endure
many wrongs and sufferings at the
hands of the Arian sect. The Arians
could not bear that Cyril should stead-
fastly withstand their heresy. They
assailed him with calumnies, deposed
him in a pretended council, and drove
him out of his see. To escape their
rage he fled to Tarsus in CiHcia, and as
long as Constantius lived he bore the
hardships of exile. After his death
and the accession to the imperial
throne of the Apostate Julian, Cyril was
able to return to Jerusalem, where he
set himself with burning zeal to deliver
his flock from false doctrine and from
sin. He was driven into exile a
second time under the Emperor Valens.
But when peace was restored to the
Church by Theodosius the Great, and
the cruelty and insolence of the Arians
were restrained, Cyril was received
with honour by the Emperor as one
of Christ's most eminent soldiers, and
was restored to his see. With what
earnestness and holiness he fulfilled
the duties of his exalted office was
made manifest by the flourishing state
of the church of Jerusalem at that
time, of which a picture hath been
left for us by holy Basil, who dwelt
there for a while when he went to
worship at the holy places.
Sixth Lesso7i.
n^RADITION hath handed down
that God Himself crowned with
signs from heaven the holiness of
this venerable Patriarch. Among
these signs is numbered an apparition
of a cross, more resplendent than the
beams of the sun, which appeared at
the beginning of his Patriarchate.
Not only Cyril himself, but heathens
and Christians alike were eye-witnesses
of this marvel, and Cyril first gave
thanks to God therefore in the church,
and then sent news thereof by letter
to the Emperor Constantius. A thing
no less wonderful came to pass when
the Jews were commanded by the
profane Emperor Julian to attempt
the restoration of the temple which
had been destroyed by Titus. A
great earthquake arose, and great
masses of fire broke forth from the
earth and consumed all the works, so
that the Jews and Julian were dis-
mayed and stayed their hand, all the
- which it can be proved that Cyril
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
;;3
had foretold. A little while before
his death he was present at the second
Council of Constantinople ; herein was
condemned the heresy of Macedonius,
and once more the Arian heresy.
After his return to Jerusalem he died
a holy death in the 69th year of his
age and the 35 th of his episcopate.
The Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII.
commanded that his office and Mass
should be celebrated throughout the
universal Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevefith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (x. 23, )
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : When they persecute
you in this city, flee ye into another.
And so on.
Homily by St Athanasius, Pope [of
Alexandria.] {Defence of his own
night. )
It is written in the Law, (Num.
XXXV. 1 1,) "Ye shall appoint you cities
to be cities of refuge for you," — that
in these cities they which were pur-
sued to put them to death might
enter and be safe. And in the latter
days when He was come, even that
very Word of the Father, Which had
spoken aforetime unto Moses, He gave
again the same commandment —
"When they persecute you in this
city, flee ye into another." And, a
while afterward. He said : " When ye
shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the Prophet,
stand in the Holy Place, (whoso
readeth, let him understand,) then let
them which be in Judaea flee unto the
mountains ; let him which is on the
house-top not come down to take any-
thing out of his house ; neither let
him which is in the field return back
to take his clothes." (Matth. xxiv.
15-18.)
Eighth Lesson.
T^HE Saints, therefore, knowing
these words of the Lord, have
obeyed them in their lives. What
the Lord hath now commanded by
His Own Mouth He commanded
through His Saints before that He
Himself was come in the flesh, and
to obey this commandment worketh
in a man perfection, since whatever
God commandeth is a thing which it
behoveth man to do. For this cause,
that very Word of God Which was
made flesh for our sake thought it
meet when they sought Him, (even
as at this present time they are seek-
ing us,) to hide Himself, (John viii.
59,) and, when they persecuted Him,
to fly and escape from their laying
in wait for Him : although when that
time came which He had Himself de-
creed, and wherein He willed, as
touching the Body, to suffer for us
all. He willingly gave Himself up to
His enemies.
Ln Lent the following is read with
the Eighth to make room for the
Homily of the Week-day. At Lauds
in Lent a Commemoration is made of
the Week-day.
Ninth Lesson.
IT OLY men of God, therefore, have
learnt to take ensample from
their Saviour, (and the Same is and
hath been the Teacher of all such,
whether of old time, or in these latter
days,) and know how that it is lawful
to baffle their persecutors by flying
from them, and by lying hid when
they seek them. For since they
know not the day nor the hour where-
in an all-seeing God hath ordained
their end, they do not daringly give
themselves into the power of such
774
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
as hate them, but rather, knowing it
to be written, " My times are in Thy
hand," (Ps. xxx. i6,) and that "the
Lord killeth and maketh alive," (i
Kings ii. 6,) they "endure unto the
end," (Matth. xxiv. 13,) " they wander
about," as saith the Apostle, " in
sheepskins and goatskins, being des-
titute, afflicted, [tormented, (of whom
the world is not worthy,)] they wander
in deserts, [and in mountains,] and"
hide " in dens and caves of the earth,"
(Heb. xi. 37,) until either their ap-
pointed time come, or until more
plainly God, the real Appointer of
times, speaketh unto them, and
chaineth up the persecutors, or mani-
festly giveth them over into the hands
of the same, as may be His Own
good pleasure.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 23rd day of March, were
born into the better life —
In Africa, the holy martyrs Victor-
ian, Pro-consul of Carthage, and two
brethren from Aquae Regiae,^ also
two merchants, both named Frumen-
tius, all in the persecution by the
Vandals, were, (as writeth the Afri-
can, Victor, Bishop [of Utica,]) on
account of the steadfastness of their
Catholic confession, put to the most
grievous torments under the Arian
king Hunneric, and gloriously crowned,
[in the year 484.]
Likewise in Africa, the holy martyr
Faithful ; there also holy Felix and
twenty others.
At C3esarea,.in Palestine, the holy
martyrs Nicon, [a Neapolitan,] and
ninety-nine others. [All suffered at
Taormina, in Sicily, under Decius.]
Also the holy martyrs Domitius, [a
native of Phrygia,] Pelagia, Aquila,
Eparchius, and Theodosia, [under
Julian the Apostate.]
At Lima, [in the year 1606,] in
the kingdom of Peru, holy Turibius,
Archbishop of that see, by whose work
the faith and discipline of the church
were spread abroad in America.
At Antioch, the holy Priest Theo-
dulus.
At Csesarea, the holy Confessor
Julian.
In Campania, the holy monk Bene-
dict, who was shut up by the Goths
in a glowing furnace, but upon the
morrow was found unhurt, [in the
year 550.]
At Second Vespers^ Antiphon^ "O
right excellent," &c., and in Lent a
Commemoratio7i of the Week-day.
March 23.
martyrology.
Upon the 24th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Mark
and Timothy, who were crowned with
martyrdom under the Emperor
Antonine.
There also the holy martyr Epig-
menius, a Priest, who was slain with
the sword, by order of the judge
Turpius, in the persecution under the
Emperor Diocletian.
Likewise at Rome, the blessed
martyr Pigmenius, a Priest, who was
cast into the river Tiber for Christ's
faith's sake, under the Emperor Julian
the Apostate.
At Csesarea, in Palestine, were born
into the better life the holy martyrs
Timolaus, Denis, Pausides, Romulus,
Alexander, another Alexander, Agapius,
and another Denis, who won crowns
of life by the axe, under the president
Urban, in the persecution under the
Emperor Diocletian.
In Morocco, were born into the
better life the holy brethren Romulus
1 Aquae Regiae, a town in Byracium, a province in North Africa,
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
775
and Secundus, both martyrs, who
suffered for Christ's faith, [in the
year 304.]
At Trent, the holy child Simeon,
most cruelly murdered by the Jews,
and who afterwards shone with many
miracles, [in the year 1475.]
At Synnada, in Phrygia, holy Aga-
pitus, Bishop of that see, [under
Maximin 234-238.]
At Brescia, holy Latinus, Bishop
of that see, [beginning of second
century.]
In Syria, the holy Confessor
Seleucus.
March 24.
martyrology.
The morrow is the feast of the An-
nunciation of the most Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of God.
Upon the same 25th day of March,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyr Quirinus,
under the Emperor Claudius. He
suffered the spoiling of his goods, a
foul imprisonment, and many stripes,
and was at length slain with the
sword, [in the year 269.] His body
was cast into the Tiber, but the
Christians found it on the island of
Lycaonia and buried it in the cemetery
of Pontianus.
Likewise at Rome, two hundred and
sixty-two holy martyrs.
At Sirmium, [in Hungary,] the holy
martyr Irenseus, Bishop of that see,
who under the President Probus, in
the time of the Emperor Maximian,
was first put to grievous torments,
then suffered for many days in prison,
and at last was beheaded.
At Nicomedia, the holy Dula,i a
female slave belonging to a certain
soldier ; she was killed in defending
her chastity, and so gained the crown
of martyrdom.
1 This has the appearance of not being a proper name, but merely the Greek doule, a female
slave.
At Jerusalem, is commemorated the
Good Thief, who confessed Christ
upon the Cross, and won from Him
the words " This day thou shalt be
with Me in Paradise."
At Laodicea, holy Pelagius, Bishop
of that see, who suffered exile and
other hardships for the Catholic
faith's sake, in the time of the Em-
peror Valens, and fell asleep in the
Lord.
At Pistoja, the holy Confessors
Barontius and Desiderius, [about the
year 700.]
In the island of Aindre, in the river
Loire, the Holy Abbat Hermeland,
the glory of whose life is set forth
by the fame of his miracles, [about
the year 718.]
March 25.
ILatig ©ag.
S^fje Snnunctation of t{}e
Blegseti Ftrgin ittarg.
Double of the First Class.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of the Blessed Virgm, {p. 620,)
except the following.
If this Feast fall on Good Friday^
or Holy Saturday^ it must be trafis-
f erred to the Monday after Low Sun-
day.^ as to its assigned day^ but without
a7t Octave^ yet to be kept with dice
solemnity and as a holiday, and with
the Paschal rite. Should it fall 07t
Passion Sunday it is to be kept on the
day following J if in Holy, or in
Easter Week, it must be trajtsferred,
as heretofore, to the Monday 7text after
Low Sunday, U7tless this Monday be
occupied by a primary feast of equal
rite, in which case it will be kept
776
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
oji the next day not barred m like
maimer.
Note. If this Office be traits/erred
i7ito Paschal- time., the word ' ' Alle-
luia " is added wherever here giveii
i7i brackets., and also at the end of
the first paragraph {just before the
"Verse") and of every "Answer"
in the Responsories.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons., Chapter., and Prayer from
Lauds.
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
[Alleluia.]
Answer, The Lord is with Thee.
[Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, O Mary, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee.
[Alleluia.]
hi Lent a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
Ifivitatory. Hail, Mary, full of
grace : "^ the Lord is with thee. [Al-
leluia.]
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah (vii. lo.)
TV/rOREGVER the Lord spake
again unto Ahaz, saying :
Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy
God either in the depth beneath or
in the height above. But Ahaz
said : I will not ask, neither will
I tempt the Lord. And he said :
Hear ye now, ye house of David :
Is it a small thing for you to weary
men, but will ye weary my God
also ? Therefore the Lord Himself
shall give you a sign. Behold the
Virgin shall conceive, and bear a
son, and shall call his name Em-
manuel. Butter and honey shall he
eat, until he may know to refuse
the evil, and choose the good.
First Responsory.
1 The angel Gabriel was sent to
Mary, a Virgin espoused to Joseph,
to bring unto her the word of the
Lord : and ^ when the Virgin saw
the light she was afraid. Fear not,
Mary, for thou hast found grace
from the Lord. Behold, thou shalt
conceive and bring forth a son,
and He shall be called the Son of
the Highest.
Verse. The Lord God shall give
unto Him the throne of His father
David, and He shall reign over the
house of Jacob for ever.
Aftswer. Behold, thou shalt con-
ceive and bring forth a son, and
He shall be called the Son of the
Highest.
Second Lesson. (Isa. xi. i.)^
^ A ND there shall come forth a
rod out of the stem of Jesse,
and a flower shall grow out of his
roots. And the Spirit of the LORD
shall rest upon him ; the Spirit of
wisdom, and understanding, the
Spirit of counsel and might, the
Spirit of knowledge [and of godli-
1 Luke i. 26, 30-33.
2 Compare the Apocryphal "Gospel of the Nativity of A^ary," ch. ix.
3 Ch. viii. commences with the birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz the son of Isaiah and "the
Prophetess," giving occasion to a prophecy stretching to the end of ch. xii., foretelUng the
deliverance of Israel not only from Rezin and Pekah, but from her other enemies, and an
ultimate time of blessedness and prosperity. The passage m the text is to be understood of
the Messiah. (Rom. xv. 12.)
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
717
ness :] ^ and he shall be filled with
the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge after the sight
of his eyes, neither reprove after the
hearing of his ears ; but with right-
eousness shall he judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the
meek of the earth. And he shall
smite the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and with the breath of his
lips shall he slay the wicked. And
righteousness shall be the girdle of
his loins, and faithfulness the girdle
of his reins.
of a fearful heart : Be strong, and
fear not, behold your God will come
with recompence of vengeance ; God
Himself will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be
opened, and the ears of the deaf
shall be unstopped. Then shall the
lame man leap as an hart, and the
tongue of the dumb shall sing : for
in the wilderness are waters broken
out, and streams in the desert. And
the parched ground shall become a
pool, and the thirsty land springs
of water.
Second Respo7isory.
2 Hail, Mary, full of grace ; the
Lord is with thee : the Holy Ghost
shall come upon thee, and the power
of the Highest shall overshadow
thee : therefore also that Holy
Thing Which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God.
Verse. How shall this be, seeing
I know not a man ? And the Angel
answered and said unto her, —
A7iswer. The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee ;
therefore also that Holy Thing
Which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God.
Third Lesson.
"T^HE wilderness and the solitary
place shall be glad, and the
desert shall rejoice and blossom as
the lily. It shall blossom abun-
dantly, and rejoice even with joy
and singing. The glory of Leba-
non is given unto it, the excellency
of Carmel and Sharon ; they shall
see the glory of the LoRD and the
excellency of our God. Strengthen
ye the weak hands and confirm the
feeble knees. Say to them that are
1 Not in the Hebrew.
VOL. II.
Third Responsory.
Receive, O Virgin Mary, receive
the word of the Lord, which is sent
thee by His Angel : thou shalt con-
ceive, and shalt bring forth God
and Man together. And thou shalt
be called blessed among all women.
Verse. Thou shalt bring forth a
son, and remain a maiden undefiled :
thou shalt conceive and be a Mother,
still Virgin unspotted.
Answer. And thou shalt be called
blessed among all women.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ajiswer. And thou shalt be called
blessed among ail women. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoit.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of Pope St Leo [the Great.]
( 2 7id for Christmas. )
'T^HE Almighty and merciful God,
Whose nature is goodness.
Whose will is power, and Whose work
is mercy, did, at the very beginning
of the world, as soon as the devil's
2 Luke i. 28, 34, 35.
2 D
77^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
hatred had mortally poisoned us with
the venom of his envy, foretell those
remedies which His mercy had fore-
ordained for our healing. He bade
the serpent know that there was to be
a Seed of the woman Who should yet
bruise the swelling of his pestilential
head ; this Seed was none other
than the Christ to come in the
flesh, that God and Man in one
Person, Who, being born of a
Virgin, should, by His undefiled
birth, damn the seducer of man.
Fourth Responsory,
1 Behold, the Virgin shall conceive,
and bear a son, saith the Lord, - and
His name shall be called W'onderful,
the Mighty God.
Verse. He shall sit upon the
throne of David, and upon his king-
dom for ever.
Answer. And His name shall be
called Wonderful, the Mighty God.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HE devil rejoiced that by his
fraud he had so deceived man
as to make him lose the gifts of God,
forfeit his privilege of eternal life,
bring himself under the hard sentence
of death, and find in his misery a
certain comfort in the accomplice of
his guilt ; he rejoiced also that God,
in His just anger, was changed to-
wards man, whom He had made in
such honour. But, dearly beloved
brethren, that Unchangeable God,
Whose Will cannot be divorced from
His goodness, by His own secret
counsel carried out in a mysterious
way His original purpose of goodness,
and man, who had been led into sin
by the wicked craft of the devil, per-
ished not to disappoint that gracious
purpose of God.
FiftJi Responsory.
There shall come forth a rod out
of the stem of Jesse, and a Flower
shall grow out of his roots. And
righteousness shall be the girdle of
his loins, and faithfulness the girdle
of his reins. [Alleluia.]
Vej'se. And the Spirit of the LORD
shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wis-
dom and understanding, the Spirit of
counsel and might.
Answer. And righteousness shall
be the girdle of his loins, and faithful-
ness the girdle of his reins. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
"XirHEN therefore, dearly beloved
brethren, the fulness of that
time came, which God had appointed
for our Redemption, our Lord jESUS
Christ entered this lower world, came
down from His heavenly throne, and,
while He left not that glory which He
hath with the Father before the world
was, was incarnate by a new order
and a new birth — new, in that He
Who is Invisible among His own, was
made visible among us ; He Who is
Incomprehensible, willed to be com-
prehended ; He Who is before the
ages, began to be in time ; the Lord
of all shadowed the glory of His Ma-
jesty, and took upon Him the form of
a servant ; the Impassible God vouch-
safed to become a man subject to
suffering ; and the Immortal laid Him-
self under the laws of death.
Sixth Responsory.
O Mary, how holy and how spot-
less is thy virginity — I am too dull
to praise thee ! For thou hast borne
in thy breast Him Whom the heavens
cannot contain.^
Verse. Blessed art thou among
1 Isa. vii. 14.
2 Isa. ix. 6, 7.
3 3 (i) Kings viii. 27.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
779
women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb.
A?tswer. For thou hast borne in
thy breast Him Whom the heavens
cannot contain.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ansiuer. For thou hast borne in
thy breast Him Whom the heavens
cannot contain.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Responsory.
Rejoice with me, all ye that love
the Lord, for while I was yet a
little one, I pleased the Most High.
And I have brought forth from my
bowels God and man. [Alleluia,]
Verse. ^ All generations shall call
me blessed, since the Lord hath re-
garded the lowliness of His hand-
maiden.
Answer. And I have brought
forth from my bowels God and
man. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (i. 26.)
A T that time : The Angel Gabriel
was sent from God, unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to
a virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of
David : and the virgin's name was
Mary. And so on.
Homily by ^ St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan,] {Bk. ii, on Luke.)
The mysteries of God are un-
searchable, and it is especially de-
clared by a Prophet, that a man
can hardly know His counsels.
(Wisd. ix. 13.) Nevertheless, some
things have been revealed to us,
and we may gather from some of
the words and works of the Lord
our Saviour, that there was a special
purpose of God, in the fact that she
who was chosen to be the mother
of the Lord was espoused to a man.
Why did not the power of the
Highest overshadow her before she
was so espoused ? Perhaps it was
lest any might blasphemously say
that she had conceived in fornication
the Holy One.
1 Dec. 7.
Eighth Lesson.
" AND the angel came in unto
her." Let us learn from
this Virgin how to bear ourselves,
let us learn her modesty, let us
learn by her devout utterance, above
all let us learn by the holy mystery
enacted. It is the part of a maiden
to be timid, to avoid the advances
of men, and to shrink from men's
addresses. Would that our wom.en
would learn from the example of
modesty here set before us. She
upon whom the stare of men had
never been fixed was alone in her
chamber, and was found only by an
angel. There was neither companion
nor witness there, that what passed
might not be debased in gossip : and
the ang'el saluted her. The message
of God to the Virgin was a mystery,
which it was not lawful for the mouth
of men, but only of angels, to utter.
For the first time on earth the
words are spoken : " The Holy
Ghost shall come upon thee." The
holy maiden heareth, and believeth.
At length she saith : " Behold the
handmaid of the Lord : be it unto
me according to thy word." Here
is an example of lowliness, here is
a pattern of true devotion. At the
very moment that she is told she is
■^ Luke i. 48.
78o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
chosen to be the mother of the Lord
she at once declareth herself His
handmaid. The knowledge that she
was mother of God caused in the
heart of Mary only an act of humility.
Eighth Responsory.
Rejoice, O Mary, by whose mighty
hand the Church hath victory o'er her
foes achieved, since thou to Gabriel's
word of quickening power in lowliness
hast listened, and believed — thou, still
a virgin, in thy blessed womb hast God
Incarnate of thy flesh conceived, and,
still of heaven, of that virginity re-
mainest after childbirth unbereaved.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Blessed art thou that hast
believed, for there is a performance of
those things which were told thee from
the Lord.
Answer. Thou, still a virgin, in
thy blessed womb hast God Incarn,ate
of thy flesh conceived, and, still of
heaven, of that virginity remainest after
childbirth unbereaved. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer, Thou, still a virgin, in
thy blessed womb hast God Incarnate
of thy flesh conceived, and, still of
heaven, of that virginity remainest after
childbirth unbereaved. [Alleluia.]
The Ninth Lesso7i is the Homily for
the Week-day.^ either the first part or
all three as one.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. The Angel Gabriel
was sent ■* to a virgin espoused to a
man whose name was Joseph ; and
the virgin's name was Mary. [Alle-
luia.]
Second Antiphon. Hail, Mary, ^
full of grace, the Lord is with thee :
blessed art thou among women. [Al-
leluia.]
Third Antiphon. Fear not, Mary,
* thou hast found grace with the
Lord : behold, thou shalt conceive,
and bring forth a Son. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antiphon. The Lord shall
give unto Him the throne of His father
David, and of His kingdom there shall
be no end. [Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. Behold the hand-
maid of the Lord : * be it unto me ac-
cording to thy word. [Alleluia.]
Chapter. (Isa. vii. 14.)
TDEHOLD, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and His Name
shall be called Emmanuel. Butter
and honey shall He eat, that He may
know to refuse the evil, and choose
the good.
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
[Alleluia.]
Answer. The Lord is with thee.
[Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
How shall this be, "^ thou Angel of
God, seeing I know not a man 1 Hear,
O Virgin Mary : the Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee.
[Alleluia.]
Prayer throughout.
/^ GOD, Who didst will that Thy
^-^^ word should, by the message of
an Angel, take flesh in the womb of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant unto
us, we beseech Thee, that all we who
do believe her to be in very deed the
Mother of God, may be holpen by her
prayers in Thy sight. Through the
same our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God,
world without end. Amen.
In Lent a Commemoration is 7nade
of the Week-day.
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
781
PRIME.
Antipho7i. The Angel Gabriel, &c.
{First Antipho7i at Lauds.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 26th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Lavican Way,
[in the third century,] the holy martyr
Castulus. He was a chamberlain of
the Palace, and a receiver of the
saints. He was three times hung up
and interrogated, and as he remained
steadfast in confessing the Lord, he
was crowned with martyrdom by being
thrown into a pit, and buried alive in
sand.
Likewise at Rome, the holy martyrs
Peter, Marcian, Jovinus, Thecla, Cas-
sian, and others.
In the Pentapolis, in Libya, the
holy martyrs Theodore, Bishop [of
Zaragossa, who was preaching in
Pentapolis-Cyrene in North Africa,]
the Deacon Irenaeus, and the Readers
Serapion and Ammonius.
At Sirmium, the holy martyrs the
Priest Montanus, and Maxima, [his
wife,] who were drowned in the river
for Christ's faith's sake.
Likewise the holy martyrs Quad-
ratus, Theodosius, Emmanuel, and
forty others.
At Alexandria, [in the year 354,]
the holy martyrs Eutychius and
others, who were slain with the sword
for the Catholic faith, under the Arian
Bishop George, in the time of the
Emperor Constantius.
On the same day, [in the year 309,]
holy Ludger, Bishop of Munster, who
preached the gospel to the Saxons.
At Zaragossa, in Spain, [in the year
651,] the holy Confessor Braulio,
Bishop of that see.
At Treves, [in the year 400,] holy
Felix, [who had been] Bishop [of that
see for i 2 years, and had then retired
to a monastery which he had built
in honour of the Blessed Virgin, the
martyrs of the vanguard of the Theban
Legion, and several magistrates of the
town of Treves, who had been mar-
tyred at the same time.]
Chapter at the end. (Isa. xi. i.)
T^HERE shall come forth a rod
out of the stem of Jesse, and a
Branch shall grow out of his roots.
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest
upon Him.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Hail, Mary, &c., {Seco7id
Antipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
SEXT.
A7itipho7i. Fear not, &c.. {Third
A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Luke i. 32.)
n^HE Lord God shall give unto Him
the throne of His father David,
and He shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom
there shall be no end.
NONE.
A7itipho77. Behold the handmaid,
&c., {Fifth A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at the First Vespers., except
the
A7ttipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. The Angel Gabriel said unto
Mary: Hail, thou that art full of grace,
•^ the Lord is with thee : blessed art
thou among women. [Alleluia.]
I7t Le7tt a Co7;iJ7iemoratio7t is 77iade
of the Week-day.
782
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
March 26.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor and Doctor
of the Church, John of Damascus,
famous for holiness and teaching.
He strove manfully for the honour-
ing of the holy images, both by word
and writing, against the Emperor
Leo the I saurian : wherefore the
Emperor commanded that his right
hand should be smitten off; where-
upon he commended himself to the
image of the blessed Virgin Mary,
which he had defended, and forth-
with he received back his hand whole
and sound. Of whom mention is
made upon the 6th day of May.
At Druzipara, in Pannonia, under
the Emperor Maximian, the holy
soldier Alexander, who after triumph-
ing for Christ in many contendings,
and working many miracles, was be-
headed, and so finished his testimony.
On the same day, the holy martyrs
the Senator Philetus, his wife Lydia,
and his children Macedon and Theo-
prepis, as also the General Amphilo-
chius, and the notary Chronides, who
were all slain for confessing Christ.
In Persia, the holy martyrs Zanitas,
Lazarus, Marotes, Narses, and five
others, who were most cruelly slain
under Sapor, King of the Persians,
and so won the palm of rnartyrdom,
[in the year 326.]
At Saltzburg, [in the year 718,]
the holy Confessor Rupert, Bishop
of that see, who wondrously spread
the gaspel among the Bavarians and
Styrians.
In Egypt, the holy Hermit John,
a man of great holiness, who, among
other graces, was gifted with the
spirit of prophecy, whereby he fore-
told unto the Emperor Theodosius
his victory over the tyrants Maxi-
mus and Eugenius.
March 27.
St 3oi)n of Bamascug, Con-
fessor aitti ©octor of tlje
C{}urc{).
Double.
All from the Cominon Office for
a Confessor not a Bishop^ (/. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^^ God, Who didst fill Thy
blessed servant John with heavenly
teaching, and wondrous strength of
spirit to maintain the honouring of
holy images. Grant unto us at his
prayers and after his ensample to
take pattern by their holy lives
whose images we honour, and ever
to feel the power of their help.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Th}^ Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world Avithout end.
Amen.
At First Vespers.^ Antipho7i at the
Song of the Blessed Virgin., " O right
excellent, &c.," a?id in Lent the Com-
memoratio7i of the Week-day.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons f'om Ecclus. xxxix. i. {p.
615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
n^HIS John is called John of Dam-
ascus, from his native place.
He was of noble birth, and studied
sacred and profane letters at Con-
stantinople, under the monk Cosmas.
At what time the Emperor Leo the
I saurian was making' a wicked attack
upon the honouring of holy images,
John, at the desire of the Roman
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
7^3
Pontiff, Gregory III., earnestly de-
fended both by his words and his
writings, the hoHness of this honour.
By this he roused against him so
great a hatred on the part of Leo,
that that Prince, by forged letters,
accused John as a traitor to the
Caliph of Damascus, whom he was
serving as a councillor and minister.
John denied the charge, but the
Caliph was deceived by it, and
caused his right hand to be cut off.
He called earnestly for the help of
the most holy Virgin, and she mani-
fested the innocency of her servant
by reuniting his hand to his arm,
as though it had never been cut off.
This miracle moved John to carry
out a design which he had long
had in mind. He obtained from the
Caliph, albeit with difficulty, leave
to go away, distributed all his goods
to feed the poor, and freed all his
slaves, then visited as a pilgrim the
holy places in Palestine, and at
length withdrew, along with his
teacher Cosmas, to the monastery
of St Saba, between Jerusalem and
the Dead Sea. There he was or-
dained priest.
Fifth Lesson.
A S a monk John set a bright ex-
ample to all the others, especi-
ally as regarded lowliness and obedi-
ence. He sought for the lowest
offices in the community, as though
they were in a peculiar sense his
own, and fulfilled them with the
greatest care. When he was sent
to Damascus to sell baskets made
by himself, he welcomed the mockery
and jests of the lowest classes in
that city where he had before time
been charged with the most honour-
able offices. He was so devoted to
obedience that he not only started
up to obey every nod of his superiors,
but also never thought it right to
ask the reason of any duty laid
upon him, however difficult or how-
ever strange it might be. While
thus living he never ceased earnestly
to defend the Catholic doctrine as
to the honouring of holy images.
For this reason he drew upon
himself the hatred and persecution
of the Emperor Constantine Cop-
ronymus, as he had first done that
of the Emperor Leo the I sau-
rian, and this all the more because
he freely rebuked the arrogance
of these Emperors, who must
needs take in hand matters concern-
ing the faith, and pronounce sent-
ence upon them according to their
own judgment.
Sixth Lesson.
T T is a marvel how man}^ things
John devised both for the pro-
tection of the faith, and for the
encouragement of godliness, and ex-
pressed in his writings both in prose
and verse. He was worthy of the
high praise which was given him by
the Second Council of Nice. On
account of the golden streams of
his eloquence, he was surnamed
Chrysorrhoas, or John of the golden
streams. It was not against the
enemies of holy images alone that
he defended the orthodox faith. He
fought stoutly against the Acephali,
the Monothelites, and the Theopasch-
ites. He maintained the laws and
the power of the Church. He taught
with great learning the Primacy of
the Prince of the Apostles, and many
times calleth him the Pillar of the
Churches, the unbroken rock, and
the Teacher and Ruler of the world.
The whole of his writings are not
only steeped in learning and teach-
ing, but have a certain savour oi
simple piety, especially when he is
784
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
praising the Mother of God, toward
whom he was filled with a special
reverence and love. But the great-
est praise of John is that he was
the first who arranged in order a
complete course of theology, and
prepared the way in which holy
Thomas of Aquino has so clearly
dealt with the whole body of sacred
doctrine.
This truly holy man, full of days
and good works, fell asleep in the
peace of Christ about the year of sal-
vation 754. The supreme Pontiff,
Leo XIII., established his office and
Mass throughout the universal church,
whereof he also gave him the title
of doctor.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (vi. 6.)
A T that time : It came to pass also
on another Sabbath, that Jesus
entered into the synagogue, and
taught ; and there was there a man
whose right hand was withered. And
so on.
Homily by St Peter Chrysologus.
{Sermon 32.)
This man is a figure of all men.
His healing is a type of their healing,
and his soundness is a pledge of that
soundness for which all have looked
so long. The hand of man hath
withered through the deadness of
faith rather than through the drying
up of the sinews, and by the fault of
the conscience rather than by the
weakness of the flesh. The withering
up of man's hand hath been of old
time, and a sickness which smote him
at the very beginning of the world,
and no art or benefit of man could
heal that which had been blasted by
it is stretched
Life, which is
iiathereth the
the wrath of God. That hand had
touched the forbidden thing, it had
sought that which was unlaM'ful when
it had been stretched out to the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil.
It had need of Him who had made it,
not to lay a plaster upon it, but to
cancel the sentence which He had
uttered, and to loosen by pardon that
which He had bound by judgment.
{Eighth Lesson.) This man's heal-
ing is a type of the healing of all
men, our perfect health is to be found
in Christ, then shall our miserable
hand be withered no more when there
droppeth thereon the Blood of the
Suffering Lord, when
forth to the Tree of
the Cross. When it
mighty fruit of His suffering, when it
layeth hold upon the Tree of Salva-
tion, when the body is so nailed
thereto with the nails of the Lord
that it can never return again to the
tree of lust and barren enjoyment.
And He said to the man which had
the withered hand, " Rise up, and
stand forth in the midst." Rise up
and stand forth in the midst, O Thou
that dost confess thine own weakness,
thou that dost call for pity from on
high, thou that canst witness to the
power of God ; rise up and stand
forth in the midst, thou that tellest
of the unbelief of the Jews ; the
power of so many signs hath not
pierced them, so many works of heal-
ing hath not beset them ; let the
pity shown to such misery constrain
them and soften them.
{Ninth Lesson outside Lejtt.) " He
said unto the man. Stretch forth thine
hand, and he did so ; and his hand
was restored whole as the other."
" Stretch forth thine hand " — the hand
which had been blasted by a com-
mandment is by a commandment
loosed. " Stretch forth thine hand " —
the punishment which had been the
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
785
work of God was a sufficient testimony
of Who had been the Judge Who had
inflicted it, and the pardon was a
proof that the Pardoner was the
same. Brethren, pray that upon the
synagogue only may the shadow of
such an affliction fall, and that there
may be in the Church no hand which
is withered by greed, shrunken by
avarice, paralyzed by theft, stricken by
selfishness ; but if such there be, let
him who is so afflicted give his ear
unto the Lord, and stretch forth his
hknd in works of godliness, let him
exercise it in mercy, and set it to
almsgiving. He that knoweth not
how to lend unto the Lord by giving
unto the poor, knoweth not how to
be healed by the Lord.
In Lent^ Ninth Lesson is the Homily
of the Week-day^ of which a Commeni-
orafion is also inade at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor John of Capis-
trano, of the Order of Friars Minors,
illustrious for the holiness of his life,
and his zeal for the propagation of
the Catholic faith, who by his prayers
and miracles procured the defeat of a
vast army of Turks, and delivered the
fortress of Belgrade from beleaguer-
ment. Of whom mention is made
upon the 23rd day of October.
Upon the same 28th day of March,
were born into the better life —
At Caesarea, in Palestine, [about the
year 260,] the holy martyrs Priscus,
Malchus, and Alexander. During the
persecution under the Emperor
Valerian they were dwelling on a
little plot of ground in the suburbs
of the said city, and when heavenly
crowns of martyrdom were then being
offered, their love of God and faith
in Him enkindled them to go openly
to the judge, and to rebuke him for
VOL. II.
that he so raged after the blood of
the godly, whereupon he forthwith
commanded them to be devoured by
wild beasts for Christ's name's sake.
At Tarsus, in Cilicia, the holy martyrs
Castor and Dorotheus.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatus,
Successus, and sixteen others.
At Rome, [in the year 440,] the
holy Confessor Pope Sixtus III.
At Nursia, [in the year 517,] the
holy Abbat Speus, a man of wondrous
patience, and when he passed away out
of this life all his brethren saw his
soul wing its flight heavenward in a
bodily shape like a dove.
At Chalons, in Gaul, the burial, [in
the year 593,] of the holy Confessor
Guntram, King of the Franks, who
gave himself up so utterly to the
things of the Spirit that he fled from
the glory of the world, and gave all
his goods for the churches, and the
poor.
At Second Vespers a Coin7nemoration
is 7nade of the following. Prayer from
his Offi,ce^ afid then of the Week-day.
March 28.
^t 3of}tt of CaptstraHo,
Confessor.
Semi-double.
All from the Com7non Office for a
Coitfessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598, ) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who by Thy blessed ser-
^"^^ vant John didst cause Thy
faithful people, through the power of
the most Holy Name of Jesus, to pre-
vail against the enemies of His Cross,
grant unto us, we beseech Thee, the
help of the prayers of the same Thy
2 D 2
786
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
servant that we may prevail against
our ghostly enemies, and may be
made worthy to receive from Thee a
crown of righteousness. Through the
same jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen,
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxi. 8, (/. 6io.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'T^HIS John was born at Capistrano,
in the Abruzzi. He was edu-
cated at Perugia, and became so ex-
pert in letters, both sacred and profane,
that on account of his eminent know-
ledge of law, Ladislaus, King of Naples,
set him over several cities. He was
seeking in righteousness to bring the
affairs of these places out of trouble
into peace, when he himself was kid-
napped and put in chains. From this
captivity he marvellously escaped, and
then professed himself a Friar Minor
under the rule of Francis of Assisi.
Here he went forward in the study of
divinity, and had as a teacher the
holy Bernardine of Sienna, of whom
he was one of the most marked fol-
lowers, especially in spreading abroad
the honour paid to the Most Holy
Name of Jesus, and to the Mother
of God. The bishopric of Aquila was
offered to him, but he refused it. He
was chiefly known by the hardship of
his self-denial, and by the writings
which he published in large numbers
for the reform of manners.
Fifth Lesson.
T_T E devoted himself without ceasing
to the preaching of the Word of
God, in the which work he travelled
throughout nearly all Italy, and by
the power of eloquence and of miracles
not a few, he recalled souls almost
countless into the path of salvation.
Martin V. appointed him Inquisitor
to stamp out the sect of the Fraticelli.
Nicolas V. appointed him Inquisitor-
General in Italy against Judaism and
Mohammadanism, and he brought
many such misbelievers to believe
in Christ. He did much good work
in the affairs of the Eastern Church,
and at the Council of Florence, where-
in he shone like a sun, he brought
back the Armenians to the Catholic
church. The same Pope Nicolas V.,
at the request of the Emperor Fred-
erick III., sent him into Germany as
Nuncio of the Apostolic See, in order
that he might bring back the heretics
to the Catholic faith and the minds
of the princes to peace and agree-
ment. He did a wonderful work for
God's glory during the six years that
he laboured in Germany and other
countries, and by his teaching of the
truth and the striking evidence of his
miracles brought back to the bosom
of the Church almost countless num-
bers of Hussites, Adamites, Taborites,
and Jews.
Sixth Less 072.
T T was mainly at the entreaty of
John that Calistus III. pro-
claimed a Crusade, and John hastened
about through Pannonia and other
provinces, where by his words and
his letters he so roused the minds of
princes to that holy war, that in a
short while seventy thousand Christian
soldiers were enrolled. It was mainly
through his advice and by his power
that victory was gained at Belgrade,
when one hundred and twenty thou-
sand Turks were either slain or put
to flight. The news of this victory
reached Rome upon the sixth day of
August, and Pope Calistus thereupon
FEAST-DAYS IN MARCH.
;87
consecrated that day for ever to the
solemn commemoration of the trans-
figuration of the Lord Christ. As
John lay sick unto death at Illak,
many princes came to see him, and
he exhorted them to protect re-
ligion. He gave up his soul in
holiness to God, [upon the 23rd day
of October,] in the year of salvation
1456. God confirmed his glory by
many miracles after his death, and
when these had been duly proved
Alexander VIII. enrolled his name
with those of the saints in the year
1690, and two hundred years after
his canonization Leo XIII. extended
his Office and Mass to the whole
Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (ix. i.)
A T that time : jESUS called the
"^^ twelve Apostles together and
gave power and authority over all
devils and to cure diseases. And
so on.
Homily by St " Buona- Ventura,"
[Cardinal] Bishop [of Albans,] {o7i
Luke ix. )
Apostles are so called as a mark
of their authority, for this word Apos-
tle signifieth "sent," and they were
sent out to preach, as it is written,
(i Cor. i. 17,) "Christ sent me not
to baptize but to preach the gospel."
They were sent to preach not any
small thing but a very great thing,
even the Kingdom of God, whereby
we may understand the teaching of
the truth, as it is said, (Matth. xxi.
43,) "The Kingdom of God should be
taken from you and given to a nation
b)ringing forth the fruits thereof." The
Kingdom of God may also be under-
stood to signify the grace of the Holy
Ghost, as it is written, (Rom. xiv. 17,)
" The Kingdom of God is not meat
and drink, but righteousness, and peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost " ; as also
it was said, (Luke xvii. 21,) "The
Kingdom of God is within you." The
Kingdom of God may also be under-
stood to signify eternal glory, as it is
said, (John iii. 5,) "Amen, I say unto
thee, except a man be born again of
water and of the Holy Ghost he cannot
enter into the Kingdom of God."
Eighth Lesso7i.
n^HE Apostles were sent to preach
the Kingdom of God in all these
three senses, that is to say, as the
true teaching, as the grace of God,
and as eternal glory. In order to
invest their teaching with authority
He gave them the power to cure dis-
eases, whence where it is written (2)
"And He sent them to preach the
Kingdom of God " it is also said
"And to heal the sick." This power
He gave in order to confirm the truth
of their preaching, as it is written,
(Markxvi. 20,) "And they went forth,
and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them, and confirming
the Word with signs following." The
sign that a preacher is indeed sent
forth by the Spirit of God is that
they that hear him should be cured
of the disease of sin. {Ni7ith Lesson
out of Lent.) There are three mani-
fest signs which show whether a
preacher hath been sent by the Lord
to preach the gospel. The first is
that he should be sent by one having
authority to do so, such as is a bishop,
and above all the Pope, who is in the
place of Peter, yea of Jesus Christ.
So that he who is sent by him is sent
by Christ. The second sign is a love
for souls in the person who is sent,
so that he seeketh mainly the honour
7^^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
of God and the salvation of souls.
The third sign is that his hearers
should bring forth fruit and should
be converted. By the first sign a
preacher is known as being sent by
the Father, by the second he is known
as being sent by the Son, by the third
he is known as being sent by the
Holy Ghost. Of the first sign it may
be said, (Ps. xliv. 17,) "Instead of
Thy Father shall be Thy children " ;
of the second sign it may be said, (2
Cor. iv. 5,) " We preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus our Lord " ; of the
third sign it may be said, (John xv.
16,) "I have chosen you, and ordained
you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should re-
main." And he who is thus sent forth
can say, (Luke iv. 18,) "The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me because He hath
anointed me to preach the gospel."
The Ni7ith Lesson is the Homily of
the Week-day^ of which also a Com-
memoration is made at Lands.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 29th day of March, were
born into the better life —
In Persia, under King Sapor, [in
the year 326,] the holy martyrs Jonah
and Barachisius. Jonah was pressed
under a screw until his bones were
broken, and cut through the middle.
Barachisius was choked, by pouring
boiling pitch into his mouth.
At Balbec, in the Lebanon, [in the
year 362,] the holy martyr Cyril the
Deacon. The savage Gentiles, under
the Emperor Julian the Apostate, cut
open his belly, tore out his liver, and
ate it.
At Nicomedia, [in the year 303,]
suffered the holy martyrs Pastor, Vic-
torinus, and their Companions.
In Africa, [about the year 461,] the
holy Confessors Count Armogastes,
Masculus the chief player, and Sat-
urus, steward of the king's house, who
suffered many and grievous pains and
insults for confessing the truth, at the
time of the Vandal persecution under
the Arian King Genseric, and so fin-
ished a course of glorious contention.
In the city of Asti, [in the second
century,] the holy martyr Secundus.
In the monastery of Luxeuil, [dio-
cese of Besan^on, in the year 625,]
the holy Abbat Eustacius, a disciple
of holy Columbanus. He was the
father of nearly six hundred monks,
and was famous not only for the holi-
ness of his life, but also for miracles.
At Second Vespers a Commemora-
tion of the Week-day.
March 29.
martyrology.
Upon the 30th day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Appian Way,
the Blessed Tribune Quirinus, [in the
year 130.] Holy Pope Alexander was
committed to ward with him, and by
the same he and all his house were
baptized. Under the Emperor
Hadrian he was brought before the
Judge Aurelian, and as he remained
steadfast in the faith, his tongue was
cut out, he was racked, and his hands
and feet cut off, and at last his con-
tending was finished by the sword.
At Thessalonica, the holy martyrs
Domninus, Victor, and their Com-
panions, [perhaps under Maximianus.]
At Constantinople is made the
commemoration of very many holy
martyrs. Catholic communicants whom
in the time of the Emperor Constantius
the arch-heretic Macedonius tortured
and slew in divers unheard-of ways ;
among" other things, he pinched off
the nipples of the breasts of the
faithful women with the lids of boxes,
and seared the wound with hot iron.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
789
At Senlis, holy Regulus, Bishop of
Aries, [and of Senlis, in the year 130.]
At Orleans, in Gaul, holy Pastor,
Bishop of [that see, perhaps in the
year 557.]
At Syracuse, [in Sicily,] the holy
Confessor Zozimus, Bishop of that
see, [in the year 660.]
On Mount Sinai, holy John, Abbat
[of Mount Sinai in the years 525-605,]
surnamed Climacus, [which is, being
interpreted, "of the ladder." ^ He
was probably a native of Palestine.]
At Aquino, the holy Confessor
Clinius. [Native of Greece, and a
monk of Monte Casino, fifth century.]
March 30.
martyrology.
Upon the 3 1 st day of March, were
born into the better life —
At Tekoah, in Palestine, the holy
Prophet Amos, who was often-times
scourged by the priest Amazia, and
pierced in the temples with a bar by
his son Ozia. He was afterward borne
back half dead into his own country,
and there gave up the ghost, and is
buried with his fathers, [785 B.C.]
In Africa, the holy martyrs Theo-
dulus, Anesius, Felix, Cornelia, and
their Companions.
In Persia, under King Isdegerd, the
holy martyr Benjamin the Deacon.
Because he would not cease from
preaching the word of God, sharp
reeds were forced under his nails, and
a thorny stake thrust into his bowels,
and so he finished his testimony, [in
the year 401.]
At Rome, the holy virgin Balbina,
the daughter of the blessed martyr
Quirinus. She was baptized by holy
Pope Alexander, and after she had
overcome the world, [in the year 169,]
she was buried on the Appian Way,
by her father's side.
March 31.
martyrology.
Upon the ist day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyr Theodora,
sister of the great martyr Hermes.
She suffered by order of the judge
Aurelian, under the Emperor Hadrian,
and is buried beside her brother upon
the Salarian Way, not far from the
city.
On the same day, the holy martyr
Venantius, Bishop of Toledo.
In Egypt, the holy martyrs Victor
and Stephen.
In Armenia, the holy martyrs Quin-
tian and Irenseus.
At Constantinople, [about the year
830,] the holy Confessor Macarius,
who died in exile, under the Em-
peror Leo, because of his defence of
holy images.
At Grenoble, holy Hew, [born 1053,
died 1 132,] Bishop of that see, who
passed the latter part of his life, even
for many years, in the wilderness, and
passed away, famous for miracles, to
be ever with the Lord.
At Amiens, the holy Abbat Valery,
at whose grave miracles are often-
times wrought. [Monk of Luxeuil,
and first Abbat of Leuconais, in the
year 619.]
FEAST DAYS IN APRIL.
April i.
martyrology.
Upon the 2nd day of April, were
born into the better life —
The holy Confessor Francis of
Paola, founder of the Order of Friars
Minim, [in the year 1507.] He was
famous for his graces and miracles,
1 As he is said to have written "The Ladder of Perfection.'
790
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
and Leo X. enrolled his name among
those of the Saints.
At Caesarea, in Palestine, the holy
martyr Amphian. During the persecu-
tion under the Emperor Galerius Maxi-
mian he rebuked the President Urban
as he was sacrificing unto idols, and for
this cause he was savagely mangled,
and most cruelly tormented. His
feet being wrapped in flax steeped in
oil, and set on fire, and at length he
was drowned in the sea, and thus did
he go through fire and through water,
and was brought out into a place of
refreshment.
There also suffered the holy martyr
Theodosia, a Virgin of Tyre, during
the same persecution. When she saw
the holy Confessors standing before the
judgment seat, she publicly saluted
them, and besought them that when
they should be come unto the Lord they
would remember her. For this cause
the soldiers took her, and led her before
Urban the President, and by his
command her sides and her breasts
were deeply mangled, and she was
cast into the sea, [in the year 307.]
At Lyons, holy Nicetius, Bishop of
that city, famous for his life and
miracles, [in the year 573.]
At Como, the holy Confessor Abun-
dius, Bishop of that see, [in the year
468.]
At Langres, holy Urban, [6th]
Bishop of that see, [in the year
395-]
In Palestine, holy Mary of Egypt,
commonly called the sinner, [fifth
century.]
April 2.
St Jrancis of Paola, ffiotx=
f ess or*
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of one Confessor not a Bishop^
{P- 598,) except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Prayer.
r~\ GOD, Who exaltest the meek,
^-"^ and hast raised up Thy Blessed
Confessor Francis even unto the glory
of Thy Saints, grant unto us, we be-
seech Thee, for his sake, so to walk
after him in lowliness of heart, that
in the end we may attain, as he hath,
to that great reward which Thou hast
promised unto all such as be so
minded. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
The same Prayer throughout the
Office.
In Lent a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seaso7i; or., in Le72t., from Ecclus.
xxxi. 8, (/. 610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
T
Fourth Lesson.
HIS Francis was born of humble
parents at Paola, a town in
Calabria, [about the year of our Lord
1 416.] His parents, who had long
been childless, obtained him, after
making a vow, by the prayers of
blessed Francis. While he was yet
a lad, the love of God moved him to
withdraw into a desert place, where
he lived for six years, hardly as to
the body, but sumptuously in medi-
tation on things heavenly. Neverthe-
less, when the fame of his holy life
was noised abroad, and many betook
themselves to him, that they might
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
791
learn godliness, he was drawn out of
the desert by love to his neighbour,
and built a church near Paola, wherein
he laid the first foundations of his
Order.
Fifth Lesso??.
T N his words there was a wonderful
charm : he kept his virginity al-
ways inviolate : he was so great a
lover of lowliness that he used to call
himself the last of all, and would that
his disciples should be called the
Minimi, which is, being interpreted,
the Least of the brethren. His rai-
ment was coarse ; he went always
bare-footed ; and he slept on the
ground. The extreme smallness of
the amount of food which he took
was extraordinary. He ate only once
a day, and that after sunset. Then
he took only bread and water, with
scarcely any of such condiment as is
allowed in Lent. He bound his dis-
ciples by a fourth vow, added to those
of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience,
to observe the same rule of eating
as himself.
Sixth Lesson.
T T was the will of God to make the
holiness of His servant manifest
by many miracles. The most notorious
of these is that on one occasion when
some seamen refused to take him over
the Straits of Messina, he spread his
cloak upon the sea, and crossed over
on it with his companion. In the
spirit of prophecy he foretold many
things to come. Louis XL, King of
France, held him in great worship,
and bade him to his court. ^ At last,
at Tours, in the ninety-first year of
his age, and the 1507th of our sal-
vation,^ he departed hence to be ever
with the Lord. His body was not
buried for eleven days after his death,
but it not only showed no signs of
corruption but even gave forth a sweet
savour. Pope Leo X. caused him to
be numbered among the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessoiis from Luke xii. 32, with the
Homily of the Venerable Bede, {p. 612.)
In Lent the third part is omitted or
read as one with the second., and the
Nijith LessoJi is either the first part or
the whole of the Homily for the Week-
day., of which a Cojnmemoration is also
made at Lauds.
In Lent the Week-day is commemo-
rated at Lauds and Second Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 3rd day of April, were
born into the better life —
In England, [in the year 1253,]
holy Richard, Bishop of Chichester,
famous for his holiness and the glory
of his miracles.
At Taormina, in Sicily, holy Pancras,
Bishop of that see, who sealed with
his blood the testimony of the gospel
of Christ which the holy Apostle Peter
had sent him thither to preach.
At Isnia, in Scythia, the holy
martyrs Evagrius and Benignus.
At Thessalonica, under the Emperor
Diocletian, the holy Virgins Agape
and Chionia, because they refused to
deny Christ, they were first starved in
prison, and then cast into the fire,
the flame took no hold upon them,
but when they had prayed to the
Lord, they then gave up their souls
to him, [in the year 304.]
At Tyre, the holy martyr Vulpian.
During the persecution under the
■ 1 In the hope that Francis could by miracle prolong his life. The Saint could only be in-
duced to go by the absolute commands of Sixtus IV. He arrived at Plessis-les-Tours, April
24, 1482. Alban Butler says that he effected "a perfect change" in the King's heart, before
his death, which occvtrred, Aug. 30, 1483. 2 Alban Pmtler gives a year later.
792
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Emperor Maximian Galerius, he was
sewn up inside a sack along with an
adder and a dog, and drowned in the
sea, [in the year 305.]
At the Monastery of Mecidion, on
Mount Olympus, the holy Abbat
Nicetas, who suffered many things
under the Emperor Leo the Armenian,
on account of the honouring of holy
images.
In England, the holy Virgin Burgun-
dofora. Abbess [of Farmoutier, about
the year 655.] ^
At Palermo, the holy Confessor
Benedict of San Fradello, of the Order
of Friars Minors, who was by race a
black, whence he was commonly called
"the Nigger." He was famous for
his signs and mighty works. He fell
asleep in the Lord upon the 4th day
of April, [in the year 1585.] The Sup-
reme Pontiff Pius VIL enrolled his
name among those of the Saints.
Vespei^s of St Richard from the
Chapter.
April 3.
St jaicl)arn, Btsljop [of
C})ic})esterJ donfessor.
Double.
All frovi the Common Office for a
Bishop and Co?ifessor^ (J>. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout. {Taken from the
Salisbury Missal. )
/^ GOD, Who, for the sake of Thy
^-^^ blessed Confessor and Bishop
Richard, hast made Thy Church
bright with famous signs and wonders,
grant unto us Thy servants to be
holpen by his prayers in the way
toward the glory of everlasting blessed-
ness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
First Vespers as regards St Richard
begins with the Chapter.
A Commemoration is made of St
Francis of Paola. Prayer from his
Office., and., in Le7it, of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture accordi?ig to
the Season. In Lent^ from Tim. iii.
I, (^. 582,) or from the Common.
SECOND NOCTURN,
Fourth Lesson. {From his Co?tfessor,
R. Bockiiig., and Harp sfield's Chitrch
History of the Thirteeiith Century. )
HP HIS Richard was Chancellor of
Canterbury, and followed the
holy archbishop Edmund to France.
After the death of that Saint, Richard
set himself to study theology among
the Friars Preachers at Orleans, and
there took Priest's Orders. He thence
returned into England, and undertook
the care of a parish, (which he held
without other preferment,) but was,
not long afterwards, first re-appointed
Chancellor of Canterbury, and then
elected Bishop of Chichester, but, in
consequence of the King's objection to
him, it was not until after two years'
time that he obtained possession of
his See at the bidding of the Pope.
Fifth Lesso7t.
pSTABLISHED over the Church
of Chichester, he discharged
most earnestly the duties of an holy
1 Her alleged connection with England seems inexplicable except upon the ground of some
accidental error.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
793
shepherd of souls. The hardness and
sternness of his own Hving enabled him
not only to feed his people's souls
with the life-giving Word, but also
their bodies with needful food. He
was very diligent in visiting the sick,
and would bury the dead with his own
hands. He often excused their debts
to those who owed unto him, and
when he was behoven to go to law
with any man, his chief desire was
to cherish charity toward his adversary,
being used to say that we ought not so
to seek our own rights, as to weaken
that love whereunto our neighbour hath
right by the command of God Himself.
Sixth Lesso7i.
'T^HE Pope charged him with the
duty of preaching the Crusade,
and he persevered in that work until,
in the midst of a journey undertaken
in the cause, he died at Dover, as
he had himself foretold. At the point
of death he caused an image of Christ
suffering to be brought to him, and
commended his soul to his Redeemer,
while he kissed the figured wounds.
This man of God died upon the third
day of April, in the year of our sal-
vation 1253.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv, 1 4, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 588.)
In Lent the last is read along with
the eighth in order to make room for
the Homily of the Week-day^ of which
also a Commemoration is made at
Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 4th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Seville, in Spain, the holy Con-
fessor Isidore, Bishop of that see,
famous for his holiness and teaching,
who lighted up all Spain by his zeal
for the Catholic faith, and by his
observance of the discipline of the
Church, [in the year 639.]
At Thessalonica, under the Emperor
Maximian and the President Faus-
tinus, the holy martyrs, the Deacon
Agathopodes, and the Reader Theo-
dulos, who were drowned in the sea
with stones tied round their necks,
because of their confession of the
Christian faith.
At Milan, the burial of the holy
Confessor Ambrose, Bishop of that
see, by whose labours, teaching, and
miracles at the time of the Arian mis-
belief nearly the whole of Italy was
converted to the Catholic faith, [in the
year 397.] [We keep his feast upon
the 7th day of December, which is
that of his ordination as bishop.]
At Constantinople, the holy Monk
Plato, who struggled resolutely for
many years against the heretics,
breakers of the holy images, [in the
year 813.]
In Palestine, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Hermit Zosimus, who saw
to the burying of holy Mary of Egypt.
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter., inclusive.
April 4.
St EsitJore, ^rcPisijop [of
Se&tlle,] Confessor anU
dioctor of tlje (laurel).
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of Doctors^ {p. 615,) except the
followiiig. Prayer throughout^ " O
God, Who didst give, &c."
A Commemoration is made of the
preceding. Prayer from his Office.
At First Vespers., "O right excellent,
»&c.," a7id in Lent., a Commemoration
of the Week-day.
794
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxix. i, {p.
615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
T SIDORE, the admirable teacher,
was a Spaniard by birth, being
the son of Severian, governor of the
Province of Carthagena. He was
trained up in all godliness and learn-
ing by his holy brethren Leander,
Archbishop of Seville, and Fulgentius,
Bishop of Carthagena. He was well
instructed in the Latin, Greek, and
Hebrew letters, and he came from his
masters a most eminent scholar in all
human knowledge, and a pattern of
all Christian graces. While yet he
was very young, he attacked with
such firmness the Arian heresy, which
had of former times polluted the Gothic
nation, who then were the chief rulers
of Spain, that he was near being mur-
dered by the heretics. After that
Leander was departed this life,i Isi-
dore was chosen to the See of Seville,
against his own will, but at the vehe-
ment instance of King Reccared, and
with the strong assent of the clergy
and people. Holy Gregory the Great
not only confirmed his election by his
own Apostolic authority, and caused
him to be adorned, as is the custom,
with a Pallium sent from the body of
Blessed Peter, but is also stated to
have appointed him Vicar of the
Apostolic See for all Spain.
Fifth Lesson.
^^ITHEN he was Archbishop no
tongue can tell how leal he
was, how lowly, and meek, and merci-
ful, how careful to restore the laws of
Christianity and the Church, and how
unwearied in establishing the same
by his word and writings, yea, how
brightly he shone in all graces. He
was a leading promoter and spreader
of monastic institutions throughout
Spain. He built many monasteries.
He founded colleges in which, when
his duty allowed him spare time for
sacred study and reading, he taught •
the many disciples who betook them-
selves to him from all quarters.
Among these, two of the most dis-
tinguished were the holy Bishops
Ildephonsus of Toledo, and Braulio
of Saragossa. He called the Council
of Seville, wherein, in a most incisive
and eloquent discourse, he shattered
and crushed the heresy of the Acephali,
by which Spain was then threatened.
So great was his fame among all men
for the holiness of his life and doctrine,
that scarcely sixteen years after his
death the whole Council of Toledo,
by the acclamation of more than fifty
Bishops, among whom was the holy
Ildephonsus himself, declared him to
be worthy to be called the excellent
Teacher, the newest ornament of the
Catholic Church, one whose learning
would endure to the end of the world,
and of worshipful memory. It was
the opinion of the holy Braulio that
he was not only fit to be compared to
Gregory the Great, but also that he
was a gift from God to Spain instead
of the Apostle James.
Sixth Lesson.
T SIDORE wrote Books "of Etymol-
ogies " and "on Church Offices,"
and likewise many others, so useful in
the administration of Christian and
Church Law, that the holy Pope
Leo IV. felt no scruple in writing to
the Bishops of Britain, that the say-
ings of Isidore were worthy to be
kept like those of Jerome and Austin,
^ A.D. 600 or 601.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
795
whenever there is to be done some
strange work, wherein the rules of the
Canon Law are not enough defined.
Many sentences from his writings may
also be discovered embedded in the
Canon Law of the Church itself. He
presided over the Fourth Council of
Toledo, the most celebrated that ever
met in Spain. Before his death he
had purged Spain of the Arian heresy,
and publicly foretold his own dissolu-
tion and the wasting of the kij:igdom
by the Saracens which was to come.
He passed away to heaven, at Seville,
where he had ruled his Church for
forty years, [upon the 4th day of
April,] in the year of our Lord 636.
In accordance with his own com-
mands, his body was first buried
between his brother Leander and his
sister Florentina, but Ferdinand I.,
King of Castille and Leon, bought it
for a great price from Enet,^ the
Saracen, who then ruled at Seville,
carried it to Leon, and there built a
Church in honour of him, wherein his
said body lieth, illustrious through
miracles, and reverenced with great
worship by the people.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
13.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
disciples : Ye are the salt of the
earth ; but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted ?
It is thenceforth good for nothing, but
to be cast out, and to be trodden
under foot of men. And so on.
Homily by St Isidore, Archbishop
[of Seville.] {Bk. ii. to St Fulge72tius
on Offices., c. 5.)
1 Motadhid Abbad, Cadi of Seville, Dozy,
119-123.
Whosoever is set over the people to
teach them and to catechise them in
good works, him it behoveth in all
things to be holy, and in nothing to
be held blameworthy. For he which
rebuketh another for sin, should ha^•e
no dealings with sin himself. Since
with what face can he rebuke them
which are under him, if he which is
rebuked of him be able to answer him
straightway, saying : Begin by teach-
ing thyself to do well ? Verily, who-
soever setteth himself to teach others
to live well, him it behoveth first of
all to correct his own life, so that in
all things he may be able to give the
same his own life for an ensample,
and may provoke all to good living
by his works as well as by his words.
Likewise also he must needs be learned
in the Scriptures, since if the life of a
Bishop be holy only, then is he profit-
able to himself only. But if he be
learned also in his teaching and dis-
course, he is able to edify his neigh-
bours, both teaching such as are his
own, and confounding the gainsayers,
who, unless they be confounded and
unmasked, are easily able to lead
astray the hearts of the simple.
EightJi Lesson.
QUCH an one it behoveth, that his
discourse should be pure, plain,
open, very weighty, and seemly, full
of sweetness and comeliness, touching
often the mystery of Law, the teach-
ing of faith, the manliness of self-
control, and the training of righteous-
ness. Such an one it behoveth to
exhort all men with varying exhorta-
tion, according to the profession and
way of life of each, that is to say,
such an one must know what, to
whom, when, and how to speak. His
duty is, before all others, to read the
Hist, des Musulmans d'Espagne, vol. iv, pp
796
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Scriptures, to know the Canons, to
copy the ensamples of the Saints, to
be instant in watching, fasting, and
prayer, to keep peace with his brethren,
to separate himself from none of the
members of Christ, to condemn no
man untried, and to excommunicate
no man unheard. Such an one it
behoveth, as he is the first in author-
ity, so also to be the first in lowliness,
yet ever so, that, by misplaced lowli-
ness, he suffer not nor encourage the
sins of those that are under him, nor
use his authority hardly and with
violence, but as one that is the more
careful of the flock committed unto
him, as being mindful of that stricter
account which he will have to give at
the fearful judgment seat of Christ.
Ninth Lesson.
{In Lent this Lesso7i is either the
first part or the whole of the Homily
for the Week-day^ iji which case what
follows is either omitted or read as one
with the Eighth Lesson.)
CUCH an one must have firm hold
on charity, that gift which sur-
passeth all others, and without which
all others are nothing worth. Charity
is the keeper of chastity, and that
keeper's home is lowly-mindedness.
With all other gifts he must needs be
eminent for purity, yea, his - must be
a mind belonging utterly to Christ,
and clean and free from any fleshly
defilement. But these are not all
his needful gifts. Besides these, it
behoveth him to undertake the care
of the poor, and to do the same with
zeal and likewise with prudence, to
feed the hungry, to clothe the naked,
to entertain strangers, to ransom
prisoners, to be the guardian of the
widow and the orphan, to watch over
all without ceasing, and to be heedful
that his alms be neither foolish nor
wasteful. In him hospitality must
shine, entertaining all men with cour-
tesy and brotherly love ; for if it be
the duty of all the faithful to listen
to that Gospel which saith : "I was
a stranger, and ye took Me in,"
(Matth. XXV. 35,) how much more
is it the duty of Bishops, whose
house it behoveth to be an home
for all men ?
In Lent the Week-day is commemo-
rated at Lauds.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 5th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Vannes, in Brittany, the holy
Confessor Vincent, surnamed Ferrer,
of the Order of Friars Preachers, who
was mighty in work and in word, and
brought to Christ many thousands of
unbelievers, [in the year 141 9.]
At Thessalonica, the holy Virgin
Irene. She hid the holy books con-
trary to the edict of the Emperor
Diocletian, and therefore suffered im-
prisonment, was smitten with an arrow,
and burnt with fire by order of the
President Dulcetius, the same judge
under whom her sisters Agape and
Chionia had suffered already.
In the island of Lesbos, suffered
five holy martyrs.
On the same day the holy martyr
Zeno, who was flayed, daubed over
with pitch, and cast into the fire.
In Africa, [in the year 559 or 570,]
suffered the holy martyrs who were
massacred in church upon Easter day,
in the persecution under the Arian
king Genseric. Among them was the
Reader, who was shot with an arrow
through the neck, as he was in the
pulpit singing the Alleluia.
Vespers are of the following.^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
797
April 5.
St Fincent Jerm%^ Confessor.
Double.
All from the Covivion Office for
Feasts of one Confessor 7iot a Bishop^
{p. 598,^ except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who wast pleased to en-
^^■^^ lighten Thy Church through the
worthy deeds and Gospel preaching
of Thy blessed Confessor Vincent,
grant unto us Thy servants grace so
to order our lives after his ensample,
that we, being holpen by his protec-
tion, may by Thee be ever delivered
from all evil. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Aine?2.
At First Vespers a Cojninemoration
is made of St Isidore., A?ttiphojt^ " O
right excellent, &c.," and, in Lent., of
the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according
to the Seasojij or., in Lent., from Ecclus.
xxxi. 8, {p. 610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'HP HIS Vincent was born of respect-
able parents, at Valencia in
Spain, [upon the 23rd day of January,
in the year of our Lord 1357.] Even
as a child he had an heart like the
heart of an old man. Considering,
to the utmost of his young understand-
ing, how fleeting is the course of this
dark world, he, in the eighteenth year
of his age, took the habit of a Friar
in the Order of Preachers. After he
had made his solemn profession, he
devoted himself to sacred learning,
and took the degree of Master in
Divinity with much distinction. He
soon after received permission from
his superiors to preach the word of
God, on which duty he entered with
such power and success, striving
against the unbelief of the Jews, and
overthrowing the errors of the Saracens,
that he brought an exceeding great
multitude of unbelievers to believe in
Christ, and turned many thousands
of Christians from sin to sorrow, and
from vice to virtue. He was a chosen
vessel unto God to proclaim the tidings
of salvation among all nations, and
tribes, and tongues, crying out that
the last day, that awful day of judg-
ment, is at hand, smiting consterna-
tion into the minds of all, as many as
heard him, weaning their love from
a perishing world, and turning it to
God.
Fifth Lesson.
VA/"HILE Vincent wrought the Apos-
tolic work of preaching com-
mitted to him, he lived ever as follows :
Every morning he sang a solemn Mass,
and every day he preached in public.
He fasted every day, unless prevented
by some absolute necessity. He re-
fused to no one his holy and just
advice. He never ate meat, nor wore
linen. He quieted public disturbances,
and negotiated the peace of kingdoms.
When the seamless garment of the
1 Ferrerius or Ferrarius — i.e., Smith. The name might be Englished^ if not translated,
Ferrers, being the same as that of the noble English family of the Comites Ferrarii or Earls
Ferrars, who still have, and exercise, the right, in allusion to their name, of levying a tax of
an horse -shoe on every peer of the Realm who comes for the first time within a certain
distance of the Castle of Oakham, in Rutlandshire.
798
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Church was rent by an horrid schism,
he worked his every nerve to unite it
again, and keep it one. He was a
burning and a shining light of all
virtues, walking always in lowliness
and simpleness, so that he meekly
welcomed and embraced them which
spake evil against him and persecuted
him.
Sixth Lesson.
HTHE Power of God confirmed his
life and doctrine with many great
signs and wonders. He often laid his
hands upon the sick and they re-
covered. He cast out unclean spirits,
and made the deaf to hear, the dumb
to speak, and the blind to see. He
cleansed the lepers, and raised the
dead. After passing through many
countries of Europe with exceeding
profit to souls, worn out with age and
disease, but still ever the same un-
wearied herald of the Gospel, he
brought his life and his preaching to-
gether to an happy end, at Vannes in
Brittany, [upon the 5th day of April,]
in the year of salvation 1419. Pope
Callistus III. numbered him with the
Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, %uith the
Hojnily of Pope St Gregory., {p. 605.)
/;/ Lent the third part is omitted or
read as one with the second., and the
Ninth Lesson is either the first part.,
or the zuhole of the Homily for the
Week-day.
Ln Le?it the Week-day is commeino-
rated at Lauds a7id Second Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 6th day of April, were
born into the better life —
x\t Rome, the blessed martyr, Pope
Sixtus I., who ruled the Church, [in
the years 1 17-127,] in the time of the
Emperor Hadrian, and, under the
Emperor Antoninus Pius, cheerfully
welcomed the death of the body that
so he might gain Christ.
In Macedonia, the holy martyrs
Timothy and Diogenes, [in the year
345-]
In Persia, [at Adiabene,] an hun-
dred and twenty holy martyrs, [about
the year 344.]
At Ascalon, the holy martyrs Pla-
tonides and two others.
At Carthage, the holy martyr Mar-
cellinus, who was slain by heretics,
[in the year 413,] because he de-
fended the Catholic faith.
At Rome, the holy Confessor, Pope
Celestine [I., in the years 422-432,]
who condemned Nestorius, Archbishop
of Constantinople, and drave out Pela-
gius. It was by his authority that the
holy General Council of Ephesus was
held against the said Nestorius.
In Ireland, the holy Confessor
Kelly, Archbishop of Armagh, [in the
year 1128,] in the which see he came
immediately before blessed Maleachlan.
In Denmark, holy William, Abbat
[of E skill,] famous for his life and
m.iracles, [born 1105, died 1202.]
[Of the order of Canons Regular of
St Victor, Nephew of Hew, 42nd
Abbat of St Germain des Pres.]
Ln Le7it, at Second Vespers., a Com-
memoration is made of the Week-day.
April 6.
martyrology.
Upon the 7th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rouen, [in the year 17 19,] the
holy Confessor John Baptist de la
Salle. He was foremost in the teach-
ing of the young, the poor especially,
and deserved well of both religion and
civil society. He founded the Con-
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
799
gregation of the Brothers of the
Christian Schools.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Epiph-
anius, the Bishop, also Donatus, Ruf-
inus, and thirteen others.
At Synope, in Pontus, two hundred
holy martyrs, [in the year 310.]
[At Soti,] in Cilicia, the holy
martyr Calliopius, who after divers
torments under the prefect Maximian
was crucified head downwards, and so
gained a noble crown of martyrdom,
[in the year 304.]
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs
Cyriacus and ten others.
At Alexandria, the holy martyr
Peleusius the Priest.
At Rome, holy Hegesippus, who
came to Pope Anicetus, at Rome, [in
the year 157,] very soon after the
time of the Apostles, and abode there
until the time of Pope Eleutherius,
[and died in the year 180.] He
wrote in plain words a Church
history from the Passion of the Lord
until his own time, to set forth the
lives of those in whose footsteps he
followed.
At Verona, the holy Confessor
Saturninus, Bishop of that see, [in the
fourth century.]
In Syria, the holy Hermit
Aphraates, who defended the Cath-
olic faith by the power of his miracles
against the Arians, in the time of the
Emperor Valens.
put to most cruel torments, and
drowned in the sea, for the Lord
Christ's sake.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Janu-
arius, Maxima, and Macaria.
At Carthage, the holy martyr
Concessa.
On the same day are commem-
orated holy Herodion, Asyncritus, and
Phlegon, concerning whom the blessed
Apostle Paul writeth in his Epistle
unto the Romans.
At Corinth, blessed Denis, Bishop
of that city, who by the learning and
grace which he had in the Word of
God, taught by his epistles not only
the people of his own city and pro-
vince but also the bishops of other
provinces and cities, and who had
such a veneration for the Popes of
Rome that he was used to have their
Epistles publicly read in the Church
upon the Lord's Day. He flourished
in the times of the Emperors Marcus
Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius
Commodus.
At Tours, [in the year 494,] holy
Perpetuus, Bishop of that see, a man
of wonderful holiness.
At Fiorentino, in Campania, holy
Redemptus, [in the year 586,] Bishop
of that see, of whom mention is made
by blessed Pope Gregory.
At Como, the holy Confessor
Amantius, Bishop of that see, [about
the year 446.]
April 7.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 8th day of April, were
"born into the better life —
At Alexandria, the holy martyr
^desius, brother of the blessed Ap-
phian. Under the Emperor Maximian
Galerius he openly rebuked the wicked
judge for condemning to the lions
the virgins vowed to God, wherefore
he was apprehended by the soldiers,
April 8.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the 9th day of April, were born
into the better life —
At Antioch, holy Prochorus, one of
the seven first deacons. He was
illustrious for his faith and miracles,
and was crowned with martyrdom.
[He was the 3rd of the seven deacons,
and 66th of the 72 disciples. He
was a nephew of St Stephen. After
8oo
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
being with St John in Asia, he was
made Bishop of Nicomedia, in Bithynia,
by St Peter, and later on sent to
Antioch.]
At Rome, the holy martyrs De-
metrius, Concessus, Hilary, and their
Companions.
At Sirmium, suffered seven holy
Virgins, all martyrs, who purchased
eternal life at the price of their
blood.
At Ccesarea, in Cappadocia, [in the
year 362,] the holy martyr Eupsy-
chius, who M^as crowned with mar-
tyrdom under the Emperor Julian the
Apostate for casting down the shrine
of Fortune.
In Africa, the holy martyrs of
Massylita, [probably Fez,] upon whose
birthday holy Austin made a dis-
course.
At Diarbekr, in Mesopotamia, [in
the fifth century,] holy Acatius, Bishop
of that see, who even melted down
and sold the vessels of the Church
to redeem captives withal.
At Rouen, the holy Confessor
Hew, Bishop of that see, [in the
year 730.]
In the city of Die, [in the sixth
century,] holy Marcellus, Bishop
thereof, who was famous for miracles.
In Judea, holy Mary of Cleophas,
sister of Mary the most Holy Mother
of God.
At Rome is commemorated the
translation of the body of holy Monica,
mother of the blessed Austin, Bishop
[of Hippo,] which the supreme Pontiff
Martin V. caused to be brought into
the city from Ostia, and honour-
ably buried in the church of the
said blessed Austin, [in the year
1430.]
At Mons, in Hainault, [in the year
686,] the blessed Waldetrude, [First
Abbess of Mons and Foundress of
that City,] famous for the holiness
of her life and for her miracles.
April 9.
martyrology.
Upon the loth day of April, were
born into the better life —
The prophet Ezechiel, who was
put to death [570 B.C.] at Babylon
by a judge of the people of Israel
because he had rebuked him for
worshipping idols. He was buried in
the sepulchre of Shem and Arphaxad,
the forefathers of Abraham, and many
have been used to resort thither to
pray.
At Rome, very many holy martyrs,
who were baptized by holy Pope
Alexander, [in the years 1 01-109,]
while he was kept in prison. The
Prefect Aurelian caused them all to
be put on board an old ship and
carried to the deep sea, where they
were drowned, with stones tied round
their necks, [in the year 116.]
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs the
Priest Apollonius and five others, who
were drowned in the sea in the perse-
cution under the Emperor Maximian.
In Africa, under the Emperor
Decius and the Prefect Fortunian, the
holy martyrs Terence, Africanus,
Pompey, and their Companions, who
were beaten with rods, racked, and
tormented in divers other ways, and
at length beheaded, and so finished
their testimony.
Upon the same day, [in the year
1 01 2,] holy Macarius, Patriarch of
Antioch, famous for his graces and
miracles.
At Valladolid, in Spain, [in the year
1625,] the holy Confessor Michael
de Sanctis, a Barefooted Friar of the
Order of the Most Holy Trinity for
the Redemption of Captives, eminent
for the innocency of his life, the won-
derful depth of his penance, and his
excelling love of God, his name The
Supreme Pontiff Pius IX. enrolled
among- those of the Saints.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
80 1
April 10.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 1 1 th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, [in the year 461,] the
holy Confessor, Pope Leo L, who on
account of his eminent worthiness is
called the Great. In his times was
held the holy Council of Chalcedon,
wherein, through his legates, he con-
demned Eutyches, and whereof by his
authority he confirmed the decrees.
He ordained many things, wrote ex-
cellently, deserved well of the holy
Church of God, as a good shepherd
over all the Lord's flock, and fell
asleep in peace.
At Pergamos, in Asia, holy Antipas,
"the faithful witness," of whom holy
John doth make mention in his Revel-
ation. Under the Emperor Domitian
he was thrust into the inside of a
brazen bull heated red hot, and so fin-
ished his testimony.
At Salona, in Dalmatia, the holy
martyrs Domnion, Bishop [of that city,
who was converted by St Peter and
sent thither,] and eight soldiers.
At Gortyna, in Crete, [about the
year 180,] holy Philip, Bishop of that
see, very famous for his life and teach-
ing. He governed the church com-
mitted unto him in the times of the
Emperors Marcus Antoninus Verus
and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, and
shielded it from the rage of the Gen-
tiles and the wiles of the heretics.
At Nicomedia, [under Diocletian,]
the holy Priest Eustorgius.
At Spoleto, [in the year 554,] the
holy Confessor Isaac the monk, whose
graces have been recorded by holy
Pope Gregory.
At Gaza, in Palestine, under the
Emperor Justinian, the holy Hermit
Barsanuph.
April ii.
St Heo I. (calUti ** tlje ffireat/0
^ope, Confessor, attti IBoctor
of t{}e CEJjurci}.
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of Doctors^ (p. 615,) except the
following.
Prayer at First Vespers and through-
out the Office: "Hear, O Lord, we
beseech Thee, the prayers, &c.," {p.
59I-)
At First Vespers in Le?tt, a Com-
memoratioji is made of the Week-day.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Peter i. i, as on the
Fifth Sunday after Easter., (/. 454.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
T EO I. was an Etruscan who ruled
the Church ^ at the time when
Attila, king of the Huns, whose sur-
name is the Scourge of God, invaded
Italy, and after a siege of three years,
took, sacked, and burnt Aquileia.
Thence he was hurrying to Rome, on
fire with anger, and his troops were
already preparing to cross the Po, at
the place where that river is joined by
the Mincio, when he was met by Leo,
moved with compassion at the thought
of the ruin which hung over Italy.
By his God-given eloquence, Attila
was persuaded to turn back, and when
he was afterwards asked by his servants
why, contrary to his custom, he had
so meekly yielded to the entreaties of
the Bishop of Rome, he answered that
he had been alarmed by a figure
dressed like a Priest, which had ap-
1 He was consecrated, Sept. 29, 440, a short time after his election.
802
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
peared at the side of Leo while he
was speaking, holding a drawn sword,
and had made as though to kill the
king unless he consented. And so he
returned into Pannonia.
Fifth Lesson.
IV/rEANWHILE Leo went back to
Rome, where he w-as received
with rejoicing by all men. A while
later, Genseric entered the city, but
Leo, by the power of his eloquence
and the authority of his holy life, per-
suadea him to abstain from fire, insult,
and slaughter. When Leo beheld how
the Church was assailed by many
heresies, and in dire trouble through
the Nestorians and Eutychians, to
purify the same and estabHsh her in
the Catholic Faith, he called the
Council of Chalcedon, where, in an
assembly of six hundred and thirty
Bishops Nestorius w^as again con-
demned, along with Eutyches and
Dioscorus ; the decrees of which
Council were confirmed by the author-
ity of Leo.
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER these matters, this holy
Pope set himself to the restora-
tion and building of Churches. By
his advice that godly woman Demetria
built the Church of St Stephen upon
her farm on the Latin Road, at the
third milestone from the city. He
himself built another Church upon the
Appian Way, which Church is called
that of St Cornelius. He restored
likewise many other Churches, and the
holy vessels used therein. He built
Clergy-houses at the three Basilicas
of Peter, Paul, and Constantine.i He
built a monastery hard by the Basilica
of St Peter. He appointed for the
graves of the Apostles certain keepers,
whom he called the Chamberlains ^ of
the said Apostles. He ordained that
in the action of the Mystery^ should
be uttered the words — "An holy
sacrifice, an offering without spot."
He ordered that no nun should have
the covering of her head blessed ^ until
she had made trial of her virginity for
forty years. After doing all these and
other illustrious works, and after he
had written much that is both godly
and easy to be understood, he fell
asleep in the Lord on the eleventh
day of April,5 [in the year 461.] He
held the Papal See for twenty years,
ten months, and twenty-eight days.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (xvi. 13.)
A T that time : Jesus came into the
coasts of Cccsarea Philippi, and
He asked His disciples, saying : Who
do men say that I, the Son of Man,
am ? And so on.
Homily by Pope St Leo [the Great.]
{2nd on the anniversary of his own
election. )
When the Lord, as we read in the
Evangelist, asked His disciples :
"Who did men, amid their divers
speculations, believe that He, the Son
of Man, was ; blessed Peter answered
and said : Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God. And jESUS
answered and said unto him : Blessed
art thou, Simon Barjona : for flesh
and blood hath not revealed it unto
thee, but My Father, Which is in
1 This is St Saviour's, commonly called St John Lateran.
- Cubicularii. More correctly "Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber."
3 That is, in the Canon of the Mass, called the " action " in the Roman Missal.
"^ Take the solemn vows, on which occasion the veil is blessed.
^ Alban Butler savs Nov. 10.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
803
heaven : and I say also unto thee,
that thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build My Church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against
it ; and I will give unto thee the keys
of the kingdom of heaven ; and what-
soever thou shalt bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven." Thus therefore
standeth the ordinance of the Truth,
and blessed Peter, abiding still that
firm rock which God hath made him,
hath never lost that right to rule in
the Church which God hath given
unto him.
Eighth Lesson.
T N the universal Church it is Peter
that doth still say every day,
" Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God," and every tongue which
confesseth that Jesus is Lord is
taught that confession by the teach-
ing of Peter. This is the faith that
overcometh the devil and looseth the
bands of his prisoners. This is the
faith which maketh men free of the
world and bringeth them to heaven,
and the gates of hell are impotent to
prevail against it. With such ram-
parts of salvation hath God fortified
this rock, that the contagion of heresy
will never be able to infect it, nor
idolatry and unbelief to overcome it.
This teaching it is, my dearly beloved
brethren, which maketh the keeping
of this Feast to-day to be our reason-
able service, even the teaching which
maketh you to know and honour in
myself, lowly though I be, that Peter
who is still entrusted with the care of
all other shepherds and of all the
flocks to them committed, and whose
authority I have, albeit unworthy to
be his heir.
Ninth Less 071.
{I71 Lent this Lesson is either the
fi7^st part or the whole of the iHoinily
for the Week-day., in which case what
follows is either omitted or read as one
with the Eighth Lesson.)
^"\ /"HEN, therefore, we address our
exhortations to your godly
ears, ^ believe ye that ye are hearing
him speak whose office we are dis-
charging. Yea, it is with his love
for you that we warn you, and we
preach unto you no other thing than
that which he taught, entreating you
that ye would gird up the loins of
your mind and lead pure and sober
lives in the fear of God. ^ My dis-
ciples dearly beloved, ye are to me,
as the disciples of the Apostle Paul
were to him, (Phil. iv. i,) a crown
and a joy, if your faith, which, in the
first times of the Gospel, was spoken
of throughout the whole world, (Rom.
i. 8,) abide still lovely and holy. For,
albeit it behoveth the whole Church
which is spread throughout all the
world, to be strong in righteousness,
you it chiefly becometh above all
other peoples to excel in worth and
godliness, whose house is built upon
the very crown of the Rock of the
Apostle, and whom not only hath our
Lord Jesus Christ, as He hath re-
deemed all men, but whom also His
blessed Apostle Peter hath made the
foremost object of his teaching.
7/2 Lent the Week-day is commemo-
rated at Lands a7id Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the 1 2th day of April, were born
into the better life —
At Verona, the holy martyr Zeno,
Bishop [of that see,] which he gov-
^ Lit., the ears of your holiness. So St Austin addresses his congregation as "your love."
2 It must of course be remembered, as in the Eighth Lesson, so more especially in this, that
St Leo addresses the Romans.
8o4
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
erned with admirable faithfulness amid
the storms of persecution. He was
crowned with martyrdom in the time
of the Emperor Gallienus.
In Cappadocia, the holy martyr
Saba the Goth, who was put to
grievous torments and then drowned
in the river, when Athanaric, king of
the Goths, was persecuting the Chris-
tians under the Emperor Valens. At
the which time, according to holy
Austin, very many orthodox Goths
won the crown of martyrdom.
At Braga, in Portugal, [about the
year 300, under Diocletian,] the holy
martyr Victor. He was only as yet
preparing for baptism, when he re-
fused to worship an idol, and with great
faithfulness confessed Christ jESUS,
for the which cause he was put to
many torments and beheaded, and so
obtained baptism in his own blood.
At Fermo, in Picenum, the holy.
Virgin and martyr Vissia.
At Rome, upon the Aurelian Way,
holy Pope Julius [I.], who contended
stoutly for the Catholic Faith against
the Arians, and after many eminent
acts fell asleep in peace, [in the year
352,] famous for holiness.
At the town of Gap, the holy
Confessor Constantine, Bishop [of
that see, about the year 455.]
At Pavia, holy Damian, Bishop of
that see, [about the years 671-710.]
At Second Vespei's^ 171 Lent^ Com-
memoration is made of the Week-day,
April 12.
martyrology.
Upon the 13th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Seville, in Spain, the holy mar-
tyr Hermenegild, son of Leovigild, the
Arian king of the Visigoths. His mis-
"believing father had cast him into
prison on account of his confession of
the Catholic Faith, and when upon
the solemn night of Easter he refused
to receive Easter Communion from
the Arian Bishop he caused him to
be smitten with the axe, and so did
this king as a martyr exchange a
kingdom on earth for the kingdom of
heaven, [in the year 586.]
At Pergamos, in Asia, the holy
martyrs Carpus, Bishop of Thyatira,
the Deacon Papylus, the excellent lady
Agathonica his sister, their servant
Agathodorus, and many others, who
were diversely tormented, and crowned
with martyrdom after blessed confes-
sions, in the persecution under the
Emperors Marcus Antoninus Verus and
Lucius Aurelius Commodus. [More
likely under Decius in the year 251.]
In the same persecution there
suffered at Rome the holy martyr
Justin, the admirable philosopher.
He had presented to the emperors
aforenamed his second book in de-
fence of our religion, and was then
earnestly spreading the same by his
disputations when he was accused of
Christianity through the devices of
Crescens the Cynic, whose infamous
life and manners he had rebuked, and
for a reward of his faithful speaking he
received the crown of martyrdom, [in
the year 167.] We keep his feast upon
the 14th day of this present month.
Upon the same day, in the perse-
cution under the Emperor Diocletian,
the holy martyrs Maximus, Quintilian,
and Dadas, [at Dorostis, in Bulgaria.]
At Ravenna, the holy Confessor
Ursus, Bishop of that see, [in the year
396.]
April 13,
St Igermencgtlti, JSlartgr*
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of One Martyr^ {p. 548, or
514,) except the follotving.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
805
FIRST VESPERS.
Hymn.
If it happens for any reason that
these Vespers are omitted^ this Hymn
is said at Matti?is^ and the Hymn for
Mattins at Lauds.
r\ THOU who on the throne of Spain
Didst shed Nicaea's glorious light —
Whose faith waxed strong a place to gain
With them who die to win the fight ;
We know thy faith unsullied stood
Alike before earth's smile and frown,
Knowing that death an higher good
That bore thee to a martyr's crown.
Lent's forty days that were thy last
Thy soul with such meek courage stored,
That thou didst leave the earthly Fast
To keep thine Easter with the Lord.
As to thy heart in worship bound
To our's Nicasa's Symbol lies ;
With thee may we one day be found
Where that bright faith in knowledge
dies ! Amen.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst teach Thy
^■^^ blessed Martyr Hermenegild to
choose an heavenly rather than an
earthly crown, grant, we beseech
Thee, that we, like him, may so pass
through things temporal that we finally
miss not those which are eternal.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ame7i.
In Lent Commemoration is made of
the Week-day.
MATTINS.
Hym7i.
\ FATHER'S love, that called to sin,
Thine higher love to Christ passed by ;
The glories of a crown were dim
Before thy spirit's piercing eye.
As in earth's peace so in her strife
The love of Jesus bore thee through.
Till, quickened to the higher life,
Thou hadst borne all that men can do—
All men can do ! — and thou, above.
The victor's palm-branch bearest now ;
O in the presence of God's love
The Church's champion still be thou !
As to thy heart in worship bound
To ours Nicasa's Symbol lies ;
With thee may we one day be found
Where that bright faith in knowledge
dies ! Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripttcre accordi7ig to
the Season. Ifi Lent, fro7n Rom. viii.
12, {p. 565.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
intituled the Dialogues, written by
Pope St Gregory [the Great.] {Bk.
iii. ch. 31.)
TT'INGi Hermenegild, the son of
Leovigild, King of the Visigoths,
was turned from the Arian heresy to
the Catholic Faith by the preaching
of that most worshipful man Leander,
Bishop of Seville, the same who was
for a long season mine own familiar
friend. Then his father, being him-
self an Arian, strove to bring him
back to that heresy, first by offering
him gifts, and then seeking to awe
him by threatening. And when he
answered alway that, having once
had knowledge of the true faith, he
never could forsake it, his father was
wroth, and took away his kingdom
from him, and plundered him of all
his goods. And when not even so
could he sap the manliness of his soul,
he cast him into a most strait prison.
1 " He was invested by his father with the Royal diadem and the fair principality of Bsetica."
Gibbon, xxxvii.
8o6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
having his neck and his hands in
fetters of iron. And so that young-
King Hermenegild began to hold in
little esteem an earthly kingdom, and
to long exceedingly for an heavenly.
Yea, he clothed himself in sackcloths
in the prison, and as he lay bound
therein, he poured forth supplications
to Almighty God to give him strength.
There he lay bound, having suffered
the loss of all things, but his suffering
made him but to esteem more worth-
less the glory of this world, which
passeth away so easily.
Fifth Lesson.
"OUT when the day of the glad
Passover came, at dead of night,^
the unbelieving father sent to his son
the Arian Bishop, to offer him, as the
price of his favour, to receive at the
hands of the said Bishop the Com-
munion which was the result of a
sacrilegious consecration. But when
the Arian Bishop came into the prison,
the servant of God, remembering that
he was not his own but God's man,
rebuked the unbeliever as he deserved,
and drave him from his presence with
just reproaches ; for though he was
weak and bound as touching this
outer body, yet was he strong in the
mighty castle of his soul. The
Bishop, therefore, went away again
to that Arian father. And when he
came to Leovigild, he waxed exceed-
ing wroth, and sent his servants to
kill God's faithful witness where he
lay. Which thing was done ; for as
soon as they came to him into the
prison, they clave his head with an
axe, and freed him from the dying
life of this house of our tabernacle.
And so they did to him all that which
they that kill the body are able to do,
and it was a thing which now of a
long season he feared not,' seeing that
when they have done that, they have
no more that they can do, but fearing
rather Him Who, when He hath killed,
hath power to cast both body and
soul into hell. But God, to make
manifest the glory of His servant,
was pleased to work signs from
heaven, for of a sudden the solemn
swell of singing of Psalms was heard
at that dead hour of night from
round about the place where lay the
body of the kingly martyr, kingly now
in an higher and truer sense than the
sense of earthly kingship, since he
had witnessed a good confession for
the truth, sealing it with his blood.
Sixth Lesson.
COME say, too, that lights were
seen there that night. Where-
fore it came to pass that the body
of the martyr became the rightful
object of reverence to all God's faith-
ful people. The unbelieving father,
murderer of his own child, was seized
with remorse, and repented him or
what he had done, but he sorrowed
not unto salvation. For though he
knew that the Catholic faith was true,
he stood in fear of his people, and
deserved not to attain unto it. He
fell sick, and, when he was at the
point of death, he made it his duty
to recommend King Reccared his sur-
viving son to the care of the Bishop
Leander, whom aforetime he had
grievously persecuted, that though
Reccared was now left in heresy, the
Bishop might work in him by his
exhortations the same change that
he had worked in his brother, — which
when Leovigild had said, he died.
After his death. King Reccared took
for his ensample not his unbelieving
father but his martyred brother. He
forsook the Arian heresy, and brought
the whole nation of the Visigoths to
1 Between Holy Saturday, the 13th, and Easter Day, the 14th of April, A.D. 586.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
807
believe in the true faith, so that he
allowed no man in his kingdom to be
an officer, who dared any longer range
himself through heresy as an enemy
of the Kingdom of God. Neither
need we marvel that Reccared was
a preacher of the faith, since he had
had to his brother a martyr, for whose
sake Almighty God hath holpen him
to bring back so many to the bosom
of their Father Who is in heaven.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Whether in or out of Paschal-time
the Lessofts are from Luke xiv. 26,
with the Homily of Pope St Gregory^
[P- 5 5 5-) ^^^ Lent the Third of these
Lessons is omitted^ or read as 07ie with
the Second^ a7id the Ninth Lesson is
either the first part or the whole of the
Homily for the Week-day^ which is also
commemorated at Lauds aitd Second
Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy martyr Justin, the admir-
able philosopher. He had presented
to the Emperors Marcus Antoninus
Verus and Lucius Aurelius Corn-
modus his second book in defence
of our religion, and was then earnestly
spreading the same at Rome by his
disputations when he was accused of
Christianity through the devices of
Crescens the Cynic, whose life and
infamous manners he had rebuked,
and for a reward of his faithful speak-
ing he received upon this day the
crown of martyrdom.
Upon the same 14th day of April,
were born into the better life —
Likewise at Rome, upon the Appian
Way, under the Emperor Alexander
and the Prefect Almachius, the holy
martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian, and
Maximus. Tiburtius and Valerian
had been converted to Christ by the
exhortations of blessed Cicely and
baptized by the holy Pope Urban,
and for the confession of their faith
were cudgelled and beheaded. Maxi-
mus was a chamberlain of the Prefect,
and was moved to believe in Christ
by beholding the steadfastness of
Tiburtius and Valerian, and being
confirmed in the same faith by an
apparition of angels, he was lashed to
death with scourges loaded with lead.
At Terni, the holy martyr Proculus,
Bishop of that see, [about the year
306.]
Likewise the holy Virgins and
martyrs Domnina and her Com-
panions, [about the year 272.]
At Alexandria, [in the fifth century,]
the holy martyr Thomais.
On the same day, the holy martyr
Ardalion. He was a player, and was
making a mock upon the stage of the
sacred rites of the Christians, when
he was converted all of a sudden, and
attested his conversion not only by
his words but also by his blood,
[about the year 300.]
At Lyons, the holy Confessor Lam-
bert, Bishop of that see, [in the year
688.]
At Alexandria, the holy Abbat
Fronto, [in the desert of Nitria he
had 70 monks,] famous for the holi-
ness of his life, and for his miracles,
[in the reign of Antonine, about the
year 151.]
At Rome, [in the sixth century,]
holy Abundius, watchman of the
Church of St Peter.
Vespers of the following.
April 14.
St Sustin, iHart^r*
Double.
All from the Common Office for One
Martyr^ {p. 548, or 514,) except the
following.
8o8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who through the preach-
^^^ ing of the Cross, which is to
them that perish foolishness, didst
wonderfully teach unto Thy blessed
martyr Justin the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ jESUS Our Lord,
grant unto us at his prayers the grace
to cast off all false teaching and ever
to hold fast to the faith. Through
the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
A Comvienioration is made of St
Hermenegild. Prayer from his Office.
Then in Lent of the Week-day., a?id
lastly i?t any case of the holy martyrs
Tiburtius^ Valerian., and Maximus.
Iji Paschal - ti7ne the latter is take?i
from Lauds.
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, for Whom holy
^■^^ Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maxi-
mus uplifted their testimony, grant,
we beseech Thee, unto all whosoever
call the same to solemn memory,
grace to imitate the example of their
godly courage. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seaso7i. In Lent from Rom. viii.
12, {J>. 565).
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
JUSTIN, the son of Priscus, was a
Greek by race, but was born at
Nablus in Palestine. He passed his
youth in the study of letters. When
he became a man he was so taken
with the love of philosophy and the
desire of truth that he became a
student in the schools of all the phil-
osophers and examined the teaching
of them all. In them he found only
deceitful wisdom and error. The
light of heaven was given him,
through an old man of worshipful
aspect whom he knew not, and he
embraced the philosophy of the true
Christian faith. Henceforth he had
the books of the Holy Scriptures in
his hands by day and by night, and
by meditating thereon the fire of God
was so kindled in his soul that, him-
self possessing the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord,
he wrote many books, with all the
learning which he possessed, to set
forth the Christian faith and to spread
it abroad.
Fifth Lesson.
A MONG the most famous of the
works of Justin are his two
Apologies or Defences of the Christian
faith. These he brought before the
Senate when the Emperors Antoninus
Pius, and his sons, as also Marcus
Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius
Commodus, were savagely persecuting
the followers of Christ, and by their
means, and his vigorous disputations
in favour of the same faith, he ob-
tained a public edict from the govern-
ment to stay the slaughter of the
Christians. But Justin himself did
not escape ; he had rebuked the life
and infamous manners of the Cynic
Crescens, and was accused and ar-
rested through that person's plottings.
He was brought before Rusticus, the
President of Rome, who asked him
what were the doctrines of the
Christians, whereto he answered, in
the presence of many witnesses, with
this good confession: "The right
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
809
doctrine which we Christian men do
keep with godliness is this, that we
should believe that there is one God,
Who is the Maker and Creator of all
things, both those things which are
seen and those things which bodily
eyes do not see, and that we should
confess the Lord jESUS Christ, the
Son of God, Who was foretold of old
time by the prophets, and Who will
come to be the Judge of all mankind."
Sixth Lesson.
T N order to rebut the slanders of
the heathen, Justin had in his
first Apology given an open account
of the gathering of the Christians for
divine worship, and what were the
holy Mysteries celebrated in these
assemblies. The President therefore
asked him what was the place where
he and Christ's other faithful ones in
the city were accustomed to meet.
Justin, lest he should betray that which
was holy unto God and his brethren,
told only where was his own lodging,
where he was used to abide and to
teach his disciples, hard by the famous
Church of the Shepherd, in the house
of Pudens. The President then gave
him the choice whether to sacrifice
to the gods or to be hided with
scourges over his whole body. The
unconquered champion of the faith
answered that he had always desired
to suffer in the Name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, from Whom he looked
to receive a mighty reward in heaven.
The President thereupon sentenced
him to death, and then this excellent
philosopher, giving praise to God,
was first beaten and afterwards shed
his blood for Christ's sake, and so re-
ceived the crown of a glorious martyr-
dom. Some of the faithful secretly
stole away his body, and buried it in
a fitting place. The Supreme Pontiff
Leo XII L commanded that his Office
VOL. II.
and Mass should be used throughout
the whole Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xii. i.)
T N the meantime, [when there were
gathered together an innumerable
multitude of people, in so much that
they trod one upon another,] Jesus
began to say unto His disciples [first
of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, for]
there is nothing covered, that shall
not be revealed ; neither hid, that
shall not be known. And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople,] (on
Matthew x. 26.)
["The disciple is not above his
master, nor the servant above his
lord. It is enough for the disciple
that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord. If they have
called the master of the house Beelze-
bub, how much more shall they call
them of his household ? Fear them
not, therefore : for] there is nothing
covered, that shall not be revealed ;
and hid, that shall not be known."
It is as though He would say: It is
comfort enough for you, if I, your
Master and Lord, am a partaker in
your reproach. But if it grieve you
unto this present to hear these things,
bethink you likewise that it is but a
little while, and ye shall be free from
that reproach. For what is it that
grieveth you ? is it that they call you
tricksters and deceivers ? Wait but
a little while and all men shall call
you the preservers and benefactors of
the world. In a little while all the
things which are dark now shall be
made clear, and the falsehood of them
2 E
8io
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
that reproach you and your own good-
ness shall be shown in the light. For
when that which cometh to pass shall
itself show that ye are preservers and
benefactors, and filled with all good-
ness, men will regard not the words
of your gainsayers but the truth.
They that now speak evil of you will
be found out in the slanderers, liars,
and calumniators, and ye shall be
seen to be brighter than the sun ;
time shall make you known and shall
preach you with a voice louder than
the voice of a trumpet, and shall bring
forward all men as the witnesses of
your goodness. Let not, therefore,
those things which are now spoken
cast you down, but rather let the hope
of the good things which are to come
lift you up. For the things which
regard you cannot be hidden.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND when He had freed them
'^^ from pain, fear, and care, and
set them above the reproaches of
men. He spake unto them in due
season concerning the freedom of
preaching, "What I tell you in dark-
ness, that speak ye in light ; and what
ye hear in the ear, that preach ye
upon the house-tops." It was not
darkness when He uttered these
words, neither was He speaking into
their ear. These words were a figure ;
He was speaking to them alone and
in a little corner of Palestine, and
therefore He saith "in darkness and
in the ear," as comparing this manner
of speech with that boldness of speak-
ing wherewith He was afterwards to
inspire them. Preach, He saith, not
in one nor two nor three cities, but
throughout the whole world : go over
the earth and the sea, -the land that
is dwelt in and the land that is not
dwelt in ; speak all things with great
boldness to kings and to peoples, to
philosophers and to rhetoricians ;
therefore without any subtlety, but
with all freedom. He saith, " What I
tell you in darkness, that speak ye in
light ; and what ye hear in the ear,
that preach ye upon the house-tops."
Ill Lent the Ni?ith Lesson is the
Ho7nily of the Week-day^ but in
Paschal - time the following {for the
Holy Martyrs.)
Ninth Lesson.
T VALERIAN was a Roman, of a
family as noble as that of the
blessed maiden Cecily, to whom he
was contracted in marriage, in the
reign of the Emperor Alexander
Severus. At her persuasion he and
his brother Tiburtius were baptized
by the holy Pope Urban. i When
it came to the knowledge of AI-
machius, the Prefect of the city,
that they were become Christians, had
given their substance to the poor, and
were burying the bodies of the faith-
ful, he sent for them and strongly
rebuked them ; but as they constantly
confessed that Christ is God, and that
the gods of the heathen are but vain
images of devils, he commanded them
to be beaten with rods. But, foras-
much as no blows could force them to
worship the image of Jupiter, but
they seemed rather to wax strong in
witnessing to the truth of the faith
that was in them, they were beheaded
at the fourth mile-stone from the city.
One of the clerks of the Prefect,
named Maximus, who had led them
out to die, was so moved at the sight
of their courage that he himself, with
many other servants of the Prefect,
owned to being a Christian : they
1 Apparently an anachronism
Gu^ranger's " Ste C^cile."
See De Rossi in the Bolletino Archasologico, and Dom.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
8ll
were sentenced to be scourged to
death with whips loaded with lead,
under the which torment, in a little
while, all these, who had once been
the devil's ministers, passed away as
martyrs of Christ the Lord.
At Lauds ^ ill Lent^ a Coimneniora-
tion is made of the Week-day^ and
then^ in any case, of the Holy Martyrs,
ivhich in Paschal-time is taken from
First Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 15 th of April, were born
into the better life —
At Rome, the noble ladies Basil-
issa and Anastasia, disciples of the
Apostles. Forasmuch as they stood
firm in the faith under the Emperor
Nero, their tongues and feet were cut
off, and they gained the crown of
martyrdom by being slain with the
sword.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyrs Maro, Eutyches, and Vic-
torinus. They were first exiled to
the island of Ponza, along with the
blessed Flavia Domitilla, for confess-
ing Christ, but were afterwards liber-
ated in the reign of the Emperor
Nerva. They converted many to the
faith, and were at length put to death
with divers torments by order of the
Judge Valerian, in the persecution
under the Emperor Trajan.
In Persia, under the Emperor
Decius, the holy martyrs Maximus
and Olympias. They were first hided
with cudgels and scourges loaded with
lead, and at length their heads were
beaten with the cudgels until they
gave up the ghost.
At Fiorentino, in Campania, the
holy martyr Eutychius, [at the end
of the first century, possibly with some
•companions.]
At Myra, in Lycia, holy Crescens,
who achieved martyrdom by fire.
Likewise the holy martyrs Theodore,
[a Priest,] and Pausilippus, who
suffered under the Emperor Hadrian,
[at Heracleia, on the Sea of Marmora.]
At Second Vespers in Lent, a Com-
memoration is made of the Week-day.
April 15.
martyrology.
Upon the i6th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, [in the year 1783,] the
holy Confessor Benedict Joseph Labre,
illustrious for his contempt of himself,
and his absolute voluntary poverty.
At Corinth, the holy martyrs
Callistus and Charisius, and seven
others, who were all drowned in the
sea, [third century.]
At Saragossa, in Spain, the eighteen
holy martyrs, Optatus, Lupercus, Suc-
cessus, Martial, Urban, Julia, Quin-
tilian, Publius, Fronto, Felix, Caecilian,
Eventius, Primitivus, Apodemius, and
four others who were all named
Saturninus : all these were tormented
and slain at one time under Dacian,
President of Spain, [about the year
304.] Prudentius has celebrated their
illustrious martyrdom in poetry.
Likewise at Saragossa, the holy
Virgin and martyr Encratis, who, after
her body had been mangled, her
breasts cut off, and her liver torn out,
still survived, and was kept shut up
in prison until her body mortified,
[in the year 303 or 304.]
In the same city, the holy martyrs
Caius and Crementius, who having
confessed Christ for the second time,
remained firm in His faith, and drank
the cup of His testimony, [after the
year 303.]
There likewise, [in the sixth century,]
the holy martyr Lambert.
At Palencia, holy Turibius, Bishop
of Astorga, who with the help of holy
8l2
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Pope Leo rooted the Priscillianist
heresy completely out of Spain, and
fell asleep in peace, famous for
miracles, [in the year 460.]
At Braga, in Portugal, [in the year
665,] holy Fructuosus, Bishop of that
see.
On the same day, holy Paternus,
Bishop of Avranche, [in the year 565.]
At Valenciennes, in Belgium, the
holy Confessor Drogo, [in the year
1189.]
At Sienna, in Tuscany, blessed
Joachim, of the Order of Servants of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, [in the year
1305.]
April 16.
martyrology.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Stephen
[Harding, third Abbat of Citeaux,
in Gaul,] who was the first to dwell
in the Cistercian desert, and joyfully
welcomed holy Bernard and his com-
panions when they came to him.
[He died in the year 1134.]
Upon the same 1 7th day of April,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyr Pope
Anicete, [in the year 175,] who re-
ceived the palm of martyrdom in
the persecution under Marcus Aurelius
Antoninus and Lucius Verus.
In Africa, the blessed martyr
Mappalicus, who, [in the year 250,]
was crowned, along with divers other
martyrs, as it is written by holy
Cyprian in his epistle to the Martyrs
and Confessors.
Likewise in Africa, the holy martyrs
Fortunatus and Marcian.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Peter
the Deacon and Hermogenes his
servant.
At Cordova, the holy martyrs Elias
the Priest, and the monks Paul and
Isidore, [in the year 856.]
At Vienne, [in the year 540,] holy
Pantagathus, Bishop [of that see.
He sat for five years and is reckoned
the twentieth Bishop of the see. He
was present at the Third Council of
Orleans. He had been consul.]
At Tortona, the holy Confessor
Innocent, Bishop [of that see, in the
year 351.]
In the monastery of Chaise-Dieu, in
the Diocese of Clermont, the holy
Confessor Robert, the founder and
first Abbat of that monastery, [in the
year 1067.]
April 17.
St Step|}en Igartiing, atifiat
antr Confessor*
Semi-double.
All from the Commo7i Office for a
Co7ifessor ?iot a Bishop^ {p. 598), ex-
cept the followijig.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, by the gift of Whose Grace
^-^^ the blessed Abbat Stephen left
all things, in order that he might be
perfect, grant unto ail them who enter
upon the path of perfection according
to the Gospel, that they may neither
look behind them nor linger by the
way, but may run without stumbling to
Thee -ward, and may lay hold upon
that eternal life whereunto they have
been called. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made^ in Lent^ of the Week-day^ and
the?! in any case of St Anicete., Pope
and Martyr., from the Commo7i Office^
{p. 514, or 548,) with the Prayery
" O God, Who year by year, &cJ'
-(A 522, or 557.)
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
813
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Season. In Lent from Ecclus.
xxxi. &c., ij). 610).
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i,
CTEPHEN HARDING was of
noble English birth, and took
the monastic habit as a young man
in the monastery of Sherbourne. For
the purpose of study he went first
to Scotland and afterwards to Paris.
After giving some attention to profane
learning and deeply studying sacred
letters he made a pilgrimage to Rome,
and on his return thence into France
he was drawn to join the blessed
Fathers Robert and Alberic in the
new hermitage (?) of Molesne. There
he was called to share their charge,
and in his grief at the decay of
discipline in Molesne he bethought
him to return to Werwic (?).
Fifth Lesson,
"PROM Werwic (?) he was recalled
by obedience to Molesne, and
there wrought so effectually that when
the question of reformation was started
he was among the first who toiled with
the utmost fervour to establish a new
monastery at Citeaux. With the
approbation of Hew, Bishop of Lyons
and Legate of the Apostolic See,
Stephen and his companions began
the new monastery, and where he
first became Prior under Alberic, and
after his death Abbat. He was so
devoted to the regular monastic ob-
servance that he kept the courts of
princes at a distance from his
monastery. And he was such a lover
of poverty that he left to those who
came after him the rule of plainness
even in the church furniture.
Sixth Lesson.
"\ "\ 7"HEN he was afflicted at the death
of his sons without any seeming
heirs, he had the joy of welcoming holy
Bernard and his companions. He
foretold the wondrous fruitfulness of
the new Order and marvelled at its
progress. Seeing his people multiplied
around him, he shaped with the same
laws and rules many monasteries
sprung from Citeaux, the which mon-
asteries the Supreme Pontiffs afterward
confirmed and highly praised. He
was most devout to the Virgin Mother
of God, and placed the new colony
under her patronage. He resigned
his office of ruler when he was broken
down with old age and hard work,
and passed away to be ever with the
Lord, full of good works and lowliness
of spirit, upon the 28th day of March
in the year 1 134. The Abbats of the
neighbourhood buried his body beside
that of his predecessor Alberic. In
the Roman Martyrology he is men-
tioned upon the 17th day of April,
which is that of his canonization.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, with
the Homily of the Venerable Bede., {p.
614,) the Ninth is read alo7ig with
the Eighth^ a?td the Ninth Lesson is in
Lent the Homily of the Week-day.^ and
out of Lent.
Ninth Lesson {of St Anicete).
T^HIS Anicete was a Syrian who
ruled the Church in the time
of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius An-
toninus, It was his ordinance which
forbade the clergy to grow long hair.
He held five December ordinations
8i4
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
wherein he ordained seventeen Priests,
four Deacons, and nine Bishops for
divers sees. He Hved as Pope eight
years, eight months, and twenty-four
days. He bore witness to his faith
in Christ even unto blood, and, being
crowned on the seventeenth day of
April, [in the year of salvation 173,]
Avas buried upon the Appian Way in
the Cemetery which has since been
called that of St Calixtus.
At Lauds ^ 171 Lent ^ a Conwienioratio7i
is made of the Week-day^ and i7i a7iy
case of St A7iicete froiti the Co]iwio7i
Office, {p. 522, or 557.)
Prayer, " O God, Who year by
year, &c.," (/. 522, ^r 557.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the i8th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, under the Emperor Com-
modus and the Prefect Perennius, the
blessed Senator Apollonius. A slave
informed upon him as being a Christian,
and he was commanded to give an
account of his faith. In order to do
this he wrote an admirable treatise,
which he read in the Senate ; but the
Senate, nevertheless, ordered him to
be beheaded for Christ's sake.
At Messina, the holy martyrs
Eleutherius, Bishop of Illyrium, and
Anthia his mother. He was famous
for the holiness of his life, and for his
power of working miracles. Under
the Emperor Hadrian he was tortured
upon a heated iron-bed, a grating, and
a vessel filled with boiling oil, pitch,
and rosin. These he overcame, and
was thrown to the lions ; but by them
he was left unhurt, and in the end his
throat was cut along with that of his
mother.
Likewise at Messina, the holy Pre-
fect Corebus, who was converted to
the faith by holy Eleutherius, and was
slain with the sword.
At Brescia, the holy martyr Calo-
cerus, who was converted to Christ by
holy Faustinus and Jovita, and under
the aforesaid Emperor Hadrian by
his testimony finished a glorious con-
tention.
At Cordova, the holy martyr Per-
fectus the Priest, who was killed by
the Moors for holding forth against
the Mahomedan religion. [The place
of his death, which was in the year
850, is still called the Field of Truth.]
At Milan, holy Cardinal Galdin,
Bishop of that see, who gave up his
soul to God on finishing a discourse
against heretics, [in the year 11 76.
He was a Cardinal Archbishop and a
Legate of the Holy See.]
At Monte Senario, in Tuscany, [in
the thirteenth century,] the blessed
Confessor Amadeo, one of the seven
founders of the Order of Servants
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose
feast we keep upon the 13th day of
February. He was eminent for his
burning love toward God.
At Seco7id Vespers i7i Le7it a Co7Ji-
77ie7)ioratio7t is 77tade of the Week-day.
April 18.
martyrology.
Upon the 19th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Canterbury, in England, the
holy martyr yElphege, Bishop of that
see. [He had been Bishop of Win-
chester. He died in the year 10 12.]
At Corinth, the holy martyr Timon,
one of the seven first Deacons. He
first dwelt as a teacher at Berea, and
thence came, spreading the word of
God as far as Corinth ; there he is
said to have been cast into the fire by
the Jews and Greeks, but remained
unharmed, and was crucified. [He
was successively Bishop of Tyre and
.of Bostra. He preached in Berea,
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
815
Corinth, the island of Cyprus — where
he prepared the way for St Barnabas,
Phoenicia, and Arabia.]
At Malathia, in Armenia, the holy
martyrs Hermogenes, Caius, Expedi-
tus, Aristonicus, Rufus, and Galata,
who were all crowned upon one and
the same day.
At Cancavella, in Catalonia, the holy
martyr Vincent, [in the year 291.]
On the same day, [in the second
century,] the holy martyrs Socrates
and Denis, who were run through
with lances.
At Jerusalem, the holy martyr
Paphnutius.
At Antioch, in Pisidia, [in the ninth
century,] holy George, Bishop of that
see, who died in exile for the honour-
ing of holy images.
At Rome, the holy Pope, Leo IX.,
[from the year 1049 till 1054,] illus-
trious for his grace and the fame of
his miracles. [He is the same as St
Bruno, 40th Bishop of Toul.]
In the monastery of Lobbes, holy
Bishop Ursmar, [Abbat of Lobbes,
in the years 644-713.]
At Florence, [in the year 396,]
the holy Confessor Crescentius, disciple
of the blessed Zenobius, Bishop [of
that see. Among the early Bishops
of the church of Florence, St Zenobius,
the 5th of that see, is celebrated. He
was elected about the year 376 and
ministered till the year 407. He
buried his sub-deacon St Crescent
with his own hands. St Crescent is
mentioned by St Ambrose.]
April 19.
St Selpl}ege, arcptsl}op of
Canterlmtg, JHartgr.
Double.
All fro7n the Common Office^ {p.
514, or 548,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who upon blessed^lphege,
^■^^ the earnest Confessor of Thy
Name, hast conferred the honour of
the high Priesthood, and the palm of
martyrdom, mercifully grant that his
prayers for us may so avail with Thee,
that we may be able to rejoice with
him in everlasting joy in Thy presence.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
/rj*LPHEGE was born in a noble
position, but as a young man
he left all things for the love of Christ,
and gave himself up to the service of
God in the monastery of Deershurst,
in the diocese of Worcester ; thence in
search of greater perfection he betook
himself to Bath, where he shut him-
self up in a narrow cell, and led the
life of a hermit in great hardness.
The fame of his graces spread abroad
from his hiding-place, and many
gathered around him desiring to be
ruled by him. For them he founded
the monastery of Bath, and himself
administered it for some years, with
wondrous godliness and wisdom.
After the death of blessed Ethelwald,
Bishop of Winchester, there was a
dissension among the clergy and monks
as to whom they should choose in his
place. Then holy Dunstan, Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, being warned
of God, drew yElphege out of his
monastery and set him over the church
of Winchester. In this bishopric he
was a bright example of all graces,
but most especially of daily mortifica-
tion, love of penance, and singular
kindness toward the poor.
8i6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Fifth Lesson.
A FTER the death of Alfric, Arch-
'^^ bishop of Canterbury, ^Iphege,
at the desire of all men, was set in his
place. When he was seated on the
archiepiscopal throne he held synods,
wherein he strove with all his might
to preserve in their full force both
Christian godliness and church dis-
cipline, which were in danger through
the woeful state of the times ; he never
ceased to toil to convert sinners from
the error of their ways, and offered up
for them every day prayers and tears
and the Victim of atonement. At that
time the English people were in sore
straits because of the often -invading
and plundering by the Danes, and
the holy Archbishop, in the wideness
of his love, assuaged all the sorrows of
all. Moreover, also, he preached
Christ to the enemy themselves, and
brought many of them to the Christian
faith.
Sixth Lesson.
PRESENTLY the Danish army
beleaguered Canterbury, and
threatened the citizens with the last
extremities. ^Iphege was advised
by his friends to escape from the city,
but he would not desert his flock in
the hour of danger. The city was
taken and set on fire, and the Danes
gave themselves up to a . frenzy of
bloodshed. The Archbishop threw
himself amidst the swords of these
raging savages and adjured them to
stay from the slaughter of the inno-
cent. They seized him, and when
they had inflicted upon him many out-
rages and blows, had burnt his Cathe-
dral church before his face, and had
killed nine out of ten of the monks
and citizens, they took' him away with
them, and kept him shut up for seven
months in a foul prison. A plague
broke out in the Danish army, and
two thousand in a short while died
thereof ; the rest, in the fear of death,
felt that they had drawn down upon
them the anger of God, and betook
themselves to yElphege, who repaid
them good for evil by healing the sick
through blessed bread. They then
promised him his freedom at the
price of a vast sum of money which
he should collect out of the endow-
ments of the Church and of the poor.
This condition the man of God re-
fused, and with noble and unshaken
soul offered them, instead of earthly
gold, the gold of wisdom in the know-
ledge of the only true God and of
Jesus Christ, Whom He had sent.
The savages ran upon him, cast him
to the ground, and dealt him many
wounds. He was praying for their
salvation with his last words, and
commending his own flock to the
Chief Shepherd, when his head was
split open with an axe. He was thus
murdered in the year 1012, upon the
1 9th day of April, upon the which day
mention is made of him in the Roman
Martyrology. God was pleased to
mark his death by many and great
wonders, whereby the Danes were
moved to allow the people of London
to bury his body in solemn state in
the church of St Paul. Eleven years
afterwards, in the time of King
Canute, his body was found to be
still incorrupt, and was taken to the
church of the Saviour at Canterbury.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from John xv. i, with the
Homily of St Austin^ {p. 519.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 20th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Sulpitius
and Servilian. They were converted
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
817
to the faith of Christ by the preaching
and miracles of the blessed Virgin
Domitilla, and were put to death by
Anian, Prefect of the city, in the per-
secution under the Emperor Trajan,
for refusing to offer sacrifice to idols.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindi-
nus, Ccesareus, Severian, Chrysophor,
Theonas, and Antonine, who were
variously tried under the Emperor
Diocletian, and attained to martyrdom,
[most likely in Nicomedia.]
At Tomi, in Scythia, holyTheotimus,
[Bishop of that see, about the year
409,] whose holiness and miracles
were so striking that he was honoured
even by the unbelieving savages.
At Embrun, in Gaul, holy Marcel-
linus, the first Bishop of that city,
who came from Africa in consequence
of a warning from God, along with
his holy companions Vincent and
Domninus, and by his word and the
wondrous signs, for which he is famous
even unto this day, brought to believe
in Christ a great number of the
dwellers on the Seaward Alps, [in the
year 374.]
At Auxerre, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Priest Marcian.
On the same day, the holy Con-
fessor Theodore, nicknamed " Hairy"
on account of the rough sackcloth gar-
ment which he wore. He is famous
for many mighty works, more especially
against evil spirits ; and from his body
there floweth an ointment whereby the
sick are healed. [He was of a noble
family of Constantinople. His date
is not known exactly, but it was cer-
tainly after the persecution of Dio-
cletian. He lived in a desert in
Thrace, which is called after him, the
Hairy Desert.]
At Monte Pulciano, [in the year
1 317,] the holy Virgin Agnes, of the
Order of St Dominic, famous for
miracles.
VOL. II.
April 20.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 21st day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Canterbury, in England, holy
Anselm, Archbishop of that see, illus-
trious for his holiness and teaching,
[in the year 1 109.]
In Persia, [in the year 345,] the holy
martyr Simeon, Bishop of Seleucia and
Ctesiphon. He was arrested by order
of Sapor, King of the Persians, loaded
with chains, and brought before the
iniquitous judgment-seat. He refused
to worship the sun, and with a free and
unfaltering voice bore witness for
Christ Jesus. He suffered a long
while in prison along with a hundred
others, whereof some were bishops,
some priests, and others clergy of
divers orders. He recalled to repent-
ance Usthazanes, the king's tutor, who
had fallen away from the faith, but who
now bravely underwent martyrdom.
On the day after, which was the anni-
versary of the Lord's Sufferings, all
the others were slain with the sword
before the eyes of Simeon, who
earnestly exhorted every one of them,
and at the last was himself also be-
headed. There suffered, moreover,
along with him his eminent Priests
Abdechalas and Ananias ; also
Pusicius, the foreman of the king's
workmen, who encouraged Ananias
when he was wavering, and who was
put to a very cruel death by having
his tongue cut out through a hole in
his neck ; and after him was put to
death his daughter, who was an
hallowed virgin.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs,
the Priest Arator, Fortunatus, Felix,
Silvius, and Vi talis, who fell asleep
in prison.
Also, the holy martyrs Apollo,
Isacius, and Crotates, who suffered
under the Emperor Diocletian.
2 E 2
8i8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Antioch, [after the year 686,] the
holy Bishop of that city, Anastasius of
Sinai.
April 21.
St ^n^tlm, arcpisljop [of
Cantnturg,] (ffonfegsor,
antr ©octor of tije CJjurcl).
Double.
All from the Conmi07i Office for
Feasts of Doctors^ {p. 615,) except the
following. Prayer throughout., " O
God, Who didst give, &c.," {p. 591.)
At First Vespers^ " O right excellent,
&c." (^. 581.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is frojn Ecclus. xxxix. i, {p.
615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
A NSELM was born of noble and
Catholic parents, named Gun-
dulph and Hermenberga, at Aosta, in
Piedmont, [about the year of our
Lord 1033.] From his tenderest
years his diligence in study, and his
aspirations to a more perfect state of
life, gave no indistinct foreshadowing
of the holiness and learning to which
he afterwards attained. The heat of
youth drew him for a while into the
snares of the world, but he soon re-
turned to his first courses, and, for-
saking his country and his goods,
betook himself [in 1060] to the
monastery of Bee, under the rule of
St Benedict. There he made his
profession as a monk, and under the
rigid discipline of Herluin, the Abbat,
and the learned instruction of the pro-
found Lanfranc, with great zeal of
spirit and eager obedience to the Rule,
he made such progress in learning and
godliness, that he shone before all
others as an ensample of holiness of
life, and power of doctrine.
Fifth Lesson.
lyrORTIFICATION and purity
were his marked character-
istics, and by constant fasting all
taste for food seemed to have died
in him. He spent the day in the
monastic work, in teaching, and in
answering hard questions upon re-
ligion, and he took away from sleep
during what remained to him of the
night, that he might refresh his soul
by thoughts of God, wherein he was
alway comforted by an unceasing flow
of tears. When he was chosen Prior
of the monastery, he so won over, by
his charity, lowliness, and wisdom,
some brethren who looked ill upon
him, that from enviers, as he had
found them, he turned them into
lovers of God and of himself likewise,
with exceeding gain to the strictness
of observance in that Abbey. After
the death of the Abbat, [in 1078,] An-
selm, though against his own will, was
chosen to succeed him. In this high
place the light of his learning" and
holiness so shone all round about,
that he was reverenced not only by
Kings and Bishops, but was taken
up by the holy Pope Gregory VII.,
who, amid the great persecutions
which were then trying him, wrote
with words of great love to Anselm
to recommend himself and the Ca-
tholic Church to his prayers.
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER the death of Lanfranc,
Archbishop of Canterbury, [in
1089,] Anselm, whose teacher Lan-
franc had formerly been, was driven
by William II., King of England, sup-
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
819
ported by the entreaties of the clergy
and people, though sorely against his
own wishes to take upon him the
government of that Church. Raised
to that See [upon the 4th day of
December, in the year 1093,] he
straightway set himself to reform
the corrupt manners of the people,
and, first by his word and example,
and then by his writings and the
Councils which he held, succeeded in
restoring the ancient godliness and
discipline of the Church. But when
the aforesaid King William tried by
force and threats to seize on the rights
of the Church, Anselm withstood him
as beseemed a Priest, and after that
he had suffered the plundering of all
his goods and been sent into banish-
ment, he betook himself to Rome to
Urban II. There he was received
with great w^orship, and won high
praise for that in the Council of Bari,
[in 1098,] he maintained by countless
proofs from Scripture and the holy
Fathers, against the error of the
Greeks, that the Holy Ghost pro-
ceedeth from the Son also. When
William lived no more, his brother
Henry I., King of England, [in the
year iioo,] called back Anselm
thither, and there he fell asleep in
the Lord, [upon the 21st day of April,
1 109.] His is a name illustrious not
for miracles only, nor for holiness,
(and indeed he had a wondrous love
for his Lord Who had suffered for
him, and for the blessed Maiden
Mother of the Same our Lord,) but
also for the deep learning which he
used for the defence of the Christian
Religion and the good of souls. That
wonderful knowledge of theology which
he had, and which is shown in all
the books which he wrote, seemeth to
have been given him from heaven for
the teaching of all writers on the same
subject, who have used what is called
the Scholastic method.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Matth. v. 13, with
the Homily of St Hilary^ [p. 618.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 22nd day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Appian Way,
the holy martyr Soter, Pope [in the
years 162-170.]
At Rome likewise, the holy martyr
Caius, Pope [in the years 283-295,]
who was crowned with martyrdom
under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Smyrna, holy Apelles and Lucius,
who were among the earliest disciples
of Christ. [Apelles is said by the
Greeks to have ruled the Church of
Smyrna, and Lucius that of Laodicea.
They are mentioned by St Paul in the
Epistle to the Romans, ch. xvi.]
Upon the same day very many holy
martyrs, who were slain with the sword
for Christ's Name's Sake by order of
King Sapor in divers places through-
out the whole kingdom of Persia, in
the year following the death of Simeon,
and like him upon the day upon which
is made the memorial of the Passion
of the Lord. In this contending for the
faith [from the year 341 till 386,] there
suffered the eunuch Azades, who was
a favourite of the king ; Milles, Bishop
[of a town in Persia,] who was
illustrious for his holiness and for
the glory of his miracles ; Acepsimas,
Bishop [of Honite, in Syria,] along
with James his Priest ; the Priests
Aithalas, [Deacon of Bathnukadra,]
and Joseph, [Priest of Bethcatuba,]
the Deacons Azadanes and Abd-Jesus,
and very many others of the clergy ;
likewise also the Bishops Mareas
and Bicor, along with twenty other
bishops, and nearly two hundred and
fifty of the clergy ; likewise also very
many monks, and hallowed virgins.
820
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
among whom was Tarbula, the sister
of holy Simeon, along with her
waiting-woman, who were most cruelly
slain by being bound to beams and
cut through with a saw.
Also in Persia, [in the year 251,]
the holy martyrs, the Priests Par-
menius, Helimenas, and Chrysotelus,
and the Deacons Luke and Mucins,
whose triumph is recorded in the
history of the sufferings of the holy
martyrs Abdon and Sennen.
At Alexandria, the holy martyr
Leonides, who suffered under the
Emperor Severus.
At Lyons, [in the year 177,] holy
martyr Epipodius, who was arrested
along with his colleague Alexander,
in the persecution under the Em-
peror Antoninus Verus, and after
suffering most grievous torments was
beheaded.
At Sens, [in the year 541,] the holy
Confessor Leo, Bishop of that see.
At Anastasiopolis, [in Galatia, in
the year 613,] holy Theodore, Bishop
[of that see,] famous for miracles.
At Second Vespers " O right ex-
cellent, &c.," and a Coninienioration
is made of the following. {All
from the Common.)
April 22.
Eije f^ols IHartgrs, Popes
<Soter anti Cams.
Setni-double.
All from the Common Office for
Majiy Martyrs in Paschal-time^ {p.
514,) except the following.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro7n Scripture according
to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
OOTER, a countryman of Fondi in
Campania, succeeded the holy
martyr Anicete, [in the year 173.]
It was he who ordained that nuns
should not touch the sacred vessels
and linen of the Altar, nor serve with
the incense in the Church. He or-
dained likewise, that on the anniver-
sary of the Lord's Supper, every one
should receive the Body of Christ,
except those who were forbidden to
do so on account of grievous sin. He
sat as Pope three years, eleven months,
and twenty-eight days. He ordained
in the month of December eighteen
Priests, nine Deacons, and eleven
Bishops for divers places. He was
crowned with martyrdom under the
Emperor Marcus Aurelius, [in 177,]
and was buried after the manner of
them that had gone before him, in
the Cemetery, which was afterwards
called that of St Calixtus.
Fifth Lesson.
/^^AIUS was a Dalmatian and a
kinsman of the Emperor Dio-
cletian [and succeeded holy Eutychian
in the year 283.] It was he v^^ho
ordained that the folloMdng should
be the order of degrees in the Church
through which all should pass before
they be made Bishop : First, Door-
keeper ; second. Reader ; third. Ex-
orcist ; fourth, Acolyte ; fifth. Sub-
deacon; sixth, Deacon ; seventh, Priest.
Caius fled from the cruelties practised
by Diocletian against the Christians,
and lay hid for a while in a cave,
but after eight years he and his brother
Gabinus won the crown of martyrdom,
[upon the 21st day of April, in the
year 296.] At that time he had sat
in the chair of Peter twelve years, four
rnonths, and five days, and had or-
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
821
dained in the month of December
twenty - five Priests, eight Deacons,
and five Bishops. He was buried
in the Cemetery of CaHxtus upon the
twenty-second day of April. It was
Urban VIII. who renewed the me-
morial of him in the city, rebuilt his
Church, which had been in ruins, and
distinguished it by making it one of
those whence the Cardinals take their
titles, and of those which are called
"Stations," and enriching it with the
reliques of the Saint.
Sixth Lessofz from the Sermons of
St Ambrose^ (J). 517.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons froin John xv. 5, with the
Homily of St Austin^ {p. 525.)
Prayer at Lands ajid throughout
the Office^ " O Lord, we beseech Thee,
&c.," (A 522.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 23rd day of April, were
born into the better life —
The holy martyr George, whose illus-
trious martyrdom, [in the year 303,]
the church of God honours among the
crowns of her martyrs.
At Valence, in Gaul, the holy
martyrs the Priest Felix and the
Deacons Fortunatus and Achilleus.
They had been sent forth to preach
the Word of God by blessed Irenasus,
Bishop of Lyons, and had brought a
great part of the city of Valence to
believe in Christ, when they were cast
into prison by Cornelius the general.
They were long beaten, their legs
were broken, they were tied to the
outside of turning wheels, hung in
smoke upon the rack, and at length
slain with the sword, [in the year
212.]
In Prussia, [in the year 997,] the
holy martyr Adalbert, Bishop of
Prague, who preached the Gospel to
the Poles and Hungarians.
At Milan, [in the year 423,] the
holy Confessor Marolus, Bishop [of
that see.]
At Toul, in Gaul, holy Gerard,
Bishop of that city, [in the year 994.]
Vespers of the following^ without
any commemoration of SS. Soter and
Caius.
April 23.
St ©^orgc, iWartaVt ilatron of ©nglatttr.
Double of the First Class ^ with an Octave.
All from the Commoji Office., {p.
514,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who dost gladden us
^■^^ through the worthy deeds and
prayers of Thy blessed martyr George,
mercifully grant that all they which
seek Thy mercy through him may
effectually obtain the gift of Thy grace.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
{Also at Lauds and Seco7id Vespers.,
a?id throughout the Octave. )
Verse. Lord, Thou hast compassed
him — Alleluia.
Aiiswer. With Thy favour as with
a shield. Alleluia.
822
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Antipho7t at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The Saints through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteous-
ness, obtained promises. Alleluia.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Rom. viii. 12, (J?. 565-)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson,
•T^HE martyr George beareth among
^ the Easterns the title of [the holy
and glorious] Archmartyr,i [George
the Triumphant.] He suffered a
glorious death, for Christ's sake, in the
persecution under Diocletian. When
peace was given to the Church soon
after, under Constantine, the memory
of the martyr began to be celebrated,
and churches were built under his in-
vocation at Lydda in Palestine and
at Constantinople. For thenceforth
an extraordinary enthusiasm with re-
gard to him grew up among the faith-
ful, first in all parts of the East, and
afterwards in the West. Of old time,
when Christian armies had been
about to fight, they have been used
to call as patrons upon holy George,
Maurice, and Sebastian. There had
been already special honour paid in
England to the holy martyr George,
and the supreme Pontiff Benedict
XIV. declared him the protector of
the whole kingdom.
Fifth Lesson.
From St Cyprian as the Fourth
Lesson^ {f. 524,)
Sixth Lessoji.
As the Fifth Lesson., {p. 525.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from John xv. i, with the
Homily of St Austin., {p. 519.)
At Lauds., Verse and Answer and
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias
as at First Vespers,
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 24th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Sevis, in Switzerland, th^ holy
martyr Faithful of Sigmaringen, of
the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins.
He had been sent thither to preach
the Catholic faith, but was murdered
by the heretics, and so attained mar-
tyrdom, [in the year 1622,] and was
numbered among the holy martyrs
by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict
XIV.
At Rome, the holy martyr Saba,
a commander of troops. He was
accused of visiting the Christians
in prison, and freely confessed Christ
in the presence of the judge. He
was scorched with torches, and thrust
into a vessel of boiling pitch, whence
he came forth unhurt, by the which
marvel seventy men were turned to
Christ, who all stood fast to their con-
1 " Magni nomine commendatus." This is inaccurate, because imperfect. The title of
Megalomartyr — i.e.. Great-martyr or Arch-martyr — is given by the Orientals to some others as
well as to George. The complete liturgical title used in the Greek service books is as given
above, and the distinctive personal epithet is " tropaeophoros," here rendered triumphant.
This saint is one of the most popular in Christendom, but who he was, and indeed everything
about him, except the fact of martyrdom, is enveloped in the greatest obscurity. The labours
of the BoUandists tend to show that he was a soldier by profession, and that he is a martyr
(otherwise anonymous) who was tortured to death for pulling down the edict of Diocletian
against Christianity, at Nicomedia, in A.D. 303. He seems, says Alban Butler, to have been
arrested on Good Friday, (April 16, ) and after having been tortured for eight days, to have
received his crown on the Friday following, April 23. He was the first victim of Diocletian's
persecution.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
823
fession, and were slain with the sword,
when after Saba himself was drowned
in the river, and so gained the crown
of his testimony, [in the year 272.]
At Lyons, in Gaul, the holy martyr
Alexander. In the persecution under
the Emperor Antoninus Verus he was
imprisoned, and afterwards lashed
to such an extent that his inner parts
could be seen through holes between
his ribs ; then he was nailed to a
cross, and gave up his blessed spirit.
There suffered along with him thirty-
and-four others, of whom mention is
made upon other days.
Upon the same day, the holy martyrs
Eusebius, [said to have been con-
verted by St George,] Neon, Leontius,
Longinus, and four others, who were
slain with the sword after grievous
torments in the persecution under
the Emperor Diocletian.
In England, [in the year 624,] the
holy Bishop Mellitus, who was sent
into this country by holy Gregory, and
converted to the faith the East Saxons
and their King. [He was the first
Bishop of London, and. afterwards of
Canterbury.]
At Elvira, in Spain, the holy Con-
fessor Gregory, Bishop [of that see,
about the end of the fourth century.]
At Brescia, holy Honorius, Bishop
of that see, [in the year 586.]
In Scotland,! the holy Priest and
monk Egbert. A man of marvellous
lowliness and self-denial, [in the year
729,] whose feast we keep upon the
27th day of this present month of
April.
At Rheims, the holy Virgins Bona
and Doda, [the first Abbesses of St
Peter's at Rheims, in the year 673.]
At Seco7id Vespers^ Verse and
Aiiswer and Antiphoit at the Song of
the Blessed Virgin as at First Vespers.
A Commemoration is inade of the
following from the Common Office.^ {p.
514,) with Prayer from his own Office.
April 24.
<St jFait|)fuI of Sigmarmgen,
JMart^r*
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of 0?te Martyr in Paschal-timey
{p. 514,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst vouchsafe to
^^^ enkindle in blessed Faithful the
fire of Thy Seraphim, ^ and to glorify
his toil to give men a true knowledge
of Thee by the palm-branch of mar-
tyrdom and by great signs and
wonders, be entreated, we beseech
Thee, for his sake and by his prayers,
and so establish us in the knowledge
and love of Thee, that we also,
like him, may be found "faithful"
even unto death in serving of
Thee. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordifig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
"PAITHFUL was born of the re-
spectable family of Rey in the
town of Sigmaringen in Swabia, [in
1 The Martyrology says in Hibernia.
2 Probably a sort of play upon the name of the " Seraphic Order," often given to the
Franciscans.
824
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the year of our Lord 1577.] From
his childhood he was adorned with
many bright gifts of nature and grace.
Intellectually distinguished, and as-
sisted by all the advantages of edu-
cation, he took at Fribourg the de-
grees of Philosophy and of Civil and
Canon Law, and it was while en-
gaged in these studies, that he
began to strive after the height of
perfection in the school of Christ,
to which end he earnestly trained
himself in all the exercises of god-
liness. He ceased not to exhort
to Christian godliness, both by his
words and works, the noblemen who
made him their companion, and who
were drawn from the chief families
of divers parts of Europe. ^ While
on his travels, he was careful to
mortify the lusts of the flesh by
frequent austerities, and so to get the
command of himself, that he was
never seen under any circumstances
to be moved to anger. He was a
zealous champion of law and justice,
and when he returned into Germany,
he won a most distinguished name in
his profession as an advocate. After
a while, however, in view of the
dangers which beset him at the Bar,
he determined to enter on a path safer
as regarded his eternal salvation, and,
in obedience to an inward call from
above, he sought admission into the
Seraphic Order, among the Capuchin
Friars Minor, [in the year 161 2.]
Fifth Lesso7i.
A FTER he had obtained his holy
wish, he showed himself even
in his noviceship a singular despiser
of the world and of himself, and still
more so when with great spiritual joy
he had made his solemn profession
to the Lord. By his observance of
the Rule, he became the wonder and
the example of all. He gave himself
chiefly to prayer and sacred learn-
ing, but he excelled, by a remarkable
grace, in the ministry of the Word,
and thereby not only stirred up the
Catholics to bring forth more fruit,
but also drew misbelievers to the
knowledge of the truth. He was set
at the head of communities of Friars
in divers places, and discharged the
duty so laid upon him with great
praise for prudence, justice, meekness,
wisdom, and lowliness. He was ani-
mated by a vehement love of the
strictest poverty, and cleansed the
convent of whatever was not alto-
gether needful. While he pursued
himself with an healthy hatred, and
most stern fastings, watchings, and
scourgings, he showed to all others
a love like the love of a mother for
her sons. When a contagious fever
made horrid ravages among the
Austrian soldiers, he gave himself
up with his whole soul to unwearied
offices of tenderness toward the help-
less sick. In allaying quarrels and
relieving the temporal distress of his
neighbour, he bore himself with such
wisdom and zeal as to earn the name
of " Father of his country."
Sixth Lesson.
T_r E tenderly and warmly loved the
maiden Mother of God and her
Rosary, and he besought God under
the patronage of many of His holy
servants, but especially under that of
the same blessed Mother, to vouch-
safe to let him offer his life and his
blood together for the sake of the
Catholic faith. This burning desire
came upon him more and more, day
by day, as he celebrated with great
ardour of spirit the Holy Liturgy ;
and by the unexpected Providence of
God it came to pass that this brave
1 He was a travelling tutor.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
82s
soldier of Christ was chosen President
of the Missions which the Congrega-
tion for the Propagation of the Faith
had at that time just founded for the
Grisons. He accepted this hard task
with a willing and joyful heart, and
discharged it with such zeal, that
many heretics were turned to the
orthodox faith, and great hope was
engendered that the whole of that
people would return to the peace of
Christ and His Church. Faithful,
who was gifted with the spirit of
Prophecy, often foretold the great
woes which afterwards came upon the
Grisons, and that he himself would
be murdered by the heretics. At
last, on a certain 23rd of April, some
of the heretics, who pretended to be
converted, entreated him to come and
preach the following day at the Church
of a place which is called Sevis. He
complied with the treacherous invita-
tion, but, as he knew that plots were
being laid against him, he had made
himself ready beforehand for the last
conflict. On the 24th day of April,
in the year 1622, he went to Sevis,
and began to preach, but his dis-
course was interrupted by a riot, and
[on his way back,] he was [met by a
party of Calvinists, and] brutally mur-
dered. By this glorious death, which
he suffered with a willing and cheerful
heart, he offered to God in his own
blood the first-fruits of martyrdom from
the above - mentioned Congregation.
God hath since glorified him by many
signs and wonders, especially at Coire
and Feldkirchen, where his reliques are
kept with much popular veneration.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessofis from John xv. i, with the
Hojnily of St Atistin^ {p. 519.)
At Lauds a CoDirneinoration is made
of the Octave of St George from his
Office^ a7id then of St Mellitus^ Arch-
bishop of Canterbury^ frojn the Com-
7non Office^ {p. 590.)
Prayer^ " Grant, we beseech Thee,"
&c., {p. 590.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 25th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Alexandria, the blessed Evan-
gelist Mark. He was the disciple
and interpreter of the Apostle Peter.
He wrote his Gospel at the prayer of
the brethren at Rome. He took it
with him and went to Egypt, where
he was the first man who proclaimed
Christ at Alexandria, and where he
founded that Church. He was after-
ward arrested as a believer in Christ,*
bound with cords, and dragged over
stones to his grievous suffering. Then
he was remanded to prison, where he
was comforted first by a visitation of
angels and then by the Lord Himself
appearing unto him, and was called
unto the kingdom of heaven in the
8th year of Nero, [in the year 68.]
At Rome, the Greater Litanies, [in-
stituted in sixth century by Pope St
Gregory I., The Great,] take place at
St Peter's Church.
Upon the same day, were likewise
born into the better life —
At Syracuse, the holy martyrs
Evodius, Hermogenes, and Kallistas.
[They were brothers and sister.]
At Antioch, [in the year 479?] the
holy martyr Stephen, Patriarch of that
see, who suffered many things at the
hands of the heretics who assailed the
Council of Chalcedon, and was cast
into the river Orontes, in the time of
the Emperor Zeno.
There likewise, [in the second
century,] the holy Deacons Philo
and Agathopodes.
At Alexandria, holy Anian, Pope
of that see. He was the disciple of
blessed Mark, and held that Papacy
826
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
next after him, and fell asleep in the
Lord, famous for his graces, [about
the year 86.]
At Lobes, [in the year 737,] the
holy Confessor Ermin, Bishop of that
see.
Vespers are of the following.
April 25,
St JEarft, lE&angeltsit.
Double of the Second Class.
All froui the Coimno7i Office for
Eva7igelists 171 Paschal-tz77ie, {p. 514,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
Q GOD, Who didst exalt Thy
^^^ blessed Evangelist Mark, by
giving him grace to preach Thine
Evangel, grant unto us, we beseech
Thee, ever to follow more and more
what he teacheth, and ever to be
shielded from all evil by his prayers.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. A77ie7i.
At First Vespers a Coi7i7ne7iioratio7i
is 7}iade of St Faithful. Fro77t the
Co7nmo7i^ with Prayer fr 0771 his Office.
FIRST NOCTURN..
Lessons fr 0771 Ezekiel i. i, {p. 545).
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
upon Church Writers, composed by
St Jerome, Priest [at Bethlehem.]
lY/TARK was the disciple and in-
terpreter of Peter, and it was
from what he had heard Peter tell,
that, at the request of the brethren
at Rome, he wrote the shortest of
the Gospels. When Peter had heard
it, he approved it, and gave it to the
Church to be read, by his authority.
Mark betook himself to Egypt, with
the Gospel which he had compiled,
and was the first man who preached
Christ at Alexandria. There he
founded a Church with such teach-
ing and austerity of life, that all
who followed Christ were constrained
to imitate him.
Fifth Lesson.
T AST of all, Philo, that most
learned Jew, observing that the
first Church of Alexandria still kept
the law of Moses, wrote a book
concerning their manners, as if in
praise of his own nation, wherein
he saith that under the teaching
of Mark, the Christians of Alex-
andria had all things in common,
just as Luke telleth us was the
case with all them that believed
at Jerusalem. Mark died in the
eighth year of Nero, and was buried
at Alexandria. Anianus succeeded
him.
Sixth Lesso7i., fro77i St Gregory 07i
Ezekiel., {p. 546.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7ts fro77i Luke x. i., with the
Ho77tily of St Gregory., {p. 547.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 26th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the blessed Pope Cletus.
He was the second who ruled the
Church after the Apostle Peter, and
was crowned with martyrdom in
the persecution under the Emperor
Domitian.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
827
There also the holy martyr Pope
Marcellinus, who was beheaded for
Christ's faith's sake, in the persecu-
tion under the Emperor Maximian,
along with Claudius, Cyrinus, and
Antonine, at the time when the per-
secution was so great that seventeen
thousand Christians were crowned
with martyrdom within the space of
one month.
At Amasea, in Pontus, [about the
year 322,] the holy martyr Basil,
Bishop of that see, who gained
an illustrious martyrdom under the
Emperor Licinius. His body was
cast into the sea, but was found
by Elpidiphorus on the warning
of an angel, and was honourably
buried.
At Braga, in Portugal, [in the
first century,] the holy martyr Peter,
first Bishop of that city.
At Vienne, the holy Confessor
Clarence, Bishop of that see, [about
the year 620.]
At Verona, holy Lucidius, Bishop
of that see.
In the monastery of Centule, [in
the seventh century,] the holy Con-
fessor, the Priest Requier.
At Troyes, the holy virgin Exuper-
antia, [in the year 380.]
Oil this day there is a Procession
followed by a special Mass^ in inejnory
of the like ceremony^ whereby in the
time of St Gregory the anger of God
was appeased, and a plague stayed in
Rome. All persons bound to recite
the Office and who are not present at
the Procession, are bound to recite the
Lita?iy, after Lauds. This Proces-
sion and Litany is not transferred
with the Feast of St Mark, tmless
April i^th were Easter Sunday, and
the?! only to Tuesday.
In Second Vespers a Commeinoration
is made of the following. Prayer from
their Lauds.
Note. If any of the following Feasts
fall on Rogation Monday, or on the
Eve of the Ascension, the Lessons
of the First Nocturjt are those from
Scripture which are giveti in the
Common Offices, unless proper Lessons
are assigned, or the First Epistle of
St Peter is to be begun, hi such case,
also, the third part of the Homily for
the Feast is omitted or read as one
with the second, and the Ninth Lesson
is either the first part or the whole
of the Homily for the Week-day, aiid
the said Week-day is Commemorated
at Vespers and Lauds. Note also that
a Feast falling o?i those three days does
not abolish the Litanies.
April 26.
2rf)0 Jgolg Jlartgrs, Popes
ffl^tetus attti JHarcelUnus.
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs, {p. 514, or 564,) ex-
cept the following,
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7ts from Scripture accordi?ig
to the Season. On Rogation Monday
from Rom. viii. 12, {p. 565,) unless
from I Peter i. i, {see above.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
/"^LETUS was a Roman, the son of
yEmilian, of the Fifth Region
of the city, and the street called
Noble. He ruled the Church in the
time of the Emperors Vespasian and
Titus. In accordance with the pre-
cept of the Prince of the Apostles
828
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
he ordained twenty-five Priests for the
city. He was the first Pope who
made use in his letters of the phrase
"Health and Apostolic Benediction."
When he had ruled the Church for
twelve years, seven months, and two
days, and brought it into an excellent
state of order, in the reign of the
Emperor Domitian, and the second
persecution since the time of Nero,
he was crowned with martyrdom, and
buried on the Vatican mount, hard by
the body of blessed Peter.
Fifth Lesson.
IX/TARCELLINUS was a Roman;
he ruled the Church from the
year 296 to the year 304, during
the savage persecution which was
ordered by the Emperor Diocletian.
He suffered through the false severity
of those who blamed him as being too
indulgent toward them who had fallen
into idolatry, and for this reason also
hath been slandered to the effect that
he himself burnt incense to idols ; but
this blessed Pope, on account of his
confession of the faith, was put to
death along with three other Chris-
tians, whose names are Claudius,
Cyrinus, and Antoninus. At the com-
mand of the Emperor their bodies
were cast out unburied, and lay so
for thirty- six days. At the end of
that time St Peter appeared in a dream
to Blessed Marcellus, and in obedience
to his command the said Marcellus
went with certain Priests and Deacons,
singing hymns, and carrying lights,
and buried these four bodies hon-
ourably in the Cemetery of Priscilla
upon the Salarian Way. Marcellinus
ruled the Church for seven years,
eleven months, and twenty-three days.
During this time he held two Advent
ordinations, and ordained at them four
Priests, and five Bishops for divers
Sees.
Sixth Lesson.
From St Ambrose., &c., {p. 517,
Fourth Lesson.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from John xv. 5, luith the
LLomily of St Austin., {p. 525.)
LAUDS.
Prayer throughout.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee that
^■"^ the precious testifying of Thy
blessed Martyrs and Bishops Cletus
and Marcellinus may profit us, and
their godly prayers protect us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
One God, world without end. Amen.
At Lauds a Commemoratio7i is made
of the Octave of St George from his
Office.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the morrow we keep the
feast of the holy Priest and monk
Egbert, a man of marvellous lowli-
ness and self-denial, of whom mention
has been made upon the 24th day of
this present month of April.
Upon the same 27th day of April,
were born into the better life —
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Anthimus, Bishop of that see, who
was beheaded for confessing Christ,
in the persecution under the Emperor
Diocletian, and so gained the glory
of martyrdom. He was followed by
almost all his flock, whereof by com-
mand of the judge some were slain
with the sword, some burnt in fire,
and some embarked upon ships and
drowned in the sea.
At Tarsus, in Cilicia, the holy
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
829
martyrs Castor and Stephen. [St
Stephen was perhaps a Bishop.]
At Rome, blessed Pope Anastasius
[I,, in the year 401,] a man very rich
in poverty and apostoHc care, of whom
St Jerome writeth that Rome deserved
not long to have him, lest the head
of the world should be cut off under
such a Bishop, since no long while
after his death Rome was taken and
sacked by the Goths.
At Bologna, [in the sixth century,]
the holy Confessor Tertullian, Bishop
of that see.
At Brescia, [in the fifth century,]
holy Theophilus, Bishop of that see.
At Constantinople, the holy Abbat
John, [of the monastery of Cathares
Hegumenos,] who contended much
for the honouring of holy images
under the Emperor Leo the I saurian,
[in the year 813, under Leo the
Armenian. Leo the I saurian reigned
from 717-741.]
At Taragona, the blessed Peter
Armengal, of the Order of the Blessed
Virgin Mary of Ransom for the Re-
demption of Captives. He suffered
many things for the redemption of
the faithful in Africa, and at length
died a blessed death in the convent
of St Mary -of- the -Meadows, [in the
year 1304.]
At Lucca, in Italy, [in the year
1278,] the blessed Virgin Zita, very
famous for her graces and miracles.
Vespers of the following from the
Chapter inclusive.
April 27.
St lEgbert, Confessior.
Semi-Double.
All frotn the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop., {p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Whose Spirit didst make
Thy blessed servant Egbert to
thirst for the salvation of his neigh-
bour, and to send forth preachers for
the work of the Gospel, turn unto
Thyself, we beseech Thee, for his
sake, the heart of Thy people, and
enkindle in them the fire of the same
Thy Spirit, that they may be stead-
fast in faith and faithful in work.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth, in the
unity of the same Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
As regards St Egbert., begin with
the Chapter. A Commejuoration is
made of SS. Cletus and Marcellinus
from the Common Office with their
own Prayer., and then of the Octave
of St George from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture .^ according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
T^GBERT was born in England of
a noble family. He was a very
intelligent lad, who inspired bright
hopes, and for this reason, like many
others of his countrymen, he went
to Ireland, where he learned sacred
letters and the monastic discipline in
the monastery of Rath-maoilsidhe. It
came to pass that a pestilence carried
off many of his companions, and he
himself fell sick thereof. He turned
then to God with all his heart and
besought Him for a longer life, that
he might correct his slothfulness
830
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
thitherto and might exercise himself
more abundantly in good works, and
he added thereto that he would live
always as a stranger and a pilgrim
outside his own country, and would
give himself more to prayer and
fasting. God heard his prayer, and
he received the holy order of the
priesthood, and adorned it by a fit
manner of living, by lowliness and
gentleness, by self-restraint and other
virtues, by constant readiness to teach,
and by goodness in distributing those
things which were given to himself by
rich men, so that he became a burn-
ing and shining light before the eyes
of all.
Fifth Lesson.
A FTER passing many years adorned
'^^ with all graces, he conceived in
his heart to be profitable to many,
and to proclaim the Word of God to
the Germans that believed not, and
who are a race from whom the English
spring ; or, if he could not succeed in
this, to go to Rome to visit the shrines
of the Apostles and martyrs. But
after he had been warned by God the
second time, and after he had tried to
take the journey and had been forced
to return home, he was bidden to go
to the monasteries of Columba, and
to strengthen them in the teaching
and tradition of the Apostles. He
returned, therefore, to the place of his
accustomed pilgrimage, and in silence
awaited the will of the Lord. However,
Avhen he saw that God hindered him
that he should not preach the Gospel
unto the Gentiles, he strove to send
forth holy men who should do the work
of Apostles in his stead ; wherefore in
the year of salvation 690 there went
to Maestricht upon the Rhine, under
his direction, twelve Apostolic men
famous for their labours and learning,
of the whom holy Wildebrod was the
leader and standard-bearer.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HESE twelve men, burning with
zeal for the glory of God and
the salvation of souls, toiled in Fries-
land and the part thereabout, and by
the grace of God working with them
brought them to believe in Christ.
Now when the monks in the island
of lona and the monasteries subject
thereto, did not yet observe the time
of Easter and the shape of the tonsure
according to the Canons, there came
unto them the Priest Egbert, beloved
of God, and reshaped all their manner
of doing and living according to the
Catholic tradition. He dwelt in that
island for thirteen whole years. In
the year of the Incarnation of the
Lord 729, Easter Day was kept
upon the 24th day of April, and upon
that day Egbert said Mass and there-
after fell asleep in the Lord. Won-
derful, writeth the Venerable Bede,
was the provision of God's goodness,
that upon that same day whereon the
feast was first kept according to the
Catholic rule, he passed out of this
world unto Heaven, whence the
brethren rejoiced not only because
of a sure and Catholic knowledge
regarding the time of Easter, but
also because of the help of their
father when he was gone hence to
be ever with the Lord. In the
Roman Martyrology Egbert is named
among the Saints upon the 24th day
of April.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke x. i, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 547.) At
Lauds a Commemoration is jnade of
the Octave of St George.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Paul of the
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
831
Cross, founder of the congregation
called that of the Cross and Passion
of our Lord jESUS Christ, and of
whom mention is made upon the
1 8th day of October, upon the which
day, [in the year 1775,] he fell asleep
in the Lord.
Upon the same 28th day of April,
were born into the better life —
At Ravenna, the holy martyr Vitalis,
father of holy Gervase and Protase.
He had removed the body of blessed
Ursicinus and buried it with due
respect ; for the which cause he was
arrested by Paulinus the consular,
and when they had racked him, they
cast him into a deep pit and buried
him alive under earth and stones,
and with that testimony he passed
away to be with Christ, [in the year
171.]
At Milan, the holy martyr Valeria,
wife of holy Vitalis.
At Atino, holy Mark, who was
ordained Bishop of that see by the
blessed Apostle Peter, and was the
first that preached the Gospel to the
Equicoli, [inhabitants of the Cam-
pania round Rome.] He received
the crown of martyrdom under the
President Maximus, in the persecu-
tion under the Emperor Domitian.
At Alexandria, the holy Virgin
Theodora. She would not sacrifice
to idols and was sent to a brothel ;
but one of the brethren, named
Didymus, by the favour of God
changed clothes with her, and so
delivered her thence. Later on, in
the persecution under the Emperor
Diocletian, they were beheaded to-
gether under Eustratius the President,
and so were crowned together.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyrs Aphrodisius, [first Bishop of
Beziers,] Caralippus, Agapius, and
Eusebius, [in the year 65.]
In Hungary, under the Emperor
Diocletian, the holy martyr Pollio.
[He was a Reader in the church of
Cibales, in the country of Valentinian.
Cibales was between the rivers Save
and Drave, and is now in ruins. St
Pollio suffered on the same day,
though at a distance of some years,
as his Bishop Eusebius.]
At Brusa, in Bithynia, the holy
martyr Patrick, Bishop of [that see,]
Acatius, Menander, and Polyaenus,
[third century.]
At Tarazona, in Spain, the holy
Confessor Prudentius, Bishop [of that
see, before the year 846.]
At Pentina, in the Abruzzi, [in
the seventh century,] holy Pamphilus,
Bishop of Valva, famous for his charity
to the poor and gift of miracles. He
is buried at Sulmona.
Vespers of the following.
April 28.
St ^aul of tfje OEross,
Confegor*
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop., {p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ LORD Jesus Christ, Who didst
gift Thine holy servant Paul
with great love that he might preach
the mystery of Thy cross, and hast
been pleased that through him a new
family should grow up in Thy Church,
grant unto us at his prayers that upon
earth we may so call Thy sufferings
to mind as worthily to gain the fruit
thereof in heaven. Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
832
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
FIRST VESPERS.
A Comjnemoration is made of St
Egbert. Prayer fro7n his Office., then
of the Octave of St George., and then
of the holy martyr Vitalis, fro7n the
Cojnmon Office, {p. 514,) with the
Prayer., " Grant, we beseech Thee,
&c.," (A 522.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seaso7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoji.
TDAUL of the Cross was sprung of
a noble family of the Danei, at
Castellazzo, hard by Alessandria, in
the Province of Acqui, [in the terri-
tory of the then Republic of Genoa,]
but was born at Ovada, in the same
province. The holiness with which
he was afterwards to shine was fore-
shown by a strange light which filled
his mother's chamber while she was
in labour, and by the remarkable
help which was bestowed upon him
by the great Queen of Heaven, who
delivered him unhurt from certain
destruction when he was fallen into
a river as a lad. From the first use
of reason he burnt with love for
Jesus crucified, and began to spend
long times in contemplating Him.
He chastised his innocent flesh with
watching, scourging, fasting, and all
severe hardships, and on Friday he
drank vinegar mingled with gall. He
was seized with a desire for martyrdom,
and enlisted in the army which was
being raised at Venice to fight against
the Turks ; but in consequence of the
Will of God, made known to him
while he was in prayer, he left the
army in order to serve in a more
exalted regiment whose duty it hould
be to defend the Church and to toil
for the eternal salvation of men.
When he returned home he refused
a very honourable marriage, and also
the inheritance which was bequeathed
to him by his father's brother, and
would fain enter upon a straiter way
of the cross and be clad by his own
Bishop with a rough tunic. By com-
mand of the Bishop, on account of his
eminent holiness of life and knowledge
of the things of God, he began, even
before he became a clerk, to toil in the
Lord's field with great profit of souls
by preaching the Word.
Fifth Lesson.
TLJ' E betook himself to Rome, and
when he had there studied a
regular course of theology he was
ordained Priest in obedience to the
command of the Supreme Pontiff
Benedict XI II,, who also gave him
permission to gather comrades around
him. He withdrew to the solitude
of Mount Argentaro, whither he had
been already called by the Blessed
Virgin, at which same time she also
showed him in vision a black habit
marked with the emblems of the
sufferings of her Son. At Mount
Argentaro, he laid the foundations
of his new Congregation, which under
the blessing of God grew quickly,
through the labours of Paul, and at-
tracted to it eminent men. It received
the confirmation of the Apostolic See
more than once, with the rules which
Paul himself had received from God
in prayer and the addition of a fourth
vow, that, namely, to promote the
blessed remembrance of the sufferings
of the Lord. He founded a congrega-
tion of holy virgins also, who should
dwell constantly upon the overflowing
love of the Divine Bridegroom, Amid
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
833
all these works his untiring love for
souls caused him never to weary in
the preaching of the Gospel, and he
led into the path of salvation men
almost countless, among whom were
some of the most lost, or those who
had fallen into heresy. The greatest
and most wonderful power of his
preaching was how he told of the
sufferings of Christ, so that he him-
self and his hearers would alike burst
into tears, and hardened hearts were
cloven by repentance.
Sixth Lesson.
HP HE fire of the love of God burnt
so in his heart that the part of
his under-garment which was next
thereto often presented the appearance
of having been scorched, and two of
his ribs seemed to be raised. He
could not withhold his tears, more
especially when he was saying Mass,
and when he was in a state of trance,
as oftentimes befell, his body was
sometimes seen to be raised into the
air, and his face to shine as with
light from heaven. Sometimes when
he was preaching a heavenly voice
was heard prompting him, or his
words became audible at the distance
of several miles. He was eminent for
the gifts of prophecy, of speaking with
tongues, of reading the heart, and of
power over evil spirits, over diseases,
and over the inanimate elements of
nature. The Supreme Pontiffs them-
selves regarded him as dear and
venerable, but he held himself to be
but an unprofitable servant, and a
sinful wretch upon whom devils might
well trample. He held to the bitter
hardships of his life, even unto a great
age, and passed to heaven from Rome,
[upon the i8th day of October,] being
the day which he had himself foretold,
in the year 1775, after he had ad-
dressed to his disciples noble exhorta-
tions which are as the heritage of his
spirit, and had been comforted by the
sacraments of the Church, and by
an heavenly vision. The Supreme
Pontiff Pius IX. numbered his name
among those of the blessed, and then,
after renewed signs and wonders,
among those of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesson from Luke x. i, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 547.)
The last is ojiiitted to make roo7n
for the
Ninth Lesson {of St Vitalis).
"\ 7" I TALIS was a soldier, and the
father of the holy Martyrs
Gervase and Protase. He went to
Ravenna with Paulinus the judge,
and there saw the physician Ursicinus
led out to die, because he owned to
being a believer in Christ. As the
torments went on, Ursicinus seemed
to waver a little, and Vitalis cried out
to him, " Ursicinus ! as a physician
thou hast been used to heal other
men's bodies, take heed lest thou let
thine own soul die eternally." These
words encouraged Ursicinus, and he
endured bravely in his testimony even
unto the end ; but Paulinus was filled
with fury, and caused Vitalis to be
seized, tormented on the rack, and
finally thrown into a pit and buried
under an heap of stones.^ When it
was over, a certain priest of Apollo,
who had urged on Paulinus against
Vitalis, was seized by the devil, and
began to cry out, " Vitalis ! Vitalis !
thou art Christ's Martyr, but thou
makest me to burn ! thou makest me
to burn ! " until in that phrenzy he
threw himself into the river.
1 About A.D. 62.
834
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
A^ Lauds a Coniinemoratioji is made
of the Octave of St George^ and then of
St Vitalis^ fro?n the Comjnojt Office,
{p. 522,) with the Prayer, "Grant,
Ave beseech Thee, &c," as yesterday
at Vespers, {p. 522.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 29th day of April, were
born into the better life —
At Milan, the holy martyr Peter, of
the Order of Friars Preachers, who
was murdered by heretics for the
Catholic faith's sake, [in the year
1252.]
At Paphos, in Cyprus, holy Tychicus,
the disciple of the blessed Apostle
Paul, whom that Apostle doth in his
Epistles call " a beloved brother and a
faithful minister and fellow-servant in
the Lord." [He was a native of the
province of Asia.]
At Cirtha, in Numidia, [in the
year 260,] the holy martyrs Agapius,
Bishop [of Carthagena,] and Secun-
dinus, Bishop [of Braga,] who had
long been banished to that city in
the persecution under the Emperor
Valerian, wherein the fury of the
Gentiles did most seek to try the
faith of the just. From having been
eminent Priests they became glorious
martyrs ; and there suffered along
with them the soldier Emilian, the
holy Virgins Tartulla and Antonia,
and a certain woman with her twin
children.
On the same day, the seven Saints
who had been robbers but were con-
verted to Christ by holy Jason, and
by martyrdom gained life everlasting,
[in the year, 100. They are called
the robbers of Corfu. Their names
are Saturninus, Jusischolus, Faustian,
Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius, and
Mammius.]
At Brescia, the holy Confessor
Paulinus, Bishop of that see, [about
the year 428. The Bollandists call
him Paul I., and say there never was
a Bishop Paulinus of Brescia.]
In the monastery of Cluny, [in the
year 1109,] holy Hew, Abbat of
Cluny.
In the monastery of Molesme,
holy Robert, first Abbat of Citeaux.
[He was a monk of Moutier-la-Celle,
Abbat of Saint-Michel de Tonnerre,
Prior of Saint-Ayoul, and founder of
Molesme and Citeaux, [in the year
1 1 10.]
Vespers of the following frofn the
Chapter iiiclusive.
April 29.
<St ^eter, JHartgr.
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of Martyrs, {p. 514, or 548,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
/'"^RANT us grace, we beseech Thee,
^-^ O Almighty God, to follow with
zeal conformable thereto after the
pattern of that great ensample of faith.
Thy blessed Martyr Peter, who, for
the spreading of the same faith, did
so run as to obtain the palm of martyr-
dom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
First Vespers as regards St Peter
begin with the Chapter.
A Commemoration is made of St
Paul of the Cross from the Common
Office, {p. 598,) with the Prayer
from his Office, the7i of the Octave
of St George.
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
835
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons fro?n Scripture according
to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
'HP HIS Peter was born at Verona,
[in the year of our Lord
1205,] of parents polluted with the
Manichaean heresy, but he himself
began his lifelong strife against error
when he was but a little child.
When he was seven years old he
went to school, and was asked by
his heretic uncle what he learnt
there : he answered that he had
learnt the Christian Creed : and
neither his father nor his uncle were
ever able to shake his constancy in
the faith, either by cajolements or
threats. When he was a young lad
he went to Bologna to study, and there
he was called by the Holy Gho^st to
an higher state of life, and entered the
Order of Friars Preachers, [at fifteen
years of age.]
Fifth Lesson.
T_J E was marked by great perfection
as a Friar : so watchful was he
over the purity of his body and soul,
that he never felt himself defiled by
a mortal sin. He chastened his body
by fasting and watching, and ennobled
his soul by the contemplation of the
things of God. He was constantly
busied in works for furthering the
salvation of souls ; and had a peculiar
gift of grace for clearly convincing
heretics. Such was his power as a
preacher, that countless crowds were
drawn together to hear him, and many
were moved to repentance.
Sixth Lesson.
nPHE faith which was in him burnt
so hotly, that he longed to seal
his confession with his blood, and
oftentimes he earnestly besought from
God the grace to do so. It was but
a little while before the heretics
murdered him, that he foretold, in
preaching, his own approaching death.
While he was intrusted with the duties
of the Holy Inquisition, he was return-
ing from Como to Milan, when an
ungodly ruffian assailed him and
wounded him once and again in the
head with a sword. Peter, to whom
these blows were nearly fatal, began
with his last breath to recite that
Profession of the Faith, to which as
a little child he had clung with such
manly courage, but the murderer
thrust the weapon into his side, and
he passed away to receive a Martyr's
palm in heaven. It was [the 6th day
of April, in] the year of salvation 1252.
In the following year, Innocent IV.,
seeing by how many miracles God
had been pleased to glorify him, added
his name to the sacred roll of Martyrs.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons in Paschal-time from John
XV. I, with the Homily of St Austin.,
{P' 5195) ^^^^ ^f Pcischal-time^ from
Luke xiv. 26, with the Homily of St
Gregory, (^ 555-)
At Lauds a Conijnemoratioii is made
of the Octave of St George.
MARTYROLOGY.
The morrow is the Octave of the
holy martyr George.
Upon the same 30th day of April,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, [in the year 1380,] the
holy Virgin Katharine of Sienna, of
the order of St Dominic, famous for
836
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
her life and miracles, whose name
Pius II. enrolled among those of
the holy virgins, and whose feast
we keep upon the 5 th day of May.
At Lambesa, in Numidia, the holy
martyrs the Reader Marian, and the
Deacon James. Marian had already
triumphed over persecution by con-
fessing Christ, under the Emperor
Decius, but was arrested again along
with his illustrious companion. After
dire torments both were wondrously
strengthened by revelations from God,
and were at last beheaded, along with
many others, [in the year 260.]
At Saintes, [in the first century,]
the blessed martyr Eutropius, Bishop
of that see, who was consecrated a
Bishop by holy Clement and sent into
Gaul, where he long preached, and
then died a conqueror, having his
head broken in for confessing Christ.
At Cordova, the holy martyrs the
Priest Amator, the Monk Peter, and
Lewis, [in the year 855.]
At Novara, [in the fourth century,]
the holy martyrs the Priest Lawrence,
and the boys whom he had taken as
pupils.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs the
Priest Aphrodisius, and thirty others.
At Ephesus, the holy martyr Maxi-
mus, who was crowned in the perse-
cution under the Emperor Decius.
At Fermo, in Picenum, the holy
Virgin and martyr Sophia.
At Naples, in Campania, [in the
fifth century,] holy Severus, Bishop
of that see, who, amid other wondrous
works, did on an occasion raise a
dead man from the grave to convict
of untruthfulness the false creditor
of a widow and orphans.
At Evorea, in Epirus, holy Donatus,
Bishop of that see, who was distin-
guished for his eminent holiness in the
time of the Emperor Theodosius.
At London, in England, holy Ercon-
wald, [in the year 698,] Bishop of
that see, [from the year 665 for eleven
years. He was Abbat of Chertsey,
and founded both that monastery and
one for women at Barking, which was
governed by his sister St Edilburga,]
who was famous for many miracles,
and whose feast we keep upon the
14th day of November.
Vespers are of the folloiving^ from
the Chapter^ inclusive.
April 30.
©dat)e of ^i Seof^e.
Double,
All from the Conwioji Office for One
Martyr., {p. 514,) except the following.
Prayer throughout as on the Feast.
First Vespers {sai?ie as First Vespers
of the Feast) as regards St George,
begin with the Chapter.
Verse and Answer and Antiphori
at the So7ig of the Blessed Virgin as
on the Feast.
A Co77imemoration is made of St
Peter Martyr. Prayer from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
(44/>^ 071 the Sai7its.)
'T*HE sick patiently suffer physicians
to cut, burn, and divers ways
torture them, in the hope of regaining
temporal health ; how much more
patiently did the blessed Martyr suffer
all the agony of temporal pain, in the
FEAST-DAYS IN APRIL.
837
assurance of being crowned with mercy
and loving-kindness, and satisfying
his desire with good things ? He
was willing to be crushed in the wine-
press, that, like a ripe grape, he might
pass away into wine, and afford his
beloved [jESUS] a draught of that
wine of pomegranates (Cant. viii. 2,)
wherewith godly minds do get so
drunken that they learn how usefully
to tread under foot [things temporal,]
and to look unwaveringly upon things
eternal.
Fifth Lesson.
T_I E therefore who hath begun his
career by disregarding the riches
of the world, and keeping down the
allurements of the flesh, and who in
the fulness of his course hath suffered
much, holding back from his sacrifice
nothing for himself, hath made of
himself an whole burnt- offering', and
hath drunk of that precious cup, which
already, as he sat at the great Feast
of the Holy Scriptures, he had seen
offered to him by the Master of that
Feast. His death may seem as
wretched a thing as they will in the
eyes of the reprobate ; but it is
precious in His sight. Who is marvel-
lous in His Saints.
Sixth Lesson.
TUT E in Whose sight his death was
precious. Himself first called
him to be His soldier, Himself justified
him, and Himself hath glorified him ;
Himself sent him to the battle, and
Himself gave him the victory. This
kind of warfare is a very different
thing to earthly warfare, wherein they
are esteemed victors who obtain what
it was a wickedness to desire, who
rejoice in iniquity, and riot in those
things which are worst. In the
Christian conflict, the suffering is
manifest, and the triumph unseen. It
is as the Psalmist saith, in the char-
acter of a martyr : " Grant us help in
trouble, for vain is the help of man :
through God will we do valiantly,"
(Ps. lix. 13, 14,) — as though he had
said: "Our victory, our glory are
inward, not outward ; without we are
wretched, within we are lovely."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seve7ith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xv. i.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : I am the true vine,
and My Father is the husbandman.
And so on.
Homily by St Cyril, Pope [of Alex-
andria.] {Bk. X. Cap. II on Joh7t.)
It is plain that the reason why the
Lord setteth Himself before us under
the similitude of a vine is that we may
see, with our eyes, that they which
abide in Him draw from Him a power
to bring forth spiritual fruit, just as
the branches of the natural vine bring
forth fruit by drawing sap from the
vine ; and that, on the other hand,
such branches as separate themselves
from Him, or fail in obedience to His
commandments, are condemned, not
only to bring forth no fruit, but also
to suffer everlasting fire. For whoso-
ever falleth away from Christ, either
in faith or in love, giveth himself over
to punishment, and is good for nothing
but to be cast into the fire.
Eighth Lesson.
'T^HE Lord saith that the root and
foundation of that blessedness
which is from above, are to keep to
the dogmas and commandments of
the Gospel teaching, as something
given to us from heaven. To such
838
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
as cheerfully keep the same, the Lord
promiseth whatsoever right things they
pnay ask. He saith : " If ye abide
in Me, and My words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you," It is possible
that thou abide in Christ, and yet
that His words abide not in thee.
Double therefore is the way of keeping
His commandments, namely, by faith
and by love.
Ninth Less 071.
OINCE this is so, they who own
Christ merely by their words,
but seek not perfection by the observ-
ance of His commandments, that is
to say, by love, do indeed in one way
abide in Christ, but His words do not
abide in them. They have not for-
gotten what the Gospel saith, .but
pleasures beguile them to cast away
the grace of the Holy Ghost. Where-
fore it is necessary to add unto faith
works of love. He that doeth thus
abideth in Christ by faith, and Christ's
words abide in him, — even as it is
said in the Psalms : " Thy word have
I hid in mine heart, that I might not
sin against Thee." (Ps. cxviii. ii.)
In the First Vespers of SS. Philip
a7id Janies^ a Conimenwration is made
of St George.
At Lauds ^ Verse and Afiszver and
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias
as 071 the Feast.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the ist day of May, were
born into the better life —
The blessed Apostles Philip and
James. Philip brought nearly all
Scythia to believe in Christ, but in
the end, at the city of Hierapolis, in
Asia, ■ was fastened to a cross and
stoned, and so fell asleep gloriously,
[in the year 6i.] James, who is
written of as the brother of the Lord,
and was the first Bishop of Jerusa-
lem, was cast down from a pinnacle
of the temple, whereby his legs were
broken, and he was slain by a blow
upon the head from a fuller's pole,
and buried there not far from the
temple.
In Egypt, the holy prophet Jeremiah,
who was stoned by the people at
Taphnis, and so there died, [590 B.C.,]
and was buried. Holy Epiphanius
saith that the faithful have been in
use to pray at his grave and to take
dust therefrom, whereby the bites of
serpents are healed.
In the territory of Viviers, in Gaul,
the blessed sub -Deacon Andeolus,
whom holy Polycarp sent from the
East along with others into Gaul to
preach the Word of God. Under
the Emperor Severus he was beaten
with thorny clubs, and at length his
head was broken into four parts with
a wooden sword, and so he attained
to martyrdom, [in the year 208.]
At Huesca, in Spain, the holy
martyrs Orentius and Patience.
At Sedune, in Gaul, holy Sigismund,
King of the Burgundians, who was
drowned in a well, and so died, [in
the year 524,] and was afterwards
famous for miracles.
At Auxerre, [in the year 524,] the
holy Confessor Amator, Bishop of
that see.
At Auch, [in the fifth century,] holy
Orientius, Bishop of that see.
In England, [in the year 778,]
holy Asaph, Bishop of the see which
is called by his name, and the holy
Virgin Walburga, whose feast we keep
upon the 14th day of May.
At Bergamo, the holy widow Grata.
At Forli, holy Peregrinus, of the
Order of Servants of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
Vespers of the followi7tg.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
839
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
May I.
E\}t 3gol2 apostles pjjiltp
antt 3ames.
Double of the Second Class.
All frojn the Common Office for
Apostles^ duri7ig Paschal-time^ {p.
514,) except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
A7ttipho7is and Prayer from Lauds.
Antiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgin. Let not your heart be
troubled : * ye believe in God, believe
also in Me. In My Father's house
are many mansions. Alleluia, Alleluia.
A Commemoration is made of the
Octave of St George.^ all from his
Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
If the Lessons would natit-rally be
from the Epistle of St James.^ then
they remain undisturbed j if not., they
are from the beginning of that Epistle.,
as on the Fourth Sunday after Easter.,
{P- 443-)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
ID HI LIP was born in the town of
Bethsaida, and was one of the
first of the twelve Apostles who were
called by the Lord Christ. Then
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith
unto him : We have found Him of
Whom Moses in the Law, and the
Prophets, did write." (John i. 45.)
And so he brousrht him to the Lord.
How familiarly he was in the company
of Christ, is manifest from that which
is written : " There were certain
Greeks among them that came up to
worship at the Feast : the same came
therefore to Philip, . , . and desired
him, saying: Sir, we would see jESUS."
(John xii. 20, 21.) When the Lord
was in the wilderness, and was about
to feed a great multitude, " He said
unto Philip : Whence shall we buy
bread, that these may eat 1 " (John vi.
5.) Philip, after that he had received
the Holy Ghost, took Scythia, by lot,
as the land wherein he was to preach
the Gospel, and brought nearly all that
people to believe in Christ. At the
last he came to Hierapolis in Phrygia,
and there, for Christ's Name's sake, he
was fastened to a cross and stoned to
death. The day was the first of May.
The Christians of Hierapolis buried
his body at that place, but it was
afterwards brought to Rome and laid
in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles,
beside that of the blessed Apostle
James.
Fifth Lesson.
JAMES, surnamed the Just, the
brother of our Lord jESUS Christ,
was a Nazarite from the womb.
During his whole life he never drank
wine or strong drink, never ate meat,
never shaved, and never took a bath.
He was the only man who was allowed
to go into the Holy of Holies. ^ His
raiment was always linen. So con-
tinually did he kneel in prayer, that
the skin of his knees became horny,
like a camel's knees. After Christ
was ascended, the Apostles made
James Bishop of Jerusalem : and even
the Prince of the Apostles gave special
intelligence to him after that he was
delivered from prison by an angel.
(Acts xii. 17.) When in the Council
1 This is evidently a mistake. See Lev. xvi. 2, &c. &c. &c., and thence Heb. ix, 7, "Into
the (Holy of Holies) went the High Priest alone once a year."
840
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
of Jerusalem certain questions were
mooted touching the law and circum-
cision, James, following the opinion of
Peter, addressed a discourse to the
brethren, wherein he proved the call
of the Gentiles, and commanded letters
to be sent to such brethren as were
absent, that they might take heed not
to lay upon the Gentiles the yoke of
the Law of Moses. (Acts xv. 13-29,)
It is of him that the Apostle Paul
saith, writing to the Galatians :
" Other of the Apostles saw I none,
save James the Lord's brother." (i. 19.)
Sixth Lesson.
00 great was James' holiness of life
that men strove one with another
to touch the hem of his garment.
When he was ninety-six years old,
and had most holily governed the
Church of Jerusalem for thirty years,
ever most constantly preaching Christ
the Son of God, he laid down his life
for the faith. He was first stoned,
and afterward taken up on to a pin-
nacle of the Temple and cast down
from thence. His legs were broken
by the fall, and he was wellnigh dead,
but he lifted up his hands towards
heaven, and prayed to God for the
salvation of his murderers, saying :
" Lord, forgive them, for they know
not what they do ! " As he said this,
one that stood by smote him grievously
upon the head with a fuller's club, and
he resigned his spirit to God. He
testified in the seventh year of Nero,
and was buried hard by the Temple,
in the place where he had fallen. He
wrote one of the Seven Epistles which
are called Catholic.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xiv. i.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
'^^ disciples : Let not your heart be
troubled. Ye believe in God, believe
also in Me. In My Father's house
there are many mansions. And so
on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (67//^ Tract on John.)
It behoveth us, my brethren, to have
our minds more given to God-ward, if
we would that those words of the
Holy Gospel which have just sounded
in our ears, should become a living
reality for our understandings. The
Lord Jesus saith : " Let not your
heart be troubled. Ye believe in
God, believe also in Me." Lest,
being but men, their heart should be
troubled by the fear of death, He
strengtheneth them, even by the re-
minder that He is God. He saith :
" Ye believe in God, believe also in
Me " — for if ye believe in God, ye
must needs believe in Me. And this
were not so, if Christ were not God.
Eighth Lesson.
" A/E believe in God, believe also in
Him Who is by nature and
not by robbery equal with God, (Phil,
ii. 6 :) for in that He emptied Himself,
He did it not by laying aside the form
of God, but by taking upon Him the
form of a servant. Ye fear death for
this form of a servant, but let not your
heart be troubled, the form of God
will raise it up again," But what
signifieth that which followeth ? "In
My Father's house there are many
mansions." Was it not that they had
fear on their own account, and needed
for themselves to hear Him say, " Let
not your heart be troubled " ? Which
of them trembled not when they had
heard Him say to Peter, the lealest
and boldest of them all, " The cock
shall not crow this day, before that
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
841
thou shalt thrice deny that thou
knowest Me " ? Meetly were they
troubled, for that they were about to
be scattered from Him, but when they
heard Him say, " In My Father's
house are many mansions," they had
been comforted even if He had not
also said, "I go to prepare a place
for you," for then they believed and
knew, that, when all dangers and all
trials were for ever over, they should
be for ever with the Lord, with Christ
and with God. Yea, though one man
be stronger than another, though one
be wiser than another, though one be
holier than another, yet " in My
Father's house are many mansions."
That house is an house wherein none
are strangers, but every man shall re-
ceive a mansion therein according as
his work shall be.
Ninth Lesson {for St Asaph),
"\'\7'HEN blessed Kentigern, the first
Bishop and founder of the
Church of Glasgow, was driven forth
by the children of iniquity out of his
own country he settled upon the Elwy
in Wales, and there many came unto
him, and gave themselves up to his
holy teaching, and he founded a
famous monastery, wherein he is said
to have had 995 monks, whom he
divided into successive choirs so that
the praise of God in his church never
ceased at any hour of the day or of
the night. Among these monks Asaph
was eminent both because of his noble
birth and the brightness of his graces,
and the glory of his miracles, whereby
he had been marked even from his
very childhood. When blessed Kenti-
gern was called back into his own
country by King Rhuderch, he set
Asaph in his own place to succeed
him, not only in the administration of
his monastery, but also in the
bishopric. From the holiness and
VOL. II.
perfection of life with which he ad-
ministered the church of Elwy it came
to pass that thenceforth the name
thereof was changed, and it is called
the church of St Asaph even unto this
day. He fell asleep in the Lord about
the middle of the sixth century, and
mention is made of him in the Roman
Martyrology upon this ist day of
May.
At Lauds a Cominejnoratio7i is made
of Si Asaph from the Com7non Office^
with the Prayer^ "Hear, O Lord, &:c.,"
(/. 591)-
LAUDS.
First A7itipho7i. Lord, show us the
Father, * and it sufficeth us. Alleluia.
Seco7id A7itipho7i. Philip, * He that
hath seen Me hath seen the Father.
Alleluia.
Third A7itipho7i. Have I been so
long time with you, and yet hast thou
not known Me ? ^ Philip, he that
hath seen Me hath seen the Father.
Alleluia.
Fourth A7itipho7i. If ye had known
Me [ye should have known My Father
also,] "^ and from henceforth ye know
Him and have seen Him. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Fifth A7itipho7i. If ye love Me, *
keep My commandments. Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of Zacharias.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life : no man cometh unto the Father,
but by Me. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who dost every year
^~"^ gladden us by the solemn me-
morial of Thine Apostles Philip and
James, grant us grace, we beseech
Thee, not only to rejoice because of
their worthy deeds, but also to tread
in their footsteps. Through our Lord
2 F
842
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Anie7i.
At Prime^ Terce^ Sext^ and None^
the Antiphons are the First ^ Second^
Third, and Fifth from Lauds, respec-
tively.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 2nd day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Alexandria, in the year '^"JZ-)
holy Athanasius, Pope of that city,
most illustrious for his holiness and
teaching. Nearly the whole world
leagued itself together to persecute
him for the Catholic Faith. He
fought right stoutly against Emperors,
Presidents, and Arian Bishops with-
out number, from the time of the Em-
peror Constantine until that of the
Emperor Valens. To escape their
plots he became an outcast upon the
face of the wide world, and there was
nowhere left where he could hide him-
self in safety. He returned at last
to his own church, and after many
contendings and many crowns of long-
suffering he passed away to be ever
with the Lord, in the 46th year of his
priesthood, in the time of the Em-
perors Valentinian and Valens.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Satur-
ninus, Neopolus, German, and Celes-
tine, who suffered many things, and
were at last cast into prison, where
they slept in the Lord.
Likewise the holy martyrs Exu-
perius and Zoe his wife, their children
Cyriacus and Theodulus, who suffered
under the Emperor Hadrian.
At Seville, the holy martyr the
Deacon Felix.
Upon the same day, [in the year
489,] the holy martyr Vindemial,
Bishop [of Capse, in Africa,] who
strove against the Arians by his
teaching and miracles, along with
holy Eugenius, Bishop [of Carthage,
in the year 495,] and holy Bishop
Longinus, and was beheaded by order
of Huneric, King [of the Vandals and
Germans.]
At Avila, in Spain, in the first cen-
tury, holy Secundus, Bishop of that
see, concerning whom mention is
made, along with six others, upon the
15th day of this present month of
May.
At Florence, [in the year 1459,]
holy Antonine, Bishop of that place,
of the Order of Friars Preachers,
famous for his holiness and teaching,
Avhose feast we keep upon the loth
day of this present month of May.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphons a?td Prayer from Lauds,
A?itiphojt at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. If ye abide in Me, and My
words abide in you, ye shall ask what
ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
A Commemoratio7i is made of St
Athanasius. Ajitiphon, " O right ex-
cellent, &c." Prayer, " Hear, O Lord,
&c.," as in the followi7ig Office.
May 2.
St ^tl}anasius, [calletr tije
ffireat,] ^^ope^ [of aiex-
antiria,] Confessor attti
©octor of tlje Cfjurclj.
Double.
All from the Co7nmon Office for a
Doctor, {p. 615,) except the following.
1 Although the Russians call all priests .Popes, (Gr. pappas, Engl, papa,) the world in
general has reserved the title to the successors of St Peter and St Mark, though the latter
are also more commonly called Patriarch than the former.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
843
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordi?tg to
the Season. On Rogatio7i Mo7tday
and Wednesday from Ecclus. xxxix.
I, {p. 615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson,
■T^HE great Athanasius, the lealest
soldier that the Catholic Re-
ligion hath perhaps ever had, was an
Alexandrian. He was ordained
Deacon by Alexander, [in the year
326,] Bishop of that city, whom he
afterwards succeeded. [In 325] he
had followed Alexander to the Council
of Nice, where he wrestled trium-
phantly against the blasphemy of
Arius. For this reason he was hon-
oured with so much of their hatred
by the Arians, that their vindictive-
ness never forsook him from that time
forward. [In the year 335,] they
called together a Council at Tyre,
composed for the most part of Arian
Bishops, where they suborned a
wretched woman to charge Athan-
asius with having raped her when
she had received him as a guest into
her house. ^ Athanasius therefore
came into the assembly, and with
him a certain priest whose name was
Timothy. This Timothy arose as
though he were Athanasius, and asked
her, saying : " Woman, was it I that
was thy guest ? was it I that raped
thee ? " She cried out indignantly :
"Yea, thou it was that didst rape
me," the which she attested with an
oath, and called on the honour of the
judges to punish such iniquity. Upon
this discovery of her perjury, they
drave the shameless woman from
their presence.
Fifth Lesson.
T^HE Arians also accused Athan-
asius of having murdered the
[schismatic] Bishop Arsenius. This
Arsenius they kept shut up, and
brought into the court a dead man's
hand, which they declared had been
his, and had been cut off by Athan-
asius to use in sorcery. But Arsenius
escaped in the night, and when he
appeared before all the Council whole
and sound, the brazen-faced crime of
the enemies of Athanasius was ex-
posed. This appearance nevertheless
they attributed to Athanasius being a
warlock, and persisted still in their
attack on him.^ He was driven into
exile, and banished to Treves in Gaul.
Thenceforth, under authority of the
Emperor Constantius, that abettor of
Arians, he was hunted to and fro with
unceasing persecutions. He suffered
hardships which it is difficult to be-
lieve. He was sent wandering all
about the Roman world. He was
twice more thrust out of his See, and
again restored through the authority
of Pope Julius of Rome, and with the
protection of the Emperor Constans,
the brother of Constantius, by decrees
of the Councils of Sardica and of
Jerusalem. The vindictiveness of the
Arians never let him alone. In his
1 "Whether this (accusation of incontinence) was ever brought is more than doubtful."
Dr Newman's Arians, iv. 2.
2 There was another charge of having broken the AUar and ChaHce, and thrown the sacred
books into the fire at a schismatic Church in the Mareotis. This Athanasius met by proving
that there was not and never had been any Church at the place, but the Arians insisted on
sending a Commission to Egypt to make investigations on the spot. This precious Commission
was composed of some of the rankest heretics that even Arianism could produce, and took the
chief accuser of Athanasius as their guide and host. On their report the servant of God was
formally condemned of rebellion, sedition, and a tyrannical use of his episcopal power, of
murder, sacrilege, and magic. Newman, iv. 2.
844
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
third exile so great was the danger of
his life from the pursuit of their undy-
ing hatred, that he had to lie hid for
five years in a dry cistern, unknown
to all men, save one of his friends
who brought him food.
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER the death of Constantius,
"^^ Julian the Apostate, who suc-
ceeded him, allowed every sort of
Bishop who had been banished to
return to their own Churches. Athan-
asius therefore returned to Alexandria,
and was received with profound rever-
ence. But it was not long before the
same Arians got Julian to hunt him
down again, and again it behoved
him to fly. A band of soldiers were
sent in pursuit of him to kill him, and
as he fled up the Nile, their boat
pressed hard on his. Athanasius,
before they were yet in sight, had
his own boat turned round, and went
down the stream to meet them. As
the vessels passed one another the
murderers called out to ask if they
knew where Athanasius was, and the
servant of God himself cried to them
in answer, ^'Ye are close to him!"
whereupon they redoubled their ex-
ertions to ascend the stream, and
Athanasius went peacefully down to
Alexandria, and found means of con-
cealment till the death of Julian. Yet
once again he had to fly from another
persecution at Alexandria, and in this
his fifth and last exile he hid himself
for four months in his own father's
sepulchre. From all these so many
and so great dangers did God deliver
him, and at last he died in his own
hed at Alexandria, [upon the 2nd day
of May, in the year of salvation 373,]
in the reign of Valens. He wrote
much that is both godly and luminous
in explaining the Catholic Faith, and
'governed the Church of Alexandria in
great holiness, amid all changes of
weather, for six and forty years.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (x.
23-)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
disciples : When they persecute
you in this city, flee ye into another.
And so on.
Homily by St Athanasius, Pope [of
Alexandria.] {^Defence of his own
flight.)
It is written in the Law, (Num. xxxv.
II,) "Ye shall appoint you cities to
be cities of refuge for you," — that in
these cities they which were pursued
to put them to death might enter and
be safe. And in the latter days when
He was come, even that very Word
of the Father, Which had spoken
aforetime unto Moses, He gave again
the same commandment — "When they
persecute you in this city, flee ye into
another." And, a while afterward.
He said: "When ye shall see the
abomination of desolation, spoken of
by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the
Holy Place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand,) then let them which be
in Judsea flee unto the mountains ; let
him which is on the house-top not
come down to take anything out of
his house ; neither let him which is
in the field return back to take his
clothes." (Matth. xxiv. 15-18.)
Eighth Lesson.
'T^HE Saints, therefore, knowing
these words of the Lord, have
obeyed them in their lives. What the
Lord hath now commanded by His
Own Mouth He commanded through
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
845
His Saints before that He Himself
was come in the flesh, and to obey
this commandment worketh in a man
perfection, since whatever God com-
mandeth is a thing which it behoveth
man to do. For this cause, that very
Word of God Which was made flesh
for our sake thought it meet when
they sought Him, (even as at this
present time they are seeking us,) to
hide Himself, (John viii. 59,) and,
when they persecuted Him, to fly and
escape from their laying in wait for
Him : although when that time came
which He had Himself decreed, and
wherein He willed, as touching the
Body, to suffer for us all. He willingly
gave Himself up to His enemies.
Ninth Lesso7i.
"Ljr OLY men of God, therefore, have
learnt to take ensample from
their Saviour, (and the Same is and
hath been the Teacher of all such,
whether of old time, or in these latter
days,) and know how that it is lawful
to baffle their persecutors by flying
from them, and by lying hid when
they seek them. For since they know
not the day nor the hour wherein an
all-seeing God hath ordained their
end, they do not daringly give them-
selves into the power of such as hate
them, but rather, knowing it to be
written, " My times are in Thy hand,"
(Ps. XXX. 16,) and that "the LORD
killeth and maketh alive," (i Kings
ii. 6,) they "endure unto the end,"
(Matth. xxiv. 13,) "they wander
about," as saith the Apostle, " in
sheepskins and goatskins, being des-
titute, afflicted, [tormented, (of whom
the world is not worthy,)] they wander
in deserts, [and in mountains,] and "
hide " in dens and caves of the
earth," (Heb. xi. 37,) until either
their appointed time come, or until
more plainly God, the real Appointer
of times, speaketh unto them, and
chaineth up the persecutors, or mani-
festly giveth them over into the hands
of the same, as may be His Own
good pleasure.
At Lauds a7id throughout the Office^
Prayer^ " Hear, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, the prayers, &c.," ij). 591.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 3rd day of May is com-
memorated the finding at Jerusalem
in the time of the Emperor Con-
stantine of the Most Holy Cross of
the Lord.
Upon the same day, were born into
the better life —
At Rome, upon the Nomentan Way,
the holy martyrs Pope Alexander L,
[in the year 117,] and the priests
Eventius and Theodulos. Under the
Emperor Hadrian and the judge
Aurelian, Alexander suffered chains
and imprisonment, racking, tearing
with hooks, and fire, and was at length
put to death by small stabs over his
whole body. Eventius and Theodulos
were long imprisoned, then examined
under torture by fire, and at last be-
headed.
At Narni, [in the year 376,] the
holy Confessor Juvenal, Bishop of that
see.
At Constantinople, [in the year 3 1 3,]
the holy martyrs Alexander the Soldier,
and Antonina the Virgin. In the
persecution under the Emperor Maxi-
mian the President Festus condemned
her to a brothel ; Alexander awaited
her there, changed clothes with her,
and so enabled her to escape. For
this reason they were put to the torture
together, and when both had had their
hands cut off, they were together cast
into the fire for Christ's sake, and
having so finished together their noble
contending, were crowned together.
846
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
In the Thebaid, [about the year
286,] the holy martyrs Timothy and
Myra his wife. The Prefect Arian,
after putting them to divers torments,
ordered them to be crucified together.
They hung upon the cross ahve for
nine days, the one strengthening the
other in the faith, and so together at
last finished their testimony.
At Aphrodisia, in Karia, [in the
fourth century,] the holy martyrs Dio-
dorus and Rodopian, who were stoned
to death by their fellow-citizens during
the persecution under the Emperor
Diocletian.
Upon Mount Senario, near Florence,
[in the thirteenth century,] the blessed
Confessors Sosthenes and Uguccio,
two of the seven founders of the Order
of Servants of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, who departed this life upon
the same day and at the same hour,
as they were repeating the angelic
salutation, even as had been foretold
to them from heaven.
Vespers are of the folloiumg.
May 3.
JFintimg of tlje ?golg Cross-
Double of the Second Class.
All as on ordinary Sundays^ except
the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Ajitiphon^ Chapter, and Pf-ayer from
Lauds.
Last Psalm.
O praise the Lord, &c., (/. 186.)
Hymn.^
'T^HE Royal Banners forward go ;
The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,
Where Life for sinners death endured,
And life by death for man procured.
Where deep for us the spear was dy'd,
Life's torrent rushing from His Side,
To wash us in that precious flood
Where, mingled, Water flowed, and Blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told
In true Prophetic song of old ;
"Amidst the nations, God," saith he,
"Hath reigned and triumphed from the
Tree."^
O Tree of Beauty ! Tree of Light !
O Tree with Royal Purple dight !
Elect on whose triumphal breast
Those holy Limbs should find their rest !
On whose dear arms, so widely flung,
The weight of this world's ransom hung :
The price of human kind to pay.
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
- Hail, Altar ! Hail, O Victim, Thee
Decks now Thy Passion's Victory ;
Where Life for sinners death endured,
And life by death for man procured.
To TheCj Eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done ;
Whom by the Cross Thou dost restore,
Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
Verse.^ This sign of the Cross shall
be in heaven. Alleluia.
A?iswer. When the Lord cometh to
judgment. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Hail, O Cross ! Brighter
than all the stars ! Thy name is
honourable upon earth ! To the eyes
of men thou art exceeding lovely !
Holy art thou among all things that
are earthly ! Thy transom made the
1 Translation by the late Rev. Dr Neale. It was composed by Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop
of Poictiers, (whose life extended from A.D. 530 to 609,) on occasion of the reception of certain
Reliques by St Gregory of Tours and St Radegund, previously to the consecration of a Church
at Poictiers. It is therefore strictly and primarily a processional hymn. (Neale's Mediaeval
Hymns, i, 6.)
- So-called Italic for Ps. xcv. 10.
2 "These two verses were added when the Hymn was appropriated to Passiontide."
■* Matt. xxiv. 30.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
847
one worthy balance whereon the price
of the world was weighed ! Sweetest
wood and sweetest iron, Sweetest
weight is hung on thee ! O that every
one that is here gathered this day to
praise thee may find that thou art
indeed salvation for him ! Alleluia,
Alleluia.
A Cotnmemoration is made of St
Atkanasms.
cellent, &c."
Antiphon^ " O right ex-
Prayer as in his Office.
Weeps the Infant in the manger
That in Bethlehem's stable stands ;
And His Limbs the Virgin Mother
Doth compose in swaddling bands.
Meetly thus in linen folding
Of her God the Feet and Hands. ■*
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet ;
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, Whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ crucified is our
King. * O come, let us worship Him.
Alleluia.
Hynin?-
QING, my tongue, the glorious battle,
With completed victory rife :
And above the Cross's trophy
Teil the triumph of the strife :
How the world's Redeemer conquered
By surrendering of His life.
God his Maker, sorely grieving
That the first-made Adam fell,
When he ate the fruit of sorrow
Whose reward was death and hell.
Noted then this Tree, the ruin
Of the ancient tree to quell. ^
For the work of our salvation
Needs would have his order so
And the multiform deceiver's
Art by art would overthrow,
And from thence ^ would bring the med'cine
Whence the insult of the foe.
Wherefore, when the sacred fulness
Of th' appointed time was come,
This world's Maker left His Father,
Sent the Heavenly Mansion from.
And proceeded, God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin's Holy Womb.
1 Also by Venantius Fortunatus, and translated by the late Dr Neale.
2 The Cross, as the mystic "tree of life," (Gen. ii. 9,) is here set by the poet in antithesis to
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "whose mortal taste Brought death into the world
and all our woe." The present translator has taken the liberty to substitute " tree " for "wood,"
as a translation of "lignum," — as more conformable to our common phraseology, and used by
Dr Neale himself in the " Royal Banners."
3 I.e.^ from trees.
■* The poem is here abruptly broken off, the rest being sung at Lauds.
FIRST NOCTURN.
A7itiphon. All the earth this day
is making glad memorial of the
finding of the Cross, whose light
is streaming over every land and
people. Alleluia.
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
(A 4.)
Ps. ii. Why do the heathen, &c.,
(A 4.)
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., {J>. S-)
Verse. This sign of the Cross shall
be in heaven. Alleluia.
A?iswer. When the Lord cometh
to judgment. Alleluia.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Galatians (iii. 10.)
T7OR as many as are of the works
of the law, are under the curse.
For it is written: "Cursed is every
one that continueth not in all things
which are written in the book of the
848
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
law, to do them."i But that no man
is justified by the law in the sight of
God is evident, for " the just liveth by
faith." 2 And the law is not of faith ;
but " the man that doeth them shall
live in them."^ Christ hath redeemed
us from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us ; (for it is written :
" Cursed is every one that hangeth on a
tree : ") ^ that the blessing of Abraham
might come upon the Gentiles through
Jesus Christ, that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through
faith.
First Respo7tsory.
Lo ! the Church, with solemn glad-
ness, hails the day for ever glorious,
when the opening earth revealeth that
dread tree of mystic triumph. On
whose boughs her dying Saviour
shattered death and crushed the
serpent. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. He the Word of God eternal,
on those stately branches hanging,
hath for us a new way opened.
Answer. On whose boughs her
dying Saviour shattered death and
crushed the serpent. Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Seco7id Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Philippians (ii. 5.)
T ET this mind be in you, which
■^ was also in Christ Jesus, Who,
being In the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God : but
emptied Himself, and took upon Him
the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men, and found in
fashion as a man. He humbled Him-
self and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the Cross. Where-
fore God also hath highly exalted
Him, and given Him a Name which,
is above every name ; that at the
Name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things
in earth, and things under the earthy
and that every tongue should confess
that our Lord jESUS Christ is in the
glory of God the Father.
Seco7id Responsory.
Faithful Cross, above all other, one
and only noble tree ! None in foliage,
none in blossom, none in fruit thy
peers may be ! Sweetest wood and
sweetest iron. Sweetest weight is hung
on thee ! Alleluia.
Verse. Thou art higher than all
cedars.
Ajiswer. Sweetest wood, and sweet-
est iron. Sweetest weight is hung on
thee ! Alleluia.
Third Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Colossians (ii. 9.)
T N Christ dwelleth all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily : and ye are
complete in Him, Which is the Head
of all principality and power : in
Whom also ye are circumcised with
the circumcision made without hands,
which standeth not in the cutting off
of the flesh of this body, but in the
circumcision of Christ : buried with
Him in baptism, wherein also ye are
risen with Him through the faith of
the operation of God, Who hath raised
Him from the dead. And you, being
dead in your sins and the uncircum-
cision of your flesh, hath He quickened
together with Him, having forgiven
you all trespasses : blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us,
and took it out of the way, nailing it
1 Deut. xxvii. 26.
2 Hab. ii. 4.
" Lev. xviii. 5.
^ Deut. xxi. 23.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
849
to His Cross : and having spoiled
principalities and powers, He made
a show of them, openly triumphing
over them in Himself.
Third Respo7isory.
1 This is that noble tree, planted in
the midst of the garden ; whereon the
Author of our salvation did by His
Own death openly triumph over the
death of all men. Alleluia, Alleluia,
Verse. Even the Cross, whereof the
glory is so excellent, and whereafter
Helen, the mother of Constantine, did
so diligently search until she found it.
Answer. Whereon the Author of
our salvation did by His Own death
openly triumph over the death of all
men. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Whereon the Author of
our salvation did by His Own death
openly triumph over the death of all
men. Alleluia, Alleluia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Antiphon. Lo, the Cross's happy
triumph, fraught with healing of dis-
eases. Tree whereon the True Life
dying trampled down the death of all
men. Alleluia.
Ps. iv. When I called upon Him,
&c., {p. 206.)
Ps. V. Give ear to my words, &c.,
{p. 88.)_^
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Ruler, how
excellent, &c., {p. 7.)
Verse. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee. Alleluia.
Answer. Because that through Thy
Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Alleluia.
Fourth Lesson.
A FTER that famous victory which
the Emperor Constantine gained
over Maxentius, [in the year 312,] on
the eve of which the banner of the
Cross of the Lord had been given to
him from heaven, Helen, the mother
of Constantine, being warned in a
dream, came to Jerusalem, [in 326,]
to seek for the Cross. There it was
her care to cause to be overthro\^'n
the marble statue of Venus, which
had stood on Calvary for about one
hundred and eighty years, and which
had orignally been put there to dese-
crate and destroy the memorial of the
sufferings of the Lord Christ. The
like work Helen did [at Bethlehem]
by cleansing from an image of Adonis
the stable where the Saviour was born,
and from an idol of Jupiter, the place
where He had arisen from the dead.
Fourth Respo7tsory.
But us it behoveth to glory in the
Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
Whom is our salvation, life, and
resurrection. Who hath saved us and
redeemed us. Alleluia.
Verse. O Lord, we worship Thy
Cross, and make memorial of Thy
glorious passion.
Answer. Who hath saved us and
redeemed us. Alleluia.
Fifth Lesson.
Al/'HEN she had thus cleansed the
place where the Cross had
stood, Helen caused deep excavations
to be made, which resulted in the dis-
covery of three crosses, and, apart
from them, the writing which had
been nailed on that of the Lord. But
which of the crosses had been His
was unknown, and was only mani-
1 Cf. Gen. ii. 8, 9 ; Heb. v. 9 ; Col. ii. 15 ; Luke xv.
VOL. II .
2 F 2
850
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
fested by a miracle. Macarius, Bishop
of Jerusalem, after offering solemn
prayers to God, touched with each of
the three a woman who was afflicted
with a grievous disease. The two
first had no effect, but at the touch
of the third she was immediately
healed.
Fifth Respojisory.
The Relique true from heaven re-
vealed, hath now the Gospel's figure
sealed ; as by the serpent Moses
reared, so by the Cross the sick are
healed. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When the dead touch the
Cross they arise, and the wonderful
works of God are made manifest.
Aiiswer. As by the serpent Moses
reared, so by the Cross the sick are
healed. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Sixth Lesson.
TUTELEN, after she had found the
life-giving Cross, built over the
site of the Passion a Church of extra-
ordinary splendour, wherein she de-
posited part of the Cross, shut up in
a silver case. Another part which
she gave to her son, Constantine, was
laid up in the Church of the Holy
Cross of Jerusalem, which he built at
Rome on the site of the Sessorian
Palace.i She also gave to her son
the nails with which the Most Holy
Body of Jesus Christ had been pierced.
Constantine established a law abolish-
ing the punishment of crucifixion for
all time coming : and thenceforth
what had hitherto been a hissing and
a curse among men, began to be
esteemed worshipful and glorious.
Sixth Responsory.
2 This Sign of the Cross shall be
in heaven, when the Lord cometh to
judgment. Then shall the secrets of
our hearts be made manifest. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. When the Son of Man shall
sit in the throne of His glory, and
shall begin to judge the world by fire.
Afiswer. Then shall the secrets of
our hearts be made manifest. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7is'wer. Then shall the secrets of
our hearts be made manifest. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Antiphon. We adore Thee, O
Christ, and we bless Thee, because
that through Thy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world. Alleluia.
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the LORD,
&c., (A 148.)
Ps. xcvi. The Lord reigneth, &c.,
(A I49-)
Ps. xcvii. O sing unto the LORD,
&c., (A 157.)
Verse. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee. Alleluia.
Answer. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord. Alleluia.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (iii. i.)
A T that time : There was a man of
'^^ the Pharisees named Nicodemus,
a ruler of the Jews. The same came
1 The Cross and its reliques are the subject of an elaborate disquisition, pp. 45 to 163, by
M. Rohault de Fleury in his learned antiquarian work, intituled Mdmoire sur les Instruments
de la Passion de N.-S. J. C. The total cubic volume of all the reliques of which he could hear
as at present actually or even possibly existing anywhere is about 5,000,000 of French cubic
millimetres ; whereas a cross large enough for the execution of a man must have contained at
least 180,000,000 or thereby.
2 Cf. Matth. xxiv. 30 ; i Cor. xiv. 25; Matth. xix. 28.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
851
to Jesus by night, and said unto
Him : Rabbi, we know that Thou
art a Teacher come from God. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo,] {iith Tract 07i John.)
Nicodemus was one of them which
believed in the Name of Jesus, when
they saw the signs and wonders which
He did. So hath John given us to
understand a few words before our
text: "Now when He was in Jerusalem
at the Passover, in the feast-day, many
believed in His Name" (ii. 23.) And
wherefore did they believe in His
Name ? John telleth us immediately:
*'When they saw the miracles which
He did." And now, what saith he
touching Nicodemus? "There was
a man of the Pharisees, named Nico-
demus, a ruler of the Jews. The
same came to Jesus by night, and
said unto Him : Rabbi, we know that
Thou art a Teacher come from God."
Nicodemus therefore believed in His
Name. And why did he believe ?
He saith : " For no man can do these
miracles that Thou doest, except God
be with him."
Seventh Respojisory .
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron.
Sweetest weight is hung on thee I
Thou alone wast counted worthy this
world's ransom to uphold ! Alleluia.
Verse, The sign of the Cross shall
be in heaven when the Lord cometh
to judgment.
Answer. Thou alone wast counted
worthy this world's ransom to uphold !
Alleluia.
Eighth Lesson.
T F, then, Nicodemus was one of the
many which had believed in His
Name, let us seek to find in Nico-
demus why "Jesus did not commit
Himself unto them" (ii. 24.) "Jesus
answered and said unto him : Amen,
Amen, I say unto thee ; except a man
be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God." Jesus therefore
committeth Himself unto such as be
born again. Behold, Nicodemus and
they that were with him believed in
Jesus, but Jesus did not commit Him-
self unto them. Just so are all Cate-
chumens ; they believe in the Name
of Christ, but jESUS hath not yet com-
mitted Himself unto them.i Now I
trust ye will be good enough to pay
attention, and understand what I am
going to say. If ye ask of a Catechu-
men : " Dost thou believe in Christ ? "
he saith : " I believe," and he signeth
himself with the sign of the Cross.
The Cross of his Lord is marked upon
his forehead, and he is not ashamed
of it. Behold, he believeth in the
Name of Christ. But let us ask him :
" Dost thou eat the flesh of the Son
of Man ? " and he knoweth not what
we mean, for Jesus hath not yet com-
mitted Himself unto him.
Eighth Responsory.
As Moses lifted up the serpent in
the wilderness, even so must the Son
of Man be lifted up, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. Alleluia.
Verse. God sent not His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but
that the world through Him might be
saved.
Answer. That whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. That whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. Alleluia.
1 If a Ninth Lesson of the Cross is by any chance wanted, the Eighth is divided here.
852
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Ninth Lessoft. {Of certai7i saints.)
A LEXANDER was a Roman, M^ho
'^^ ruled the Church during the
reign of the Emperor Hadrian. He
turned to Christ a great number of
the Roman nobihty. He ordained
that nothing but bread and wine should
be offered at the mystery, but that
some water should be mingled with
the wine, in memory of the Blood and
Water Which flowed from the Side of
Jesus Christ. He added to the Canon
of the Mass the words : " Who, the
night before He suffered." He also
ordained that blessed water mingled
with salt, should be kept always in
Churches, and should be used in
private rooms to scare away devils.
He sat in the throne of Peter ten
years, five months, and twenty days.
He hath great renown on account of
the holiness of his life, and the useful-
ness of his institutions. He was
crowned with martyrdom, [in the year
119,] together with the Priests Even-
tius and Theodulus, and was buried
beside the Nomentan Way, at the
third mile-stone from the city, in the
same place where he had been be-
headed. During his Popedom he
held divers Advent ordinations, and
at them ordained six Priests, two
Deacons, and five Bishops for divers
places. The bodies of these three
Martyrs, Alexander, Eventius, and
Theodulus, were afterwards brought
into the city, and buried in the Church
of St Sabina. On this day likewise,
[about the year 367,] occurred the
blessed death of Juvenal, the holy
Bishop of Narni, who by the hoHness
of his life and teaching, became the
father in Christ of so many of the
dwellers in that city. He fell asleep
very peacefully, with great fame for
miracles, and was there honourably
buried.
The IIy?nft, "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Afitiphon. O what a work
of love was that ! * when Life and
death died together upon the Tree.
Alleluia.
Seco7id Antiphon. Save us, "^ O
Christ the Saviour, save us through
the might of Thy Cross ! Thou Who
didst save Peter when he was ready
to sink in the sea, have mercy upon
us ! Alleluia.
Third Ajitiphon. Behold the Cross
of the Lord ! * fly, ye ranks of the
adversary ! ^ The Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Root of David, hath
prevailed. Alleluia.
Fourth Ajttiphon. ^ But us it be-
hoveth to glory in the Cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia !
Fifth Afztiphon. By Thy Cross'
holy sign, jESUS, guard this soul of
mine from my ghostly enemy. Al-
leluia.
Chapter. (Phil. ii. 5.)
"DRETHREN, let this mind be in
you which was also in Christ
Jesus, Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God, but emptied Himself,
and took upon Him the form of a ser-
vant, and was made in the likeness of
men, and found in fashion as a man.
Hy77zit as 07i Passion Sunday., (/.
33I-)
Verse. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee. Alleluia.
A7is'wer. Because that through Thy
Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Alleluia.
A7itipho7i at the so7ig of Zacharias.
Thou art higher than all cedars,
1 Apoc. V. 5.
2 Gal. vi. 14.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
853
whereon the Life of the world hung,
whereon Christ openly triumphed, and
His death trampled down death for
ever. Alleluia.
PRIME.
A?ttipho7i. O what a work, &c.,
{First A?itipho?i at Lauds.)
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst cause that the
^~"^ Cross of our salvation should
in most honourable wise be found
again, and Who didst manifest there-
by the marvellous efficacy of Thy
sufferings, mercifully grant that by
the Ransom which Thou didst pay
upon that tree of life we may finally
attain unto life eternal : Who livest
and reignest with God the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Ameji.
The same Prayer throughout the
day.
Then the following Comnieuwratioji
is made of the Saints.
Antiphon. Come forth, O ye
daughters of Jerusalem, and behold
the martyrs with the crowns where-
with the Lord crowned them in the
day of His feasting and of His glad-
ness. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Precious in the sight of the
Lord. Alleluia.
A7iswer. Is the death of His
Saints. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^-^ mighty God, that we who do
keep the birthday of Thy holy servants
Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and
Juvenal, may by their prayers be de-
livered from all evils that presently
hang over us. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. A?nen.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the blessed John Fisher, Cardinal
Bishop of Rochester, the blessed
Thomas More, sometime Lord Chan-
cellor of England, and many other
martyrs, who won the palm of mar-
tyrdom strenuously fighting for the
Catholic faith and the Primacy of
Peter. Their veneration, allowed by
Gregory XIII., was confirmed by a
solemn decree of Leo XIII.
Upon the same the 4th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Ostia, that is the mouth of the
Tiber, [in the year 387,] the holy
Monica, the mother of blessed Aug-
ustine, as to whose illustrious life he
hath left unto us his witness in the
ninth book of his Confessions, and
of whom we keep feast on the 14th
day of this present month of May.
At the mines of Phgeno, in Pales-
tine, the blessed Silvanus, Bishop of
Gaza, who was crowned with martyr-
dom, [in the year 311,] along with
many of his clergy, by order of the
Caesar Gallerius Maximian, in the
persecution under Diocletian.
Also thirty-nine holy martyrs con-
demned to the mines at the same
place, who, after they had been
scorched with red-hot iron and had
endured other torments, were be-
headed at the same time.
At Jerusalem, Cyriacus, the holy
Bishop [of Ancona,] who was on
pilgrimage to the holy places when
he was slain, under the Emperor
Julian the Apostate.
In Umbria, the holy martyr Por-
phyry, [under the Emperor Decius.]
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Antonia. She was put grievously to
854
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the torture, and afflicted with divers
sufferings. After she had been kept
in prison for two years, and when
she had been hung up by one arm
for three days, at last the President
Priscilian caused her to be burnt for
confessing the Lord.
At Lorck, in Austria, the holy mar-
tyr Florian. A stone was tied to his
neck and he was cast into the river
Enns by order of the President Aquili-
nus, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Tarsus," the holy Virgin Pelagia,
who was shut up inside a bull of
heated bronze, under Diocletian, and
so finished her testimony.
At Cologne, the holy martyr Paulinus.
At Milan, [in the year 408,] the holy
Venerius, Bishop of that place, as to
whose excellency holy John Chrysos-
tom hath left unto us his witness in
the epistle which he wrote unto him.
In the district of Perigueax, [in
the year 720,] the holy Sacerdos,
Bishop of Limoges.
At Hildesheim, in Saxony, the holy
Confessor Gothard, [Bishop of that
see,] and who was numbered among
the Saints by Pope Innocent II.
At Auxerre, the holy deacon Cur-
codomus [in the third century.]
Chapter at the end.
TJT E humbled Himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the
death of the Cross. Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted Him, and hath
given Him a Name which is above
every name.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Save us, &c., {Second
Antiphon at Lands.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
This sign of the Cross shall be in
heaven. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Aftswer. This sign of the Cross
shall be in heaven. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. When the Lord cometh to
judgment.
Aiiswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. This sign of the Cross
shall be in heaven. Alleluia, Alleluia. ,
Verse. We adore Thee, O Christy
and we bless Thee. Alleluia.
Aiiswer. Because that through Thy
Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Alleluia.
SEXT.
A?itzpho72. Behold the Cross, &c.y
( Third Antipho7i at Lauds. )
The Chapter. (Gal. vi. 14.)
OUT God forbid that I should
glory, save in the Cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I
unto the world.
Short Responsory.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we
bless Thee. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Because that through Thy
Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A?tswer. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee. Alleluia.
A7iswer. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord. Alleluia.
NONE.
Antipho7i. By Thy Cross,
{Fifth A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the e77d of Pri7ne.
&c.,
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
855
Short Responsory.
Let all the earth worship Thee,
and sing unto Thee. Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Answer. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. Let them sing praises to
Thy Name, O Lord.
Aftswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Let all the earth worship
Thee, and sing unto Thee. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
Verse. This sign of the Cross shall
be in heaven. Alleluia.
Answer. When the Lord cometh
to judgment. Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the Firsts except the follow-
Z7tg :
Antipho7i at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. jESUS, our Triumphant
Head, on the Cross' Transom dread
the Hands of power and mercy spread
That broke the prison of the dead.
Alleluia.
A Commemoratiofi is made of the
following. Prayer from Lauds.
May 4.
Eije iSUsjseti JHartgrs SoJjn,
Cartiinal Bisftop of Eo-
cljester, SCtomas JHore,
anti tljetr ([Totnpanions.
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs., {p. 5 14 c'r 564,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst raise up the
blessed martyrs Bishop John
and his companions of all degrees
to bear witness amid the English
people on behalf of the true faith
and of the supreme Pontificate, grant
unto us, for their sake and at their
prayers, that by profession of the
same faith for the which they died
Ave all may become and be one, ac-
cording to the prayer of Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Romans viii. 12, {p.
565.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
T7NGLAND had once been a
mother of Saints, and among
them, in the earlier times, some who
had witnessed a good confession for
Christ, sealing it with their blood.
Then the Church of that land was
for a long time at peace, until in
the sixteenth century she was vio-
lently troubled by the apostacy of
King Henry VIII., and she became
bright with martyrs, whose number
and actions were no less than those
of them of old time. By the tyrannous
power of her princes the kingdom
of England was wrenched away from
the Apostolic See, from which she
had originally received the faith.
But very many, both men and
women of all degrees, but chiefly
of the clergy, were found who were
willing to expose their lives to tor-
ments and death rather than break
the faith which they owed to Christ
and His Church, Among the most
eminent of these, who were indeed, as
8s6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
it were, the standard-bearers of the
whole army, were John Fisher, Car-
dinal Bishop of Rochester ; Thomas
More, sometime Lord High Chan-
cellor of the kingdom ; the Priest
Thomas Woodhouse; Cuthbert Mayne,
likewise a Priest, who was the first of
the students of the seminaries who
gained the crown of martyrdom ; John
Houghton, Prior of the London
Charterhouse ; John Forest, Minister
Provincial of the Order of Franciscan
Friars Minors ; John Stone, of the
Order of Hermits of St Augustine ;
and Edmund Campion, of the Society
of Jesus.
Fz/tA Lesson.
'T^HE cunning of the persecutors,
in union with their cruelty, left
no device untried to deprive the
martyrs of their due praise .and
glory, under false accusations of
treason. It was made treason
and a capital offence not to recog-
nise the sacred headship over the
Church of England which King
Henry had assumed for himself.
But it was manifest to all men that
it was for their faith's sake that
they suffered death, because they be-
lieved and fearlessly confessed that
authority of such sort had been con-
ferred upon no others, but upon
blessed Peter, and upon his suc-
cessors the Bishops of Rome. For
this reason the Apostolic See held
them to be true martyrs in the
proper sense of the word, and ap-
pointed Bishops carefully to gather
their memorials, lest their memories
should pass away by lapse of
time. Thus did God provide that,
with the help of their very perse-
cutors, in the public records of Eng-
land, not only the fame of the mar-
tyrs but the precise days and causes
of their deaths should be handed
down to this present age.
Sixth Lesson.
(GREGORY XIII., who knew con-
^"^ cerning the suffering of many
and the cause thereof, permitted the
use toward the English martyrs of
certain things which are of the
nature of public veneration ; and in-
deed granted that their relics might
be used for the consecration of altars,
as being those of martyrs. More-
over, he permitted that at Rome,
in the church of the Most Holy
Trinity, belonging unto the English
College, there should be set forth
certain pictures not only of the
earlier English martyrs, but also of
those who had died for the Catholic
faith and for the primacy of the
Roman Pontiff, from the 85th until
the 93rd year of that century. A
book was published at Rome, with
the approval of the same Pontiff,
wherein prints of these pictures were
inserted along with the figures of
the older martyrs. The Supreme
Pontiff, Leo XIII., when he had
duly considered these authorisations
of the Apostolic See and other
matters conjoined therewith, held
as established, and by his solemn
decree confirmed, in accordance with
a vote of the Sacred Congregation
of Rites, the honours paid to fifty-
four of these martyrs ; whose names
have been ascertained beyond doubt.
Thereafter the same Pontiff, at the
prayer of Henry Edward Manning,
Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster,
and of the other Bishops of Eng-
land, granted that the sacred festi-
val of these martyrs should be kept
every year upon the 4th day of May.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seve?itk Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (x. 23.)
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
857
A T that time : jESUS walked in the
'^^ Temple in Solomon's Porch.
Then came the Jews round about
Him and said unto Him, How long
dost Thou make us to doubt, and
so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow,] {on the Dedicatio7i
of the Church.)
["My sheep hear My voice, and I
know them, and they follow Me : and
I give unto them eternal life ; and
they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of My
hand."]
The wicked persecutors strove to
pluck Christ's godly Confessors out
of His hand. When they put them
to the torture to cause them deny
His faith that they might set their
souls at enmity with Him, or even
when their victims had conquered
them by dying, they still committed
their lifeless bodies to the waters to
be turned into corruption, or cast
them into the fire to be burned, as
if they could thereby take away from
Christ His power to raise them up
again ; but none were able to pluck
them out of His hand.
Eighth Lesson.
IVr ONE were able to pluck them
out of His hand, for it is He
Who strengtheneth them that fight
that they may conquer ; and Who
crowneth them that conquer that
they may reign with Him for ever
and ever. And in His own good
time He will give back to them that
very flesh wherein they have striven,
changed so that it can die no more.
And by these words He rebuked the
folly of them who were laying deadly
snares for Himself; showing that
they were fools that should think of
destroying Him Who is able to give
eternal life, and out of Whose hand
no man shall pluck those whom He
had foreknown to be His own before
the world was.
Ninth Lesson.
"DUT lest by thus speaking He
should seem to seek His own
glory. He referreth all His own power
to the glory of the Father, and saith,
" My Father Which gave them Me
is greater than all"; that is to say,
that the Only - Begotten Son is in
nothing different in nature or weaker
in power or later in time than Him
Who begetteth Him. Above He had
said of His sheep, " No man shall
pluck them out of My hand," and
now He saith again, "And no man
is able to pluck them out of My
Father's hand," giving us plainly to
wit that the hand, that is to say, the
power, of Himself and of the Father
is one and the same.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Virgin Katharine of
Sienna, of the Order of St Dominic,
famous for her life and miracles, whose
name Pius II. enrolled among those of
the holy Virgins, and of whom mention
is made upon the 30th day of April.
Upon the same 5th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, [in the year 1572,] the
holy Pope Pius V., of the Order of
Friars Preachers, who toiled mightily
and happily to restore the discipline of
the Church, to root out heresies, and
to crush the enemies of Christianity,
and who governed the Catholic Church
in holiness of life and law - giving ;
whose feast we keep upon the 1 1 th
day of this present month of May.
Likewise at Rome, the holy martyr
Crescentiana.
858
-THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Likewise at Rome, the holy martyr
Silvanus.
At Alexandria, the holy Deacon
Euthymius, who died a prisoner for
Christ's sake.
At Thessalonica, the holy martyrs
Irenaeus, Peregrinus, and Irene, who
were burnt with fire.
At Auxerre, [in the year 304,] the
holy martyr, the Reader Jovinian.
At Licata, in Sicily, [about the year
1225,] the holy Priest Angelus, of the
Order of Carmelite Friars, who was
murdered by heretics for defending
the Catholic faith.
At Jerusalem, the holy Confessor
Maximus, Bishop of that city. The
Csesar Maximian Galerius plucked out
one of his eyes, maimed one of his
feet with hot iron, -and condemned
him to penal servitude in the mines.
At Edessa, in Syria, the holy Con-
fessor Eulogius, Bishop of Edessa.
At Aries, in Gaul, [in the year 449,]
holy Hilary, Bishop [of Aries,] famous
for his teaching and holiness.
At Vienne, in Gaul, [about the
fourth century,] holy Nicetus,i Bishop
of that see, worshipful for his holi-
ness.
At Bologna, [about the year 540,]
holy Theodore, Bishop [of that see,]
famous for his worthy works.
Likewise, [about the year 550,]
holy Sacerdos, Bishop of Murviedro,
in Spain.
At Milan, [in the year 470,] holy
Gerontius, Bishop [of that see.]
On this day is also commemorated,
at Milan, the conversion of holy
Austin, Bishop [of Hippo,] and Doctor
of the Church, to whom the truth of
the Catholic faith was taught by the
blessed Ambrose, Bishop [of Milan,]
and whom he upon this day baptized.
At Vespers a Commevioratioii is
made of the following.
May 5.
St ItatJjartne of Sienna,
Firgin*
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of a Virgin not a Martyr^ {p.
636,) except the followi7ig.
Prayer throughout.
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^"^ mighty God, that we which do
keep the birthday of Thy blessed
Virgin Katharine, and do year by
year renew her memorial with solemn
gladness in Thy presence, may like-
wise be conformed to the pattern of
her saintly walk with Thee. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made of St Peter ^ Martyr. Prayer
from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripttcre accordi7ig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
n^HIS Katharine was a maiden of
Sienna, and was born of godly
parents, [in the year 1347.] She
took the habit of the Third Order of
St Dominick. Her fasts were most
severe, and the austerity of her life
wonderful. It was discovered that
1 Otherwise Nicetius.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
859
on some occasions she took no food
at all from Ash Wednesday till
Ascension Day, receiving all needful
strength by taking the Holy Com-
munion. She was engaged often-
times in a wrestling with devils, and
was sorely tried by them with divers
assaults ; she was consumed by
fevers, and suffered likewise from
other diseases. Great and holy was
the name of Katharine, and sick
folk, and such as were vexed with
evil spirits, were brought to her from
all quarters. Through the Name
of Christ, she had command over
sickness and fever, and forced the
foul spirits to leave the bodies of
the tormented.
Fifth Lesson.
'IIT'HILE she dwelt at Pisa, on a
certain Lord's Day, after she
had received the Living Bread Which
came down from heaven, she was in
the spirit ; and saw the Lord nailed
to the Cross advancing towards her.
There was a great light round about
Him, and five rays of light streaming
from the five marks of the Wounds
in His Feet, and Hands, and Side,
which smote her upon the five corres-
ponding places in her body. When
Katharine perceived this vision, she
besought the Lord that no marks
might become manifest upon her
flesh, and straightway the five beams
of light changed from the colour of
blood into that of gold, and touched
in the form of pure light her feet,
and hands, and side. At this moment
the agony which she felt was so
piercing, that she believed that if God
had not lessened it, she would have
died. Thus the Lord in His great
love for her, gave her this great grace,
in a new and twofold manner, namely,
that she felt all the pain of the
wounds, but without there being any
bloody marks to meet the gaze of
men. This was the account given
by the handmaiden of God to her
Confessor, Raymund, and it is for
this reason that when the godly wishes
of the faithful lead them to make
pictures of the blessed Katharine, they
paint her with golden rays of light
proceeding from those five places in
her body which correspond to the five
places wherein our Lord was wounded
by the nails and spear.
Sixth Lesso7i.
nn HE learning which Katharine had
was not acquired but inspired.
She answered Professors of Divinity
upon the very hardest questions con-
cerning God. No one was ever in
her company without going away
better. She healed many hatreds,
and quieted the most deadly feuds.
To make peace for the Florentines,
who had quarrelled with the Churchy
and were under an Ecclesiastical In-
terdict, she travelled to Avignon, [in
1376,] to see the Chief Pontiff Gregory
XL To him she showed that she
had had revealed to her from heaven
his secret purpose of going back to
Rome, which had been known only
to God and himself It was at her
persuasion, as well as by his own
judgment, that the Pope did in the
end return to his own See. She was
much respected by this Gregory, as
well as by his successor Urban VI.,
who even employed her in their em-
bassies. The Bridegroom took her
home, [upon the 29th day of April,
in the year of salvation 1380,] when
she was about thirty-three years old,
after she had given almost countless
proofs of extraordinary Christian
graces, and manifestly displayed the
gifts of Prophecy and miracles. Pope
Pius II. enrolled her among the
Virgin Saints.
86o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. i, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ (/. 640.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy [Apostle and Evangelist]
John before the Latin gate at Rome.
He had been brought bound from
Ephesus to Rome by command of
Domitian, and by the judgment of
the Senate he was put into a vessel
of boiling oil before the said gate,
but he came out thereof cleaner and
healthier than he was when he was
put therein, [about the year 95.]
Upon the same 6th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Antioch, the holy Evodius, who,
as the blessed Ignatius writeth unto
the Antiochenes, was ordained the first
Bishop there, by the holy Apostle
Peter, and who finished his life by a
glorious testimony, [in the year 62.]
At Cyrene, [in the first century,]
the holy Bishop Lucius, of whom
the holy [Evangelist] Luke maketh
mention in the Acts of the Apostles,
[and the holy Apostle Paul in his
Epistle to the Romans.]
In Africa, the holy martyrs Helio-
dorus and Venustus, and seventy-five
others.
In Cyprus, [in the fourth century,]
the holy Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrinia,
who suffered most grievous persecution
under the Emperor Licinius, but saw
the peace of the Church before he
gave up his spirit to God.
At Damascus, [in the year 780,]
blessed John of Damascus, famous
for holiness and teaching. He strove
manfully for the honouring of the holy
images, both by word and writing,
against the Emperor Leo the I saurian,
wherefore the Emperor commanded,
1 The gate of Rome opening towards Latium.
that his right hand should be smitten
off, whereupon he commended himself
to the image of the Blessed Virgin
Mary which he had defended, and
forthwith he received back his hand
whole and sound, of whom we keep
feast upon the 27th day of March.
At Charran, in Mesopotamia, the
Bishop Protogenes.
In England, [in the year 718,] the
holy Eadberth, Bishop of Lindisfarne,
famous for teaching and godliness,
[who held the see of Lindisfarne for
eleven years next after holy Cuthbert. }
At Rome, the holy Virgin Bene-
dicta, [sister of the holy widow Galla.]
At Salerno, feast is kept for the
translation of the holy Apostle
Matthew, whose sacred body was
brought of old time out of Ethiopia
into divers countries, and at last to
that city, where it was buried with all
honour under the church dedicated in
his name.
Vespers are of the followiiig^ with
Coirwiemoration of the preceding.
May 6.
STlje SCestifgittg of tfje ©olg
Apostle 3oI)n before tlje
Hatm ffiate.^
- Greater Double,
All from the Com7Jion Office for
Apostles in Paschal time^ {p. 514,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
f~\ GOD, Which seest that sins
^^^ and sufferings do on every side
rise up to trouble us, grant, we be-
seech Thee, that we may find a shield
in time of need through the glorious
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
86 1
prayers of Thy blessed Apostle and
Evangelist, John. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Aine7i.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. The blessed Apostle John
was cast into a vessel of boiling oil,
but by the favour and protection
of God, he came out unharmed.
Alleluia.
Co?nmeinoration of St Katharine^
" Come, Bride of Christ," &c. {p. 637.)
Prayer from her Office.
MATTINS.
Son Jesus Christ. And these things
we write unto you that ye may rejoice,
and that your joy may be full. This
then is the message which we have
heard of Him, and declare unto you :
That God is light, and in Him is no
darkness at all.
First Responsory.
Very worshipful is blessed John,
which leaned on the Lord's Breast
at supper. To him did Christ upon
the Cross commit His mother, maiden
to maiden.
Verse. The Lord chose him for
his clean maidenhood, and loved him
more than all the rest.
Answer. To him did Christ upon
the Cross commit His mother, maiden
to maiden.
FIRST NOCTURN.
The Lessons are from Scripture
according to the Season., if they happen
to be taken from the Apocalypse^ or
from one of St Johi's Epistles. If
not^ they are :
First Lesso7i.
Here beginneth the First Epistle of
the Blessed Apostle John (i. i.)
T^HAT Which was from the begin-
ning, Which we have heard,
Which we have seen with our eyes,
Which we have looked upon, and our
hands have handled, of the Word of
life, (and the Life was manifested,
and we have seen It, and bear wit-
ness, and show unto you that Eternal
Life, Which was with the Father, and
was manifested unto us) That Which
we have seen and heard declare we
unto you, that ye also may have fel-
lowship with us, and our fellowship
be with the Father, and with His
Second Lesson.
T F we say that we have fellowship
with Him, and walk in darkness,
we lie, and do not the truth. But if
we walk in the light, as He is in the
light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ His Son cleanseth us from
all sin. If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. If we
say that we have not sinned, we
make Him a liar, and His word
is not in us.
Second Responsory.
1 This is the disciple which testi-
fieth of these things, and wrote these
things. And we know that his testi-
mony is true.
Verse. He drank in the rivers of
1 John xxi. 24.
862
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the Gospel from the Lord's Breast as
from an holy fountain.
A?iswer. And we know that his
testimony is true.
Third Lesson, (ii. i.)
]\/rY little children, these things
write I unto you, that ye sin
not. And if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous : and He is the
propitiation for our sins ; and not for
ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world. And hereby we do
know that we know Him, if we keep
His commandments. He that saith,
I know Him, and keepeth not His
commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. But whoso
keepeth His word, in him verily is
the love of God perfected. Hereby
know we that we are in Him. ' He
that saith he abideth in Him, ought
himself also so to walk, even as
He walked.
Third Responsory.
This is that most blessed Evan-
gelist and Apostle John. Who was
found worthy that the Lord should
honour him more than all the rest,
by a special privilege of love.
Verse. ^ This is the disciple whom
Jesus loved, which also leaned on the
Lord's Breast at supper.
Answer. Who was found worthy
that the Lord should honour him
more than all the rest, by a special
privilege of love.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Who was found worthy
that the Lord should honour him
more than all the rest, by a special
privilege of love.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
against Jovinian written by St
Jerome, Priest [at Bethlehem.]
{^Bk. i.)
nPHE Apostle John was one of the
disciples of the Lord. There is
a tradition that he was the youngest
of the Apostles. He was a virgin
when the Faith of Christ found him,
and he hath remained a virgin for
ever. This is why he was " the
disciple whom jESUS loved" more
than any of the others, and why he
"leaned on Jesus' Breast." When
Peter, who had been married, wished
to ask the Lord who it was that was
about to betray Him, he dared not
ask for himself, but beckoned to
John, that he should ask it. (John
xiii. 23, 24.) After the Resurrec-
tion, when "Mary Magdalene came
and told the disciples that the
Lord was risen, Peter and John
ran both together to the sepulchre,
but John did outrun Peter." (xx,
2-4.) Later on, when the Apostles
were on the Sea of Galilee, in a ship,
fishing, "Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples knew not that it was
Jesus," till virgin knew Virgin, and
" that disciple whom jESUS loved
saith unto Peter : It is the Lord."
(xxi. 2-7.)
Fifth Lesson.
JOHN was both an Apostle, and an
Evangelist, and a Prophet. He
was an Apostle, in that he wrote to
the Churches, as their Teacher. He
was an Evangelist, in that he wrote
one of the Gospels, the like whereto
was not done by any other of the
twelve Apostles, save Matthew. He
1 John xxi. 20.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
863
was a Prophet, in that when he was
in the isle of Patmos, whither he had
been banished by Domitian on account
of his uplifting of his testimony for the
Lord, he saw there that Apocalypse
which containeth such unfathomable
mysteries concerning " things which
shall be hereafter." (Apoc. i. 19.)
Tertullian also saith that when he
was at Rome, he was put into a
vessel of boiling oil, but that he came
out cleaner and healthier than he
went in.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HERE is a great difference be-
tween his Gospel and the three
others. Matthew beginneth to write
as of a man : " The Book of the
Generation of Jesus Christ, the Son
of David, the son of Abraham."
Luke's first words of history relate to
the priesthood of Zacharias : Mark
commenceth with the prophecies of
Malachi and Isaiah. The first hath
the face of a man, with an human
genealogy ; the second hath the face
of a calf, being a victim offered by
priests ; the third hath the face of
a lion, even "the voice of one cry-
ing in the wilderness. Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make His paths
straight ; " but the John of whom I
write is like a flying eagle, (Apoc. iv.
7,) whose kingly flight beareth him
up above earth-gathered clouds, an
eagle that wingeth his way toward
the Father Himself, and which crieth:
"In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word
was God." (John i. i.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevejith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xx.
20.)
A T that time ; Came to jESUS the
mother of Zebedee's children,
with her sons, worshipping Him, and
desiring a certain thing of Him. And
so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {Comment, on Matt. xx.
Bk. 3.)
Whence had the mother of Zebe-
dee's children gotten her idea of the
Lord's kingdom ? He had but just
said (18-20:) "The Son of man
shall be betrayed unto the chief
priests and unto the scribes, and
they shall condemn Him to death,
and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles
to mock, [and to scourge,] and to
crucify Him." He had told His
trembling disciples of the outrages
that awaited Him in His Passion ;
and yet that mother came to Him
to ask for her sons a share in the
glory of His Triumph. 1 think it
was because the Lord, after He had
said all the rest, had said also :
" And the third day He shall rise
again." The woman supposed that
after His resurrection His kingdom
would immediately be established,
and that that would be fulfilled at
His first coming which is promised
at His second. And so, with womanly
haste, she forgetteth the future, and
catcheth at the present.
Eighth Lesson.
T T was the mother who asked, but
the Lord addressed His answer
to the disciples, understanding that
she had made her prayer in obed-
ience to their wishes. "Are ye able
to drink of the cup that I shall
drink of ? " From God's written
Word we gather that by this cup.
He meant the Passion, touching the
which we read that He said : " O
My Father, if it be possible, let this
864
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
cup pass from Me!" (Matth. xxvi.
39.) Likewise is it written in the
hundred-and-fifteenth Psalm (13): "I
will take the cup of salvation, and
call upon the Name of the Lord,"
and what that life-giving cup was,
the words which soon follow tell us :
" Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of His Saints."
Ninth Lesson.
'T'HE question ariseth, how the two
sons of Zebedee, James namely
and John, drank of the cup of con-
tention even unto blood against sin,
seeing that though we know by the
Scriptures that " Herod the king killed
James the brother of John with the
sword," (Acts xii. i, 2,) yet John ended
his earthly life by a natural death.
But if we read the Records of the
Church, we shall find there told how
that John, on account of his testifying
to the truth, was cast into a vessel
of boiling oil, and although the holy
champion came out unhurt and con-
tinued his pilgrimage here for a while
longer, before he received his crown
from Christ's hand, being straightway
banished into the isle of Patmos, yet
we see that he had the soul of a
martyr, and drank the same cup of
martyrdom that was drunk by the
three children in the burning fiery
furnace, albeit the persecutor did not
actually shed his blood.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 7th day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Kracow, in Poland, the holy
Bishop and martyr Stanislaw, slain by
the wicked king Boleslaw II., [in the
year 1079.]
At Tarracina, in Campania, [in the
year 99,] the blessed Virgin and
martyr Flavia Domitilla. She was
sister's daughter to the Consul Flavius
Clemens, and had been consecrated
with the sacred veil by holy Clement.
In the persecution under Domitian
she and very many others were ban-
ished into the island of Ponza for
bearing witness to Christ, and there
she endured a long martyrdom. Last
of all she was brought to Tarracina,
where by her teaching and miracles
she turned many to believe in Christ,
and then finished the glorious course
of her testimony by being burnt in
her bed-chamber, wherein she dwelt
along with her maidens Euphrosyne
and Theodora. Her memory is kept
upon the 12th day of May, along
with that of the holy martyrs Nereus
and Achilles.
[At Benevento,] the holy martyr
Juvenal, [Bishop of that see.]
At Nicomedia, [under the Emperor
Diocletian,] the holy brethren Flavius
Augustus and Augustine, martyrs.
There also, in the persecution under
the Emperor Decius, the holy martyr
Quadratus, who was oftentimes put
to the torture, and at last beheaded.
At Rome, [in the year 686,] the
holy Pope and Confessor Benedict.
At York, in England, [in the year
721,] the holy John [of Beverley,]
Bishop [of that see,] famous for his
life and miracles, whose feast we keep
upon the 25th day of October.
At Pavia, the holy Peter, Bishop
[of that see.]
At Rome is commemorated the
translation of the body of the holy
proto-martyr Stephen, which the Su-
preme Pontiff Pelagius brought to
Rome from Constantinople, and laid
in the sepulchre of the holy martyr
Laurence, outside the walls, where it is
held in great reverence by the godly.
At Seco7id Vespers., Antiphoji at the
Song of the Blessed Virgi7i as at the
First., a?id a Comntemoratio7i of the fol-
lowi7ig. Prayer fro77i Lauds.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
865
May 7.
St Stanisilato, JSfefjop [of
CraitobJ,] JHartgr.
Double.
All from the Common Office for
One Martyr., {p. 514 or 548,) except
the following.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
n^HIS Stanislaw was a Pole. He
was born of a noble family,
[on the 26th day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1030,] at [Szcre-
panow, in the diocese of] Crakow.
His godly parents, who had been
childless for thirty years, obtained
him from God by prayer, and from
his earliest years he gave token of
the holiness of life which afterwards
marked him. When he was a young
man he applied himself heartily to
all useful learning, and was deeply
read in the sacred teaching of the
Canons and of Theological science.
After the death of his parents he
inherited great possessions, but he
sold them, and distributed the price
to the poor, purposing himself to
become a monk. However, by the
Providence of God, Lampert, Bishop
of Crakow, named him Canon of
the Cathedral Church of that diocese,
and Preacher in the same : and after-
wards, [in 1072,] he was elected,
against his own will, to succeed to
Lampert's place. In this office he
was a bright and shining light of all
virtues that become a shepherd of
souls, especially of tenderness toward
the poor.
Fifth Lesson.
AT that time Boleslaw II. was
'^^ King of Poland, and him Stan-
islaw grievously offended, because he
openly rebuked him for his shame-
less lust. Wherefore, in a solemn
Parliament of his kingdom, he made
Stanislaw to be brought before him
on a false accusation of having taken
wrongfully a certain village, which
he had bought in the name of his
Church. The Bishop could not rebut
this charge by documents, and the
witnesses were in too great fear to
speak the truth. Stanislaw therefore
said that in three days he would
produce before the judgment-seat one
Peter, from whom he had bought
the village, and who had been dead
three years. His enemies laughed
thereat, and closed with his proposal,
and the man of God gave himself up
to fasting and prayer for three days.
On the day which he had promised,
after he had offered up the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, he commanded
Peter to rise from the grave. Peter
then immediately came to life, arose,
and followed Stanislaw to the King's
judgment-seat, where before the King
and all others, who were struck dumb
with amazement, he bore witness of
the sale of the village, and the honest
payment of the price by the Bishop,
and then again fell asleep in the Lord.
Sixth Less 071.
C TAN I SLAW often rebuked Boles-
•^ law, but when he found it was
in vain, he at last cut him off from
the communion of Christ's faithful
people. Thereupon Boleslaw became
frenzied with rage, and [on the 8th
of May, in the year 1079,] sent
soldiers to the Church to murder the
S66
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
holy Bishop. This they thrice es-
sayed to do, but God was, pleased
that they should be held back by
some unseen power. In the end, the
ungodly King with his own hand cut
off the head of the Priest of God
as he was standing at the Altar
offering up the Sacrifice without spot.
His body was hewn into pieces and
strewn about the fields, but the
eagles strangely kept the beasts of
prey off it. The Canons of the
Cathedral of Crakow soon gathered
together the mutilated and scattered
limbs, which they were enabled to
see by a lightness which overspread
the sky at night ; and they fitted
them together, each into his place.
The reliques immediately so joined
themselves one to the other, that no
marks of wounds remained. More-
over, God was pleased to manifest
the holiness of His servant by many
wonders after his death, by the which
being moved. Pope Innocent IV. added
his name to those of the Saints, and
the Supreme Pontiff Clement VIII.
gave his Feast a place in the Ser-
vice Book of the Church of Rome,
commanding that the memory of so
glorious a Martyr should be every-
where celebrated under the Double
rite.
THIRD NOCTURN,
Lessons in Paschal-ti7ne from John
XV. I, with the Homily of St Austin^
p. 519, out of Paschal-time^ from
Luke xxi. 9, with the Homily of
St Gregory^ {p, 571.)
Prayer throughout the day,
r\ GOD, for Whose glory the noble
^^^ Bishop Stanislaw fell by the
swords of sinful men, grant, we be-
seech Thee, that all whosoever ask
his help, may find such answer tp
their petition as may profit them to
the everlasting salvation cf their souls.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow is kept the feast in
honour of the Manifestation of the holy
Archangel Michael on Mount Gargano.
Upon the same 8th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Milan, the holy martyr Victor.
He was a Moor by nation, and had
been bred up a Christian from a child.
He was a soldier in the Imperial
Camp when he was commanded by
Maximian to sacrifice to idols, but
continued manfully to own the Lord.
He was first heavily cudgelled, but
God shielded him from pain : and then
molten lead was poured upon him, but
by this also he was not hurt ; and so
at last, being beheaded, finished the
glorious course of his testimony.
At Constantinople, the holy Cen-
turion Acathius, who in the persecution
under Diocletian and Maximian was
denounced as a Christian by the
Tribune Firmus. He was most cruel-
ly tortured at Perinthos, on the Black
Sea, by Bibianus the judge, and was
lastly condemned to death at By-
zantium by the Pro-Consul Flaccinus.
By the Will of God his body was
afterwards carried to the shore at
Squillacio in Calabria, where it is
honourably buried.
At Vienna, the holy Confessor
Denis, Bishop [of that see.]
At Auxerre, [toward the close of
the fourth century,] the holy Hella-
dius, Bishop [of that see.]
In the country of Besangon, [in
the year 1174,] the holy Peter,
Bishop [of Tarantaise.]
In Ireland, [about the year 700,]
the holy Bishop Wiro.
Vespers are of the following.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
867
May 8.
JHanttotatton of t\}t Ijolg
^rcljangel iHtcl)aeL
Greater Double.
All as on Sundays except the folloiv-
If this Feast should happen to be
observed out of Paschal-time., theii the
word " Alleluia " is otnitted^ wher-
ever it is here given ijt brackets [ ],
the Ajtfiphons at Mattins are as on
September 29, and the Short Re-
sponsories are also said as on that
day.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons^ Chapter., and Prayer
from Lauds.
Last Psalm., Ps. cxvi. O Praise the
Lord, &c., {p. 186.)
Hym7i. 1
nrHEE, O Christ, the Father's Splendour
Life and virtue of the heart,
In the presence of the Angels
Sing we now with tuneful art :
Meetly in alternate chorus
Bearing our responsive part.
Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky :
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate
Of celestial chivalry :
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.
By whose watchful care, repeUing,
King of everlasting grace !
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base ;
Grant us of Thine only goodness
In Thy paradise a place.
Laud and honour to the Father ;
Laud and honour to the Son ;
Laud and honour to the Spirit ;
Ever Three, and ever One :
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run. Amen.
1 Hymn by St Rabanus Maurus altered almost
2 Cf. Luke X. II ; Apoc. viii. 3.
Verse. ^ An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Having a golden censer
in his hand. [Alleluia.]
A7itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. While as John was gazing
upon the holy mystery, the Arch-
angel Michael sounded his trumpet :
Forgive us, O Lord our God, Which
openest the book, and loosest the
seals thereof. Alleluia.
A Commemoration is made of the
preceding. Prayer from that Office.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. The Lord, He is the
King of the Archangels. "^ O come
let us worship Him. [Alleluia.]
Hytnn as at First Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Antiphon. The sea was moved
and the earth quaked, when the
Archangel Michael descended from
heaven. [Alleluia.]
Ps. viii. O Lord, our Ruler, &c.,
(A 7.)
Ps. X. In the Lord put I my
trust, &c., {p. 9.)
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall dwell,
&c., {p. 10.)
Verse. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Having a golden censer
in his hand. [Alleluia.]
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Prophet Daniel (vii. 9.)
T BEHELD till the thrones were
set, and the Ancient of days
did sit ; Whose garment was white
beyond recognition ; translated by Dr Neale.
868
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
as snow, and the Hair of His Head
like the pure wool : His throne, the
fiery flame ; His wheels, burning fire.
A fiery stream issued and came forth
from before Him. Thousands of
thousands ministered unto Him, and
ten thousand times hundreds of
thousands stood before Him : the
judgment was set, and the books
were opened. I beheld then, be-
cause of the voice of the great
words which the horn ^ spake : and
I saw that the beast was slain, and
his body destroyed, and given to be
burnt with fire.
pearance of lightning, and his eyes
as lamps of fire ; and his arms and
his lower parts at his feet like in
appearance to shining brass ; and
the voice of his words like the voice
of a multitude. And I Daniel alone
saw the vision ; for the men that
were with me saw it not ; but a
great fear fell upon them, so that
they fled to hide themselves. There-
fore I was left alone and saw this
great vision, and there remained no
strength in me ; for my comeliness *
was changed in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength.
First Responsory. 2
'T^HERE was silence in heaven while
the dragon fought against Michael
the Archangel, I heard the voice of
thousands of thousands, saying :- Sal-
vation, and honour, and power unto
God the Almighty. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Thousands of thousands
ministered unto Him,
sand times hundreds
stood before Him.
Answer. I heard
thousands of thousands, saying : Sal-
vation, and honour, and power unto
God, the Almighty. [Alleluia.]
and ten thou-
of thousands
the voice of
Seco7id Respo7isory.
An Angel stood at the Altar of
the temple, having a golden censer
in his hand ; and there was given
unto him much incense ; and the
smoke of the incense ascended up
before the Lord, out of the Angel's
hand. [Alleluia.]
Verse. ^ Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee ; I will wor-
ship toward Thy holy temple, and
praise Thy Name, O Lord.
Answer. And the smoke of the
incense ascended up before the Lord,
out of the Angel's hand. [Alleluia.]
Seco7id Lesso7i. (x. 4.)
A ND in the four-and-twentieth day
of the first month, I was by
the side of the great river, which is
the Tigris. Then I lifted up mine
eyes, and looked ; and, behold, a
certain man clothed in linen, whose
loins were girded with fine gold of
Uphaz : 3 his body also was like the
chrysolite, and his face as the ap-
1 One of the horns of one of the mystic beasts, see verses 7 and 8.
2 Cf. Apoc. viii. I, xii. 7, xix. i, &c.
3 Gesenius believes this name to be " a corruption of Ophir," the celebrated gold-country often
mentioned in the Bible, but as to whose situation the learned are anything but agreed.
4 Viz., says Gesenius, " the lively colour of my face."
^ Ps. cxxxvii. 12.
Third Lesso7i.
^Y^ET heard I the voice of his
words ; and when I heard, I
fell down astounded upon my face,
and my face clave unto the ground.
And, behold, an hand touched me,
which set me upon my knees and
upon the palms of my hands. And
he said unto me : O Daniel, thou
man greatly beloved, understand the
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
869
words that I speak unto thee, and
stand upright ; for unto thee am I
now sent. And when he had spoken
this word unto me, I stood trem-
bling. Then said he unto me :
Fear not, Daniel ; for from the
first day that thou didst set thine
heart to understand, and to chasten
thyself before thy God, thy words
were heard, and I am come for thy
words. But the prince of the king-
dom of Persia withstood me one-
and-twenty days, but, lo ! Michael,
one of the chief princes, came to
help me, and I then obtained the
victory with the Kings of Persia. ^
Now I am come to make thee un-
derstand what shall befall thy people
in the latter days, for yet the vision
is [not to be fulfilled] till [after
many] days.
Third Responsory.
Before the Angels will I sing
praise unto Thee, and will worship
toward Thy holy temple. And I
will praise Thy Name, O Lord.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. For Thy loving-kindness,
and for Thy truth ; for Thou hast
glorified Thine holy Name on us.
Answer. And I will praise Thy
Name, O Lord. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And I will praise Thy
Name, O Lord. [Alleluia.]
SECOND NOCTURN.
Antiphon. Archangel Michael, come
to help God's people. [Alleluia.]
Ps. xviii. The heavens declare,
&c., (A 17.)
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the LORD'S,
&c., {p. 46.)
Ps. xxxiii. I will bless the Lord,
&c., {p. 78.)
Verse. The smoke of the incense as-
cended up before the Lord. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
[Alleluia.]
Fourth Lesson.
T^HAT the blessed Archangel
Michael hath oftentimes been
seen of men is attested on the
authority of the Holy Bible, and
also by the ancient traditions of the
Saints. For this reason such visions
are held in remembrance in many
places. As of old time did the
Synagogue of the Jews, so now doth
the Church of God venerate Michael
as her watcher and defender. But
during the Popedom of Gelasius L
the summit of Mount Gargano in
Apulia, at whose foot lieth the town
of Siponto, was the scene of an
extraordinary appearance of this
same Archangel Michael.
Fourth Responsory.
This is Michael, who to battle
leads the armies of the skies ; who-
soever on him calleth blessed within
his wardship lies. His a prayer
whose voice availing aids from earth
toward heaven to rise. [Alleluia.]
Verse. The Archangel Michael is
the Vice-Roy of Paradise, and the
Angels that are the dwellers therein,
do hold him in worship.
Answer. Whosoever on him call-
eth blessed within his wardship lies.
His a prayer whose voice availing
aids from earth toward heaven to
rise. [Alleluia.]
1 This is Gesenius' rendering of this passage in his Lexicon. The Latin, like the Hebrew, is
literally " I remained with," but Gesenius takes the sense of being fully up with, &c., "Joined
in battle with them, I held my own." Comp. "to stand one's ground."
8/0
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Fifth Lesson.
A ND it came to pass on this wise.
"^^ A certain man had a bull graz-
ing with the flock upon Mount Gar-
gano, and it strayed. And when
they had sought it for a long while
they found it jammed in the mouth
of a cavern. Then one that stood
there shot an arrow at it to slay it,
but the arrow turned round and
came back against him that had
shot it. They therefore that saw
it, and all those that heard it, were
sore afraid because of that which
had come to pass, so that no man
dared any more to draw- near to the
cavern. But when they had sought
counsel of the Bishop of Siponto,
he answered, that it behoved to
seek the interpretation from God,
and proclaimed three days of fast-
ing and prayer.
Fifth Responsory .
Where Angels lead the spirits of
the blessed dead the glad procession
moves with Michael at its head, to
lead them into the garden of Eden.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. ^ O Lord, send Thy Holy
Spirit from heaven : the Spirit of
wisdom and understanding.
Answer. To lead them into the
garden of Eden. [Alleluia.]
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER three days the Archangel
"^^ Michael gave warning to the
Bishop that that place was under
his protection, and that he had thus
pointed out by a sign that he wished
that worship should be offered to
God there, with remembrance of
himself and of the Angels. Then
the Bishop and the citizens made,
haste and came to the cavern ; and
when they found that the form
thereof was somewhat after the
fashion of a Church, they began to
perform the public worship of God
therein : which sanctuary hath been
glorified with many miracles. It
was not long after these things that
Pope Boniface IV. hallowed the
Church of St Michael on Hadrian's
Mole at Rome, on the 29th day
of September, on the which day
the Church also holdeth in remem-
brance All Angels. But this present
day is hallowed in remembrance
of the manifestation of the Arch-
angel Michael.
Sixth Responsory.
2 At that time shall Michael stand
up, which standeth for your children.
And there shall be a time, such as
never was since there was a nation
even to that same time. [Alleluia.]
Verse. At that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one that
shall be found written in the Book
of Life.
A?iswer. And there shall be a
time, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same time.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A?ts'wer. And there shall be a
time, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same
time. [Alleluia.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
Antipho7i. The Angel Michael
the Archangel, he is the messenger
whom God sendeth to all the souls
of the righteous. Alleluia, Alleluia.
1 Cf. Wisd. ix. 17 ; Is. xi. 2.
2 Dan. xii. i.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
871
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 148.)
Ps. xcvi. The LORD reigneth,
&c., (/. 149.)
Ps. cii. Bless the Lord, O my
soul, &c., (/. 160.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
[Alleluia.]
Ajiswer. I will worship toward
Thy holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. [Alleluia.]
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (xviii. i.)
A T that time : Came the disciples
'^^ unto Jesus, saying : Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven ?
And so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop [of
Poitiers.] {Coin, on Matth. xviii.)
" Unless ye become as little child-
ren," saith the Lord, " ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven,"
that is, unless by the uprooting of
bodily and mental depravity, we
bring our souls to the innocency of
childhood. But He giveth the name
of children to all such as believe
by the hearing of faith. Children
follow their father, love their mother,
know not how to wish evil to their
neighbours, are not careful for earthly
riches ; they insult not, they hate
not, they lie not, they believe what
they are told, and take for truth
what they hear. Us then it be-
hoveth to return to the simpleness
of little children, for when we are
well rooted therein, we shall so far
bear about in ourselves an image of
the sublime simpleness of the Lord
Jesus.
Seventh Respojisory.
^ Be not ye afraid before the Gen-
tiles : but in your hearts, worship ye
the Lord, and fear Him ; for His
Angel is with you. [Alleluia.]
Verse. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple, having a golden
censer in his hand.
Verse. For His Angel is with
you. [Alleluia.]
Eighth Lesso?7.
"A'Xy^OE unto the world because of
offences I " The lowliness of
the Passion is an offence unto the
world. Such is the state of stupidity
to which man's ignorance hath re-
duced itself, that it turneth away
from the Lord of Eternal Glory, be-
cause of the unsightliness of the
Cross ! And what is so certain to
bring woe unto the world as to
turn away from Christ ? And there-
fore He saith : " It must needs be
that offences come," because His
fulfilling the lowliness of the Passion
was the predestined mean whereby
He was to give us eternal life.
Eighth Responsory.
The Archangel Michael came to
help God's people. He arose to
succour the spirits of the righteous.
[Alleluia.]
Verse. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple, having a golden
censer in his hand.
Answer. He arose to succour the
spirits of the righteous. [Alleluia.]
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. He arose to succour the
spirits of the righteous. [Alleluia.]
1 Baruch vi. 5, 6.
8;:
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Ninth Lesson.
" 'T^AKE heed that ye despise not
one of these little ones that
believe in Me." He hath laid on us
a most meet tie to constrain us to
love one another, especially such as
indeed believe in the Lord. " For I
say unto you that in heaven their
Angels do always behold the face of
My Father Which is in heaven. For
the Son of Man is come to save that
which was lost." From these words
we see, first, that the Son of Man
saveth ; secondly, that the Angels do
see God ; and thirdly, that the Angels
of these little ones have the wardship
over the prayers of the faithful. That
the Angels have this wardship is
taught us absolutely. The Angels
therefore do every day offer to God
the prayers which they which are
saved do make to Him in the Name
of Christ. Therefore it is dangerous
for a man to despise them, seeing
that these are they by whose watch-
ful service and ministry, his wishes
and requests are presented before the
throne of the eternal and unseen God.
The Hy7nn, " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," ts said.
LAUDS.
First Ajitiphon. An Angel stood
at the Altar ^ of the Temple, having a
golden censer in his hand. [Alleluia.]
Second Antiphon. While as the
Archangel Michael fought against the
dragon, "^ I heard voices saying :
Salvation unto our God. Alleluia.
Third Antipho?i. Michael Mine
Archangel, * I have appointed thee
for a prince over the ingathering of
souls. [Alleluia.]
Fourth Antipho7i. O ye Angels of
the Lord, bless ye the Lord alway.
[Alleluia.]
Fifth Antiphon. O ye Angels and
Archangels, * O ye Thrones and Do-
minions, O ye Principalities and
Powers, O ye mighty Ones of heaven,
praise ye the Lord from the heavens !
Alleluia.
Chapter. (Apoc. i. i.)
/^OD gave unto Jesus Christ to
^^ show unto His servants the things
which must shortly come to pass :
and He sent and signified it by His
Angel unto His servant John ; who
bare witness of the Word of God and
of the testimony of Jesus Christ, of
all the things which he saw.
Hymn. ^
r^HRIST! of the holy Angels light and
gladness,
Maker and Saviour of the human race,
O may we reach the world unknown to
sadness,
The blessed mansions where they see Thy
Face !
Angel of peace, may Michael to our dwell-
ing
Down from high Heaven in mighty calm-
ness come,
Breathing serenest peace, wild war dispell-
ing
With all her sorrows to the infernal
gloom.
Angel of might, may Gabriel swift descend-
ing,
Far from our gates our ancient foes repel,
And his own triumphs o'er the world de-
fending,
In temples dear to Heaven return and
dwell.
Angel of health, may Raphael lighten o'er
us,
To every sick-bed speed his healing flight,
In times of doubt direct the way before us,
And through life's mazes guide our steps
aright.
^ Translation by the Rev. W. J. Copeland.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
873
The Virgin, harbinger of peace supernal,
Mother of Light, with all the Angelic
train ,
Heaven's glittering host, court of the King
Eternal,
All Saints be with us, till that bliss we
gain.
Be this by Thy thrice holy Godl^ead granted,
Father, and Son, and Spirit ever blest ;
Whose glory by the Angel host is chanted,
Whose Name by all the universe confest.
Amen.
Verse. An Angel stood at the altar
of the Temple. [Alleluia.]
Answer. Having a golden censer
in his hand. [Alleluia.]
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
There was silence in heaven while as
the dragon made war, and Michael
fought against him, and prevailed
over him. [Alleluia.]
Prayer throughout.
^~\ GOD, Who hast ordained and
^"^^ constituted the services of angels
and men in a wonderful order, merci-
fully grant that as Thy holy angels
alway do Thee service in heaven, so,
by Thy appointment, they may suc-
cour and defend us on earth. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. AiJie7i.
PRIME.
Antipho7i. An Angel stood, &c.,
{First Antipho7t at Lauds.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 9th day of May, were
born into the better life^
At Nazianzus, in Cappadocia, the
blessed Gregory, Archbishop of Con-
stantinople, who on account of his
wonderful teaching of the things of
VOL. H,
God is surnamed the Theologian,
who set up again the Catholic faith
at Constantinople when it had fallen,
and stilled the swelling waves of
heresy.
At Rome, the holy Hermes, of
whom the Apostle Paul maketh
mention in his Epistle to the Romans.
He made a worthy offering of him-
self, and being made acceptable as a
sacrifice to God, he departed hence
to the kingdom of heaven, famous for
good works.
In Persia, 310 holy martyrs.
At Cagli, on the Flaminian Way,
suffered the holy Gerontius, Bishop
of Cervia.
At Vendome, [in the third century,]
deceased, the holy Confessor Beatus.
At Constantinople is commemorated
the translation of the bodies of the
holy Apostle Andrew, and of the holy
Evangelist Luke, out of the Pelo-
ponnesos, and of that of Timothy,
the disciple of the blessed Apostle
Paul, out of Ephesos. The body of
the holy Andrew was carried to
Amalfi a long while after, and godly
multitudes of the faithful there gather
to do it reverence. At the grave
thereof is secreted a liquid for the
healing of diseases.
There is also commemorated at
Rome the translation of the body of
the holy Priest Jerome, Doctor of the
Church, from Bethlehem of Juda into
the cathedral church of St Mary-by-
the - Manger, [commonly called St
Mary the Greater.]
Also there is commemorated at Bari,
in Apulia, the translation thither of the
body of the holy Bishop Nicholas, from
[his see at] Myra, a city of Lycia.
Chapter at the end. (Apoc. xii. 7.)
'T^HERE was a great war in heaven ;
Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon ; and the dragon
2 G
874
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
fought, and his angels : and prevailed
not ; neither was their place found any
more in heaven.
TERCE.
Antiphon. While as the Archangel,
&c., {Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds,
Short Responsory.
An Angel stood at the Altar of the
Temple. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. Havmg a golden censer
in his hand.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Verse. And the smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord.
Alleluia.
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
Alleluia.
Antiphon.
angel, &c.,
Lauds. )
SEXT.
Michael Mine Arch-
( Third Antiphon at
Chapter. (Apoc. v. ii.)
T HEARD the voice of many Angels
round about the throne, and the
living creatures and the elders ; and
the number of them was thousands of
thousands, saying with a loud voice :
Salvation unto our God.
Short Respojtsory.
The smoke of the incense ascended
up before the Lord. Alleluia, Al-
leluia.
Answer. The smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Out of the Angel's hand.
A7tswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
Alleluia.
A77swer. I will worship toward Thy
holy Temple, and praise Thy Name.
Alleluia.
NONE,
Antiphon. O ye Angels, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Before the Angels will I sing praise
unto Thee, O my God.
A?iswer. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
Verse. I will worship toward Thy
holy Temple, and praise Thy Name.
Afiswer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God,
Verse. Worship God. Alleluia.
Answer. All ye His Angels. Al-
leluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the First., except the following.
Last Psalm.
Ps. cxxxvii. I will praise Thee,
&c., (/. 197.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
[Alleluia.]
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
875
Answer. I will worship toward
Thy holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. [Alleluia.]
Antiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgiji. O thou Prince most glorious,
Michael the Archangel, remember us
— and here, and everywhere, alway
entreat for us the countenance of the
Son of God. Alleluia.
A Cojninemoration is made of the
following. Antiphon., " O right ex-
cellent, &c."
May 9.
St (Sreflorg of j^ajtattjus, ^a::
trtarcfj [of Constantinople,]
Confessor, antr ©octor of
tfje Ct}urcfj.
Double.
All from the Cojnmon Office for
a Doctor., {f. 615,) except the fol-
lowing.
MATTINS.
The third verse of the Hym7t is al-
tered.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons frojn Scripture accordi?ig to
the Season. On Rogation Mo?iday
or Wednesday^ from Ecclus. xxxix. i,
{p. 615.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
HP HIS Gregory, to whom is com-
monly given, on account of his
extraordinary depth of sacred learn-
ing, the title of " the Divine," was a
noble Cappadocian, born at Nazian-
zus 1 in that country, and educated at
Athens along with St Basil, with whom
likewise, when they had acquired
knowledge in divers branches of
earthly learning, he gave himself up
to learn the things of God. This
they did for some years in a Monas-
tery, framing their opinions, not out
of their own heads, but according
to the interpretation arrived at by
the wisdom and decision of the
antients. They were both distin-
guished by power of doctrine and
holiness of life ; they were both
called to the duty of preaching the
Gospel of truth ; and through the
Gospel they both begat many sons
unto Christ.
Fifth Lesson.
/GREGORY after a while returned
home. He was first made
Bishop of Sasima, and afterwards
administered the Church at Nazi-
anzus. Then he was called to rule
the Church of Constantinople. That
city, which he found reeking with
heresy, he purged, and brought again
to the Catholic faith. ^ But this,
which deserved for him the warmest
love of all men, raised up many ene-
mies. Among the Bishops them-
selves there was a great party against
him, and to still their contentions, he,
of his own free will, gave up his see,
saying with the Prophet Jonah :
"Take me up, and cast me forth
into the sea : so shall the sea be
calm unto you ; for I know that for
my sake this great tempest is upon
you," (i. 12.) So he went his way
back again to Nazianzus, and when
he had seen that Eulalius was set over
J Sometimes called Nazianzum. I follow Gibbon.
2 When he first arrived, Arianism was triumphant, and he ministered to the CathoHcs in a
private house. It was not till after two years that, on the accession of Theodosius, that great
Emperor himself led Gregory to the Patriarchal throne in St Sophia.
S76
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
that Church, he gave himself up alto-
gether to think and write concerning
the things of God.
Sixth Lesson.
T T E wrote much, both in prose and
verse, with wonderful godliness
and eloquence. According to the
judgment of learned and holy men,
there is nothing in his writings
which anywhere strays from the line
of true godliness and Catholic truth,
and not a single word which any one
can justly call in doubt. He was one
of the latest champions of the doctrine
that the Son is of one substance with
the Father. No one has ever won
greater praise for goodness of life,
neither was any man more earnest
in prayer. During the reign of the
Emperor Theodosius he dwelt in the
country after the manner of a monk,
and unceasingly taken up with writ-
ing and reading, until, in a good old
age, he laid down his earthly, to enter
on an heavenly life.i
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso?ts from Matth. v. 13, with the
Homily of St Austi?i, {p. 617.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Confessor Antonine, Arch--
bishop of Florence, whose birth into
the better life is told upon the 2nd
day of May.
Upon the same the loth day of
May, is kept at Rome, on the Latin
Way, the birthday of the holy martyrs
Gordian and Epimachus. Gordian
was long beaten with whips loaded
with lead, and at last beheaded, in
the time of the Emperor Julian the
Apostate, because of his confession
of Christ's Name. The Christians
buried his body at night upon the
aforesaid Latin Way, in the same
underground place whither had a little
while before been brought from Alex-
andria the remains of the blessed
martyr Epimachus, who had there
suffered martyrdom for believing in
Christ.
In the land of Uz is commemorated
the holy prophet Job, a man of won-
drous patience.
At Rome, the blessed priest and
martyr Calepodius, whom the Em-
peror Alexander [Severus] caused to
be slain with the sword, and his body
to be dragged through the city and
cast into the Tiber ; when it had been
found it was buried by Pope Callistus.
Moreover, at Rome also, there were
beheaded the Consul Palmatius, along
with his wife and children and forty-
two others of both sexes of his house ;
also the Senator Simplicius, with his
wife and sixty-eight of his household,
also Felix, with his wife Blanda.
Their heads were hung up at the
different gates of the city to be a
terror to Christians.
Also at Rome, at the Hundred
Halls, upon the Latin Way, are com-
memorated the holy martyrs Quartus
and Quintus, whose bodies were taken
to Capua.
At Lentini, in Sicily, [in the third
century,] the holy martyrs Alphius,
Philadelphus, and Cyrinus.
At Smyrna, the holy martyr Dios-
coredes.
At Bologna, [in the year 1443,]
the blessed Nicholas Albergati,
Bishop of that city ; a Charterhouse
monk, and Cardinal of the holy
Roman Church, famous for his holi-
ness and for his work as Legate of
the Apostolic See. His body is buried
in the Charterhouse at Florence.
At Taranto, [at the end of the
1 A.D. 389 or 391.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
%77
seventh century,] the holy Catald,
Bishop [of that city, an Irish monk,]
famous for wonders.
At Milan is commemorated the
finding of the bodies of the holy
martyrs Nazarius and Celsus. The
blessed Bishop Ambrose found the
body of holy Nazarius still marked
with fresh blood, and took it to the
Cathedral Church of the Apostles
along with the body of the blessed
child Celsus, to whom Nazarius had
been foster-father. In the perse-
cution under Nero, Anolinus com-
manded them both together to be
slain with the sword upon the 29th
day of July, upon the which day
is kept [at Milan] the feast of their
martyrdom.
At Madrid, [in the year 1175,] the
holy Isidore the husbandman, famous
for wonders, whom Pope Gregory
XV. enrolled in the list of the Saints
along with holy Ignatius of Loyola,
Francis Xavier, Teresa, and Philip
Neri.
Vespers are of the following from
the Chapter mclusive.
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
The first verse of the Hymn is al-
tered.
A Commemoration is made of St
Gregory Nazianzen. Antiphon, " O
right excellent, &c."
Then of the Holy Martyrs Gordian
and Epimachus. Afitiphon aiid Verse
and Answer from the First Vespers of
the Covmton Office for Many Martyrs^
{p. 564,) and Prayer :
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^"^ mighty God, that we who make
solemn memorial of Thy blessed
Martyrs Gordian and Epimachus,
who are now with Thee, may con-
tinually be holpen by the prayers of
the same. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
May 10.
St ^ntonine, ^rcptsljop [of
Florence,] Confessor*
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor., {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
TLJELP us, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, for the sake of Thine
holy Bishop and Confessor Antonine,
and so show Thyself merciful in us.
Who didst show Thyself wondrous
in him. Through our Lord Jesus
MATTINS.
The first verse of the Hy?n?i is al-
tered.
FIRST NOCTURN,
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
A NTONINE was born of respect-
^^ able parents at Florence, [in
the year of grace 1389,] and the
holiness of his after life was fore-
shadowed in him even as a little
child. When he was sixteen years
^7^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
of age he entered the Order of Friars
Preachers, and from that time forth
he was a burning and a shining light
to all the godly. He proclaimed a
truceless war against idleness : after
a short night's rest, he was the first
to come to the service of Mattins ;
when they were over he spent the rest
of the night in prayer, or at least in
reading, or writing out books, or if
sleep altogether overcame his weary
body, he would rest against the wall
with his head bowed down, and then
shake off slumber again, and set
himself anew with fresh eagerness
to his sacred watch.
in Priestly zeal. It was wonderful to
see how thoroughly he taught himself
nearly all the sciences, without the
help of a master. At last, after much
work, and publishing many valuable
books on Doctrine, he received the
Holy Eucharist and was anointed,
and then, clasping the image of his
crucified Saviour to his heart, joyfully
welcomed death, on the 2nd day of
May, in the year 1459. He was re-
markable for the working of miracles,
both during his life and after his
death, and Adrian VI. enrolled his
name among those of the Saints, in
the year 1523.
Fifth Lesson.
TJTE required of himself the most
unflinching observance of the
Rule of his Order, and never ate meat
unless he were grievously ill. He
slept upon the ground or upon bare
boards. He always wore haircloth,
and sometimes an iron girdle which
bit into his naked skin. His virginity
he kept ever undimmed by the least
breath or shadow. He was so skilful
in giving advice that he gained the
common nickname of " Counsel Anto-
nine." At the same time so beauti-
fully brilliant was his lowliness, that
even when he was at the head of
houses and provinces of his Order,
he most cheerfully undertook all the
meanest services of the houses where
he was. Eugenius IV. appointed him
Archbishop of Florence, and he took
it so ill, that it was only when awed
by the threats of the Apostolic See
that he obeyed, and accepted the
dignity, [in the year 1446.]
Sixth Lessoji.
A S Archbishop it can hardly be
" told how noble he was, in wis-
dom, in godliness, in love, in meekness.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons front Matth. xxv. 1 4, with
the Homily of St Gregory {f>. 588.)
The last part of this Homily is omitted,
or read along with the seco7id, and the
follozuing is the
Ninth Lesson. {For SS. Gordian and
Epimachus. )
/^ORDIAN was a judge before
^■^ whom, in the reign of Julian
the Apostate, Januarius the Priest
was brought to be condemned.
Januarius instructed Gordian in
the Christian faith, and himself,
with his wife, and fifty-three other
persons of the same household,
were all baptized at Rome. On
this account the Prsetor sent back
Januarius, and ordered Clementian the
Deputy to cast Gordian into prison.
Afterward he caused the same Gor-
dian to be brought before him in
chains, and when he found he could
not shake him in his will to cleave
to the faith, he commanded that he
should first be hided with whips
loaded with lead, and thereafter be-
headed. His body was thrown out
before the temple of Apollo for dogs
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
879
to eat, but the Christians buried it
at night in the catacombs upon the
Latin Way, in the same vault where
v/ere already lying the remains of the
blessed Martyr Epimachus. These
had been brought from Alexandria,
in which city Epimachus had long
been imprisoned for owning Christ,
and had in the end grasped the
crown of his testimony by being
burnt alive.
At Lauds a Coimnei7ioration is made
of these Holy Martyrs. Prayer as at
First Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Pope of Rome, Pius, fifth
of that name, a Friar Preacher, of
whom mention is made upon the 5 th
day of this present month of May.
He toiled manfully and hopefully for
the restoration of the discipline of
the Church, for the extirpation of
heresies, and for the defeat of the
enemies of the Christian name, and
ruled the Catholic Church in holiness
of life and government.
Upon the same iith day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Salarian Way,
the blessed Priest Anthimus. After
he had done excellently well in power
and preaching, he was thrown into
the Tiber during the persecution
under Diocletian, and thence deliv-
ered by an angel, who brought him
back to his own oratory ; but he was
lastly beheaded, and so passed into
heaven as a conqueror.
Upon the same day, the holy
martyr Evellius. He was one of
Nero's household, who believed on
Christ on seeing the passion of the
holy martyr Torpes, and was therefore
beheaded.
Also at Rome, the holy martyrs
Maximus, Bassus, and Fabius, who
were killed upon the Salarian Way, in
the persecution under Diocletian.
At Camarino, the holy martyrs
Anastasius and his Companions, who
were put to death under Antiochus
the President, in the persecution under
Decius.
At Osimo, in Picenum, the holy
martyrs Sisinnius the Deacon, Dio-
cletius, and Florence, disciples of
the holy Priest Anthimus, who fin-
ished their testimony by being stoned
to death, in the persecution under
Diocletian.
At Varennes, [in the eighth cen-
tury,] the holy martyr Gangulph.
At Vienne, [toward the end of
the fifth century,] the holy Mamertus,
Bishop [of that see,] who, on account
of a threatening volcanic eruption,
instituted in that city the solemn
Rogation processions upon the three
days before the Ascension of the
Lord, the which custom the Universal
Church hath since approved by adopt-
ing it.
At Sauvigny, [in the year 994,]
deceased holy Majolus, Abbat of
Cluny, whose life was illustrious for
holy and worthy deeds.
At the town now called San Sever-
ino, in Picenum, the holy Confessor
Illuminatus.
In the town of Grotaglia, in the
Diocese of Taranto, [in the year
1 7 16,] the holy Confessor Francis
di Girolamo, of the Society of Jesus,
an example of singular love and
patience in seeking the salvation of
souls. Pope Gregory XVI. enrolled
his name with those of the Saints.
His burial is commemorated with great
solemnity in the church of the Pro-
fessed House of his Order at Naples,
where his body lieth.
Vespers are of the following., fro?n
the Chapter inclusive.
88o
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
May II.
antr
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Feasts of a Coiifessor a7id Bishop^ {p.
581,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who when Thou wast
^-^ pleased to break the teeth of
them that hate Thy Church, and to
restore again the solemn worship of
Thyself, didst choose the blessed Pope
Pius to work for Thee in that matter,
grant that he may still be a tower of
strength for us ; grant that we also
may be more than conquerors over
all that make war upon our souls," and
in the end may enter into perfect
peace in Thy presence. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
A Commemoration is made of St
Antonine. Prayer from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seasoji.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
[l\/riCHAEL] Ghislieri [afterwards
proclaimed Pope under the
name of] Pius V., was born [on the
27th of January, in the year 1504,]
at the town of Bosco in the Milanese,
but his family was a noble one of
Bologna. At the age of fourteen
years he entered the order of Friars
Preachers. He was a man marked
by a wonderful long-suffering, a deep
lowliness, a great hardness of living,
an unwavering earnestness in prayer,
and a most strong zeal for the per-
fect observance of the Rule of his
Order, and for the greater glory of
God. He gave himself to the study
of Philosophy and Theology, and was
so learned in both, that he discharged
for many years with great reputation
the duties of a Professor of those
sciences. He preached publicly in
many places, to the great profit of
his hearers. He long did the work
of Inquisitor with unflinching spirit,
and preserved many cities, not without
risk to his own life, from the heresy
which was then creeping in every-
where.
Fifth Lesson.
TDAUL IV., to whom his virtues had
greatly endeared him, raised him
[in 1556,] to the united Bishoprics of
Nepi and Sutri, and after two years
he was enrolled among the Cardinal
Priests of the Roman Church. Pius
IV. translated him to the Church of
Mondovi in Piedmont, wherein, on
his coming, he found that many cor-
ruptions had crept in. He reformed
the whole of his diocese, and, after
settling his affairs, returned to Rome,
where his attention was called to
matters of the gravest business, in
determining which he used Apostolic
boldness and firmness. After the
death of Pius IV., the fifth Pius, to
the astonishment of all men, was
elected to succeed him, [on the 7th
of January, 1566.] On becoming
Pope he changed his way of life in
no respect except as regarded his
raiment. The Propagation of Re-
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
88l
ligion was to him the object of un-
ceasing care ; the restoration of the
Discipline of the Church, of unwearied
toil ; the uprooting of error, of sleep-
less watchfulness ; the relieving the
needs of the poor, of unfaiHng charity ;
the maintenance of the rights of the
Apostolic See, of adamantine firmness.
Sixth Lesson.
n^HE Turkish Sultan Selim was
bloated with many victories, and
had got together an huge fleet in the
Gulf of Lepanto, but Pius V. crushed
him, [on the 7th of October, 1571,]
not so much by force of arms as by
dint of the prayers wherein he pleaded
with God. At the hour that the
victory was won, Pius knew it by the
inward revelation of God, and stated
the fact to his servants. He was
busied with the preparations for a
new expedition against the Turks,
when he was laid down by grievous
sickness. He bore most sharp suffer-
ings with the gentlest patience, and
when the end came, he received the
Sacraments as is usual, and with
great peace yielded his spirit to God,
[on the 1st of May,] in the year of
salvation 1572, and of his own age
the 68th, having sat as Pope six
years, three months, and twenty-four
days. His body is buried in the
Church of St Mary, where the Manger
from Bethlehem is, and is there held
in great respect by the faithful, who
have obtained from God by his
prayers, many evident miracles. The
said miracles having been proved by
a judicial investigation Pope Clement
XL enrolled his name among those
of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 1 4, with
the Hojnily of St Gregory^ (J>. 588.)
VOL. II.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 12th day of May, are
commemorated at Rome, upon the
way to Ardea, the holy brethren
Nereus and Achilles, both martyrs.
They were eunuchs belonging to
Flavia Domitilla, and first suffered a
long exile with her in the island of
Ponza for Christ's Name's sake. After-
wards they were laid under most
grievous stripes. Lastly, when
Minutius Rufus, the Consular, was
striving by racking and fire to force
them to offer pagan sacrifices, and
they said that they had been baptized
by the blessed Apostle Peter and
could in no wise make offerings to
idols, they were beheaded. By com-
mand of Pope Clement VHL their
sacred remains, along with those of
Flavia Domitilla, were, upon the eve
of this day, solemnly transferred
from the Deaconry of St Hadrian
to the old church which bears
their names, where they had formerly
lain buried, and which had now been
restored.
Also at Rome, upon the Aurelian
Way, the holy martyr Pancras, who
at fourteen years of age finished his
testimony by being beheaded, in the
persecution under Diocletian.
At Rome also, [in the year 304,]
the holy Denis, uncle of the said
blessed Pancras.
In Sicily, the holy Philip Argyrion,
who was sent by the Roman Pontiff
to that island, and turned a great
part of it to Christ. His holiness
is chiefly shown forth in the de-
liverance of them that are vexed with
evil spirits.
At Salamis, in Cyprus, [in the year
403,] the holy Epiphanius, Bishop
[of that see,] who excelled in vast
learning and knowledge of the Scrip-
tures ; but was also a wonder for the
holiness of his life, his zeal for the
Catholic faith, his generosity to the
2 G 2
882
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
poor, and the power of his mighty
deeds.
At Constantinople, [in the eighth
century,] the holy Bishop Germanus,
famous for his graces and teaching.
He withstood the Emperor Leo the
I saurian with great faithfulness, when
that Prince published his edict against
the holy images.
At Treves, [in the year 640,]
the holy Modwald, Bishop [of that
see.]
In the city of St Domingo de la
Calzada, [in the beginning of the
twelfth century,] the holy Confessor
Dominic.
At Second Vespers Commemoration
of the following. Prayer from their
Office.
May 12.
W^t 5^ol2 JHartgrs Nereug,
^cl}illes;, Ftrgtn Bomitilla,
anti pancras.
Semi-doiible.
All from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs., {p. 514 or 564,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
f~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, that
^^^ the blessed and solemn re-
membrance of Thy Martyrs Nereus,
Achilles, Domitilla, and Pancras, mak-
ing our hearts to burn within us, may
cause us to be more meet for Thy
service. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ainen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordi7ig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
IVTEREUS and Achilles were breth-
ren, eunuchs belonging to
Flavia Domitilla, who were baptized by
blessed Peter, along with her and her
mother Plautilla. They had advised
Domitilla to consecrate her virginity
to God, and on this account Aurelian,
to whom she was betrothed, accused
them of being Christians. They no-
bly confessed the faith, and were
banished to the island of Ponza.
Then they were again put to the
torture, and after being scourged,
were taken to Terracina. At Terra-
cina, Minutius Rufus tormented them
with the rack and with fire, but as
they constantly affirmed that having
once been baptized by the blessed
Apostle Peter, no torture could ever
make them sacrifice to idols, they
were beheaded. Auspicius, their own
disciple and the tutor of Domitilla,
took their bodies to Rome, where
they were buried on the road to
Ardea.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HE Virgin Flavia Domitilla was
a Roman, the niece of the
Emperors Titus and Domitian,i and
was veiled by the blessed Pope Cle-
ment. Aurelian, son of the Consul
Titus Aurelius, to whom she was
betrothed, accused her of being a
Christian, and the Emperor Domi-
tian banished her into the island of
Ponza, where she long suffered and
1 The identity of this Flavia Domitilla has got confused.
Bollandists ; also Gibbon.
See Alban Butler and the
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
883
testified in prison. At length she was
taken to Terracina, where she again
confessed Christ, and as she seemed
ever to grx)w firmer, the judge, under
the Emperor Trajan, caused her
chamber to be set on fire, and there
Domitilla, with her foster-sisters the
maidens, Theodora and Euphrosyne,
finished the race of faith by grasping
the crown of glory, on the 7 th day
of May. Their bodies were found
whole, and were buried by the
Deacon Cassarius. This, the twelfth
day of May, is that whereon the
bodies of Nereus and Achilles, and
that of Domitilla, were carried from
the Deaconry of St Hadrian, and laid
in the Church which is properly
called by the name of these holy
martyrs, but formerly by that of " St
Peter's Bandage." ^
Sixth Lesson.
TDANCRAS was the son of a noble
family of Phrygia. He came
to Rome in the reign of the Emperors
Diocletian and Maximian, being then
a boy of fourteen years of age.
There he was baptized by the Bishop
of Rome, and brought up in the
Christian faith. On this account he
was soon after taken, and having
constantly refused to sacrifice to the
gods, he offered his neck to the
•executioner with manly courage, and
won a glorious crown of martyrdom.
The Lady Octavilla took his body
by night, embalmed it with precious
ointments, and buried it on the
Aurelian Way.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (iv. 46.)
A T that time : There was a certain
nobleman, whose son was sick
at Capernaum. And so on.
Homily by Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {2Zth Sermon^ viz. that
preached on the Birth-day and in the
Church of these Holy Martyrs.)
Wherefore was it that when this
nobleman besought the Lord to come
down ere his child died, the Lord
(albeit He healed him) would not
come, and yet, when the Centurion
prayed Him to heal his servant, al-
beit not asked to come down,^ He
went with them ? He deemed not
that the nobleman's son was worthy
of His bodily presence, but He re-
fused not to go to help the Cen-
turion's servant. What is this but
a rebuke to earthly pride, which
maketh us to respect in men their
honours and riches rather than that
Divine image wherein they are cre-
ated ? It was not so with our
Redeemer, who would not go to
the son of the nobleman, but was
ready to come down for the Cen-
turion's servant, to show that to Him
the things which are great among
men are but of little moment, and
the things which are little esteemed
among men are not beneath His
notice.
Eighth Lesson.
/^UR pride then standeth rebuked,
^^-'^ that pride which maketh us
forget for the sake of one man that
another man is a man at all. This
pride, as we have said, looketh (5nly
at the surroundings of men, not at
their nature, and seeth not that God
is to be honoured in a man because
he is a man. Lo ! how the Son of
God will not go unto the nobleman's
1 When St Peter was walking here a bandage fell off his leg.
- Luke vii. 3, but it is there written "beseeching Him that He would come and heal his
•servant." The "Lord, I am not worthy" (v. 5) seems to have been an afterthought.
884
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
son, but is ready to go and heal the
servant. Of myself I know that if
any one's servant were to ask me to
go to him, I have a sort of pride
which would say to me silently inside
my heart : Go not ; thou wilt lower
thyself; the Papal dignity will be
lightly esteemed ; thy exalted station
will be degraded. Behold how He
Which came down from heaven, doth
not deem it below Him to go to
help a servant, and yet I who am
of the earth earthly, shrink from
being trodden on.
Ninth Lesso7i.
T^HINK not therefore within your-
selves what ye have, but what
ye are. Behold, the world which I
love, is a world which passeth away.
Those holy servants of God, by \yhose
grave I am standing, ennobled them-
selves mentally above the world at
its fairest. To them was offered
length of days, robust health, plenty
in possessions, fruitfulness in off-
spring, comfort under perpetual peace :
and yet while the spring-tide of life
was unfolding before them, their
hearts had already condemned it to
an arid winter. Behold, winter in
their hearts, spring in mine ! Death,
and pain, and barrenness occur all
around me, I am attacked on all
sides, and I feel very bitter, and yet
the sting of fleshly lust so blindeth
me, that I love the bitter feelings,
I hunt after that which flees from me,
and cling to that which would leave
me.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Virgin Walburg, of whom
mention is made upon the ist day
of May.
Upon the same 13th day of May
is kept at Rome the dedication of
the church of St Mary-of-the-Martyrs ;
this building was called the Pantheon
or temple of All the gods, but the
blessed Pope Boniface IV. cleansed
that old temple, and consecrated it
in honour of the blessed Mary, always
a Virgin, and of All Martyrs, in the
time of the Emperor Phocas.
On the same day, were born into
the better life —
At Constantinople, the blessed mar-
tyr Mucins, the Priest. Under the
Emperor Diocletian and the Pro-Con-
sul Laodicius, he was first tormented
at Amphipolis with many pains and
sufferings, on account of his confession
of Christ, and afterwards brought to
Byzantium, where he was beheaded.
At Heraclea, the holy martyr Gly-
ceria of Rome, who suffered under
the Emperor Antoninus and the Pre-
sident Sabinus.
At Alexandria are commemorated
a great number of holy martyrs who
were massacred by the Arians in
the church of Theona, on account
of the Catholic faith, [in the year
372.]
At Utrecht, holy Servatius, Bishop
of the Church of Tongres. His worthi-
ness was strikingly set forth to all by
this, that when everything round about
was covered with snow in the winter
time, his grave was never covered
therewith until a Cathedral Church
was built over it by the industry of
the citizens.
In Palestine, [in the year 558,] holy
John, surnamed the Silent.
At Valladolid, [in the year 1456,]
the holy Confessor Peter Regalati, a
Friar Minor, the restorer of the reg-
ular observance in the Convents of
Spain. The Supreme Pontiff Benedict
XIV. enrolled his name with those of
the Saints.
Vespers of the following^ with Com-
memoratio7i of the preceding.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
885
May 13.
St aEallrtirg, Ftrgin.
Double,
All from the Coinmo7i Office^ (J).
636,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
f~\ GOD, Who amid the other
^-'^ numberless gifts of Thy grace,
dost work marvels by weak women,
mercifully grant that we may feel
how availing at Thy mercy-seat are
the prayers of Thy blessed hand-
maiden Walburg, the bright ensample
of whose chastity doth still shed its
light upon us, and the glory of whose
mighty works doth even now make
us glad. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
If of the First Class, from i Cor.
vii. 25, as in the Cojnmon. If not.,
from Scripture according to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
VyALBURG was the daughter of
holy Richard, King of the Eng-
lish, and sister to the holy Willibald,
and Wunibald, She hallowed her
virginity to Christ the Bridegroom,
almost from her cradle, and bravely
passed by all the attractions of this
world. She manifested her holiness
wondrously in her own land, and with
the consent of her brothers, obeyed
the call of the holy martyr Boniface
to come from England into Germany
along with many other women vowed
to God, partly that she might estab-
lish, partly that she might keep up,
and partly that she might spread, the
discipline of the cloister among the
nuns. This she eminently did, set-
ting an example in herself of religious
conversation, of love, and of purity.
Fifth Lesson,
TUT ER brother Willibald sent for
her from Thuringia to Heiden-
heim to rule a monastery of nuns
which had just been founded. This
she did so happily that when holy
Wunibald died, the monastery of men
likewise was committed to her care.
She discharged this office with the
greatest uprightness, wisdom, and
holiness, not without the grace of
miracles, until she passed away to
that blessedness in heaven, which
had been the object of her most
eager desire, upon the 25 th day of
February, in the year of salvation
776. Her brother. Bishop Willibald,
buried her in her own monastery in
Heidenheim.
Sixth Lesson.
T^HE holy Virgin rested in her
home and her grave at Heiden-
heim until the time of Ockar, sixth
Bishop of Eystadt, by whose author-
ity, supported by the approval of the
clergy, the reliques of this chaste
maiden were carried to Eystadt in
solemn procession amid crowds of
all orders of men, and there laid in
that place which is since called St
Walburg's. However, a part of the
hallowed reliques were given to the
monastery of Monheim, at the entreaty
of the Abbess Lioba. Many mira-
S'86
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
cles forthwith began to be worked
at both places. At Eystadt, especi-
ally, a clear oil, useful for divers
sicknesses, oozeth from the blessed
bones of Walburg, in the place of
their interment.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. i, with
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 640.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Monica, the mother of
blessed Augustine, to whose illustrious
life he hath left unto us his witness in
the 9th Book of his Confessions, and
of whom mention is made upon the
4th day of this present month of
May.
Upon the same 14th day of May,
were born into the better life —
The holy martyr Boniface, who
suffered in the persecution under
Diocletian and Maximian at Tarsus,
in Cilicia, and whose body was thence
brought to Rome and buried on the
Latin Way.
[At Cimiez, hard by Nice,] in Gaul,
the holy martyr Pontius. By his
preaching and carefulness he turned
the two Caesars of the name of Philip
to Christ, and himself gained the palm
of martyrdom under the Emperors
Valerian and Gallienus.
In Syria, the holy Victor and
Corona, martyrs under the Emperor
Antoninus. Victor was put to divers
and horrid tortures under the judge
Sebastian. Corona, who was the wife
of a certain soldier, was fain to cry
out that he was blessed, because of
the constancy in his testimony, where-
upon she saw two crowns descending
from heaven, the one for Victor and
the other for herself, and when she
had borne witness to this in the hear-
ing of all, she was torn asunder be-
tween trees, and Victor was beheaded.
In Sardinia, [in the second cen-
tury,] the holy martyrs Justa, Justina,
and Henedina.
At Rome, [in the year 824,] the
holy Pope Paschal I., who brought up
a great number of bodies of the holy
martyrs out of the Catacombs and
put them in honourable places in
divers churches.
At Ferentino, in Tuscany, [in the
sixth century,] the holy Boniface,
Bishop [of that see,] who was marked
by holiness and miracles from his
very boyhood, as is told by blessed
Pope Gregory.
At Naples, in Campania, [in the
sixth century,] holy Pomponius,
Bishop [of that see.]
In Egypt, [in the year 348,] the
holy Abbat Pachom, who built many
monasteries in that land, and wrote
down a rule for monks, at the dicta-
tion of an Angel.
At Vespers Commemoration of the
following^ from the Chapter inclusive.
May 14.
St Jttonica, SlEitioto.
Double.
All from the Co7nmon Office for an
Holy Woman., neither Martyr nor Vir-
gin., {p. 649,) except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
These., as regards St Monica., begin
with the Chapter. Prayer from
Lauds.
Commemoration of the preceding.
Prayer from her Q-ffice.
Then of the holy Martyr Boniface.,
from the Common Office for Ofte
Martyr, {p. 513 or 548,) and the
following Prayer.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
^^7
/^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^^ mighty God, that we who do
make solemn remembrance of Thine
holy Martyr, Boniface, may be holpen
in Thy presence by his prayers.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
A/rONICA was twice over the
mother of St Austin, for, under
God, he owed to her both earth and
heaven. When her husband was
very old she made him a friend of
Jesus Christ, and after his death
she lived a widow in all purity and
constantly occupied in works of
mercy. Her son Austin had fallen
into the heresy of the Manichaeans,
and for his conversion she earnestly
pleaded with God for years, with
strong crying and tears. She fol-
lowed Austin to Milan, and tenderly
and constantly besought him to con-
fer with Ambrose the Bishop. This
he consented to do, and at last,
through the public sermons and pri-
vate conversations of Ambrose, his
eyes were opened to see the truth of
the Catholic Religion, and he received
baptism at the Bishop's hands, [at the
Passover of the year 387.]
Fifth Lessofi.
'T^HE mother and son set out to
return to their home in Africa,
but after they had reached Ostia at
the mouth of the Tiber, she was
stricken down by a fever. One day
as she lay sick, she came to her-
self after her mind had been long
wandering, and said : " Where am
I ? " Then she saw who were
standing by, and said : " Let your
mother lie here : only, remember
me at the altar of the Lord."
On the ninth day this blessed lady
surrendered her spirit to God. Her
body was buried there at Ostia in
the Church of St Aurea, but, long
after, in the Popedom of Martin V.,
it was carried to Rome and honour-
ably buried again in the Church of
St Augustine.
Sixth Lesson. {Co7ifessions of St Aus-
tin. Bk. ix. ch. 12.)
A USTIN added these words after
describing his mother's death :
"We did not think that hers was a
death which it was seemly to mark
with repining, or tears, or lamenta-
tions, seeing that she died not sor-
rowfully, nor at all as touching her
best and noblest part. This we knew,
because we knew what her life had
been, her faith unfeigned, her sure
and certain hope. And then, never-
theless, I remembered again what
Thine handmaid was used to be, her
walk with Thee, how godly and holy
it was, and with us so gentle and
long-suffering ; and that it was all
gone away from me now. And I
wept, over her and for her. And if
any man will make it blame to me
that I wept for a little while, when
I saw lying dead before my eyes
my mother, who had wept over
me so many years, that she might
see me live, I say, if any man will
make it blame to me, I pray him
not to sneer at me, but rather (if
his charity be so great) himself to
weep over my sins before Thee,
888
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Who art a Father to all them to
whom Thy Christ is a Brother."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (vii. ii.)
A T that time : Jesus went into a
'^^ city called Nain ; and His dis-
ciples went with Him, and much
people. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (44/// Discourse on the Words
of the Lord.)
That her son was called again to
life was the joy of that widowed
mother ; that souls of men are every
day called to life is the joy of our
Mother the Church. He was dead
in body ; they have been dead in
mind. His death was outward, and
was outwardly bewailed ; their inward
death hath been neither mourned for
nor seen. But He hath sought for
them. Who hath seen that they are
dead, and He only hath seen that
they are dead. Who hath been able
to make them alive. If He had
not come to raise the dead, the
Apostle had not said : — " Awake,
thou that sleepest, and arise from
the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light." (Eph. v. 14.)
Eighth Lesson.
ATiTE find written how the Lord
raised from the dead three
persons visibly, but thousands invis-
ibly. But how many they may have
been whom He raised visibly, who
knoweth ? For all the things which
He did are not written. John saith
thus: — "There are also many other
things which jESUS did, the which,
if they should be written every one.
I suppose that even the world itself
could not contain the books that
should be written." (xxi. 25.) There
were then, doubtless, many more
raised to life, but it is not meaning-
less that three are recorded. For
our Lord Jesus Christ hath willed
that those things which He did car-
nally, we should understand also spirit-
ually. He worked not miracles only
for the sake of working wonders, but
that His works might be at once
wonderful to them that beheld, and
true to them that understand them.
Even as one that looketh upon a
scroll right fairly written, and know-
eth not how to read therein, praiseth
the hand of the old scribe when he
seeth the beauty of the points, but
what it saith, what those points mean,
he knoweth not, and praiseth by the
eye, without understanding by the
mind, — and as, on the other hand,
he that can not only gaze on it, as
can all men, but also can read it,
praiseth the penmanship, and catch-
eth the sense likewise, which the
unlearned cannot do : even so, there
were some that saw the miracles
which Christ did, and understood not
what they meant, nor what they, as
it were, hinted to such as did under-
stand them, and these only marvelled
to see them wrought. And other
some there were which saw the works,
and marvelled, and understood them,
and profited by them. And it is as
these last that we ought to be in the
school of Christ.
Ninth Lesso7i. {For St Boniface.)
T) ON I FACE was a Roman citizen
who had lived in sin with the
noble lady Aglae. The memory of
this transgression overwhelmed him
with exceeding sorrow, so that for
penance he gave himself up to look
for and bury the bodies of the
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
889
martyrs. While he was at Tarsus,
and apart from his fellow-travellers,
he saw a great many persons being
divers ways tormented, because they
confessed to believing in Christ. He
kissed their chains, and vehemently
exhorted them bravely to bear their
sufferings, seeing that the same their
affliction which was but for a mo-
ment, was working for them an ex-
ceeding, even an eternal weight of
glory. For this cause Boniface also
was taken, and his flesh torn off him
with iron claws. Sharp reeds also
were driven between his finger-nails
and the quick, and molten lead
poured into his mouth. In his agony
he was only heard to say : "I thank
Thee, O Lord jESUS Christ, Son of
God." Afterward he was dipped
head foremost into a vessel of boiling
pitch, and as he was drawn out
unharmed, the judge in fury com-
manded him to be beheaded. ^ At
the time it was done there was a
great earthquake, whereby many un-
believers were turned to believe in
the Lord Christ. The fellow-travellers
of Boniface sought him the next day,
and when they knew that he had
undergone martyrdom, they bought
his body for fifty shillings,^ and after
that they had embalmed it with
spices, and wrapped it in linen, they
carried it to Rome. The Lady Aglae,
who had herself with great contri-
tion given up her life to godly
works, was told by an angel what
had come to pass. She therefore
went forth to meet the holy body,
and built a Church in the name
of Boniface, wherein his said body
was buried upon the fifth day of
June next after that fourteenth of
May whereon in the city of Tarsus
in Cilicia, under the Emperors Dio-
cletian and Maximian, he had passed
away to heaven.
1 About A.D. 307.
LAUDS.
Prayer throughout the day.
r\ GOD, the Consolation of all
^^ such as be sorrowful and the
salvation of all them that put their
trust in Thee, Who didst mercifully
regard the tears which Thy blessed
handmaid and his mother Monica
shed before Thee for the conversion
of Austin, be again entreated for the
sake both of her and of him, and
make us so to weep over our own
sins that Thy gracious majesty may
be moved to have mercy upon us.
Through the Same our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Amen.
At Lauds a Coinmemoration is made
of St Boniface. Prayer from First
Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the i 5th day of May —
In Spain are commemorated the
holy Bishops Torquatus, Ctesiphon,
Secundus, Indaletius, Csecilius, Hesy-
chius, and Euphratius. They were
ordained at Rome by the holy
Apostles, and sent to preach the
Word of God in Spain. They
evangelised divers cities, and brought
countless multitudes into the obedi-
ence of the faith of Christ, and fell
asleep each in a different place in
that land. Torquatus at Cadiz,
Ctesiphon at Viergo, Secundus at
Avila, Indaletius at Portilla, Cascilius
at Elvira, Hesychius at Gibraltar,
and Euphratius at Andujar.
At Evora, in Portugal, [in the sixth
century,] the holy martyr Mancius.
In the island of Chios, [in the
year 251,] was born into the better
life the blessed martyr Isidore, in
2 Quingentis solidis. About ;^3o.
890
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
whose church there is a well into
the which he is said to have been
cast, of the water whereof the sick
oftentimes drink and are healed.
At Lampsacus, on the Hellespont,
[in the persecution under the Em-
peror Decius,] suffered the holy
martyrs Peter, Andrew, Paul, and
Dionysia.
At Faustina, in Sardinia, the holy
martyr Simplicius, Bishop [of that
see,] who was thrust through with
a lance, under the President Bar-
baros, in the time of the Emperor
Diocletian, and so finished his
testimony.
At Clermont, in Auvergne, [in the
first century,] the holy martyrs Cas-
sius, Victorinus, Maximus, and their
Companions.
In Brabant, the holy Virgin and
martyr Dympna, daughter of a .King
of Ireland, who was beheaded by
order of her own father on account
of her belief in Christ, and her
holding to her virginity.
Vespers are of the follo'wi7ig^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
May 15.
martyrology.
Upon the i6th day of May, was
born into the better life —
At Bordeaux, in Aquitaine, the
holy Confessor Simon, surnamed
Stock, [for that he lived at one time
in the stock of an hollow oak,] of
the Order of Carmelites, who by his
singular devotion toward the Virgin
Mother of God won to obtain of her
the sacred scapular of his Order,
and, after many labours borne in the
governing of the same her Order,
passed away famous for miracles, to
receive his everlastingf reward. ^
Upon the same i6th day of May,
were likewise born into the better
life—
At Gubbio, holy Ubald, Bishop
[of the same city,] who was famous
for miracles, and whose feast we keep
upon the 22nd day of this present
month of May.
In Isauria, the holy martyrs Aqui-
linus and Victorian.
At Auxerre, suffered the holy mar-
tyr Peregrin, first Bishop of that city,
who was sent into Gaul with other
clerks by blessed Pope Sixtus [II.],
and, when he had finished the work or
preaching the Gospel, was condemned
to be beheaded, and so earned a
crown of life that fadeth not away.
At Usal, in Africa, [in the third
century,] the holy martyrs Felix and
Gennadius.
In Palestine, the passion of the holy
monks who were massacred by the
Saracens in the Monastery of St
Saba.
In Persia, the holy martyrs Bishop
Audas, seven Priests, nine Deacons,
and seven Virgins, who suffered divers
tortures under King Isdegerd, and so
finished a glorious testimony.
At Prague, in Bohemia, [in the year
1390,] holy John of Nepomuc, Canon
of the Metropolitical Cathedral Church
in that city, who, when he had been
vainly tried to make him violate the
seal of sacramental confession, was cast
into the river Moldau, and so earned
the palm of martyrdom. We keep
feast in his honour upon the 30th
day of this present month of May.
At Amiens, in Gaul, [about the
year 600,] the holy Confessor Honore,
Bishop [of that see.]
At Mans, [toward the end of the
sixth century,] the holy Confessor
Domnolus, Bishop [of that see.]
At Mirandola, in Emilia, the holy
1 The Roman Martyrology and other service books contain no mention of this Simon, and
the above is accordingly extracted from the Martyrology of the Carmelites.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
891
Possidius, Bishop of Calama, in Nu-
midia, a disciple of holy Augustine,
and writer of his famous life.
At Troyes, [toward the middle of
the sixth century,] the holy Confessor
Fidolus, [Abbat of the Isles-Aumont.]
In Ireland, [in the year 577,] the
holy Brendan, Abbat [of Clonfert.]
At Frejus, the holy Virgin Maxima,
who fell asleep in peace, famous for
many excellences.
May 16.
&t Stmon Stocfe, ffiottfessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor 7iot a Bishops {p. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout.
TET Thy people, O Lord, who be-
long to Thee and to the Virgin
Mother, make glad for the solemn
feast day of Thy blessed servant
Simon, and, as they obtain through
his hands the sign of such a mighty
protection, may they attain the grace
of eternal predestination.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordmg to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
CIMON STOCK was born of a
noble family, in the county of
Kent, in England. While he was
still studying as a boy he was chosen
for the Lord's lot. While he was
still in his twelfth year he left his
parents, turned away from all the
things of his home and all the
pomps of the world, and went into
the desert, where he made his dwell-
ing in the hollow trunk of an oak.
Thus separated from all dealings
with men, the more he starved his
body as regarded earthly food, the
more did he banquet his soul with
the contemplation of the things of
heaven ; and the less he conversed
with men, the more communion had
he with the Saints. He was so
given to fasting that he drank noth-
ing but cold water, and ate nothing
but the herbs, roots, and wild fruit
of the forest. God sometimes softened
the hardness of his life by the service
of dogs, which came to him on cer-
tain days, and brought him bread
merely to refresh his hungry body.
He ate alone in his tree, instant in
prayer, sighing deeply, slept very
seldom, and brought his flesh into
subjection to his spirit by binding
it with brambles and beating it with
thorns.
Fifth Lesson.
A FTER Simon had passed twenty
■"^^ years in these hardships he had
a word from God that he should enter
the Order of Carmelites, which was
then flourishing in England, in holi-
ness and teaching. The Superiors
of his Order admired his remarkable
genius, adorned with singular graces,
and after he had uttered the solemn
vows of the religious life, they sent
him to Oxford to study Theology.
There, although the humility which
marked him before others made him un-
willing, he was drawn by the entreaties
of his own brethren and of the teachers
of Oxford to take the degree of
Bachelor of Divinity. He thence-
forth applied his mind to the sal-
vation of souls, and it would be hard
to say what kind and abundance of
892
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
fruits he yielded to the Church in
that office. He wrote much concern-
ing Christian patience, and distin-
guished compositions in praise of the
Mother of Christ, of whom he made
himself the special servant. After
the death of Alanus, General of the
whole Order, he was unanimously
chosen at Ailesford to succeed him.
To the burden of this great dignity
he added watchings more frequent,
tears more abundant, and haircloth
more vexing. He became harder to
himself, gentle towards all others,
and afflicted his body by new stripes.
His virginity he always preserved from
the beginning.
Sixth Lesson.
/~^OD was pleased that the holiness
of Simon's life should be publicly
attested by many miracles. In the
spirit of prophecy he foretold very
many things to come ; he cured in-
curable diseases ; by the Sign of the
Cross he turned water into wine, and
so baffled the trick of the devils, who
had taken away the wine prepared
in the vessels when he was saying
Mass. He obtained from the Supreme
Pontiffs the confirmation of the rule
of his Order. He besought the holy
Virgin to mark, apart from all other
Orders, by some special privileges this
Order so confirmed, which hath the
joy to call itself hers. And the
Blessed Virgin herself appeared unto
him, surrounded by a host of angels,
holding in her hand a scapular of his
Order, and said unto him, "This shall
be a sign unto thee, and a privilege
unto all Carmelites, that whosoever
shall die a godly death in this, shall
not burn for ever." He ruled the
Order committed unto him with won-
drous prudence and all praise, as
though he were a man sent from
heaven, to spread through Europe
the zeal of Elias. After he had lived
an hundred years he passed away from
his convent at Bordeaux to be ever
with the Lord, [upon the i6th May,]
in the year of Christ 1265. On the
third day after his burial his body,
famous for miracles, in obedience to
a warning from God, was exhumed
and raised, and laid in a place of
greater honour.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with the
Llomily of St Gregory ., {p. 605.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 17th day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Villa Real, in the kingdom of
Valencia, the holy Paschal, of the
Order of Friars Minors, a man of
wonderful innocency, and wonderful
contrition.
At Pisa, in Tuscany, is commem-
orated the holy martyr Torpes. He
was a great official in the house of
Nero, and was one of those of whom
the Apostle Paul writeth from the
city of Rome unto the Philippians
(iv. 22,) "All the Saints salute you,
chiefly they that are of Caesar's house-
hold." But later on, at the command
of Satellicus, because of his belief in
Christ, he was buffeted, grievously
scourged, and thrown to beasts to be
devoured ; but he was not hurt there-
by, and finished his testimony by
being beheaded, upon the 29th day
of April ; but his feast day is kept
upon the 17th day of May on account
of the translation of his body.
On the same day, the holy Virgin
and martyr Restituta. In the reign
of the Emperor Valerian, Proculus,
the judge in Africa, caused her to be
tortured in divers ways, and put into
a ship with pitch and tow that she
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
893
might burn on the sea, but when fire
was put to it the flame turned upon
them that kindled it. Restituta gave
up her spirit to God in prayer, and,
by the will of God, the ship con-
taining her body came to shore in
the island of Ischia, near Naples,
where her remains were received with
great worship by the Christians. In
after-days the Emperor Constantine
the Great caused a church to be built
in her honour at Naples.
At Noyon, [in the reign of the
Emperor Diocletian,] the holy martyrs
Heradius, Paul, and Aquilinus, along
with two others.
At Chalcedon, under the Emperor
Maximian, the holy martyrs Solochan,
and the soldiers, his Companions.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs
Adrion, Victor, and Basilla.
At Wiirzburg, [in the year 1045,]
the holy Confessor Bruno, Bishop [of
that see.]
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
May 17.
St Pascljal Baglon,
Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop., {p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, who didst glorify Thy
blessed Confessor Paschal
through a wonderful love for the
sacred mysteries of Thy Body and
Blood, grant even unto us also, like
him, to taste the inward fatness of
Thy Supper, O Jesus, our Lord and
God : Who liveth and reigneth with
God the Father, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemora-
tion is made of St Ubald. Prayer
from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessojts from Scripture accordijig to
the Seaso7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
T)ASCHAL Baylon was the son of
poor and godly parents, in the
town of Torre Hermosa, and Diocese
of Sagunta in Aragon, [in the year
of our Lord 1540.] From his child-
hood he gave indications of a holy
life. He was naturally of a good
disposition, and very wishful to learn
about heavenly things. His boyhood
and youth he passed in the occupa-
tion of a shepherd. This way of life
pleased him well, because he thought
it one useful and fitted to nourish
lowliness and keep innocency. He
ate little, and was instant in prayer.
He had great weight and favour
with his fellows and neighbours,
whose quarrels he healed, corrected
their mistakes, enlightened their ig-
norance, and roused them from idle-
ness. They all greatly honoured and
loved him, as though he were their
father and teacher, and even then
many called him " Beato," that is
"the Blessed."
Fifth Lesson.
TN a world which was to him "a
dry land, where no water is "
(Ps. Ixii. 3,) Paschal grew up a lily of
894
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the vallies, "planted in the House
of the Lord" (Ps. xci. 14,) whose
strange sweetness spread all around.
When he took upon him an harder
life, by entering the Institute of bare-
footed Grey Friars, of the strict Ob-
servance, " he rejoiced as a strong
man to run a race" (Ps. xviii. 6,) and
gave himself up altogether to serve the
Lord, thinking by day and by night
only how he might attain more and
more to have that mind in him which
was also in Christ jESUS (Phil. ii. 5.)
And so it came to pass in a little
while, that his very elders set him
before them for their model, as a
pattern of a man seeking to be perfect
in the path of the Seraphic Order.
Paschal himself held the lowly place
of a lay brother, and deemed himself
"the off-scouring of all things" (i
Cor. iv. 13.) He took most cheer-
fully, and discharged with the great-
est humility and patience, the hardest
and meanest work of the house, as
though such were his peculiar right.
His flesh would sometimes rebel
against his spirit, but he broke it
under the yoke of mortification, and
brought it into subjection. Day by
day the spirit of self-denial waxed
stronger in him, and "forgetting
those things which were behind, he
reached forth unto those things which
were before" (Phil. iii. 13.)
Sixth Lesson.
nrO the Virgin Mother of God he
had vowed himself when he
was but a little lad, and he paid
her every day the services of a son,
and trusted her as a mother. It is
hard to tell how intense was the
love which bound him to the Most
Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, a
love which seemed literally stronger
than death, for when his dead body
was found lying on the bier, its eyes
opened and shut twice when the
Sacred Host was lifted up, to the
amazement of all that were there.
When he was among heretics, he
suffered much and grievously at their
hands for plainly and openly telling
the truth touching this Sacrament :
they often sought after him to murder
him, but by the singular Providence
of God he was delivered from those
wicked men. When he was at prayer
he often became utterly insensible,
and his soul fainted away with the
love of God. During these trances it
was believed that he received directly
from heaven that kn^owledge which
he had, and which enabled him,
although a man altogether rough and
unlettered, to answer the hardest ques-
tions upon the mysteries of the faith,
and even to write some books. At
last, full of good works, he joyfully
passed away to be ever with the Lord,
at the hour foretold by himself, on the
Feast of Pentecost, the 17th day of
May, in the year of salvation 1592,
on which day also he had been born
fifty - two years before. Illustrious
for the graces above mentioned, and
for the miracles which he worked
both during his life and after his
death, he was named Blessed by
Pope Paul v., and Alexander VIII.
enrolled him among the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with the
Homily of St Gregory, {p. 605.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 1 8th day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Camarino, in the neighbour-
hood of Ancona, the holy martyr
Venantius, who, at fifteen years of
age, under Decius the Emperor and
Antiochus the President, along, with
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
895
ten others, finished the course of a
glorious contention by being be-
headed.
In Egypt, the holy Reader Dios-
corus, upon whom the President
practised many and divers tortures,
so that he had his nails dug out, and
his sides scarified with lamps, but a
sudden light from heaven terrified
the tormentors so that they fell down ;
lastly, he was roasted with hot plates
of metal, and so finished his testi-
mony.
At Spoleto, the holy Felix, Bishop
[of Spello,] who gained the palm
of martyrdom, under the Emperor
Maximian.
In Egypt, the holy Potamion,
Bishop [of Heraclea,] who was first
a Confessor of the faith under the
Emperor Maximian Gallerius, and
afterwards crowned with martyrdom,
under the Emperor Constantius and
the Arian President Philagrius.
At Ancyra, in Galatia, the holy
martyrs Theodotus, and the Virgins
Thecusa his aunt, Alexandra, Claudia,
Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona, and
Julitta, who were sentenced by the
President to the stews, but were pre-
served by the power of God ; where-
upon stones were tied to their necks
and they were sunk in a swamp.
Theodotus gathered their remains
and buried them honourably, where-
upon he was arrested by the Pre-
sident and savagely mangled, and
at length received the crown of his
testimony by being stricken with
the sword.
At Upsala, in Sweden, [in the year
1 161,] the holy martyr Eric, King of
that land.
At Rome, [in the year 1587,] the
holy Confessor Felix of Cantaficio, of
the Order of Friars Minors Capu-
chins, who was remarkable for his
Gospel simplicit}' and charity, and
whom the Supreme Pontiff Clement
XI. numbered among the Saints.
Vespers are of the followi7ig^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
May 18.
St Fenanttus, iHartgr.
Double.
All from the Common Office for
One Martyr^ {p. 514 or 548,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, in Whose sight this day
is holy, because Thy blessed
Martyr Venantius did become more
than conqueror thereon, graciously
hear the prayers of Thy people,
and grant that all who reverence
his right worthy loyalty to Thee,
may be like him in godly endur-
ance. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
If the following Hy7nn be not said.,
the first four verses are prefixed to the
Hymn at Mattins.
Hymn.^
WENANTIUS, Martyr of the Lord,
And glory of his native home,
Sings triumph, in his glad reward,
O'er judge and headsmen overcome.
A boy, yet tried in dungeon fast
By cruel stripes and fetters rude,
And lengthened hunger, he is cast
To raging lions as their food.
1 Translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
896
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Yet the fierce lions injure not
The guiltless victim whom they meet ;
Their hunger and their rage forgot,
They crouch to lick the martyr's feet.
Men hang him downwards from a height,
And make him breathe smoke's stifling
fumes,
While that a kindred cresset's light
His scorching sides and breast consumes.
Praise to the Father and the Son,
And, Holy Spirit, unto Thee ;
And by Thy martyr's prayers be won
For us those joys that aye shall be.
Amen.
A Cojnmemoration is made of St
Paschal Baylon. Prayer from his
Office.
MATTINS.
Hy^nii?-
r^HRIST'S noble soldier scouts as fraud
Those idols by the heathen sought,
And, wounded with the love of God,
Of life imperilled recketh not.
They bind him with harsh thongs in hate.
And headlong from a cliff they send.
Till thorns his visage lacerate,
And stones his mangled body rend.
While the Saint's limbs they rack and toss,
The torturers grow faint with thirst,
Venantius signs the Holy Cross,
And from the rock forth waters burst.
And as that warrior most brave
Drink to his foes gave from the stone,
So pour, O Lord, Thy grace's wave
In dews refreshing on Thine own.
Praise to the Father and the Son,
And, Holy Spirit, unto Thee,
And by Thy martyr's prayers be won
For us those joys that aye shall be.
Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordijig to
the SeasoJi.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
WENANTIUS was a lad of
Camerino [in the neighbourhood
of Ancona,] who at fifteen years of
age was accused of Christianity before
Antiochus, Prsefect of Camerino under
the Emperor Decius. Venantius
therefore appeared before Antiochus
at the gate of the city, and when the
Preefect had striven with him for a
long while, by promises and threats,
he commanded him to be scourged
and thrown into irons, but an Angel
loosed his bonds. He was afterwards
scarified with lamps, and hung head
downwards in smoke. Anastasius the
trumpeter was amazed at his hardi-
ness under suffering, and when it ap-
peared to him that the Martyr was a
second time loosed by an Angel,
and was walking in white raiment on
the smoke, he believed in Christ, and
was baptized, with all his house, by
the blessed Priest Porphyry, and a
little while after they both together
earned the palm of martyrdom.
Fifth Lesson.
IVrOW Venantius stood before the
-^ Pr£efect, and when he had again
vainly tempted him to give up his
faith in Christ, he cast him into prison,
and sent unto him Attains the crier.
Attains told him how that he also
had been a Christian, but had denied
that name, seeing it was a foolish
faith which made Christians to throw
away things present for a groundless
hope of things to come. But Christ's
brave champion, well knowing the wiles
of our subtle enemy, drave the devil's
servant from his presence. When he
appeared again before the Praefect, his
teeth and jaws were broken, and so
T- Translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
897
mangled he was cast out upon a dung-
hill. But thence also an Angel de-
livered him, and he stood again before
the judge. And there while Venan-
tius was yet speaking, the judge fell
from off the judgment-seat, and when
he had cried with a loud voice, " Ve-
nantius his God is true, take away
our gods," he died.
Sixth Lesson.
VyHEN they told the President of
it, he commanded Venantius
to be straightway thrown to the lions.
But the beasts were not wild to him,
and lay down at his feet. And mean-
while he taught the Christian faith to
the people. So they took him away
from thence and cast him once more
into prison. The next day Porphyry
came to the President, and told him
how that he had seen in a vision of
the night Venantius sprinkling certain
ones with water, and they that were
sprinkled shone with a marvellous
light, and the President himself hid-
den in deep darkness. Then the
President was moved to great anger
and commanded forthwith to behead
Porphyry. As for Venantius, he bade
them drag him about in rough places,
full of briars and thistles, until the
evening. When it was over, he was
left half dead, but in the morning
he stood for the last time before the
President, who commanded to cast
him down from a steep rock. It
pleased God that this should not kill
him, and he was haled again through
rough places for about a mile. There
the soldiers were athirst, and Venan-
tius, by the sign of the Cross, made
waters to flow from a stone in a gulley
hard by. This is that stone whereon
also he left the imprint of his knees,
and which can be seen to this day in
his Church. By this wonder many
were moved to believe in Christ ; and
the President comm.anded them all,
and Venantius with them, to be be-
headed in the same place where they
were.^ When it was done there were
great lightnings and earthquakes, so
that the President fled, but he could
not fly from the judgment of God, and
but a few days thereafter he died a
most shameful death. Meanwhile the
Christians took the bodies of Venantius
and the others, and buried them in an
honourable place, wherein they lie to
this day, under the Church at Camerino
which is dedicated to Venantius.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7ts from John xv. i , with the
Homily of St Austin., {p. 519,) or
else from Luke xiv. 26, with that of
St Gregory., {p. 555,) according as
this day is kept within or without
Paschal-tide.
LAUDS.
Hymn."^
V\ /"HILST, banishing the gloom of night.
The morning star tells day is near,
Venantius bids us think aright
Of blessed joys in glory clear.
For he dispelled the mists of sin,
And all the Stygian dark abhorred,
And taught his countrymen to win
That light of truth which is the Lord.
He with the layer's hallowed wave
His native land hath purified,
And those the font as soldiers gave,
Rose to the stars as martyrs tried.
Now, where the Angels' bliss he shares,
That we may from all sin be freed,
Let him unite with us in prayers,
As we for grace enlightening plead.
Praise to the Father and the Son,
And, Holy Spirit, unto Thee ;
And by Thy martyr's prayers be won
For us those joys that aye shall be.
Amen.
A.D. 250.
2 Translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
898
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of holy Dunstan, Archbishop of Can-
terbury.
On the same 19th day of May, were
born into the better Hfe —
Holy Peter Morone, who was a
hermit when he was created Supreme
Pontiff, and was called Celestine V.
He resigned the Papacy and led a re-
ligious life in solitude, and so, famous
for graces and wonders, passed away,
[in the year 1296,] to be for ever
with the Lord. His feast we keep
upon the 21st day of this same month
of May.
At Rome, the holy Virgin Puden-
tiana, who, after countless contend-
ings, after worshipfully burying many
martyrs, and after distributing all
her goods to feed the poor for Christ's
sake, at length passed from earth to
heaven.
There also the holy Senator Pudens,
the father of the said virgin. He put
on Christ in baptism by the ministry
of the Apostles, and kept his robe in
innocency undefiled till he received
the crown of life.
At Rome also, upon the Appian
Way, the holy eunuchs Calocerus and
Parthenius. Calocerus was master of
the bed-chamber to the wife of the
Emperor Decius, and Parthenius was
one of the chief officers of the court,
and Decius slew them both because
they would not sacrifice to idols.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Philoter, son of the Pro-Consul Pacian,
who suffered much under the Emperor
Diocletian, and received the crown of
martyrdom.
There also six holy Virgin martyrs,
of whom the chiefest was Cyriaca,
who boldly rebuked Maximian for his
wickedness, and therefore was most
direfully rent and torn, and at last
burnt with fire.
In Brittany, [in the year 1303,] the
holy Priest and Confessor Ives, who
for the love of Christ pled the cause
of orphans, widows, and the poor.
Vespers are of the following from
the Chapter inclusive.
May 19.
St liunstan, ^rcljbfeljop [of
Canteriurg,] ffionfessor.
Double.
All from the Co7nmon Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout. ( Taken from the
Salisbury Missal.)
r~\ GOD, Who hast made Thy blessed
^■^^ Bishop Dunstan to inherit a
kingdom in heaven, grant unto us,
for his glorious sake, to inherit ever-
lasting joy. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, w^orld without
end. Amen.
First Vespers., as regards St Dun-
stan., begin with the Chapter^ and a
Co7n7Jiemoratio7i is 77iade of St Ve7ia7i-
tius a7id of St Pudentia7ia.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro77i Scripture according to
the Seaso7t.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i. {Fro77i his Life by
Osberfi. A7iglia Sacra., xi. 99.)
'T^HIS Dunstan was born of a noble
family. He was expelled from
the King's court through the efforts
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
899
of his enemies, whereupon he bade
farewell to the world. He betook
himself to Glastonbury, as there were
then no monks there, and got together
some, of whom he was made Abbat.
He was a great favourite of the Kings
Edmund and Edred, but peculiarly
obnoxious to Edwy, because he used
to rebuke him for his perverse doings,
and oppose his wishes. In conse-
quence of this line of conduct, the
king took proceedings against him,
from which he was obliged to abscond,
and he went and lived abroad at
Ghent, in Flanders.
Fifth Lesson,
T N the reign of Edgar he was called
home again, with great popular
applause, and soon afterwards pro-
moted to the Archbishoprick of
Canterbury. He was excessively
severe in using Church discipline,
and never spared one who had erred.
He ejected all the married clergy from
their Churches, and put in regular
monks in their places, and he forced
the King himself to do penance for
seven years for sins which he had
committed.
Sixth Lesson.
"rAUNSTi\N'S strictness caused him
'^ to be regarded with fear by
many, but all admired him as a Saint,
so that he got among the lower classes
the name of being a good Archbishop.
After the death of the Kings Edgar
and Edward, he put the crown on
Etheldred, the next heir, to whom he
is said to have foretold an unhappy
reign, and no cessation from trouble.
He died full of days, and was buried
in his own Church, towards the end
of the tenth century.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxiv. 42, with
the Homily of St Hilary {p. 594.)
Ninth Lesson. {For the Holy Maideti
Pudentia7ia. )
'HP HE maiden Pudentiana was the
orphan daughter of Pudens the
Roman Senator. She was a Christian
of eminent godliness. She with her
sister Praxedes distributed to the poor
the money which they obtained by
the sale of their inheritance. She
gave herself continually to fasting and
prayer. By her care the whole of
the household, being ninety-six per-
sons, were baptized by Pope Pius I.
Whereas the Emperor Antonine had
forbidden the Christians to offer
sacrifice in public, Pope Pius used
to meet with them in Pudentiana's
house, to celebrate the holy rites.
She was a gracious hostess to them,
and ministered to them in such things
as are needful for the body. She
thus busied herself in works of Chris-
tian godliness until she passed from
this present life to a better. She was
buried in her father's sepulchre in the
cemetery of Priscilla on the Salarian
Way upon the 19th day of May.^
At Lauds a Coinniei7ioration is made
of St Pudentiana^ and at Vespers of
St Bernardine of Sienna.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the 20th day of May, were born
into the better life —
At Aquila, in the Abruzzi, holy
Bernardine of Sienna, of the Order
of Friars Minors, who enlightened
Italy both by word and ensample.
At Rome, on the Salarian Way,
the holy Virgin Basilla. She was of
the blood of kings and illustriously
^ About A.D. 160,
900
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
betrothed, but rejected her spouse,
whereupon he accused her of being a
Christian, and the Emperor Gallienus
ordered that she should either take
him back or perish by the sword.
She answered that the King of kings
was her Bridegroom, and the sword
was accordingly passed through her.
At Nimes, in Gaul, the holy martyr
Baudelius. He was apprehended and
would not sacrifice, and so remaining
inmovable amidst stripes and tor-
ments, grasped the palm of martyrdom
by a death precious in the sight of the
Lord.
At Edessa, in Syria, the holy
martyrs Thalalseus, Asterius, Alex-
ander, and their Companions, who
suffered under the Emperor Numerian.
In the Thebaid, the holy martyr
Aquila, who was lacerated with
combs, for Christ's sake.
At Bourges, in Gaul, [in the seventh
century,] the holy Confessor Aus-
tregisilus, [Bishop of that see.]
At Brescia, [early in the seventh
century,] the holy Anastasius, Bishop
[of that see.]
At Pavia, [in the eighth century,] the
holy Theodore, Bishop [of that see.]
At Rome, the holy Plautilla, a
woman of Consular rank and mother
of the blessed Flavia Domitilla. She
was baptized by the holy Apostle
Peter, and after being eminent for
excellency, fell asleep in peace.
A Coininemoratio7i is made of the
follo'wi?ig. Prayer from Lauds.
May 20.
St 33ernattJtne of Sienna,
Confessor.
Semi-double.
All froi7t the Coinmon Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
nPHIS Bernardine was born of the
noble family of the Albizeschi,
in the Republic of Sienna, [on the
8th of September, in the year 1380.]
His saintliness began to manifest
itself from his earliest years. He
was well brought up by a godly
father and mother, and even when
he was being taught the first rudi-
ments of worldly learning, he used
to give up his play-time to occupy
himself with devout works, being
much drawn to fasting, prayer, and
the devotion to the most Blessed
Virgin. He abounded likewise in
tenderness for the poor. As time
went on, that he might the more
entirely do these things, it was his
will to enroll himself among those
who work in the Hospital of Blessed
Mary, called "of the Ladder," at
Sienna. There, during the raging of
an horrible distemper, he laboured
with marvellous charity and great
bodily suffering, in serving the sick.
In bodily presence he was a very
goodly person, but, with all his other
virtues, he kept ever so holy a guard
over his purity, that it soon came
to pass that no one, however shame-
less, dared to say an unseemly word
in his presence.
Fifth Lesson.
T_J E suffered a severe sickness, and
when, after bearing it with the
utmost patience, he recovered his
health, he began to think of embrac-
ing some institute of the religious
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
901
life. To make his way sure, he built
a little hut in the outskirts of the
city, where he hid himself and led
a life of hardships of all kinds, con-
tinuing instant in prayer to God that
He would be pleased to make clear
to him what path he should follow.
And so it came to pass by God's
will that he chose the Order of
Blessed Francis. In that Order he
shone a bright instance of lowliness,
long-suffering, and every other grace
of a religious man. When the
superior of his convent saw this, and
had already considered what his
teaching and knowledge of sacred
learning were, he laid on Bernardine
the duty of preaching. This the
Saint humbly accepted, and finding
that his usefulness was much im-
paired by his having a shrill, harsh
voice, he betook him to implore the
help of God, Who was pleased, not
without a miracle, to free him from
this drawback.
Sixth Lessoji.
'T^HOSE were times fruitful in vices
and crimes ; and the bloody
civil wars which raged in Italy con-
founded all things Divine and human.
Bernardine went through the cities
and towns, and, in the Name of
Jesus, that Name which he ever
bore upon his lips and in his heart,
he prevailed in great measure by his
word and example, in setting up
falling godliness and morality. Il-
lustrious cities demanded him from
the Pope as their Bishop, but this
was an honour which his unconquer-
able humility caused him always
steadily to refuse. At last the man
of God, after untold labours, the
working of many and great miracles,
and the writing of godly and learned
books, in the 67th year of his age,
at Aquila in the Abruzzi, rested in
a blessed death, [upon the 20th day
of May 1444.] As the fame of new
signs and wonders increased day by
day, Pope Nicholas V., in the sixth
year after his death, added his name
to the roll of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, with the
Homily of St Jerome^ (J>. 537.)
Prayer throughout the Office.
Q LORD JESUS, Which didst
give unto Thy blessed Con-
fessor Bernardine the grace to love
Thy Holy Name exceeding well, be
entreated, we beseech Thee, for his
sake and by his prayers, and merci-
fully pour into our hearts also the
Spirit of Thy love. Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of holy Peter Morone, who was a
hermit when he was created Supreme
Pontiff, and was called Celestine V.
He resigned the Papacy and led a
religious life in solitude, and so,
famous for graces and wonders,
passed away to be for ever with the
Lord. Of him mention is made upon
the 1 9th of this same month of May.
Upon the same 21st day of May,
were born into the better life —
In Morocco, the holy Deacons
Timothy, PoHus, and Eutychius, who
spread the Word of God in that
country, and won the crown of
martyrdom together.
At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, the
holy martyrs Polyeuctus, Victorius,
and Donatus.
902
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Cordova, [in the persecution
under the Emperor Decius,] the holy
martyr Secundinus.
Upon the same day, [at Nicomedia,
in the persecution under the Emperor
Diocletian,] the holy martyrs Synes-
ius and Theopompus.
At Caesarea Philippi, [likewise in
the persecution under the Emperor
Diocletian,] the holy Nicostratus and
Antiochus, along with other soldiers,
all martyrs.
On the same day, the holy Valens,
Bishop [of Pampeluna,] who was mur-
dered along with three lads.
At Alexandria, are commemorated
the holy martyrs Secundus the Priest,
and others, whom George, the Arian
Bishop under the Emperor Constan-
tius, savagely ordered to be slain
during the Whitsuntide holidays.
Also the holy Bishops [Ammonius,
Muus, Gains, Philon, Heres, PHny,
Psinosiris, Palemon, Agathon, Ana-
gamphon, Mark, another Ammonius,
another Mark, Dracontius, Adelphius,
and Athenodorus,] and the Priests
[Hierax and Dioscorus,] who all
were banished by the Arians, and so
won a place with holy Confessors.
At Nice, in Gaul, [in the sixth
century,] the holy Confessor Hospit-
ius, remarkable for the grace of
self-denial, and for the spirit of
prophecy.
Vespers are of the following.
May 2 1.
St Peta Celegtine, ^ope of
Eome, ffionfesjsor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop a7id Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst exalt Thy
^-"^ blessed servant Peter Celes-
tine even to the honour of the chief
Bishoprick, and didst teach him to
love better to be lowly, grant unto
us, we beseech Thee, after his en-
sample, so lightly to esteem all
things earthly, that in the end we,
even as he hath done, may happily
attain unto those good things which
Thou hast promised unto the humble
and meek. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Afuen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made of St Bernardine. Prayer as
in his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the SeasoJi.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
T^HIS Peter, who is called Peter
Celestine, because when he be-
came Pope he did so under the title
of Celestine V., was the son of re-
spectable Catholic parents, and was
born at Isernia in Apulia, [about the
year of grace 1221.] He was hardly
entered on boyhood, when he with-
drew into a desert, in order to keep
his soul safe from the snares of the
world. In solitude he fed his mind
with heavenly meditation, and brought
his body into subjection, even by
wearing an iron chain next to his
bare flesh. He founded, under the
Rule of St Benedict, that congrega-
tion which was afterwards known as
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
903
the Celestine. His light, as of a
candle set upon a candlestick, could
not be kept hidden, and after the
Church of Rome had for a long
while been widowed of a shepherd,
he was chosen without his know-
ledge and in his absence, to fill the
chair of Peter. The news of his
election filled himself with as great
amazement, as it did all others with
sudden joy. When, however, he was
seated in the exalted place of the
Papal dignity, he found that the
many cares by which he was beset
made it welinigh impossible for him
to give himself to his accustomed
meditations ; [after four months,] of
his own free will he resigned the
burden and the honour together [on
the 13th day of December, 1294];
and, while he sought to return to
his old way of life, [on the 19th
day of May, 1296,] he fell asleep
in the Lord.^ How precious his
death was in His sight was glori-
ously manifested by a Cross which
appeared shining in the air before
the door of the cell. He was illus-
trious for miracles both during his
life and after his death, and when
these had been duly investigated,
Clement V., in the eleventh year
after his departure hence, enrolled
his name among those of the Saints.
Fifth, and Sixth Lesso7ts fro7n St
Gregory the Great^ "The simplicity
of the righteous," and "The wisdom
of the righteous," (^. 611.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessojis from Matth. xix. 27, with
the Homily of the Venerable Bede,
(A 544-)
MARTYROLOGY,
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Ubald, Bishop of Gubbio,
who was famous for miracles, and
of whom mention is made upon
the 1 6th day of this same month
of May.
Upon the same 22nd day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Faus-
tinus, Timothy, and Venustus.
In Africa, [at the beginning of the
third century,] the holy martyrs Cas-
tus and ^milius, who finished their
testimony by the suffering of fire ;
of them blessed Cyprian writeth that
in the first skirmish they were con-
quered, but in the second battle the
Lord made them conquerors, that
they who had first yielded to the
flames might become stronger than
the flames.
In Corsica, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Virgin [martyr] Julia, who
endured the Cross, and so was
crowned.
At Comana, in Pontus, the holy
martyr Basiliscus, who obtained the
glory of martyrdom under the Em-
peror Maximian and the President
Agrippa. He was shod with iron
boots pierced with fiery nails, and
suffered many other things likewise,
before his head was cut off and he
was cast into the river.
In Spain, the holy Virgin martyr
Quiteria.
At Ravenna, the holy Confessor
Marcian, Bishop [of that see.]
In the country of Auxerre, the
blessed Abbat Romanus, who minist-
ered to holy Benedict when he was in
the cave, and afterwards went into
Gaul, where he built a monastery,
1 The reader must not suppose from the above narrative that St Peter Celestine was
allowed to end his days in peaceful retirement. The cruel persecution to which he was
subjected, and under which he sank, is related briefly, and in the way least unfavourable
to Boniface VIII., in Alban Butler, vol. v., May 19. But see also Rohrbacher, Histoire
de I'Eglise. Vol. 19.
904
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
and fell asleep in the Lord, leaving
many heirs of his holiness.
At Aquino, [in the twelfth cen-
tury,] the holy Confessor Fulco.
At Pistoja, in Tuscany, [also in the
twelfth century,] the blessed Attho,
monk of the Order of Valombrosa,
[who became Bishop of Pistoja.]
At Auxerre, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Virgin Helen.
At Cassia, in Umbria, [in the year
1456,] the blessed Rita, a widow,
a nun of the Order of Austin Her-
mits, who, after having been married
in the world, loved only the Eternal
Bridegroom Christ.
SECOND VESPERS.
Antiphoii at the Song of the Blessed
Virgifi. He was the chief Bishop,
&c.
A Commemoration is made of the
following. Prayer from Lauds.
May 22.
St miialti, Bistiop [of
@u&bio,] donfegsor.
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Prayer.
/GRACIOUSLY help us, we beseech
^ Thee, O Lord, and at the peti-
tion of Thy blessed Confessor and
Bishop Ubald, stretch forth the right
hand of Thy mercy to shield us against
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
The same Prayer throughout the
Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture., according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
nPHIS Ubald was born of a noble
family at Gubbio in Umbria,
and well established in godliness and
learning from his earliest years.
When he was a young man, it was
often proposed to him to marry, but
he never abandoned his determination
to preserve his virginity. After that
he was ordained Priest he divided his
inheritance among the poor and
Churches, and embraced the Institute
of Canons Regular of St Austin. This
Institute he brought to Gubbio, and
for some time led therein a most holy
life. When the fame of his saintliness
had got noised abroad. Pope Honorius
II. set him, contrary to his own wishes,
over the Church of Gubbio, and he was
honoured with consecration as Bishop
by the hands of the said Pope himself,
[in the year of our Lord 1 129.]
Fifth Lesson.
AIT" HEN Ubald came to live as
Bishop in Gubbio, he changed
his way of life in no wise from that
which he had led before, but his
virtues began to be more eminent be-
cause his word and ensample were
now more able to benefit his neigh-
bours, to whom the shepherd of their
souls was a pattern, not by outward
showing only, but from his heart.
He ate little, dressed simply, and slept
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
905
upon a hard and very poor bed. He
"always bore in the body the dying
of the Lord jESUS," (2 Cor. iv. 10,)
while he daily fed his soul in unceas-
ing and earnest prayer. Hence he
acquired such wonderful meekness,
that when he was most grievously
wronged and insulted he not only took
it patiently, but, by a strange im-
pulse of love for them, embraced his
persecutors with every proof of
affection.
Sixth Lesson,
T7OR the space of two years before
Ubald passed away from this
present life, he was tried as gold in
the furnace, by grievous bodily weak-
ness, and, day after day, amid the
sharpest sufferings, he never ceased
patiently to give God thanks. He
rested in peace on the sacred day of
Pentecost, [in the year 1160,] having
for many years governed with great
praise the Church which had been
entrusted to him, and glorious for
good works and miracles. Pope
Celestine III. numbered him with the
Saints. His strength is most chiefly
shown in the casting out of evil spirits.
His body hath remained without cor-
ruption for all these ages, and is rev-
erenced greatly in his native town
by Christ's faithful people. To them
he hath more than once shown him-
self good at need.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 14, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 588.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 23rd day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy Confessor John
de' Rossi, famous for his patience and
VOL. II.
charity in preaching the Gospel to the
poor.
At Langres, in Gaul, [in the third
century,] the holy Desiderius, Bishop
[of that see.] When he saw how the
army of the Vandals were harrying
his flock he went to plead for them
with the Vandal king, who forthwith
commanded his throat to be cut upon
the spot ; and he cheerfully stretched
out his neck for the sake of his sheep,
and with the stroke of the sword
passed away to be with Christ.
There suffered along with him many
others of his people, who are all buried
in the same city.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Epitacius
the Bishop, and Basil.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Quin-
tian, Lucius, and Julian, who suffered
in the persecution under the Vandals,
and so obtained crowns that fade not
away.
In Cappadocia are commemorated
those holy martyrs who, in the per-
secution under Maximian Galerius,
were slain by having their thighs
broken ; also they who, in Meso-
potamia, were hung head downwards,
and so finished their testimony by
being choked with smoke and con-
sumed by slow fire.
In the country of Lyons, the holy
Desiderius, Bishop of Vienne, who
was stoned to death by order of King
Theodoric, and so obtained the crown
of martyrdom.
At Synnada, [in the ninth century,]
the holy Michael, Bishop [of that see.]
On the same day the holy Mercurial,
Bishop [of Forli.]
At Naples, in Campania, [in the
third century,] the holy Euphebius,
Bishop [of that see.]
At Nursia, the holy monks Euty-
chius and Florence, of whom mention
is made by blessed Pope Gregory the
Great.
Vespers are of the following.
2 H
go6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
May 23.
St 3o|)n Baptist W jaosst,
Confessor*
Double.
All from the Common Office for
a Confessor not a Bishop., i^p. 598,)
except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst beautify Thine
^-"^ holy Confessor John Baptist
with the graces of love and long-
suffering in preaching Thy Gospel
unto the poor, grant, we beseech
Thee, unto us who honour his godly
and worthy life the grace to follow
after the ensample of his good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth' with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made of St Ubald. Prayer from
his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Season.
Apostle, As a student at the Roman
College he was distinguished both
for his talents and his goodness.
He was very anxious that his com-
rades should attend regularly the
meetings of the guild of the Blessed
Virgin, should minister to the sick
in hospitals, and should be diverted
from objectionable recreations by
harmless amusements ; at the same
time he stirred up the more sluggish
by his words on heavenly things, and
from that time got the surname of
Apostle. He fell seriously ill on ac-
count of his severe treatment of his
own body, and was therefore obliged
to relax somewhat the earnestness of
his studies. This he was accustomed
to say was God's dealing with him
that he might not be puffed up with
knowledge, and so seek his own rather
than those things which are jESUS
Christ's. After joining the clergy he
went through the sacred training in
the College of St Thomas, where he
went from strength to strength, and
then with deep joy of soul received
the Priesthood. He so chose the
Lord to be his own inheritance,
that he bound himself by a special
vow not to accept any church bene-
fice, even if it were offered him quite
unsolicited, unless he were compelled
to do so by obedience.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
JOHN BAPTIST de' Rossi was
J born of a respectable family at
Voltaggio, in the diocese of Genoa,
[on the 22nd February 1698,] and,
as a child, was the wonder of all on
account of his gentleness and godli-
ness. At thirteen years of age the
good providence of God sent him
to Rome, where he was destined
afterwards to do the work of an
Fifth Lesson.
A FTER he became a Priest, he
"^ devoted himself entirely to the
spiritual health of his neighbours,
which had been his care from his
youth up. By the ministry of the
Word, with wonderful gentleness he
stirred up to the love of good alike
ecclesiastics, holy virgins, citizens,
prisoners, and the whole lowest class
of the population. He spent several
hours every day in hearing the con-
fessions of the illiterate, and visited
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
907
in their homes or in hospitals the
sick, and especially the consumptive,
of whom he spoke as his own. He
hurried about the city, and took
part in countless good works, but
was especially careful in visiting the
hospital of St Galla, to help in every
way he could the poor, whom he held
as a special object of affection. From
his fifteenth year he was joined to a
body of Priests whose special work
was preaching to the poor, with them
he learnt his apostleship, and he
arranged and disseminated their
labours. The same pity caused him
to spend his modest substance in re-
lieving the necessities of the needy.
He left behind him abiding fruits of
his unwearied zeal for the instruction
of servants, wanderers, and the illit-
erate classes for the holy celebration
of Easter, an home of refuge for the
safe keeping of the lost women who
wander through the city by night,
but above all the earnestness for the
salvation of souls aroused among the
clergy.
Sixth Lesson.
'T^HE brightness of his love of God
shone forth in his face while he
was officiating, and he could not speak
of His goodness without tears. He
was forced, out of obedience, to accept
a Canon's stall in the collegiate church
of St Mary in Cosmedine, and during
the psalmody he seemed to become
entranced. He was very careful as
to the sacred ceremonies, sought the
beauty of the house of God, and freely
contributed of his means to that ob-
ject. He communicated to others his
own love towards the Mother of God,
and he promoted her worship in his
own church, where he instituted a daily
sermon in her honour, in addition to
her Office. 1 He sought to fill himself
with the spirit of Philip Neri, and
while he was devout towards all the
dwellers in heaven, he promoted in-
creased honour for the princes of the
Apostles ; he was constant in prayer
and in every good work, and rich in
gifts of grace. At length in the
hospital called that of the Most Holy
Trinity, whither he had withdrawn to
live along with the Priests, broken
down by work, he reached the end of
life, and when he had received the
sacraments of the Church, and again
exhorted to works of charity and to
the care of the poor, he died in the
Lord's kiss upon the 23rd day of May,
in the year of Christ 1764, and of his
own age the sixty-sixth. God was
pleased to mark by miracles so re-
markable an example of priestly grace,
and when these had been duly proved,
the Supreme Pontiff Pius IX., upon the
13th day of May, in the year i860,
ascribed to him the honours paid to
the blessed in heaven. As new signs
still distinguished him, Leo XHL,
upon the 8th day of December, in the
year 1881, enrolled him among the
Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with
the Ho7mly of St Gregory the Great,
ip. 605.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, styled
"Help of Christians."
Upon the same 24th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Antioch, the holy Manahen,
foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch,
a teacher and prophet under the grace
of the New Testament, who sleepeth
in that city.
1 Psalmodie. It is assumed that what is meant is the daily public performance of her Little
Ofifice in addition to the Church Office.
908
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Also, the blessed Johanna, the wife
of Chuza, Herod's steward, of whom
maketh mention the Evangelist Luke.
At Porto, the holy martyr Vincent.
At Brescia, the holy martyr Afra,
who suffered under the Emperor
Hadrian.
At Nantes, in Brittany, the blessed
brothers Donatian and Rogatian, both
martyrs. They were cast into prison,
under the Emperor Diocletian, be-
cause of the steadfastness of their
faith, hung on the rack and mangled,
then pierced through with a spear,
and in the end beheaded.
In I stria, the holy martyrs Zoel-
lus, Servilius, Felix, Silvanus, and
Diodes, [in the third century.]
Upon the same day, [in Egypt, in
the persecution under Antoninus,] the
holy martyrs Miletius, a captain in the
army, and two hundred and fifty-two
of his comrades, who finished "their
testimony by divers sorts of death.
Also the holy martyrs Susannah,
Marciana, and Palladia, wives of
three of the aforesaid soldiers, who
were slain, together with their little
children.
At Milan, the holy martyr Robustian.
In Morocco, in Africa, [in the year
1636,] blessed John de Prado, of the
strictest observance of the bare-footed
Friars Minors. For the preaching of
the Gospel he manfully endured
bonds, imprisonment, stripes, and
many other torments, and finished
his testimony for Christ by fire.
At the monastery of Lerins, [in the
fifth. century,] the holy Priest Vincent,
distinguished for his teaching and
holiness.
At Bologna is commemorated the
translation of the holy Confessor
Dominic, in the time of Pope Greg-
ory IX.
Vespers are of the following.
May 24.
Cfje iSltsgetr Hirgitx JWarg,
stgletr ** gelp of ffiljrtsitians/'
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office for her
Festivals^ {p. 620,) except the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ ALMIGHTY and merciful God,
Who hast in marvellous wise
appointed the most Blessed Virgin
Mary to be an everlasting help for
the succour of Thy Christian people,
mercifully grant that we striving
under her protection in life may
attain victory over our malignant ad-
versary in death. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame7i.
FIRST VESPERS.
Hyjnn.^
QFTTIMES, when hemm'd around by hos-
tile arms,
The Christian people lay all sore dismay'd,
Faith's eye hath traced the Virgin gliding
down,
To lend her loving aid.
So speak the monuments of olden time,
And shrines that bright with votive spoils
appear ;
So speak the Festivals in her sweet praise.
Returning year by year.
Now for new mercies a new song ascends,
While with our Lady's ensigns all unfurl'd,
Rome in procession long high triumph holds.
And with great Rome the world.
Oh, happy day ! on which Saint Peter's throne
Receives the Faith's great Ruler back again ;
Returning from his banishment, in peace
O'er Christendom to reign.
1 Translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
909
Ye youths and maidens, priests and people
all!
Pour out your grateful hearts on this glad
day,
Striving with all your strength, to Heaven's
high Queen
Her well-earn'd praise to pay.
Virgin of Virgins ! Jesu's Mother blest !
Add yet another mercy to the past ;
And help our Pastor all his flock to lead
Safe into Heaven at last.
To Thee, great Trinity, be endless praise,
Blessing, and majesty, and glory due ;
To Thee may v^e our hearts and voices raise,
All the long ages through.
Antiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgin. Behold, Mary was our hope,
unto whom we fled, to help and de-
liver us ; and she came to our suc-
cour. Alleluia.
A Connnemoratioii is made of St
John Baptist de' Rossi. Prayer from
his Office,
MATTINS.
Hymn as at Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro7n Prov. viii. 12, as in
the Co7nmon^ {p. 624.)
is not good that the man should be
alone," (Gen. ii. 18.) It was more
meet that a woman as well as a man
should appear in the matter of our
redemption. And thus the woman
" blessed among women " is not seen
idle, but a place is found for her in
the work of reconciliation. We must
needs have a medium between us
and the Mediator Christ, neither can
we have one more useful than Mary.
Eve was a cruel medium, through
which the venomous serpent infected
her husband with its poison, but
Mary is a trustworthy medium which
offereth the healthful antidote for
that poison both to men and to
women. The one ministered to the
work of seduction, the other to that
of the atonement. The one smuggled
in the fall, the other brought in the
Redemption. Why should weak man
tremble to come to Mary ? There
is nothing stern, nothing dreadful
about her ; she is all sweetness,
offering, to all, milk and wool. Con-
sider well the whole course of the
Gospel history, and if thou find in
Mary any such thing as harshness, or
hardness, and even the least sign of
loss of temper, trust her not again,
and fear to come unto her.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clair-
vaux.] {^071 the Twelve Stars.)
Tn\ EARLY beloved brethren, one
man and one woman have
much harmed us, but, thanks be to
God, by one Man and one woman,
all hath been restored unto us, and
that, not without a plentiful increase
of graces. Verily, Christ is enough,
and verily "our sufficiency is of
Him" (2 Cor. iii. 5,) but for us "it
Fifth Lesson.
T)UT if thou find her to be alto-
gether as indeed she is, full of
a mother's tenderness and grace, full
of gentleness and mercy, give thanks
unto Him Who, in the vast abund-
ance of His goodness, hath given
thee such a spokeswoman in whom
thou canst not but trust. In fine,
through the boundlessness of her
charity she hath made herself all
things to all men, (i Cor. ix. 22,)
"A debtor both to the wise and to
the unwise," (Rom. i. 14.) She
opened to all the bosom of her
910
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
mercy, that of her fulness all may
receive ; the captive, ransom ; the
sick, health ; the sorrowful, comfort ;
the sinful, pardon ; the righteous,
grace ; even angels, gladness. She
is not one who inquireth what we
have deserved, but is to all most
easy to be entreated and most mer-
ciful ; in the wideness of her love
she hath pity upon the needs of all.
She is the woman of whom God
promised of old time that she should
bruise with her foot of power the
head of the old serpent. For her
heel he lay in wait, but vainly. For
she by herself hath crushed the
depravity of every heresy. They
that lay in wait for her have been
crushed, they that assailed her have
been trampled down, they that
maligned her have been silenced, and
all generations called her blessed.
If by the moon we are to understand
the Church, we have her office of
advocate clearly set forth, where it
is said, "A woman clothed with
the sun, and the moon under her
feet." (Apoc. xii. i.) Let us em-
brace the blessed feet of Mary, cast-
ing ourselves down in most earnest
entreaty before her. Let us take hold
upon her, and not let her go until she
bless us ; for she is able.
Sixth Lesson. {From History.)
/CHRISTENDOM hath oftentimes
^^ had marvellous experience how
present an help is the Mother of
God for scattering her foes. Thus
it was that the most holy Pope Pius
v., after the famous victory which
the Christians gained over the Sultan
of Turkey in the battle of Lepanto,
ordered that in the Litany of Loretto
this Queen of heaven should be styled,
among other titles, " Help of Christ-
ians." But one of the most remark-
able and indeed truly miraculous in-
stances was that of Pius VII., Bishop
of Rome. He was dragged from
his Apostolic See by the plots and
arms of wicked men, and for five
years was kept in close confinement,
mainly at Savona, being almost utter-
ly cut off from all means whereby he
could govern the Church, a feature
without a precedent in any previous
persecution. When it was least ex-
pected, he was replaced upon the
Papal throne, with universal appro-
bation, and as it were by the hands
of the whole world. The same thing
happened to him a second time, when
another storm arose, and he left the
City and went in company with the
Sacred College of Cardinals to the
Riviera. Then, by an outpouring of
God's mercy, the storm, which had
threatened darkly, ceased, and he
returned to Rome amid fresh re-
joicing of the nations. But before
leaving the North of Italy he carried
out an old intention which his captiv-
ity had prevented him from realising,
and, amid solemn pomp, placed with
his own hands a crown of gold upon
the famous image at Savona which
depicts the Mother of God under
the title of Mother of Mercy. The
wonderful turns in his affairs the same
Pope Pius VII., having had personal
experience of everything, ascribed to
the intercession of the most holy
Mother of God, whose mighty aid
he had himself unceasingly implored,
and had urged all Christ's faithful
people to implore. He therefore ap-
pointed a solemn Feast to be kept
for ever in honour of the Virgin
Mother, styled "Help of Christians,"
upon the 24th day of May, being
that of his own happy return to the
City of Rome, and he approved for
this occasion a special office that the
memorial, as well as the thanksgiving
for such great mercies might remain
in all time distinct.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
911
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xi. 27.)
A T that time : As Jesus spake
unto the multitudes, a certain
woman of the company lifted up her
voice and said unto Him : Blessed is
the womb that bare Thee. And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] {For Sept. 8.)
Consider, O man, the counsel of
God ; recognise its wisdom and its
goodness. He Who was about to
water the whole floor with dew from
heaven, began by drenching' the
fleece. He Who was about to redeem
all mankind, poured the price of
redemption upon Mary. Consider
deeper with what feelings He hath
willed that we should honour Mary,
He Who hath given unto her a
fulness of all good ; so that if we
have any hope, any grace, any salva-
tion, we know that it runneth over
from her abundance "who goeth up,
overflowing with delights." (Cant. viii.
5.) With all our hearts, then, with
all our deepest affections and longings,
let us honour Mary, since this is
the will of Him Who hath been
pleased that it should be through
Mary that we should have all things.
I say that such is His will — for our
sakes.
Til the Seventh Responsory insert the
Alleluia, aiid say., " May all that are
asking thine holy help feel the might
of thine assistance."
Eighth Lesson.
[/~^0D] doth in all things anticipate
^■^ our needs, cheer our terrors,
rouse our faith, nerve our hope, put
away our fears, strengthen our cow-
ardice. Thou art awe-struck even by
hearing the voice of the Father, thou
art ashamed to approach Him, and
wouldst fain hide thyself among the
trees of the garden. Lo ! He hath
given thee jESUS for a Mediator, a
Mediator Who will be heard on
account of His reverent submission,
(Heb. V. 7,) for the Father loveth
the Son. (John iii. 35.) But per-
chance thou shrinkest before the
Divine Majesty in Him also, since
albeit He be made Man, He remain-
eth still God. Wouldst thou have
an advocate with Him likewise ?
Have recourse to Mary. There is
nothing in Mary but pure humanity —
pure, not only in the sense of being
free from any kind of contamination,
but in that of being pure and simple
human nature and nothing more.
And I have no hesitation in saying
that she also will be heard on account
of her reverent submission. The Son
will indeed hear the mother, and the
Father will hear the Son.
Ln the Eighth Responsory say the
"Alleluia."
Ni7ith Lesson.
IV/rY little children, this is the
sinners' ladder to heaven, this
is my chiefest trust, this is the whole
reason of the hope that is in me.^
For why ? Can her Son thrust her
away, or endure that she should be
thrust away ? Can He either not
hear, or not Himself be heard ?
Plainly He cannot. The Angel giveth
her this joyful assurance: "Thou
hast found grace with God," She
will always find grace with God, and
grace is all that we need, since by
grace are we saved. (Eph. ii. 8.)
What else do we want, my brethren ?
1 Hsec peccatorum scala, hasc mea maxima fiducia est, h^c tota ratio spei meas.
912
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Let us seek grace, and let us seek it
through Mary, for he that seeketh,
findeth, and cannot be disappointed
of his hope. Let us seek grace, but
let it be grace with God, for among
men "favour is deceitful." (Prov.
xxxi. 30.) Let others seek for merits,
but let us seek to find grace. For
why ? Is it not the work of grace
that we are here ? Of a truth, " it
is of the Lord's mercies that we
are not consumed." (Lam. iii. 22.)
LAUDS.
Hymn?-
]V/r OTHER of our Lord and Saviour !
First in beauty as in power !
Glory of the Christian nations !
Ready help in trouble's hour !
Though the gates of Hell against us
With profoundest fury rage ;
Though the ancient Foe assault us,
And his fiercest battle wage ;
Nought can hurt the pure in spirit,
Who upon thine aid rely ;
At thy hand secure of gaining
Strength and mercy from on high.
Safe beneath thy mighty shelter, —
Though a thousand hosts combine,
All must fall or flee before us,
Scatter'd by an arm divine.
Firm as once on holy Sion,
David's tower rear'd its height ;
With a glorious rampart girded,
And with glistening armour bright;
So th' Almighty's Virgin Mother
Stands in strength for evermore ;
From Satanic hosts defending
All who her defence implore.
Through the long unending ages,
Blessed Trinity, to Thee !
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit !
Praise and perfect glory be. Amen.
A7itipho7t at the Song of Zacharias.
To thee we cried, O holy Mother of
God, and by thee the Lord's help
reached us. Alleluia.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep in England
the feast of the holy Confessor Ald-
helm, Bishop of Sherborne.
On the same 25 th day of May,
were born into the better life —
At Salerno, the blessed Pope
Gregory VII., a right stout champion
and defender of the freedom of the
Church, whose feast we keep upon
the 28th day of this same month of
May.
At Florence, the holy Virgin, Mary
Magdalene de' Pazzi, of the Order of
Carmelites, famous for her holy life,
whose feast we keep upon the 3rd
day of June.
At Rome, upon the Nomentan Way,
the blessed martyr. Pope Urban I.,
who by his exhortation and teaching
turned to the faith of Christ many
who suffered martyrdom therefore,
among whom were Tiburtius and
Valerian. He himself also suffered
many things for the Church of God
in the persecution under the Emperor
Alexander Severus, and at length,
being beheaded, was crowned with
martyrdom.
At Dorostorum, in Bulgaria, the
holy martyrs Pasicrates, Valention,
and two others, who were all crowned
together.
At Milan, holy Bishop Denis. He
was banished into Cappadocia by the
Arian Emperor Constantius for the
Catholic faith's sake, and so there
gave up his spirit to God with a
near approach to martyrdom. His
sacred body was sent to Milan to
blessed Bishop Ambrose by Bishop
Aurelius, prompted to that godly
act, as is said, by holy Basil the
Great.
1 Translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
913
Prayer throughout. ( Taken from the
Salisbury Missal.)
r~\ GOD, Who, upon this day, didst
^^^ raise Thy blessed Bishop Aid-
helm to eternal blessedness in heaven,
grant, for his sake, and at his prayers,
that Thy mercy may bring us also
thither. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
A Commemoration is made of the
First Vespers of St Urban., Bishop ^
and Martyr. Antiphon.^ and Verse
and Answer from the Com,mon Office
for One Martyr., (/• 5 i 5 • )
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, of Whose
^-^^ blessed Martyr and Bishop
Urban we do make solemn memorial,
grant, we beseech Thee, that we may
be holpen of his prayers in Thy pres-
ence. Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ame7i.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. {From his Life by
William of Malmesbury. Ajiglia
Sacra., xi. i . )
ALDHELM, who was a Saxon of
'^ Royal blood, took the habit of
a monk in the Monastery at Malmes-
1 " Papae," but Dom Gueranger has shown in his "Vie de Ste. C^cile " that the Bishop
here meant cannot have been the Pope Urban.
At Rome, the holy Pope Boni-
face IV., who consecrated the
Pantheon as the Church of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and All holy
Martyrs.
At Florence, [in the fifth century,]
holy Zenobius, Bishop of that city,
distinguished for the holiness of his
life and the fame of his wondrous
works.
In the country of Troyes, [in the
sixth century,] the holy Confessor
Leo.
At Assisi, in Umbria, is commem-
orated the translation of the holy
Confessor Francis, in the time of
Pope Gregory IX.
Also at Veroli, in Latium, the
translation of holy Mary, [mother] of
James, whose sacred body is honoured
by many works of power.
SECOND VESPERS.
Hymn as at the First.
Afitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. "O holy Mary, &c.," (/.
621,) ejiding " May all that are asking
thine holy help feel the might of thine
assistance."
A Commemoration is made of the fol-
lowing Prayer from his Office., and of
St Urban.
May 25.
( The Feast of St Gregory VII. is kept
on May 28.)
St aitiljelm, Bisljop [of Sljet::
iiorne,] Confesgor*
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop a7id Co?tfessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
914
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
bury. He resorted again and again
to Canterbury to sit at the feet of the
Abbat Hadrian, and so advanced under
his instruction, that not only himself
became famous as a teacher, but was
also the first Englishman who ven-
tured on publishing books. Accord-
ing to the testimony of Bede, he was
a man of wide and varied learning, a
brilliant speaker, and wonderfully well
read both in Ecclesiastical and worldly
writers.
Fifth Lesson.
TLJ E read often, and prayed con-
stantly, so that, (to use his
own expression,) while he read, he
seemed to hear God speaking to
him, and while he prayed, himself
to speak to God there present. He
was indifferent to hunger, and care-
less about money, stopped inside his
monastery, and proclaimed an ' un-
ceasing war against idleness and
desire. However, when a Church
Synod had discussed the corrupt
doctrines of the British Christians,
and had come to the unanimous
conclusion that it was better to lead
the schismatics by reason than to
drive them by force, Aldhelm took
upon himself the task of confuting
their errors. This he did by writing
a book, which was the mean of lead-
ing back many of the wanderers into
the bosom of the Universal Church.
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER the death of Hedda, Bishop
of the West-Saxons, Aldhelm was
induced, against his own wishes, to
accept the See of Sherborne. When
he entered on this sphere of duty, he
already felt that the end of his life
was near, and, to make the best of
what time remained, he preached day
and night, visited about his dioecese, ,
and practised fasting, and the like, as
much as in the prime of his life. He
died four years after becoming a
Bishop, in the year of our Lord's
Incarnation 709, and was buried in
the Church of St Michael the Arch-
angel, at Malmesbury.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons froi7i Matth. xxv. 1 4, ivith
the Homily of St Gregory., {p. 588.)
Ninth Lesson. {For St Urban^
Bishop and Martyr. )
nPHIS Urban was a Roman, who, in
the reign of the Emperor Alex-
ander Severus, by his teaching and
holy life, brought many to believe in
Christ. Among others was Valerian,
the husband of the blessed Cecily,
and Tiburtius, the brother of Valerian,
both of whom afterwards bravely
underwent martyrdom. It was Ur-
ban 1 who wrote the following words
concerning the property of the Church :
"Those things which His faithful
ones make offering of unto the Lord,
must never be turned to any other
use than those of the Church, or of
our Christian brethren, or of the
poor. They are the free-will offer-
ings of faithful believers, the trespass
offerings of sinners, and the inheri-
tance of the poor." He sat in the
chair of Peter six years, seven months,
and four days, and being crowned
with martyrdom, was buried in the
cemetery of Praetextatus, on the 25th
day of May. He held five ordina-
tions in December, wherein he or-
dained nine Priests, five Deacons,
and eight Bishops for divers places.
A t Lauds a Commeinoration is made
of St Urbaji. Prayer as yesterday
eveni7ia^.
That is, Pope Urban. The two have got confused together. Urban I. sat a.d. 223-230.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
915
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep in Eng-
land the feast of the holy Augustine,
first Archbishop of Canterbury, called
Apostle of England. He was sent
hither, along with others, by the
blessed Pope Gregory. He preached
the Gospel of Christ to the English
people. He fell asleep in the Lord
at Canterbury, glorious for his graces
and wondrous works.
On the same 26th day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, holy Philip Neri, founder
of the Congregation of the Oratory,
famous for his virginity, his gift of
prophecy, and his wondrous works.
Also at Rome, the holy Pope and
martyr Eleutherius, who led many
noble Romans to believe in Christ,
and who sent into Britain holy Dyfan
and Ffagan, who baptized Lleurwg,
Prince [of Morgan wg,] along with
his wife and nearly all his people.
We keep his feast upon the 29th
day of this present month of May.
Also at Rome, the holy Priest
Simitrius, and twenty-two others, who
suffered martyrdom under the Em-
peror Antoninus Pius.
At Athens, the blessed Quadratus,
a disciple of the Apostles. During
the persecution under Hadrian the
Church was scattered in great fear,
but he gathered it together again by
his faith and labour, and gave unto it
a book very useful for the defending
of the Christian religion, and worthy
of the teaching of the Apostles.
At Vienne, in Dauphiny, the holy
Zachary, Bishop [of that see,] who
suffered martyrdom under Trajan.
In Africa, the holy martyr Quad-
ratus, on Avhose feast-day holy Austin
[of Hippo] preached a sermon.
At Todi, [in the persecution under
the Emperor Diocletian,] the holy
martyrs Felicissimus, Heraclius, and
Paulinus.
In the country of Auxerre, [in the
second century,] the holy Priscus and
a vast multitude of Christ's faithful
people suffered martyrdom.^
Vespers are of the following.
May 26.
St augu^tine, ^rcpi^fiop of ©attttrfiurst
©onfe^^or, ^po^tlt of 3Englana*
Double of the First Class ^ with an Octave.
All from the Commo7i Office for a
Bishop and Confessor., {p. 581,) ex-
cept the followi7ig.
Prayer throughout.
^~\ GOD, Who didst give blessed
^"^^ Augustine to the English peo-
ple, to be their first teacher, grant
unto us, we beseech Thee, that as
we do proclaim his praise on earth,
so we may feel his prayers in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
1 The Petits Bollandistes add here : At Quito, [in Peru, in the year 1645,] the blessed Virgin,
Mary Anne of Jesus de Paredes y Flores, who is surnamed the Lily of Quito.
gi6
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessojts fro7ii i Tim. iii. i, &^c.^ as
in the Coinmon Office^ {p. 582).
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson. {From Bede, i. 23,
et seq. )
A UGUSTINE, the first Archbishop
of Canterbury, and the Apostle
of the English, was sent into England
by blessed Gregory, and came thither
in the year 597. At that time there
was in Kent a most mighty king
named Ethelbert, whose power reached
even to the Humber. When this
King had heard wherefore the holy
man was come, he received him
kindly, and bade him and his com-
panions, who were all monksj to
come to his own capital city of
Canterbury ; being struck with aston-
ishment at the perfect blamelessness
of their lives, and the power of the
heavenly doctrine which they preached,
and which God confirmed with signs
following.
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HEY drew nigh to the city in
solemn procession, singing the
Litany, and bearing before them for
their standard a silver cross and a
picture of the Lord our Saviour
painted on a panel. Hard by the
city, upon the east side, there was
a Church builded of old time in
honour of St Martin, and wherein
the Queen, who was a Christian, was
used to pray. There they first began
to meet together, to sing, to pray,
to celebrate Masses, to preach, and
to baptize, until the King was turned
to the faith, and the most part of
his people were led by his example,'
(but not his authority,) to take
the name of Christian, for he had
learnt from his teachers and his own
soul's physicians, that men are to be
drawn, and not driven to heaven.
And now Augustine, being ordained
Archbishop of the English and of
Britain, lest he should leave untra-
vailed any part of the Lord's vineyard,
asked from the Apostolic See a new
band of labourers, Mellitus, Justus,
Paulinus, and Rufinian.
Sixth Lesson.
"DY them Gregory sent hallowed
vessels. Altar - cloths. Church
vestments, and also reliques of the
holy Apostles and Martyrs. He in-
structed them to turn the temples of
the idols into places of Christian
worship, by sprinkling them with
hallowed water, building altars in
them, and putting reliques therein.
The Britons who, nearly an hundred
and fifty years before, had been
thrust into the uttermost parts of the
island, had some Bishops, whom
Augustine vehemently urged to lay
aside their error concerning the keep-
ing of Easter, and to labour along
with him for the conversion of the
English, but they left it all to him.
He toiled much for the saving of
souls. He was illustrious for mir-
acles, but more illustrious for his
life. He made Mellitus Bishop of
London, and Justus Bishop of Roches-
ter, and named Lawrence to succeed
himself at Canterbury, and then fin-
ished his work in peace, and passed
away to that life which is a life of
perfect blessedness, upon the 26th
day of May, [in the year of our Lord
604,] in the reign of Ethelbert.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke x. i, with tJte
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 547-)
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
917
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of holy Bede the Venerable, Con-
fessor and Doctor of the Church,
very famous for his holiness and
learning.
Upon the same 27th day of May,
were born into the better life — •
The holy martyr Pope John I., who
was sent for to Ravenna by Theo-
doric, the Arian King of Italy, and
there cast into prison on account of
his orthodox faith, where he suffered
long, and at length died.
At Dorostorum, in Bulgaria, the
blessed Julius, a retired Roman
soldier, who was arrested in the
time of the Emperor Alexander
Severus, and brought before the Pre-
sident Maximus, in whose presence
he denounced the idols, and stead-
fastly confessed the Name of Christ,
and so was put to death.
At Sora, the holy Virgin and mar-
tyr Restituta. She fought the fight
of faith under the Emperor Aurelian
and the pro-Consul Agathius. She
conquered the attacks of devils, the
cajolery of her kinsfolk, and the
cruelty of the tormentors. At last
she was beheaded, along with other
Christians, and so received the crown
of martyrdom.
[At Thelus,] in Artois, [in the
seventh century,] the holy martyr
Ranulph.
At Orange, in Gaul, [in the first
century,] holy Eutropius, Bishop [of
that see,] famous for his graces and
wondrous works.
At Second Vespers a Co77tineinor-
atio?i of the followiiig. Aiitiphon at
the Mag7iificat^ " O right excellent
teacher, &c.," {p. 598.) Prayer from
his Office.
Ditring the Octave^ when the Office
is 710 1 of St Augusti7te, he is coin-
7iie77iorated every day at Vespers and
Lauds., except 07t a Doicble of the
First Class.) whe7i he is 7iot codi-
77iei7iorated at all., or of the Seco7id,
iuhe7i he is so 07ily at the Seco7id
Vespers.
May 27.
St 33etie t|}0 Feneralile, Con=
fejssor antf IBoctor of tlje
Greater Double.
All fro77i the Co77i7no7i Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop., {p. 598,) ex-
cept the followi7tg.
Prayer throughout,
r\ GOD, Who dost enlighten Thy
Church by the learning of
blessed Bede Thy Confessor and our
teacher, mercifully grant unto Thy
servants ever to be enlightened by
his wisdom and holpen for his sake.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth wdth
Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Aine7i.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro77i the Co7n7iio7i of Doctors^
{p. 615.)
Fourth Lesso7i.
TI)EDE, a priest, was born at Jarrow,
on the borders of England and
Scotland. At the age of seven years
he was placed under the care of holy
Benedict Biscop, Abbat of Wearmouth,
to be educated. Thereafter he be-
came a monk, and so ordered his
life that, whilst he should devote him-
self wholly to the study of the sciences
and of doctrine, he might in nothing
9i8
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
relax the discipline of his Order.
There was no branch of learning in
which he was not most thoroughly
versed, but his chief care was the
study of Holy Scriptures ; and that
he might the better understand them
he acquired a knowledge of the Greek
and Hebrew tongues. When he was
thirty years of age he was ordained
priest at the command of his Abbat,
and immediately, on the advice of
Acca, Bishop of Hexham, undertook
the work of expounding the Sacred
Books. In his interpretations he so
strictly adhered to the teaching of the
holy Fathers that he would advance
nothing which was not approved by
their judgment, nay, had the warrant
of their very words. He ever hated
sloth, and by habitually passing from
reading to prayer, and in turn from
prayer to reading, he so inflamed his
soul that often amid his reading and
teaching he was bathed in tears.
Lest also his mind should be distracted
by the cares of transitory things, he
never would take the office of Abbat
when it was offered to him.
Fifth Lesson.
n^HE name of Bede soon became so
famous for learning and piety
that St Sergius the Pope thought of
calling him to Rome, where, certainly,
he might have helped to solve the
very difficult questions which had
then arisen concerning sacred things.
He wrote many books for the better-
ing of the lives of the faithful, and
defending and extending of the faith.
By those he gained everywhere such
a reputation that the holy martyr
Bishop Boniface styled him a " Light
of the Church" ; Lanfranc called him
" The Teacher of the English," and
the Council of Aix-la-Chapelle "The
Admirable Doctor." But as his writ-
ings were publicly read in the churches
during his, life, and as it was not
allowable to call him already a saint,
they named him "The Venerable," a
title which in all times after has re-
mained peculiarly his. The power
of his teaching was the greater also,
in that it was attested by a holy life
and the graces of religious observance.
In this way, by his earnestness and.
example, his disciples, who were
many and distinguished, were made
eminent, not only in letters and the
sciences, but in personal holiness.
Sixth Lesson.
T)ROKEN at length by age and
labour, he was seized by a
grievous illness. Though he suf-
fered under it for more than seven
weeks, he ceased not from his prayers
and his interpreting of the Scriptures ;
for at that time he was turning the
Gospel of John into English for the
use of his people. But when, on the
Eve of the Ascension, he perceived
that death was coming upon him, he
desired to be fortified with the last
sacraments of the Church : then, after
he had embraced his companions, and
was laid on a piece of sackcloth on
the ground, he repeated the words,
" Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost," and fell
asleep in the Lord. His body, very
sweet, — as it is related, breathing
sweet odour, — was buried in the
monastery of J arrow, and afterwards
was translated to Durham with the
relics of St Cuthbert. Bede, who
was already a Doctor among the
Benedictines, and in other religious
Orders, and venerated in certain dio-
ceses, was declared by Pope Leo XIII.,
after consulting with the Congregation
of Sacred Rites, to be a Doctor of the
universal Church ; and the Mass and
Office for Doctors was ordered to be
recited by all on his feast-day.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
919
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew {cap.
V. V. 13.)
A T that time Jesus said to His
"^^ disciples: "Ye are the salt of
the earth. But if the salt have lost
its savour, wherewith shall it be
salted ? " And so on.
Homily of the Venerable Bede,
Priest.
The Gospel saith.^ "Ye are the salt
of the earth." In these words the
earth signifies human nature, and the
salt signifies wisdom. Salt, verily,
by its nature renders the earth un-
fruitful. Hence we read of cities,
♦'hich in the anger of their victors
were sown with salt. And hereto
agreeth the teaching of the Apostle
that by the salt of wisdom the lust
of this world is restrained in the earth
of human flesh, lest the foulness of
vice should sprout up. But what if
the salt shall have lost its savour ?
That is to say — If you, by whom the
people are to be seasoned, are, on
account of fear of persecution, or
terror, you should lose the king-
dom of heaven, placed outside the
Church, there is no doubt that
you will incur the taunts of the
enemy.
"Ye are the light of the world";
that is to say — You, because ye are
enlightened by the true light, ought
to be the light of them who are in
the world. "A city set on an hill
cannot be hid " ; that is to say —
The Apostles' teaching, founded upon
Christ ; in other words, the Church
built upon Christ, out of many nations.
in the unity of the faith, and bound
together with the cement of love ; to
those who enter it, a place of safety ;
to those who go up to it, toilsome ;
the guardian of those who dwell in
it, and excluding every enemy.
Eighth Lesson.
""XT EITHER doth any man light
a candle and put it under a
bushel ; but upon a candlestick."
So he who puts the light under the
bushel is he who for his own temporal
ends would hide and tamper with the
light of doctrine ; but upon the candle-
stick he places it who follows the
ministry of God in order that the
teaching of the truth may be accounted
a greater thing than the service of the
body. In another aspect, the Saviour
lighted the candle when He filled our
mortal body with the flame of the
God-head ; and He placed it on a
candlestick, that is the Church ; for
He fixed the faith of His incarnation
upon our foreheads. Which light
cannot be placed under a bushel ;
that is to say, it cannot be included
within the measures of the law, nor
in Judea alone, but has lightened the
whole earth.
Ninth Lesson. {For St Joh7i /., Pope
and Martyr.)'^
"DOPE John I. was a Tuscan, who
ruled the Church during the
reign of the Emperor Justinian. He
went to Constantinople to get help
from Justinian in the troubles which
the heretic King Theodoric was then
causing in Italy. It pleased the Lord
to mark this journey with wonders.
A certain nobleman at Corinth lent
to the Pope for his journey a very
^ There may be some doubt whether the present form of the legend of St John L will
survive the next revision of the Breviary ; however, these marvels are taken from St
Gregory's Dialogues — St John reigned A.D. 523-526.
920
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
quiet horse on which his own wife
was used to ride. But when the
horse was returned to his owner he
was found become so vicious, that
by his restiveness and plunging he
was always throwing off his mistress,
as though he were not content to
carry the lady after having carried
the Vicar of jESUS Christ. When
the nobleman and his wife found the
beast to be thus worthless, they gave
him for a present to the Pope. But
a thing much more marvellous was
that when the Pope, accompanied by
the Emperor, and under the gaze of
an immense multitude of people, who
had come forth with Justinian to do
him honour, was at the entering in
of the Golden Gate of Constantinople,
he gave sight to a blind man. Even
the Emperor fell at his feet to show
him respect. When he had arranged
his business with Justinian he returned
into Italy, and forthwith sent out a
letter to all the Bishops of Italy,
bidding them hallow for Catholic wor-
ship the churches of the Arians, and
adding these words: "We Ourselves
when We were at Constantinople on
some matters pertaining to the Catholic
Religion and others pertaining to the
King Theodoric, hallowed as Catholic
all their Churches which We were
able to find in those parts." Theo-
doric took this rule very ill, and,
having enticed John by fraud to come
to Ravenna, he cast him into prison,
wherein, in a few days, he died of
filth and hunger. He had sat in the
chair of Peter two years, nine months,
and fourteen days, within which time
he had ordained fifteen Bishops. A
little while afterward Theodoric also
died. St Gregory writeth that a
certain hermit saw him between Pope
John and Symmachus the Patrician,
whom he had likewise slain, going
down into the fiery crater of Lipari, as
though they who had been his victims
were become the judges of his punish-
ment. The body of John was carried
from Ravenna to Rome, and there
buried in the Church of St Peter.
At Lauds a Com7nejnoration is made
of the Octave of St Augusti?te^ and
of St John I. Prayer, " O God, Who,
year by year, &c.," {p. 608.)
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the blessed Pope Gregory VII., a
right stout champion and defender of
the freedom of the Church, of whom
mention is made upon the 25 th day
of this present month of May.
Upon the same 28th day of May,
were born into the better life —
In Sardinia, the holy martyrs
^milius, Felix, Priam, and Lucian^
who contended for Christ, and were
crowned.
At Chartres, in Gaul, the holy
martyr Caraunus, who received martyr-
dom by being beheaded, under the
Emperor Domitian.
At Corinth, the holy martyr Hel-
conides. She was first tried with
many torments, under the President
Perennius, in the time of the Emperor
Gordian ; then was tortured again
under the next President Justinus,
but was delivered by an Angel. At
length her breasts were cut off and
she was thrown to wild beasts, and
tried with fire, and thereafter finished
her testimony by being beheaded.
Also the holy martyrs Crescens,
Dioscorides, Paul, and Helladius.
At Tekoah, in Palestine, the holy
martyrs, monks, who were massacred
by the Saracens in the time of the
Emperor Theodosius the Younger.
Their sacred remains were gathered
together by the country - folk, who
treated them with great reverence.
At Paris, [in the sixth century,]
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
921
the holy Confessor Germanus, Bishop
[of that see.] How saintly he was,
how worthy, with what wondrous
works he shone, hath been written
by Fortunatus, Bishop [of Poitiers.]
At Milan, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Senator, Bishop [of that
see,] very famous for his graces and
learning.
At Urgel, in Spain, [in the sixth
century,] the holy Justus, Bishop [of
that see.]
At Florence, [in the year 1002,]
the holy Confessor Podius, Bishop
[of that see.]
SECOND VESPERS.
A7ttiphon at the Magnificat^ " O
right excellent teacher, &c.," {p.
598.)
A Co7ninemoration is made of the
following. Prayer from his Office.
Then of the Octave of St Augustine.
May 28.
<St ffiregorg FEE., Pope anti
Confessor.
Double.
A II from the Com7non Office for a
Bishop a?td Cotifessor., {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, the might of all them
^~^^ which put their trust in Thee,
Who to keep Thy Church free, didst
make Thy blessed Confessor and
Bishop Gregory strong to wrestle
and to suffer, grant unto us, follow-
ing his example, and holpen by his
prayers, that with us as with him,
if they fight against us, they shall
not prevail against us. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
first NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
TTILDEBRAND, who reigned as
Pope under the name of
Gregory VII., was born at Saona
in Tuscany. By his teaching, by
his holiness, and by his graces of
all kinds, he was a noble light of
the Church, whose brightness hath
shone throughout all lands. There
is a story to the effect that when
he was a little child without any
schooling, he was playing at the
feet of a carpenter who was plan-
ing wood, and that God guided his
hand to arrange the shavings which
fell into the form of letters, making
the inspired words of David, " He
shall have dominion from sea to
sea," (Ps. Ixxi. 8,) a fore - shadow-
ing, as it were, of that wide lord-
ship over the earth which was after-
wards his. He was taken to Rome,
and brought up under the shelter
of St Peter. As a young man he
bitterly sorrowed over the oppression
of the freedom of the Church by the
laity, and over the corruption of the
clergy themselves. He took the
habit of a monk in the Abbey of
Clugny, which was then in all the
glory of the severest observance ot
the Rule of St Benedict. There he
served God's majesty with such
warmth of earnestness that the
saintly fathers of the convent chose
922
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
him to be their Prior. But the
Providence of God had greater
things in store for him, whereby to
make him a source of health to
many, and he was brought away
from Clugny. He was first elected
Abbat of the monastery of St Paul-
without-the-walls at Rome, and after-
wards created a Cardinal of the
Roman Church. Under the Popes
Leo IX., Victor II., Stephen IX.,
Nicolas II., and Alexander II., he
discharged great offices of trust, and
the duties of a Legate, and Blessed
Peter Damian, speaking of him at
this time, calleth him a man of most
holy and honest thoughts. When
Pope Victor II. sent him as his
Legate into France, he, by a mir-
acle, forced the Bishop of Lyons,
who was befouled by the pollution
of simony, to acknowledge his -sin ;
in the Council of Tours he wrung
from Berenger ^ a second abjuration
of his heresy ; and he prevailed
against the schism of Cadolaus,^ and
strangled it.
Fifth Lesson.
AFTER the death of Alexander
IL, Hildebrand, against his
own will and to his own grief, was,
on the 2 2nd day of April, in the
year of Christ 1073, chosen Pope
by one common consent of all.
Reigning as Gregory VII., "he was
as the sun shining upon the Temple
of the Most High." (Ecclus. 1. 7.)
Mighty both in word and deed, he
toiled for the restoration of Ecclesi-
astical discipline, for the spread of
the Faith, for the defence of the
freedom of the Church, for the sup-
pression of error and corruption, so
that since the time of the Apostles
there is said never to have been a
Pope who bore more labour and
trouble for the sake of God's Church,
or contended more manfully for her
liberties. He purged divers pro-
vinces of the pollution of simony.
Like a brave soldier he withstood
without dread the unrighteous con-
tendings of the Emperor Henry IV.,.
against whom he shrank not from
setting himself as a wall of defence
for the house of Israel. And when
the said Henry fell into the depths
of sin he cut him off from the com-
munion of the faithful, and from his
kingdom, and loosed the nations
that were subject to him from their
sworn allegiance.
Sixth Lesson.
AirHILE he was celebrating
solemn Mass, godly men
saw a dove descend from heaven,
perch upon his right shoulder, and
spread out its wings so as to veil
his head, a testimony that it was
not by reasonings of man's wisdom,
but by the teachings of the Holy
Ghost, that he was guided in his
rule over the Church. When the
armies of the infamous Henry en-
compassed Rome, and hedged her
in on every side, a great fire which
the enemy had raised became ex-
tinct, when Gregory made the sign of
the Cross towards it. The Norman
Duke, Robert Guiscard, at length
delivered Gregory from the hand of
Henry, and he departed from Rome,
first to the Abbey of Monte Cassino,
and thence onward to Salerno, to
dedicate the Church of St Matthew
the Apostle at that place. While
he was preaching to the people there,
on a certain day he was smitten
with grievous pains, and fell into a
sickness whereof he foresaw that he
1 Archdeacon of Angers ; the first heretic who denied the Real Presence.
2 Bishop of Parma ; he got himself set up as an Anti-pope, by the title of " Honorius II.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
923
should never be healed. As he
lay on his death-bed, Gregory's last
words were : "I have loved righteous-
ness and hated iniquity, and therefore
I am dying in exile." He was a
man really holy, a visitor of sin,
and a most leal soldier of the Church.
It is past reckoning how many suf-
ferings he manfully bore, and how
much he wisely ordained in many
Councils, which he gathered together
in Rome. He had been Pope twelve
years, when, [on the 25 th day of
May,] in the year of salvation 1085,
he went hence to be ever with the
Lord. Both during his life and after
his death he was marked by signs
and wonders not a few. His holy
body was honourably buried in the
Cathedral Church of Salerno.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Matth. xxiv. 42, with
the Hoinily of St Hilary^ {p. 594.)
At Lauds a Cojmnemoration is made
of the Octave of St Augustine.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy martyr Eleutherius, Pope
of Rome, who led many noble Romans
to believe in Christ, and who sent into
Britain holy Dyfan and Ffagan, who
baptized Lleurwg, Prince [of Mor-
gan wg,] along with his wife and
nearly all his people. Mention is
made of him upon the 26th day of
this present month of May.
On the same 29th day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Aurelian Way,
the holy martyr Restitutus.
At Iconium, a city of Isauria, the
holy martyrs Conon and his son aged
twelve years. Under the Emperor
Aurelian they suffered with great
firmness from being basted with oil
upon a grating over live coals, stretch-
ing upon the rack and fire, and at
length gave up the ghost as their
hands were being pounded with a
wooden mallet.
On the same day, the holy martyrs
Sisinius, Martyrius, and Alexander,
who are stated by Paulinus, in his
life of holy Ambrose, to have gained
the crown of martyrdom in the parts
of Val-d'Anagna, under the persecu-
tion of the heathen in the time of
the Emperor Honorius.
At C£Esarea Philippi, the holy
martyrs Theodosia, mother of the
holy martyr Procopius, and twelve
other noble matrons, who were be-
headed in the persecution under
Diocletian.
In Umbria suffered one thousand
five hundred and twenty -five holy
martyrs.
At Treves, the blessed Confessor
Maximin, Bishop [of that city,] who
honourably welcomed the holy Bis-
hop Athanasius when he was in
exile from the persecution of the
Arians.
At Verona, [in the fourth century,]
the holy Maximus, Bishop [of that
see.]
At Arci, in Latium, the holy Con-
fessor Eleutherius.
Vespers are of the following, from
the Chapter inclusive.
May 29.
St (Eleutljertus, ^ope of
3^ome, JSlartpr.
Double.
All from the Co7nmo7i Office of
One Martyr.^ {p. 514,) except the
followi7ig.
Prayer throughout^ " Mercifully con-
sider our weakness, &c," {p. 522.)
924
THE PROPER OFFICE OF TPIE SAINTS.
FIRST VESPERS.
As regards St Eleutkerms, these
begi?! with the Chapter.
Commemoration of St Gregory VII.,
with Prayer froi7i his Office., and of the
Octave of St Augusti7te.
system i of the Montanists. He laid
down excellent rules as to the right
form of church sentences. When
Marcion and Valentine had often-
times relapsed he cast them out
of the Church.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according
to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
"PLEUTHERIUS was a Greek by
race, and was born at Nicopolis,
a city of Epirus. His father's name
was Abundius. He was a Priest of
the holy Roman Church. In the year
of our Lord 179, during the reign of
the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Augus-
tus, after the death of Soter, he was
chosen Bishop of Rome by the votes
of all the clergy. He discharged the
duties of this office excellently, and
with all praise, for fifteen years and
twenty-three days. He held three
ordinations in the month of December,
wherein he ordained twelve Priests,
eight Deacons, and fifteen Bishops
for divers places.
Fifth Lesso72.
TJ E was consulted by the church of
Lyons by letter concerning
certain questions. The bearer of
these letters was that most learned
Irenaeus. Him he hospitably wel-
comed, and to him he opened the
traditions of the Apostles which the
Church of Rome had kept pure. He
condemned the superstitious dry-meat
Sixth Lesson.
T N his days the Church enjoyed the
utmost peace, and he brought
many even of the chiefest of Rome to
believe in Christ. He received letters
by messengers from Lleurwg, Prince
of the Britons [of Morgan wg,] praying
him for ministers of the Word of God,
and he sent unto him Ffagan and
Dyfan, Priests of the Roman Church,
through whose hands the Prince him-
self, with his whole household and
nearly all his subjects, were born
again in the sacred washing of regen-
eration. At length, when he had
done all these things and others for
the worship of God, Eleutherius died
a holy death upon the 28 th day of
May, [in the year of our Lord 192,]
in the reign of the Emperor Commo-
dus, and was buried upon the Vatican
Mount.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7ts from John xv. i, with the
Ho77iily of St Austi7t., {p. 519.) At
Lauds Co7?i77ie77toration of the Octave
of St Augusti7te.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the morrow we keep the
feast of holy John of Nepomuc,
Canon of the metropolitical Cathed-
ral Church of Prague, in Bohemia,
who, when he had been vainly tried,
to make him violate the seal of
sacramental confession, was cast into
1 Xerophagia.
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
925
the river Moldau, and so earned
the palm of martyrdom ; of whom
mention is made upon the i6th day
of May.
Upon this same 30th day of May,
were born into the better Hfe —
At Rome, upon the Aurelian Way,
the holy martyr Pope Felix, who was
crowned with martyrdom under the
Emperor Aurelian.
At Torre, in Sardinia, [in the per-
secution under the Emperor Hadrian,]
the holy martyrs Gabinus and Cris-
pulus.
At Antioch, [in the fourth century,]
holy Sycus and Palatinus, who suffered
many torments for Christ's Name's
sake.
At Ravenna, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Confessor Exuperantius,
Bishop [of that see.]
At Pavia, [in the seventh century,]
the holy Anastasius, Bishop [of that
see.]
At Csesarea, in Cappadocia, the
holy Basil and Emmelia his wife, father
and mother of holy Basil the Great.
In the time of the Emperor Galerius
Maximian they were banished, and
dwelt in the wilderness in Pontus ;
but they fell asleep in peace after the
persecution was over, leaving their
children inheritors of their goodness.
At Seville, in Spain, [in the year
1252,] holy Ferdinand III., King of
Castille and Leon, who on account of
his excelling graces was surnamed the
Saint. Illustrious for his zeal in the
propagation of the faith, after conquer-
ing the Moors, he left an earthly
kingdom to inherit in blessedness a
kingdom eternal in heaven.
May 30.
St 3oi)B of i^epomuc,
JHartgr.
Double.
All from the Coimnon Office for a
Martyr {p. 514,) except the following.
Prayer throughoict.
r\ GOD, Who through the uncon-
^^^ querable Sacramental silence of
Thy blessed servant John hast adorned
Thy Church with the crown of yet
another martyrdom, grant unto us,
at his prayers and after his ensample,
the grace to bridle well our tongues,
and to be ready to lose the whole
world rather than our own souls.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
As regards St John., these
with the Chapter.
'.o'ln
Commemoration of St Eletttherius,
of the Octave of St Augustine., aiid
of St Felix /., Pope and Martyr.'^
The Antiphon of St Felix is taken
from Lauds., and the Prayer is., " O
God, Who year by year, &c.," {p.
522.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Vespers are of the following., from Lessons from Scripture accordi7ig to
the Chapter inclusive. the Season.
1 This, and the case of St Petronilla on the next day, are examples of the application of
the Pie ix. 8. ^
The Verse and Answer will be :
Verse. The everlasting light shall shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord— Alleluia.
Aiiswer. Even unto everlasting. Alleluia. Alleluia.
926
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7t.
n^HIS John was born at Nepomuc,
from which his name is taken,
a little town of Bohemia, [some
leagues from Prague, about the year
of our Lord 1330.] His father and
mother were well stricken- in years.
At the hour of his birth fire appeared
blazing over the house. As a child
he fell grievously ill, but completely
recovered, through the help of the
Blessed Virgin, to whom his father
and mother believed that they origin-
ally owed him. These signs from
heaven were followed by a godly
education aided by a quick wit, and
he passed his boyhood amid holy
and earnest exercises, esteeming it
his enjoyment to go to Church and
to serve Priests at the Altar. " He
went to study letters first at Staaze,
and then more advanced learning at
Prague, where he took the degree of
Master in Philosophy and of Doctor
in Divinity and Canon Law. Being
ordained Priest, and fitted by the
science of the Saints to labour for
the gain of souls, he gave himself
up entirely to the ministry of the
word of God. His eloquence and
holiness brought forth abundant fruits
in the destruction of vice and the
recall of wanderers into the path
that leadeth unto life, and he was
appointed a Canon of the Metropoli-
tan Church of Prague. Soon after-
wards he was named Court Preacher
by King Wenceslaus IV., and dis-
charged this office with such success,
that the King acted largely on his
advice, and held him in great re-
spect. But the servant of God
firmly and constantly refused the
higher honours offered him by his
Sovereign, and which would have
taken him away from the preaching
of the Divine Word.
Fifth Lesson.
T_I E was appointed Royal Almoner,
and the Queen Jane made him
her Confessor. When King Wen-
ceslaus fell away from his good life
and resolutions, and plunged into
sin, he took in bad part the remon-
strances and warnings of his godly
wife, and dared to ask from John
a disclosure of the things which the
Queen had confided to him in the
tribunal of Sacramental Penance.
But the servant of God remained
unshaken, first under blandishments
and then under torture and a miser-
able imprisonment, in refusing to
gratify the King's base curiosity.
But the laws neither of God nor of
man could withhold the insane mind
of Wenceslaus from his infamous
idea, and the champion of Christ
openly foretold to the people that
his own last conflict was at hand,
and the afflictions which would there-
after befall the kingdom. He went
presently to Buntzel, and, in front of
the antient image of the Blessed
Virgin which is there honoured,
prayed earnestly for strength from
heaven to fight a good fight. He
returned thence on the evening before
Ascension Day [1383,] and the King
chancing to look out at a window
and see him pass, sent for him and
furiously demanded his compliance,
with the threat of having him
drowned if he was obstinate. John
remained perfectly unmoved. That
night, therefore, he was thrown into
the River Muldaw, where it runs
through Prague, and so gained the
glorious crown of martyrdom.
Sixth Lesson.
HE sacrilegious murder was com-
mitted secretly, but a great sign
from God made it public, and, with
it, the glory of the martyr. As the
T
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
927
lifeless corpse was borne along by the
stream, lights appeared, floating and
moving over the waters. The next
morning therefore the Canons, nothing
fearing the anger of the King, took
the body from the sand and carried
it in solemn procession to the Metro-
politan Church, and there gave it
burial. The memory of this victor-
ious Priest became constantly more
illustrious by miracles and by the
veneration paid it by the faithful,
especially such as are slandered.
After more than three hundred years,
when his remains, which had lain
all the while under ground, were
judicially examined, the tongue was
found incorrupt and fresh, and when,
after six years more, it was shown
to the judges appointed by the
Apostolic See, it suddenly swelled
again to its full size, and changed
in colour from dark to bright red.
These and other signs being duly
certified, the supreme Pontiff Bene-
dict XIII., upon the 19th day of
March, in the year of salvation 1729,
inscribed in the list of the holy
martyrs the name of this first cham-
pion of the inviolability of sacra-
mental confession, whose secrecy he
sealed with his blood.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons {even in Paschal-time^ frojn
Matth. X. 26, with the Homily of St
Hilary^ {p. 561.) The last pari is
either omitted or read as one with the
second i?i order to make room for the
follozuing.
Ninth Lesson. {For St Felix /., Pope
a7id Martyr. )
TDOPE Felix I. was a Roman who
ruled the Church in the days of
the Emperor Aurelian. His father's
name was Constantius. His is the
ordinance which commands that Mass
should be celebrated on the monu-
ments and graves of martyrs. He
held two December ordinations,
wherein he ordained nine Priests,
five Deacons, and five Bishops for
divers places. Having finished his
testimony he was buried upon the
Aurelian Way, in the Church which
he had himself built and dedicated.
He lived as Pope two years, four
months, and twenty-nine days.^
At Lauds .^ Commemorations of the
Octave of St Aicgiistine.^ and of St
Felix /. The latter is taken from the
First Vespers. Prayer., " O God,
Who year by year, &c.," {p. 522.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 31st day of May, were
born into the better life —
At Brescia, the holy Virgin Angela
Merici, Foundress of the religious
Sisters of St Ursula, to have for
their principal work the leading of
young maidens in the ways of the
Lord. Of her mention is made upon
the 27th day of January.
At Rome, the holy Virgin Petron-
illa, daughter of the blessed Apostle
Peter. She looked down upon an
offer of marriage from the noble
Flaccus, and took three days to con-
sider the matter, the which time she
spent in fasting and prayer, and upon
the third day, immediately after re-
ceiving the Sacrament of Christ, she
gave up the ghost.
At Aquileia, the holy brothers
Cantius and Cantian, and their
sister Cantianilla, all martyrs of the
noble family of the Anicii, who,
along with their schoolmaster Protus,
were beheaded under the Emperors
1 Reigned a.d. 269-274.
928
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Diocletian and Maximian on account
of their firmness in the Christian
faith.
At Torre, in Sardinia, [in the per-
secution under the Emperor Hadrian,]
the holy martyr Crescentian.
At Comana, in Pontus, the holy
soldier Hermias. He was delivered
by God's help from countless and
savage tortures, under the Emperor
Antoninus. He converted his exe-
cutioner to Christ, and made him a
sharer in the crown of his own
martyrdom, but he himself was
the first to grasp it, by being be-
headed.
At Verona, [in the sixth century,]
the holy Lupicinus, Bishop [of that
see.]
At Rome, the holy Deacon Pasch-
asius, a Confessor of whom doth
make mention the blessed Pope Gre-
gory [the Great.]
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter inclicsive.
enjoyment of those things which are
eternal. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Aine7t.
FIRST VESPERS.
As regards St Angela^ these begin
with the Chapter.
Commemorations are made of the
Octave of St Augustine., and of St
Petronilla., Virgin not Martyr^ Anti-
phon., Verse., &^c., of the latter from
Lauds.
Prayer. Graciously hear us, &c.,
(/• 643-)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso?is from Scripture according to
the Season.
May 31.
St Sngda JMertct, Utrgin.
Double.
All from the Com7no7i Office for a
Virgin not a Martyr., {p. 636,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Whose will it hath been
^-"^ to use blessed Angela as a
mean whereby to make a new fellow-
ship of virgins to grow and flourish
in Thy Church, grant unto us, at her
prayers, so angelically to live, that
we may freely lay aside all earthly
things, and worthily enter upon the
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
ANGELA MERICI was born of
godly parents at Decenzano on
the western shore of the Lake of
Garda, in the diocese of Verona and
territory of Venice, [on the 21st day
of March, about the year of grace
1474.] From her earliest years she
carefully guarded the lily of her
virginity, with the intention of keep-
ing it for ever unbroken. She had
no taste for women's finery, and
purposely marred the exceeding come-
liness of her body and her sightly
hair, as seeking to appear beautiful
only in the eyes of Him Who is the
Lover of souls. At ten years of age
she lost both her father and mother,
and thereafter, being fain to take upon
FEAST-DAYS IN MAY.
929
her a life of greater hardness, she
essayed to retire into a desert place
apart, but this her uncle forbade her
to do, and she learnt how to practise
at home what she was not allowed
to attempt in the wilderness. She
often used hair-cloth and scourging ;
never ate flesh -meat, except when
she was sick ; drank wine only on
the Feast - days of Christmas and
Easter; and many a day took nothing
at all. She was instant in prayer.
What little sleep she took, she took
lying on the ground. The devil strove
to beguile her, appearing under the
form of an angel of light, but she
quickly detected him and put him
to flight. At length she added to
the glory of virginity that poverty
which is commended in the Gospel ;
she gave up all that she had, and
adopted the dress and rule of the
Third Order of St Francis.
Fifth Lesso7t.
OHE left undone no service of kind-
ness which she was able to do
to her neighbours. If there remained
anything over of the food which was
given in alms to herself, she gave
that to the poor. She cheerfully
waited upon the sick. She journeyed
about, with a great reputation for holi-
ness, comforting the afflicted, asking
forgiveness for the guilty, reconciling
the angry, and recalling the wicked
from evil. Her only hunger was for
the bread of Angels, and she took
the Same right often, and then arose
in her vehemence of love bearing her
towards God, which oftentimes made
her beside herself. She made a
pilgrimage, with intense feeling, to
the Holy Places in Palestine, during
which journey she lost her sight at
Canea in Crete on her way out, and
recovered it at the same place on
her way home. In this journey also,
God saved her from being made
prisoner by the unbelievers and from
shipwreck. She went to Rome, [in
1525,] at once to pray at the im-
movable Rock of the Church, and
to gain the abundant pardons of
the Jubilee. Pope Clement VII.
conversed with her, was edified by
her holiness, and highly commended
her ; neither would he let her leave
Rome, until he knew that God was
calling her elsewhere.
Sixth Lesson.
CHE went back to Brescia, and
there hired an house near the
Church of St Afra, in which house,
in obedience to a vision and com-
mand from heaven, she founded
a new Order of religious women,
constituted under certain rules and
holy regulations of life. This Order
she put under the name and patron-
age of St Ursula, the fearless leader
of maidens. When Angela was near
to death, she foretold that this
Order will never cease. She was
well-nigh three score and ten years
of age, and full of good works,
when, in the [night between the]
27th [and the 28th days] of Janu-
ary, in the year 1540, she winged
her flight heavenward. Her dead
body lay unburied thirty days, upple
and life-like. It was laid at last in
the Church of St Afra, where sleep
so many more of God's holy children.
Divers miracles forthwith began to
be worked at her grave. The fame
of these being noised about, she began
to be commonly called Blessed, and
that not only at Brescia and Decen-
zano ; and pictures of her were put
over Altars. Not many years after-
ward, holy Charles Borromeo said
openly at Brescia, that she was one
whose name the Apostolic See might
well enroll among those of holy
930
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
virgins. The reverence which had
of a long time been shown to her
memory was approved by the local
Ordinaries, confirmed by divers Papal
Indults, and solemnly ratified and
established by decree of Pope Clement
XIII. As she continued famous for
new and proved miracles, Pope Pius
VII., at the solemn canonization
held in the Vatican Basilica, upon
the 24th day of May, in the year
1807, added her name to the list
of holy maids.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. i, with
the Hoinily of St Gregory^ {j). 640.)
At Lauds a Conimemoration is made
of St Petronilla^ Ajttiphon, Verse ^
&^c., from First Vespers. Prayer as
before.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the ist day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyr Juven-
tius.
At Caesarea, in Palestine, [in the
year 308,] the blessed martyr Pam-
philus, the Priest. He was a man
wonderful for his holiness, his teach-
ing, and his goodness towards the
poor. In the persecution under the
Emperor Galerius Maximian, he was
first tortured for Christ's faith's sake,
under the President Urban, and cast
into prison ; then under P'ermilian he
was called back again to suffer, and
then along with others finished his
testimony. There then suffered also
the Deacon Valens, Paul, and nine
others whose memory is celebrated
upon other days.
At Autun, [in the year 273,] holy
Reverian, Bishop [of that see,] the
Priest Paul, and ten others, who were
crowned with martyrdom under the
Emperor Aurelian.
In Cappadocia, the holy martyr
Thespesius, who, after being tortured,
was beheaded under the Emperor
Alexander Severus and the Prefect
Simplicius.
In Egypt, the holy martyrs, the
sergeant Ischyrion, and five other
soldiers, who were put to divers kinds
of death, under the Emperor Diocletian,
for believing in Christ ; also the holy
martyr Firmus, who, in the persecution
under Maximian, was terribly scourged,
bruised with stones, and at last be-
headed.
At Perugia, the holy soldiers Felin
and Gratinian, who were diversly
tormented under the Emperor Decius,
and by a glorious death obtained the
palm of martyrdom.
At Bologna, the holy martyr Pro-
culus, who suffered under the Em-
peror Maximian.
At Amelia, the holy martyr Se-
cundus, who was thrown into the
Tiber, under the Emperor Diocletian,
and so finished his testimony.
At Citta-di-Castello, in Umbria,
the holy Roman soldier Crescen-
tian, who was crowned with mar-
tyrdom under the same Emperor
Diocletian.
In Umbria also, [in the year 400,]
the holy Priest Fortunatus, famous
for graces and wonders.
At the Monastery of Lerins, [in
the year 430,] the holy Abbat
Caprasius.
At Treves, [in the year 1035,] the
holy monk Simeon, who was en-
rolled among the Saints by Pope
Benedict IX.
At Bourgos, in Spain, [in the year
1037,] in the Monastery of Ogna, the
holy Benedictine Abbat Enecon, illus-
trious for his holiness and the fame
of his miracles.
At Vespers a Commeinoration of the
Octave of St Augustine,
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
931
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
On the first day on which Nine
Lessons are not read is recited the
Office of the Dead.
June i.
^evenf^ ®^^ witgtn i%^ Octave of
^i dElugu0^tne,
Semi-double.
All as on the Feast^ except that the
Antiphons are not doubled^ and the
follo^ving.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Lessons from St Maxiimcs., "Our
Blessed Father Augustine, &c.," (/.
594.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (x. i.)
A T that time : the Lord appointed
'^^ other seventy-two also, and sent
them two and two before His face
into every city and place, whither
He Himself would come. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Sermon 42 on the Saints.)
The Lord Himself had a bag and
entrusted the same to Judas. He
endured the thief; but I am fain to
learn from my Lord, and I ask :
Lord, Thou didst endure the thief,
but whence hadst Thou that which
he was able to steal ? I am a poor,
weak creature, and Thou commandest
me not to carry a purse ; Thou
didst carry a bag, and it gave an
opportunity to rob Thee ; if Thou
hadst had no bag, he would not
have had what to steal. What
canst Thou say unto me but this ;
Understand what it is that thou,
hearest, " carry no purse." What
is a purse ? it is money shut up,
that is to say, wisdom hidden. Shut
not up your wisdom in yourselves.
Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Thou
shouldest be a fountain, not a bag,
a source to give forth, not a recep-
tacle to keep close.
Eighth Less 071.
" C ALUTE no man by the way."
This may be taken as a simple
command, as also He hath bidden
us to be speedy in executing His
precepts. But there is also another
interpretation which I consider the
more probable, and which toucheth
me more closely, and with me all
other stewards, and you also that
be hearers. ^ He that saluteth speak-
eth of health, for this is how they
of old time were used to begin their
letters, " A to B wisheth health."
What therefore mean these words,
" Salute no man by the way " ? He
that saluteth in the way, wisheth
health as accident ariseth. I see
that ye have caught my meaning,
but I am not done yet, for ye have
not all caught it, and since we are
talking about the way, let us walk as
though we were in the way, and ye
that be quick, wait for them that be
slow, and so all walk together.
1 What follows is almost impossible to translate, as it turns upon the Latin words Salute
and Salus ; one clause has had to be omitted.
9?>^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Ninth Lesson.
Vy HAT did I say ? He that salut-
eth in the way wisheth health
as accident ariseth ; he is not going
to him whom he saluteth ; he is
busy about something" else, when
the occasion of salutation cometh
across him ; he is walking with some
other object, when this meeteth him.
But thou, if thou preachest, do it,
not by accident, but out of love.
There are men, therefore, who preach
the Gospel, as it were by accident,
now and then, while they are about
their own business. It is of these
that the Apostle saith with groaning,
"All seek their own, not the things
which are Jesus Christ's (Phil. ii. 21.)
These salute indeed, that is, they speak
health, they preach the Gospel, but to
do so is not their main intent ; they
do it only as it were by accident.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow is the Octave of
holy Augustine, first Archbishop of
Canterbury, and Apostle of England.
Upon the same 2nd day of June,
were born into the better life —
At Rome, the holy martyrs Mar-
cellinus the Priest, and Peter the
Exorcist. They were teaching the
faith to many in prison in the time
of Diocletian, when Serenus the
judge, after putting them to terrible
bonds and many torments, caused
them to be beheaded at the place
which was then called the Black
Wood, but the name of which was
afterwards changed in honour of the
Saints, and called the White Wood.
Their bodies were buried in the
crypt, hard by the body of holy
Tibertius, and holy Pope Damasus
in after-days decorated their grave
with a set of verses.
In Campania, the holy martyr
Elmo, Patriarch [of Antioch.] Under
the Emperor Diocletian he was first
hided with scourges laden with lead,
then heavily beaten with cudgels,
after which resin, sulphur, lead, pitch,
wax, and oil were poured over him,
but he still appeared unharmed.
Thereafter at Formi, under Maxim-
ian, he was tortured again with
divers and most cruel sufferings ;
but God preserved him to strengthen
others, until at length, famous for his
testimony, he fell asleep in a holy
death at the call of the Lord. His
body was afterwards taken to Gaeta.
At Lyons, the holy martyrs Photi-
nus the Bishop, Sanctus the Deacon,
Vetius, Epagathus, Maturus, Ponti-
cus, Biblides, Attains, Alexander, and
Blandina, with many others, whose
mighty and constant contendings, in
the time of Marcus Aurelius Anton-
inus and Lucius Verus, are written
in the Epistle of the Church of
Lyons to the Churches of Asia and
Phrygia ; among these the holy
Blandina, weaker by sex, frailer in
body, lower in social position, under-
went contendings more long and more
sharp, and remaining still inflexible,
was slain by the sword, and so
followed the others whom she had
exhorted to victory.
At Rome, [in the year 657,] the
holy Confessor Pope Eugenius I.
At Trani, in Apulia, [in the year
1094,] the holy Confessor Nicholas
Peregrini, whose wonderful works
were published in a Council at Rome
under Pope Urban II.
Vespers of the following.
June 2.
©ctape of ^i dElu^ueHne.
Double.
All as on the Feast ^ except the
follozving.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
933
At first Vespers a Commemoration
of SS. Marcellimcs^ Peter^ and Elmo^
from the Common Office for Many
Martyrs^ {p. SM-)
Prayer. " O God, Who year by
year," &c., (/. 522.)
FtRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according
to the Seaso7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Regula
Pastoralis of Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] (Part II. c. i ; Part I. cc.
8, 9, 10.)
n^HE life of a bishop ought to be
so much higher than the life
of his people as is that of a shepherd
than that of his sheep. It behove th
him carefully to consider how high
are the calls upon him in compari-
son of whom the people are called
sheep. It behoveth him, therefore,
to be pure in thought, eminent in
works, wise in silence, useful in
word, by sympathy every man's
neighbour, in contemplation more
rapt than any, by lowliness the
fellow-worker of such as do well,
by zeal for righteousness the op-
ponent of evil in such as do ill,
not suffering the care of those
things that be outward to take away
from the care of those things that
be inward, nor neglecting to see to
those that be outward because he
hath care for those that be inward.
Fifth Lesson.
"XITE must consider also that when
he that is chosen a Bishop
taketh on him the care of the people,
he Cometh unto them as a physician
unto a sick man. If therefore his
own works be still disordered, with
what face shall he go to heal the
suffering while his own unhealed
wounds are manifest ? He ought in
all his ways to set an example of
good living, showing himself one
who hath died to all fleshly passions
and liveth in the spirit, who setteth
little store by it that things should
go well with him in this world, and
is not afraid that they should go ill,
whose only eagerness is for the
things that be inward ; one whose
spirit is under the control of his
will, and that, not altogether through
weakness of body, so that it kicketh
not much ; one who is not drawn
to desire other men's goods, but
freely disperseth his own.
Sixth Lesson.
VyHENCE the very office of a
Bishop is called a good work
where it is said : " If a man desire
the office of a Bishop he desireth a
good work," (i Tim. iii. i.) He
therefore is a witness against him-
self, that he desireth not the office
of a Bishop, who desireth to be a
Bishop, not that he may be a mini-
ster of good works, but for the sake
of honour and dignity. A man in-
deed doth not only not desire the
sacred office of a Bishop at all,
but doth not even know what it is,
if what he gaspeth for is the posi-
tion of power, if the subjection of
others unto him be a secret banquet
to his inmost thoughts, if it is his
delight to hear himself praised, if
his heart swell at the idea of his
rank and if he revelleth in wealth
and comfort. What he seeketh is
gain in this world, and that under
the mask of the very dignity whereby
all gain in this world ought to have
been put away.
934
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (x. i.)
A T that time : The Lord appointed
"^^ other seventy-two also, and sent
them two and two before His face
into every city and place, whither
He Himself would come. And so on.
Homily by the Venerable Bede,
Priest [at Jarrow.] i^Coniinent. on
Luke. )
No man doubteth that the twelve
Apostles were the beginning and
foreshowing of Bishops ; and we
ought to know that these seventy-
two were in the same way the pre-
sentment of ordinary Priests, that is
to say, of the second order of the
Priesthood. Albeit we know" from
the writings of the Apostles that in
the first times of the Church the
words Priest and Bishop were ap-
plied indifferently, whereof Priest
doth indicate the ripening of wis-
dom and the other the toil of a
shepherd. It is well said that
seventy - two were sent ; either be-
cause the Gospel was to be preached
to that number of races in the world,
the Apostles being sent to the twelve
tribes of Israel, and these to the
outer nations ; or because the num-
ber of the preachers was in itself
a declaration that the whole world
was to be enlightened by the Gos-
pel of the Most High and Un-
divided Trinity.
Eighth Lesso7i.
nPHE sun doth thrice in seventy-
1
two hours cause his glorious
circuit to shine upon the world ; and
the Lord hath called Himself the
Day, and His Apostles the hours,
where He saith, " Are there not
twelve hours in the day ? if any man
walk in the day, he stumbleth not."
(John xi. 9.) And in the Psalms
it is said : " Proclaim aloud that
His salvation is day from day " ^ —
that is, Light of Light, Very God
of Very God. Moreover in many
places of the Holy Scriptures the
mystery of the Trinity is set forth
under the figure of three days,
markedly where it is said that the
Lord arose again from the dead
upon the third day. So also in the
Old Testament ; when the people
were come unto Mount Sinai, it was
upon the third day that they re-
ceived the Law, and again, it was
"after three days" that they passed
over the river Jordan, that river
which is a type of the grace of
Baptism. (Josh. i. 11, iii. i.)
Ninth Lesson. {Of the Holy
Martyrs. )
T^HIS Peter was an exorcist, whom,
in the reign of the Emperor
Diocletian, Serenus the Judge cast
into prison at Rome because he con-
fessed the Christian faith. He there
set free Paulina, the daughter of
Artemius, the keeper of the prison,
from an evil spirit which tormented
her. Upon this, Artemius and his
wife and all their house, with their
neighbours who had run together to
see the strange thing, would fain
be made friends with jESUS Christ.
Peter therefore brought them to Mar-
cellinus, the Priest, who baptized
them all. When Serenus heard of
it, he called Peter and Marcellinus
before him, and sharply rebuked
1 '"Bene nuntiate diem de die salutare ejus," probably meant for Ps. xcv. 2, which however
runs in the present Latin: " Annuntiate de die in diem salutare ejus," "show forth His
salvation from day to day."
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
935
them, adding to his bitter words
threats and terrors, unless they would
deny Christ. Marcellinus answered
him with Christian boldness, where-
upon he caused him to be buffeted,
separated him from Peter and shut
him up naked in a prison strewn
with broken glass, without either
food or light. Peter also he straitly
confined. But when both of them
were found to wax faithfuller and
braver in their bonds, they were
beheaded, unshaken in their testi-
mony, and confessing jESUS Christ
gloriously by their blood. Elmo was
a Bishop in Campania who, [in the
year 303,] in the reign of the Em-
perors Diocletian and Maximian was
beaten with clubs and whips loaded
with lead, and afterwards anointed
with melted pitch, sulphur, and lead,
and boiling resin, wax, and oil.
From all this he came forth whole
and sound ; which wonder turned
many to believe in Christ. He was
remanded again to prison, and
straitly bound in heavy iron fetters.
But from these he was wondrously
delivered by an angel. At last, at
Formi, Maximian caused him to be
subjected to divers torments, and in
the end being clad in a coat of
red-hot brass the power of God
made him to be more than con-
queror in this thing also, and to
grasp the palm-branch of a glorious
testimony, whereby he strengthened
many in the faith and turned many
to it.
At Lauds ^ a Coninieinoration is
made of SS. Marcellinus^ Peter^ a?id
Elmo^ from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs for Eastertide. Prayer
as at Vespers.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow we keep the feast
of the holy Virgin Mary Magdalene
de' Pazzi, of the Order of CarmeHtes,
famous for her holy life, of whom
mention is made upon the 25th day
of the month of May.
Upon the same 3rd day of June,
were born into the better life —
At Arezzo, in Tuscany, the holy
brethren Pergentinus and Laurentinus,
both martyrs. They were boys, who,
in the persecution under Decius, after
bearing horrid torments and showing
forth great works of power, were slain
by the sword under the President
Tiburtius.
At Constantinople, the holy martyr
Lucillian and his four sons, Claud,
Hypatius, Paul, and Denis. Lucil-
lian, before he became a Christian,
had been a priest of idols. All the
five, after they had been put to vari-
ous tortures, were cast into a furnace,
but rain put out the fire, and they
all escaped unhurt. Then Lucil-
lian was crucified, and the children
were beheaded, and so under Silva-
nus the President they finished their
testimony.
At the same place, the holy Vir-
gin and martyr Paula, who was ar-
rested while she was gathering up the
blood of the aforesaid martyrs. She
was beaten with rods, and cast into
the fire, but was delivered, and at last
beheaded at the same place where
the holy Lucillian had been crucified.
At Cordova, in Spain, the blessed
monk Isaac, who, [in the year 851,]
was slain with the sword, [by the
Moslims,] for Christ's faith's sake.
At Carthage, the holy Priest Cseci-
lius, who brought holy Cyprian to
believe in Christ.
In the country of Orleans, [in the
year 565,] the holy Confessor Liphard
the Priest.
At Lucca, in Tuscany, [in the year
105 I,] the holy Confessor Davin, [the
Armenian pilgrim.]
At Paris, the holy Queen Clotilde,
93^
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
at whose entreaties her husband, King
Clovis, accepted the faith of Christ.
At Anagni, the holy Virgin OHva.
Vespers of the following^ from the
Chapter inclusive.
June 3.
St jaarg JHagtialm tie'
Double.
All from the Commo7i Office for a
Virgin ?iot a Martyr, {p. 636,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout.
f~\ GOD, Who lovest virginity, and
^-^ Who didst make Thy blessed
Virgin Mary Magdalen a-fire with the
love of Thyself, and rich with Thy
heavenly gifts, grant unto us, who
honour her memory by a yearly Feast,
the grace to copy the ensample of her
purity and of her tenderness. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
First Vespers as regards St Mary
Magdalen begin with the Chapter.
Commemoration of the Secojtd Vespers
of the Octave Day of St Augustine.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Seaso?i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
n^HIS Mary Magdalen ^ was born
of the noble Florentine family
of the Pazzi, [on the 2nd day of April,
in the year of Christ 1566.] She was
hardly out of her cradle when she set
her feet in the path of perfection. At
ten years of age she made a vow of
perpetual virginity, and [at fifteen]
took the habit of the Order of Mount
Carmel, in the convent of Saint Mary
of the Angels. In that sisterhood
she was in all ways a pattern to all.
She was pure to that degree, that she
did not even know of the existence of
anything which can hurt modesty.
For the space of five years, by the
command of God, she lived upon
nothing but bread and water, the
Lord's Day only excepted, in which
she used the food which is taken in
Lent. She chastised her body with
hair-cloth, scourging, cold, hunger,
watching, nakedness, and all manner
of hardships.
Fifth Less 071.
'T^HE love of God was so hot within
her, that she was sometimes
fain to bathe her breast with cold
water to allay the agitation. She was
oftentimes rapt in the spirit, and that
most marvellously, for whole days at
a time, during which trances she saw
things hidden and heavenly, and was
enlightened of God with great gifts.
But after all these things she had a
stern tussling with the prince of the
darkness of this world, while God
allowed her spirit to remain dry, de-
serted, abandoned by all, and tor-
mented with divers temptations. And
all that while she remained an en-
sample of unconquered patience and
the deepest lowly-mindedness.
Sixth Lesson.
OHE was very remarkable for her
tender love toward her neigh-
bours. Sometimes she went whole
1 This is her name in religion ; her baptismal name was Katharine.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
937
nights without sleep, while she was
working for the service of the sisters,
or waiting upon the sick. She some-
times healed sores even by licking
them. That there should be unbe-
lievers and sinners perishing caused
her bitter weeping, and she offered
herself to God to suffer for their con-
version whatsoever He chose. For
many years, therefore, before her
death, her mighty charity towards
others, made her freely to give up
that heavenly joy of spirit, wherewith
she had once so overflowed. She
had often in her mouth the words :
"To suffer, not to die." At length,
in the forty-second year of her age,
on the 25 th day of May, in the year
1607, after a long and grievous sick-
ness, the Bridegroom came, and she
entered with Him into the marriage-
chamber. Clement IX., finding that
God had glorified her by many mira-
cles, both during her life and after her
death, enrolled her name among those
of the Holy Virgins. Her body, up
to the present day, has never shown
the least sign of corruption.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. i, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 640.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 4th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Agnone, in the Abruzzi, holy
Confessor Francis, of the noble Nea-
politan family of Caracciolo, founder
of the congregation of Regular Clerks
Minors. He was a burning and a
shining light of love towards God and
his neighbour, and intense earnest-
ness in spreading abroad the worship
of the Holy Eucharist. His body
lieth at Naples, and is held in great
veneration. Pius VII. added his
VOL. II.
name to the list of those of the
Saints.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Aretius
and Dacian.
At Sisseg, in Illyricum, [in the
year 304,] holy Quirinus, Bishop [of
that see.] Prudentius writeth of him
that, under the President Galerius, for
Christ's faith's sake, a millstone was
tied about his neck and he was cast
into the river, but the millstone swam,
and he was a long time exhorting the
Christians who stood by not to be
scared at the sight of his execution,
nor to be shaken in the faith, and
then obtained from God the glory
of martyrdom, and so was allowed
to sink.
At Brescia, under the Emperor
Nero, the holy martyr Clateus, Bishop
[of that see.]
In Hungary, the holy martyrs Ru-
tilus and his companions.
At Arras, the holy Virgin and mar-
tyr Saturnina.
At Tivoli, the holy martyr Quirinus.
At Constantinople, [in the fourth
century,] the holy Metrophanes, Arch-
bishop [of that see,] an eminent
Confessor.
At Milevitanus, in Numidia, holy
Optatus, Bishop [of that see,] famous
for his teaching and holiness.
At Verona, holy Alexander, Bishop
[of that see.]
Vespers of the follo'wi7ig^ from the
Chapter inclusive.
June 4.
St Jrancts Caracciolo,
Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor not a Bishop^ {p. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
2 I
938
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst raise up Thy
^-'^ blessed servant Francis to
found a new Order in Thy Church,
and didst ennoble him through earn-
estness in prayer and love of
penance, grant unto us after his
ensample so to pray without ceasing
and to bring our bodies into sub-
jection, that in the end we, like him,
may worthily attain unto Thy heaven-
ly glory. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
FIRST VESPERS.
These., as regards St Francis., begin
with the Chapter.
Co7nvieiJioration of St Mary Mag-
dalene de'' Pazzi.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
nPHIS Francis, whose worldly name
was Ascanius, was one of the
noble family of Caracciolo. He was
born in the town of Santa Maria
della Villa, in the Abruzzi, [on the
13th day of October, in the year of
grace 1563.] From his earliest
years he showed great marks of
godliness. When he was a young-
man he had a severe illness, and
on his recovery determined to serve
God only, and bade farewell to the
world. He betook himself to Naples,
where he was ordained Priest, en-
rolled himself in a devout guild, and
gave himself up altogether to seek
after God, and to gain souls for
Him, in which work he showed
himself an unwearied comforter to
such prisoners as were condemned
to death. It came to pass that
those two great servants of God,
John Austin Adorno and Fabricius
Caracciolo, wrote a letter to a certain
person, wherein they exhorted him
to found a new religious Institute.
This letter came by a mistake to
be delivered to Francis Caracciolo.
The newness of the idea and the
strange ways of God's Providence
took possession of his mind, and he
joyfully added himself to their com-
pany. They withdrew themselves to
the wilderness of the Camaldolese
hermits [near Naples,] and there
concerted the Rule of the New
Order. Thence they went together
to Rome, and obtained the con-
firmation of their work from Sixtus
v., who was pleased that they
should be called The Lesser Clerks
Regular, since they add to the
three accustomed vows [of Poverty,
Chastity, and Obedience,] a fourth,
binding themselves not to seek
preferment in the Church.
Fifth Lessoji.
A SCAN I US Caracciolo, moved by
^^^ a special love and devotion he
had to the holy Francis of Assisi,
took, when he made his solemn
profession, the name of Francis.
After two years, John Adorno de-
parted this life, and Francis, against
his own will, was made Head of
the Order. In this office he shone
a burning light of grace. Devoted
to the prosperity of the Institute,
he earnestly sought the blessing of
God upon it, by constant prayer, by
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
939
tears, and by stern treatment of
his own body. In this work, he
thrice travelled into Spain in the
guise of a pilgrim, and begging his
bread from door to door. In these
his journeys he suffered very great
hardships, and was most wonderfully
holpen of the Almighty, especially
one while when he was on ship-
board and the ship nigh to perish,
but for the work of his prayers.
He toiled hard in those countries
to attain his wishes, but through
the widespread fame of his holy
life, and the noble generosity of
the Most Catholic Kings Philip
II. and Philip III., he overcame
with his brave perseverance the
opposition of all that withstood
him, and founded several houses
of his Order. This he was able to
do in Italy also.
Sixth Lesson.
TUT E was a great pattern of low-
liness, so that when he came
to Rome he betook himself to an
almshouse, and chose a leper for
his familiar friend. Paul V. offered
him divers honours in the Church,
but he firmly refused them all. He
preserved his purity unspotted, and
when certain shameless women set
themselves to attack his chastity, he
took the occasion to gain over
their souls for Christ. Toward God's
great mystery of the Eucharist he
was drawn with passionate tender-
ness, and would pass almost whole
nights without sleep, simply adoring
It. This godly custom he established
in his Order, to be kept up therein
for ever, the peculiar mark thereof.
He was a great encourager of the
worship of the Maiden Mother of
God. He was hot with strong love
for his neighbour. He was gifted
with prophecy, and the discerning
of spirits. In the forty-fourth year
of his age he was continuing long
in prayer in the Holy House of
Loretto, when it was made known
to him that the end of his earthly
life was at hand. He straightway
took his way to the Abruzzi, and
was there seized with illness while
he was with the disciples of St
Philip Neri, in the town of Agnone.
He received with great devotion the
Sacraments of the Church, and then,
upon the 4th day of June, being the
Eve of the Feast of the Body of
Christ, in the year 1608, he very
peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.
His sacred body was carried to
Naples, and there honourably buried
in the Church of St Mary the
•Greater, where he had laid the first
foundations of his Order. As he
became distinguished for miracles
Pope Clement XIV. enrolled his
name, with solemn pomp, among
those of the Blessed, and Pope Pius
VII., in the year 1807, finding his
mighty works continue, added it to
the list of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xii. 35, with the
Homily of St Gregory., {p. 605.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 5 th day of June, were
born into the better life —
Holy Boniface, Archbishop of
Maintz. He came from England to
Rome, and was sent by Gregory II.
into Germany to preach the faith of
Christ to those nations, and he.
earned the title of Apostle of the
Germans by turning a vast multi-
tude, more especially of Frieslanders,
to the religion of Christ. At last he,
along with Eoban and some other
servants of God in Friesland, received
940
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
martyrdom by the sword at the hand
of raging heathens.
In Egypt, the holy martyrs Mar-
tian, Nicanor, Apollonius, and others,
who finished an illustrious testimony,
in the persecution under Galerius
Maximian.
At Perugia, the holy martyrs Flor-
ence, Julian, Cyriacus, Marcellinus,
and Faustinus, who were beheaded in
the persecution under Decius.
At CfEsarea, in Palestine, the
holy Zenais, Cyria, Valeria, and
Marcia, who with rejoicing attained
unto martyrdom through many tor-
ments.
At Tyre, the holy Priest Dorotheus.
He suffered much under Diocletian,
but survived till the time of Julian,
in whose reign, and the hundred
and seventh year of his own age, he
crowned his venerable years with the
glory of martyrdom.
At Cordova, in Spain, the holy
lad Sancho, who was brought up in
the Royal Court, but in the perse-
cution under the Arabs for Christ's
faith's sake accepted martyrdom with-
out shrinking.
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
June 5.
St Boniface, ^[rcptsljop [of
ISatntj,] JHartsr.
Double.
All from the Commoii Office for
One Martyr.^ '{f. 514,) except the
following.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r^ GOD, Who wast pleased to
^"'^ make the zeal of Thy blessed
Martyr and Bishop Boniface the mean
whereby Thou didst cause many
peoples to know Thy Name, merci-
fully grant unto us who solemnly keep
holiday for his memory, to be feelingly
holpen by the succour of his protec-
tion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
First Vespers., as regards St Boni-
face^ begin with the Chapter.
A Commemoration is made of St
Francis Caracciolo. Prayer from his
Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture accordiiig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
Vy^INFRID, afterwards called Boni-
face, was an Englishman, and
born in England, towards the end of
the seventh century. From his very
childhood, he turned away from the
world, and set his heart upon becom-
ing a monk. His father tried in vain
to turn him from his wishes by the
beguilements of the world, and he
entered a Monastery, where the
Blessed Wolphard instructed him in
all godliness and divers kinds of learn-
ing. At the age of twenty-nine years
he was ordained Priest, and became
an unwearied preacher of the Word
of God, wherein he had a gift which
he used with great gain of souls.
Nevertheless, his great desire was to
spread the kingdom of Christ, and he
continually bewailed the vast number
of savages who were plunged in the
darkness of ignorance and were the
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
941
servants of the devil. This zealous
love of souls increased in him in
intensity day by day, till nothing-
would serve him, but, having implored
the blessing of God by tears and
prayers, and obtained authority from
the head of his monastery, to set forth
for the coast of Germany.
Fifth Lesson.
T T E set sail from England with two
companions [in the year 716]
and reached the town of Dorestadt in
Friesland. A great war being then
raging between Radbod, King of the
Frieslanders and Charles Martel,
Winfrid preached the Gospel in vain.
He went back to England, and be-
took himself again to his Monastery,
whereof he was, against his own will,
chosen to be the head. After two
years he obtained the consent of the
Bishop of Winchester to resign his
office, and [in 719] went to Rome,
to seek an Apostolic commission to
preach to the heathen. When he
arrived at the city he was courteously
welcomed by Gregory 1 1., who changed
his name from Winfrid to Boniface.
He departed thence to Germany, and
preached Christ to the tribes in
Thuringia and Saxony. Radbod,
King of Friesland, who bitterly hated
the Christian name, being dead, Boni-
face went a second time among the
Frieslanders, and there, with his
comrade St Willibrord, preached the
Gospel for three years with so
much fruit, that the idols were hewn
down, and countless churches arose
to the true God.
Sixth Lessojt.
OT Willibrord urged upon him to
take the office of a Bishop, but
he deferred to seek it, that he might
the more instantly toil for the salva-
tion of the unbelievers. Advancing
into Germany, he reclaimed thousands
of the Hessians from devil-worship.
Pope Gregory sent for him to Rome,
[whither he came in 723,] and after
hearing a noble profession of his
faith, consecrated him a Bishop.
He again returned to Germany, and
thoroughly purged Hesse and Thur-
ingia from all remains of idolatry.
On account of such great works
Gregory III. advanced Boniface to
the dignity of an Archbishop, and
on the occasion of a third journey
to Rome, [in 738,] he was invested
by the Sovereign Pontiff with the
powers of Legate of the Apostolic
See. As such, he founded [the]
four Bishopricks [of Erfurt, Pader-
born, Wurtzburg, and Eichstadt], and
held divers Synods, among which is
especially to be remembered that of
Lessines, held in Belgium, in the
diocese of Cambrai, wherein he made
his strongest endeavours to spread
the Faith among the Belgians. By
Pope Zacharias, he was named Arch-
bishop of Maintz, and by command
of the same Pope, he anointed Pepin
to be King of the Franks. After the
death of St Willibrord, he undertook
the government of the Church of
Utrecht, at first through Eoban ; but
he afterwards was released from the
care of the Church of Maintz and
established his see at Utrecht. The
Frieslanders having again fallen back
into idolatry, he once more betook
himself to preach the Gospel among
them, and while he was busied in
this duty, he grasped the crown
of martyrdom, being murdered by
some ungodly savages, along with
his fellow-Bishop Eoban, and many
others, in a bloody massacre near
the River Born, [on the 5 th day of
June, in the year of our Lord 755,
and of his own age the 75th.]
In accordance with the wish ex-
942
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
pressed by himself during life the
body of St Boniface was carried to
Maintz, and buried in the monastery
of Fulda, of which he had been
the founder, and where God has
gloriously honoured it by the work-
ing of many signs and wonders.
Pope Pius IX. ordered the Office
and Mass in his memory to be used
throughout the whole Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (v.
I.)
A T that time : jESUS, seeing the
multitudes, went up into a
mountain, and, when He was set.
His disciples came unto Him. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Bk, i. on the Lorcfs
Sermo7i. )
" Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shall see God." What fools then
be they that seek God with their out-
ward eyes, since it is in the heart
that He is seen, as it is written else-
where : " In simplicity of heart seek
Him." (Wisd. i. i.) A simple heart
is a pure heart. And even as we
cannot see this earthly light, unless
the eyes be open, so cannot God be
seen, unless that be open which alone
can perceive Him.
" Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of
God." The perfection of peace is the
absence of contrariety, and the peace-
makers are called the children of God
because they offer no contrariety
against the will of God. As beseem-
eth children, they have their Father's
likeness.
Eighth Lesson.
'T^HEY are peacemakers in them-
selves, who order all the move-
ments of their own mind in obedience
to reason, that is, to their intellect and
soul, and so doing, and taming the
lusts of the flesh, become a kingdom
for God. In such kingdom all things
are so ordered, that the chiefest and
noblest part of man ruleth without
contention over those lower things
which we have in common with beasts.
And just in the same way, must that
nobler part of man, that is to say,
intellect and reason, needs be put
in subjection to what is above it,
namely. Truth, the Only - begotten
Son of God. He only can rule well
who hath learnt to obey. And this
ordering is that peace which is given
on earth to men of good will ; this is
the life of whomsoever is thoroughly
and perfectly wise.
Ni7ith Lesson.
T^ROM this most peaceful and most
orderly kingdom is cast forth
the prince of this world, whose rule
is over the contentious and disorderly.
When once this peace hath been pro-
claimed and established within, what-
soever wars he that is without can
raise, can but heap more glory upon
that glory which is according to God,
for nothing of the castle will yield
before him, but the yielding of his
own engines will w^itness how strong
be its ramparts. And therefore Com-
eth next : " Blessed are they which
are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 6th day of June, were
born into the better life —
Holy Norbert, Archbishop of Magde-
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
943
burg, founder of the Order of the Pre-
monstratensian Canons Regular.
At Csesarea, in Palestine, the blessed
Philip, who was one of the first seven
Deacons. He was illustrious for signs
and wonders. He turned Samaria to
believe in Christ, and baptized the
eunuch of Candace, Queen of the Ethi-
opians. He fell asleep at last at
Ccesarea. Three of his virgin daugh-
ters, who were prophetesses, lie buried
beside him. His fourth daughter died
at Ephesus, full of the Holy Ghost.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Artemi-
us, with Candida his wife and Paulina
his daughter. This Artemius was
brought to believe in Christ by the
preaching and miracles of the holy
Exorcist Peter, and was baptised with
all his house by the holy Priest Mar-
cellinus. He was first hided with
scourges loaded with lead by order of
Serenus the Judge, and afterwards be-
headed ; his wife and daughters were
thrown into a vault, and buried in
stones and rubbish.
At Tarsus, in Cilicia, twenty holy
martyrs, who in the time of Diocletian
and Maximian, under Simplicius the
Judge, by divers torments glorified
God in their bodies.
At Noyon, in Gaul, [in the year
290,] the holy martyrs Amantius,
Alexander, and their companions.
At Fiesole, in Tuscany, [in the year
839,] the holy martyr Alexander,
Bishop [of that see, drowned in a
torrent by his enemies.]
At Milan, deceased, [in the year
518,] the holy Confessor Eustorgius,
second of that name, Bishop [of that
see.]
At Verona, holy John, Bishop [of
that see, in the fourth century.]
At Besangon, in Gaul, [in the year
699,] holy Claud, Archbishop [of that
see.]
Vespers are of the following^ from
the Chapter inclusive.
June 6.
St i^orbert, arcPisfjop [of
Jttagtietjurg,] Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the following.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst make Thy
^"^^ blessed Confessor and Bishop
Norbert a notable preacher of Thy
Word, and wast pleased to make Thy
Church thereby fruitful in a new family
of sons, grant, we beseech Thee, unto
us, that we being holpen by Thee for
his sake, may have strength to do those
worthy deeds whereunto his words and
works alike do move us. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
First Vespers., as regards St Norbert.,
begi7t with the Chapter.
A Coimneinoration is ?nade of St
Boniface. Prayer from his Office.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
"XJORBERT, born [in the year 1080]
of parents of the highest rank,
thoroughly educated in his youth in
worldly knowledge, and a member of
the Imperial court, turned his back
upon the glory of the world, and chose
rather to enlist himself as a soldier of
944
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the Church. Being ordained Priest,
he laid aside all soft and showy raiment,
clad himself in a coat of skins, and
made the preaching of the Word of
God the one object of his life. He
had the right to rich revenues of the
Church ; but these he renounced : and
to an ample fortune from his father ;
but this he gave to the poor. He ate
only once a day, and that in the even-
ing, and then his meal was of the fare
of Lent. His life was one of singular
hardness, and he was used even in the
depth of winter to go out with bare
feet and ragged garments. Hence
came that mighty power of his words
and deeds, whereby he was enabled, to
turn countless heretics to the true faith,
sinners to repentance, and enemies to
peace and brotherly love.
created (albeit he would rather not have
had it so) Archbishop of Magdeburg,
and as such he was a strong upholder
of the discipline of the Church,
especially contending against the
marriage of the clergy. At a Council
held at Rheims he was a great help
to Innocent II., and went with some
other Bishops to Rome, where they
stamped out the schism of Peter Leoni.
It was at last at Magdeburg that this
man of God, full of good works and of
the Holy Ghost, fell asleep in the Lord,
on the 6th day of June, in the year of
salvation 1 134.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 14,
the Homily of St Gregory^ {jp. 5 i
with
8.)
Fifth Lesson.
"DEING one while at Laon, the
Bishop besought him not to leave
his diocese, and he therefore made
choice of a wilderness at the place
called Premontre, whither he withdrew
himself with thirteen disciples, and thus
founded the Order of the Praemonstra-
tensian Canons, whereof he, by the
will of God, received the Rule, in a
vision, from St Austin. When, how-
ever, the fame of his holy life became
every day more and more noised
abroad, and great numbers sought to
become his disciples, and the Order
had been approved by Honorius II.,
and other Popes, many more mon-
asteries were built by him, and the
Institute wonderfully extended.
Sixth Lesson.
"DEING called to Antwerp, he there
gave the death-blow to the
shameful heresy of Tanchelin. He was
remarkable for the spirit of prophecy
and for the gift of miracles. He was
MARTYROLOGY.
On the seventh day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Constantinople, the holy Paul,
Archbishop of that city. He was
oftentimes thrust out by the Arians
because of the Catholic faith, and
brought back again by the holy
Roman Pontiff, Julius I. At length
he was banished by the Arian Em-
peror Constantius to Cucusus, a little
town in Cappadocia, where he was
cruelly strangled by Arian plotters,
and so passed into the kingdom of
heaven. His body was brought to
Constantinople with great reverence
[thirty years later,] in the time of the
Emperor Theodosius.
In Egypt, the holy martyr Licarion,
who was mangled, beaten with red-
hot iron rods, and suffered other
dreadful torments before he was
smitten with the sword, and so finished
his testimony.
At Cordova, the holy Monks Peter,
Wallabond, Sabinian, Wistremund,
Habentius, and Jeremiah, of whom
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE. 945
Peter was a Priest and Wallabond a 1 154,] the holy Confessor William,
Deacon, martyrs [under the Muslims.] Archbishop [of that see,] who among
In England, the holy Abbat Robert,^ other wonders which were wrought at
of the Cistercian Order. his grave did raise three dead men
to life, and who was written in the
list of the Saints by Pope Honorius
June 7- HI.
MARTYROLOGY ^^ ^^^^ ^^ Gaul, holy Maximin, first
Bishop of that city, who is said by
Upon the 8th day of June, were tradition to have been one of the
born into the better life — disciples of the Lord.
At York, in England, [in the year On the same day, [under Decius,]
1 It seems very strange, and almost like an accident, that while the Proper Offices of England
contain so many names more obscure, this Robert, one of the most eminent English Saints, is
omitted, and this is still more strange because his day is blank in the Kalendar.
For the use of any one who may wish to say his Office it is here given from those proper
to the Cistercian Order.
On June 6 the Martyrology begins as follows, the notice of St Robert at the end being
omitted: —
At Newminster, in England, the holy Robert, of the Cistercian Order, the
first Abbat and founder of that minster. He was a man of angel-like purity,
and famous for many wonders. The blessed Cistercian Hermit Godrich, who
was his Confessor, saw his soul borne into heaven in the form of a mass of fire.
All from the Common Office for a Confessor not a Bishop^ (J>. 598.) The
Office would be double^ ajid therefore on June 6 the Vespers would be of St
Robert^ from the Chapter inclusive^ with a Com?nemoratio7i of St Norbert.
Prayer throughout.
r\ LORD our God, through the prayers of the blessed Abbat Robert make
^^ Thy people to rejoice earnestly before Thee, for this is happiness full
and everlasting, that we should serve Thee, from Whom cometh down every
good and perfect gift. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame7i.
At Mattins^ in the First Nocturn^ Lessons from Scripture according to the
Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
"D OBERT was born at York, in England. As a boy he avoided games, and
^ applied his mind to study. He was ordained a Priest, and made Rector
of a church, but the longing for solitude caused him to take the habit of
St Benedict. From the desire for stricter observance he afterwards went to
the monastery of Fountains, of the Cistercian Order, and after long trial the
Abbat Riccaried set him over Newminster. He watched with such thought
and carefulness for the salvation of the flock committed to his charge, that
VOL. II. 2 12
946 THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the holy martyr Calliope, who for At Rouen, also in Gaul, holy
Christ's faith's sake had her breasts Gildard, Bishop [of that see,] third
cut off, and her flesh burnt, was brother of the aforesaid Medard.
rolled upon broken pots, and at last They were both born upon the same
beheaded, and so received the palm day, both consecrated bishops upon
of martyrdom. the same day, upon the same day
At Soissons, in Gaul, holy Medard, they both died, and to heaven they
bishop of Noyon, whose precious life went together,
and death, [in the year 545,] are at- At Sens, [in the year 515,] holy
tested by glorious miracles. Heraclius, Bishop [of that see.]
one while he heard a voice from heaven saying unto him that God had heard
his prayers and that the names of his monks were written in the Book of
Life. He was not content with the accustomed Office, and in addition he
repeated the whole Book of Psalms every day. He restrained his appetite
with the utmost severity, and was used more especially in Lent to live upon
nothing but bread and water. This hardness towards himself he coupled with
tenderness to the poor, to whom he caused to be given whatsoever he denied
to himself On one occasion he ordered a salver to be given to the needy,
and an angel in the form of a poor man took it, and forthwith vanished away ;
but he afterwards brought it back, and set it before the holy Abbat without
himself appearing.
Fifth Less 071.
TV /[ ANY things were revealed to him by God. One while a ship at a
distance was lost, but Robert knew it, and commanded brethren to
go to bury the dead bodies of the mariners when they were washed up upon
the sea-shore. He had a marvellous power over evil spirits. One time when
a devil was about to stir up a great rebellion he forbade him, and com-
manded him to go to waste places, and never to hurt men again. One
night this holy Father saw a devil standing in the entrance of the choir,
and watching the behaviour of the brethren, that perchance he might find
some fault among them. But the man of God began earnestly to pray for
the salvation of his brethren, and to admonish each of them of his duty, so
that at length he compelled the enemy to go away in wrath. One time he
saw Satan himself laughing in the choir of the lay brethren, and dragging a
novice thence with a rope. In the morning this novice ran away ; he joined a
band of robbers, and a little while after he perished miserably.
Sixth Lesso77.
"DLESSED Robert, as one of the household of St Bernard, received from
him as a gift a girdle, where-through, for the sake of them both, many
sick folk have received good. After he had spoken much concerning the
things of God, with Godrich the Hermit, a very holy man, and was wondrously
enkindled with the love of God, Robert died an holy death upon the 7th day
of June in the year 11 59. The aforesaid Godrich saw his soul in flashing
whiteness borne into heaven among angels. Many wonders were wrought at
his intercession. One that was born dumb from his mother's womb, had long
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE. 947
At Metz, [in the year 696,] holy June 8.
Clodulph, Bishop [of that see.]
In Picenum, [in the sixth century,] St aEtlltam, [SltCplSljOp Of
i[orIt,] eConfessor.
the holy Severinus, Bishop of Septem-
peda, [now called, from him, San
Severino.] Double.
In Sardinia, [in the fourth century,]
the holy Confessor Sallustian. All from the Common Office for a
At Camerino, [in the sixth century,] Bishop and Confessor^ {p. 581,) except
the holy Confessor Victorinus. the followiftg.
besought with many tears the help of St Thomas of Canterbury, when that holy
martyr appeared to him, and bade him go to the grave of the blessed Abbat
Robert, where he obtained the gift of speech which he sought.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (xix. 27.)
A T that time : Peter said unto Jesus, Behold, we have forsaken all, and
followed Thee ; what shall we have therefore ? And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat of Clairvaux. {On the talk of Simon with
Jesus. )
An hundredfold, saith the Lord unto Peter, shall every one such receive, and
shall inherit everlasting life. Here, O ye sons of Adam, ye have "promise of
the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (i Tim. iv. 8.) That
"the mouth of them that speak lies may be stopped." (Ps. Ixii. 12.) And
"they be ashamed which transgress without cause." (Ps. xxiv. 4.) And do
not they transgress without a cause who could serve God not only more
fruitfully but more pleasantly, not only more healthily but more happily, than
they serve the world ? The Lord answereth Peter as to that which was to
come, for he could have no doubts as to that which he actually felt, nor any
need to ask thereupon. He said not, What have we ? but. What shall we
have ? Doth any doubt that the promise of the hundredfold hath to do with the
time that now is ? this is shown by the very sequence of the words wherein
it is said : first, that we shall receive an hundredfold, and then that we shall
inherit everlasting life.
Eisrhth Lesson.
"&>'
]VT EVERTHELESS, lest any room should be left for stiff-neckedness, I
refer you to the Gospel according to Mark, (x. 29, 30,) where the same
promise is written down at greater length. The Lord saith, " There is no man
that hath left house, or brethren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for My sake, and the Gospel's, but he shall receive an
hundredfold now in this time ; " but to the greater marvel of the natural
man, which " receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
948 THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Prayer throughout the Office. ( Taken SECOND NOCTURN.
from the York Missal.)
Fourth Lesson. {Fro7n Capgrave
r\ GOD, Who dost gladden us and Papebroch.)
by the works and prayers of
Thy blessed Confessor and Bishop, "DLESSED William was of very
William ; mercifully grant that we -'-' noble birth, being the son
who seek good by him, may obtain of Earl Hubert by Emma, sister of
bounty from Thy grace ; through our King Stephen, and won the highest
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who character even as a lad. Growing
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the in grace as he grew in years, he
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, was appointed treasurer of York,
world without end. Amen. in the which office he so bore him-
self as to be universally looked on
MATTINS. as the common father of the poor.
He set greater prize by nothing than
FIRST NOCTURN. ,^y ^^^jppj^^ l^i^3^,f^ ^^^ „^^^^
Lessons from Scripture according easily to help the need of the
to the Season. struggling.
discerned," (i Cor. ii. 14,) the Lord doth add "with persecutions." Perchance
if the natural man had heard that an hundredfold was promised now in this
time, he might have thought that there was signified an hundredfold of the
things of time; but these words "with persecutions " do cut off such a dream
as this, for what comfort is there upon earth which persecution upon earth doth
not take away ? What reward upon earth did the holy martyrs receive with
their persecutions, when the very dust of the earth whereof were made their
own blessed bodies was given over into the hands of wicked men ?
Ninth Lesso7i.
" "\ 1 7"E know that all things work together for good to them that love God."
(Rom. viii. 28.) And how doth he not inherit all things to whom all
things work together for good, and how doth he not receive an hundredfold
of all things, who is filled with the Holy Ghost, who hath Christ in his heart,
unless indeed it be that the indwelling of the Spirit, the Comforter, and the
presence of Christ is far more than an hundredfold 1 " O how great," saith the
Psalmist, " how great is Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for
them that fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee."
(Ps. XXX. 20, 21.) Thou seest how this holy soul doth cry out at the memory
of that abounding sweetness, how he doth repeat himself. O how great, he
crieth, is the multitude ! This hundredfold, therefore, is the adoption of sons ;
it is liberty ; it is the first-fruits of the Spirit ; it is the gladness of love ; it
is the glory of conscience ; it is the "kingdom of God which is within us, and
which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the
Holy Ghost" (Rom. xiv. 17) — joy which we have not in the hope of glory
only, but in tribulations also.
Vespers will be of the following., frojn the Chapter ijtclusive, with a Com-
memoration of St Robert.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
949
Fifth Lesson.
A FTER the death of Archbishop
"^^ Turstin, WiUiam was elected to
follow him, but as a few of the Chapter
dissented, holy Bernard denounced the
election to the Apostolic See as un-
canonical, and it was declared null
by Pope Eugenius III. This affair
caused no vexation to the holy man,
but on the other hand gave him that
occasion of exercising lowliness and
serving God freely, of which he was
most fain.
Sixth Lesson.
TJTE fled therefore from the pomps
of the world, and withdrew
himself into a solitary place, that he
might watch over his own salvation
without being troubled by outward
things. However, when his adver-
saries were dead, he was again elected
Archbishop, and this time unanimously,
and was confirmed by Pope Anastasius.
He had not long taken possession of
his See, when he fell sick and passed
away from this life, upon the 8th day
of June, in the year of man's salvation
1 1 54, full of days, and glorious in the
sight of God for almsgiving, watching,
fasting, and good works.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons fro7n Matth. xxiv. 42, with
the Ho7nily of St Hilary., {p. 594.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 9th day of June, were
born into the better life —
Upon the Celian Mount of Rome,
the holy Martyrs Primus and Felician,
who suffered uuder the Emperors
Diocletian and Maximian. These
glorious martyrs had led a long life
together, and had suffered divers and
dreadful torments sometimes together,
and sometimes apart. At length they
brought their happy fight to a close,
being beheaded under Promotus, Presi-
dent of Mentana.
At Agen, in Gaul, [in the third
century,] suffered the holy martyr
Vincent the Levite.
At Antioch, [in the year 304,] the
holy Virgin martyr Pelagia, whom
holy Ambrose and John Chrysostom
do greatly praise.
At Syracuse, [in the year 594,]
holy Maximian, Bishop [of that see,]
of whom holy Pope Gregory the Great
doth oftentimes make mention.
At Andria, in Apulia, [in the twelfth
century,] holy Richard, the first Bishop
of that city, famous for wondrous works.
In Scotland, [in the year 597,] holy
Colum,! Priest and Confessor, [founder
and first Abbat of lona.]
At Edessa, in Syria, [in the fourth
century,] the holy monk Julian, whose
illustrious acts are written by the holy
Deacon Ephraim.
At Seco7id Vespers a Coinmetnora-
tiojt is made of the Holy martyrs..
Primus and Felician.
June 9.
anti Jelictan.
Simple.
All from the Co7nmon Office for a
Si77iple Feast of Many Martyrs., {p.
514,) except the followi7ig Prayer
and Lesso7is.
Prayer throughout the Office.
TV /TAKE us, O Lord, we beseech
•^'"*- Thee, ever heartily to rejoice
over Thine holy martyrs Primus and
1 Funnily enough, the name is altered into the masculine form, like that of the discoverer
of America.
950
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Felician, and grant to us at their
prayer the gift of Thy safe-keeping.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
Second Lesson.
TDRIMUS and Felician were two
brothers who were accused of
Christianity during the persecution by
Diocletian and Maximian, and thrown
into irons, which an angel broke, and
so freed their limbs. In the presence
of the Praetor they most earnestly clave
to the profession of their faith, and
were immediately parted one from the
other. Felician's was the steadfast-
ness which was first tried in divers
ways. They, however, that strove to
argue him into sin, when they found
that words availed nothing, fastened
his hands and feet to a post, and left
him to hang there three days without
food or drink. On the fourth day
the Pr^tor called Primus before him,
and said to him : " Seest thou how
much thy brother is wiser than thou ?
He hath obeyed the Emperors, and
they have made him honourable.
Thou hast only to follow his ensample
to be made partaker of his honours
and favours."
Third Lesso7t.
pRIMUS answered him: "What
hath befallen my brother I know,
for an angel hath told me. God grant
that, seeing I have the same will that
he hath, I may not be divided from
him in uplifting of testimony." These
words raised the wrath of the Pr^tor,
and to the torments which he had
already inflicted on Primus, he added
this also, that he had boiling lead put
into his mouth, compelling his brother
Felician to be present and see it done.
After that, he had them led into the
theatre and two lions let loose upon
them, in the presence of about twelve
thousand people who were gathered
together to see the show. The lions
only fawned upon the knees of the
Saints, making friends with them with
motions of their heads and tails.
This exhibition turned five hundred
persons and their households to Christ.
The Praetor, then, moved beyond all
endurance by what had passed, caused
Primus and Felician to be beheaded.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the loth day of June, were
born into the better life —
In Scotland, the holy Queen Mar-
garet, famous for her love for the poor
and her voluntary poverty.
At Rome, upon the Salarian Way,
the blessed Getulius, a man of great
eminence and learning, and his Com-
panions Cerealis, Amantius, and Primi-
tivus. At the command of the Emperor
Hadrian they were tortured by Licinius
the Consular ; first hided, then thrust
into prison, lastly committed to the
flames, but as the fire would nowise
hurt them, their heads were beaten
in with clubs, and so they finished
their testimony. Sympharosa, the wife
of blessed Getulius, gathered their
bodies together and honourably buried
them in a sand-pit upon her own farm.
Also at Rome, upon the Aurelian
Way, holy Basilides, Tripodes, Man-
dales, and twenty other martyrs, who
suffered under the Emperor Aurelian
and Plato, the Prefect of the city.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyr
Zacharia.
In the dominions of Prusias, in
Bithynia, [in the fourth century,] holy
Timothy, Bishop [there,] martyr under
Julian the Apostate.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Crispu-
lus and Restitutus.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Aresius,
Rogfatus, and fifteen others.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
951
At Cologne, the holy martyr the
Abbat Maurinus.
At Petra, in Arabia, the holy
Asterius, Bishop [of that see,] who,
for the Catholic faith's sake, suffered
many things of the Arians, and by
the Emperor Constantius was ban-
ished into Africa and died a glorious
Confessor.
At Naples, in Campania, the holy
martyr Maximus, Bishop [of that see,]
who was banished by the same Em-
peror Constantius for his unshaken
confession of the Nicene faith, and
there died worn out by suffering.
At Auxerre, [early in the sixth
century,] holy Censurius, Bishop [of
that see.]
June 10.
St JSlargaret, <!^uttn of
Scots, Wttioto.
Double.
All from the Common Office for an
Holy Woman iieither Martyr nor
Virgm^ {p. 649,) except the following.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who didst make Mar-
^-^^ garet, that blessed Queen, won-
derful for tender love toward the
poor, grant that her intercession and
ensample may be effectual to gain
for our hearts a thorough love toward
Thee. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world with-
out end. Ame7t.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoji.
IX/TARGARET, Queen of Scots, was
most noble by birth, uniting
in herself, from her father the blood
of the Kings of England and from
her mother the blood of the Csesars,
but her greatest nobleness was in her
brave Christian life. She was born
in Hungary, where her father was
then an exile, [in the year 1046,] and
had passed a religious childhood,
when her uncle Edward, the holy
King of England, recalled him to his
own royal home, and she came to
England with him [in 1054.] A few
years after, upon the ruin of her
family,! gj^g ^y^s escaping from Eng-
land by sea, when the violence of
the weather, or, to speak more truly,
the Providence of God, caused that
the ship should take refuge upon the
coast of Scotland. There her extra-
ordinary graces of mind and body
so attracted King Malcolm III., that
by the advice of his mother, he took
her to wife [in 1070,] and of Scotland
she deserved exceedingly well for the
thirty years of her reign, by the holi-
ness of her life and the abundance
of her works of mercy.
Fifth Lesson.
T N the midst of kingly dainties, she
afflicted her body with hardships
and watching, using to spend great
part of the night in earnest prayer.
Besides other fasts which she imposed
upon herself, it was her custom to
observe one of forty days before
Christmas, concerning which fast she
was so rigid, that she would not
relax it even under sharp suffering.
She took great delight in the public
worship of God, and founded or re-
newed a great number of Churches
By the conquest of England by William I. in 1066.
952
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
and convents, which she enriched at
great cost with sacred furniture. Her
healthy example drew the King her
husband to habits of sobriety, and
to imitate her in her good works. To
all her children she had the happiness
of giving a godly education, and
several of them, like her mother
Agatha and her sister Christina, led
notable holy lives. The happiness
of the whole kingdom was the object
for which she constantly strove, and
she successfully rooted out all the
vices which had stealthily crept in,
and established among the people a
standard of living worthy of Chris-
tians.
Sixth Lesson.
nr*HE most remarkable feature of
her life was the tenderness of
her charity toward her neighbour, es-
pecially the needy. Of these she
would not only order whole flocks to
be relieved, but was accustomed to
give dinner to three hundred of them
every day, treating them with the
tenderness of a mother, and waiting
upon them on her knees like a maid-
servant. She held it one of the
privileges of her rank to wash their
feet with her own Royal hands, and
to dress their sores, which latter she
would even kiss. To meet the ex-
penses of her charities she sold not
only her queenly raiment and her
precious jewels, but more than once
exhausted her funds entirely. Purified
by grievous suffering, which she bore
with marvellous patience during an ill-
ness of six months, she resigned her
soul into the hands of Him Who had
created it, upon the loth day of June,i
[1093.] At the moment of death, the
bystanders saw her poor worn face.
pale and disfigured by continual suffer-
ing, flush again with a beauty to which
it had long been unused. After her
death she became illustrious on ac-
count of great signs and wonders.
With the approval of Clement X.,
she was chosen Patroness of Scot-
land, and her memory is held in
profound reverence throughout the
whole earth.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xiii. 44, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 653.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 1 1 th day of June, were
born into the better life —
The holy Apostle Barnabas. He
was a Cypriot by birth, was by the
disciples ordained an Apostle to the
Gentiles along with Paul, and went
through many countries with him do-
ing that work of preaching the Gospel
which had been laid upon them. In
the end he went home to Cyprus,
where he crowned the dignity of the
Apostolate with the glory of martyr-
dom. Through a revelation from him-
self his body was discovered in the
time of the Emperor Zeno, having
with it a copy of the Gospel accord-
ing to Matthew written with his own
hand.
At Aquileia, the holy brethren Felix
and Fortunatus, both martyrs. In
the persecution under Diocletian and
Maximian they were hung upon the
rack, and lighted lamps put to their
sides, but these were extinguished
by the power of God. Boiling oil
was poured into their bellies, and at
last, forasmuch as they still stood
i This is a most singular inaccuracy. There can be no doubt that she died upon Nov. 16,
upon which day her Feast was anciently kept in Scotland. She had another on June 19, in
memory of the translation of her relics in 1250. The present Ofifice was inserted in the Roman
Kalendar by Innocent XII. in 1693, at the request of James VII., and June 10 is the Birth-day
of the " Chevalier St George."
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
953
firm in confessing Christ, they were
beheaded.
At Bologna, [in the year 1267,]
the holy Confessor Parisius, a monk
of the Order of Camaldoli.
At Rome is commemorated the
translation of the body of holy
Gregory of Nazianzus. This sacred
body had been brought to Rome from
Constantinople and had lain for a
long time in the church of the Mother
of God at the Campus Martius, when
the Supreme Pontiff Gregory XIII.,
[in the year 1580,] removed it with
great pomp to the chapel which he
had splendidly decorated in the
Basihca of St Peter, and there laid
it under the altar with due honour.
Vespers are of the following.
June ii.
St Barnabas, Apostle.
Greater double.
All fro7n the Co7nvio7i Office for
Apostles^ (p. 514,) except the follow-
ing.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Acts of
the Apostles (xiii. 43.)
IVr OW when the Synagogue was dis-
missed, many of the Jews and
religious proselytes followed Paul and
Barnabas ; who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the
grace of God. And the next Sabbath
Day came almost the whole city to-
gether, to hear the word of God. But
when the Jews saw the multitudes
they were filled with envy, and spake
against those things which were spoken
by Paul, blaspheming. Then Paul
and Barnabas waxed bold and said :
It was necessary that the Word of
God should first have been spoken
to you, but, seeing ye put it from
you, and judge yourselves unworthy
of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the
Gentiles. For so hath the Lord com-
manded us : I have set thee to be a
light of the Gentiles, that thou should-
est be for salvation unto the ends of
the earth.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r^ GOD, Who dost gladden us by
^-^^ the worthy deeds and availing
prayers of Thy Blessed Apostle Bar-
nabas, mercifully grant unto us who
seek through him Thy manifold gifts,
by the tenderness of Thy mercy
effectually to obtain the same.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Ajnen.
At First Vespers a Coimneinoration
is made of St Margaret. Prayer fro?n
her Office.
Second Lesson.
A ND when the Gentiles heard this,
^^^ they were glad, and glorified the
word of the Lord ; and as many as
were ordained to eternal life believed.
And the word of the Lord was pub-
lished throughout all the region. But
the Jews stirred up the devout and
honourable women, and the chief men
of the city, and raised persecution
against Paul and Barnabas, and
expelled them out of their coasts.
But they shook off the dust of
their feet against them, and came
unto Iconium. And the disciples
were filled with joy and with the
Holy Ghost.
954
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
Third Lesson, (xiv. i.)
A ND it came to pass in Iconium,
"^^ that they went both together
into the Synagogue of the Jews, and
so spake that a great multitude both
of the Jews and also of the Greeks
believed. But the unbelieving Jews
stirred up the Gentiles, and made
their minds evil-affected against the
brethren. Much time therefore abode
they speaking boldly in the Lord,
Which gave testimony unto the word
of His grace, and granted signs
and wonders to be done by their
hands.
SECOND NOCTURN.l
Fourth Lesson,
J OSES, who by the Apostles was
surnamed Barnabas, (which is,
being interpreted, the Son of Conso-
lation,) a Levite and of the country of
Cyprus, having land, sold it, and
brought the money, and laid it at the
Apostles' feet. (Acts iv. 36, 37.)
When Paul, after his conversion, was
come to Jerusalem, the disciples were
all afraid of him, but Barnabas took
him, and brought him to the Apostles,
(ix. 26, 27.) When tidings that a
great number believed and turned
unto the Lord at Antioch came unto
the ears of the Church which was at
Jerusalem, they sent forth Barnabas
that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came, and had seen
the grace of God, was glad, and ex-
horted them all that with purpose of
heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of
the Holy Ghost, and of faith, and
much people was added unto the
Lord. (xi. 21-24.)
Fifth Less 071.
T^HEN departed Barnabas to Tarsus
for to seek Paul, and, when he
had found him, he brought him unto
Antioch. And it came to pass that a
whole year they assembled themselves
with the Church, and taught much
people. And the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch. And in
these days came prophets from Jeru-
salem unto Antioch. And there stood
up one of them, named Agabus, and
signified, by the Spirit, that there
should be great dearth throughout all
the world — which came to pass in the
days of Claudius Caesar. Then the
disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto
the brethren which dwelt in Judea,
which also they did, and sent it to
the elders by the hands of Barnabas
and Paul. (xi. 25-30.) And Barna-
bas and Paul returned from Jerusalem,
when they had fulfilled their ministry,
and took with them John, whose sur-
name was Mark. (xii. 25.)
Sixth Lesson.
IVT OW there were in the Church
that was at Antioch, certain
Prophets and teachers ; and, as Paul
and Barnabas, together with them,
ministered to the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said : Separate Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them. And
when they had fasted and prayed,
and laid their hands on them, they
sent them away. So they, being sent
forth by the Holy Ghost, departed
unto Seleucia ; and from thence they
sailed to Cyprus ; (xiii. 1-4 ;) in the
which island, and in many other cities
and countries, they journeyed about,
1 The Lessons in this Nocturn consist almost entirely of a string of passages from the Acts
of the Apostles, In the Latin these passages are given in a somewliat mutilated and dis-
jointed manner, like quotations from memory ; in translating I have thought it best to give
them nearly in their original torm, as they are to be found in the Bible itself.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
955
preaching the Gospel with great gain
to them that heard them. Neverthe-
less, at last, Paul and Barnabas de-
parted asunder one from the other.
And so Barnabas took Mark and
sailed unto Cyprus, (xv. 39,) once
more. And there it was that upon
a certain nth of June, in or about
the seventh year of the reign of Nero,
Barnabas crowned the dignity of the
Apostolate with the glory of martyr-
dom. During the reign of the Em-
peror Zeno, his body was found in its
grave in Cyprus ; on his breast lay a
copy of the Gospel according to
Matthew, written by the hand of
Barnabas himself
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gos-
pel according to Matthew (x. 16.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
"^^ disciples : Behold, I send you
forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.
And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.] 34//^
on Matthew.
When the Lord had cleared the
minds of His disciples of all care,
and had armed them by showing forth
His mighty works, had estranged them
from all business of this world, and
freed them from all anxiety touching
the things of time, moulding them
into a frame of iron-like, nay, diamond-
like, hardness, then at length He told
them of the contendings against the
which they were afterward to wrestle.
By this foretelling of things to come
they were much holpen. First, they
learnt the power of His fore-knowledge.
Then, they were guarded against all
suspicion that these great sorrows
flowed from faultiness in their Master.
Again, the future sufferers were made
safe from all trouble of being taken
unawares. Lastly, seeing that they
heard these things at a time nigh
to His own suffering, they were not
over troubled.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND now, that they may under-
stand how that this is a new
kind of warfare, and an unaccustomed
manner of contending, when He send-
eth them forth unarmed, " providing
neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in
their purses ; nor scrip for their journey,
neither two coats, neither shoes, nor
yet staves," (x. 9, 10,) left to the
hospitality of whosoever would receive
them, He maketh not here an end
to His discourse, but, in manifestation
of His unspeakable power. He biddeth
them, so going, to show forth the
meekness of sheep, seeing they were
about going unto wolves — neither
simply unto wolves, but in the very
midst of wolves. Neither is it only
the meekness of sheep whichHebiddeth
them have, but also the harmlessness
of doves, that He might so much the
more gloriously display His power,
when the sheep overcame the wolves.
These are the sheep which albeit they
abide in the midst of wolves, and are
mangled by many a bite, not only are
not destroyed, but do gradually make
the wolves change their nature, and
become sheep themselves.
Ni7ith Lesson.
■pEYOND all doubt it is a greater
and more marvellous thing to
change the minds of enemies, and to
turn their thoughts round, than to kill
them ; more especially when the work
is to be done by only twelve sheep, and
the whole world is full of the wolves.
Shame then upon us, whose deeds
956
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
are so contrary, and who rather run
like wolves upon our enemies. For
so long as we are sheep we conquer,
yea, though a thousand wolves be
gathered round about us, we over-
come, and are the conquerors : but
if we become wolves ourselves, then
are we conquered. For then doth
the Shepherd's help forsake us, Who
feedeth not wolves but sheep.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 12th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Salamanca, in Spain, the holy
Confessor John of San Fagondez, of
the Order of Hermits of St Augustine,
famous for his zeal for the faith, the
holiness of his life, and his wonderful
works.
At Rome, upon the Aurelian Way,
the holy soldiers Basilides, Cyrinus,
Nabor, and Nazarius, all martyrs,
who were thrust into prison under
Aurelius the Prefect, in the perse-
cution under Diocletian and Maxim-
ian, because of their Christian pro-
fession, and after they had been torn
with armed scourges, were beheaded.
At Nice, in Bithynia, the holy
martyr Antonina, who in the same
persecution was, by the order of Pris-
cillian the President, beaten with clubs,
hung upon the rack, torn in the sides,
burnt with fire, and at last slain with
the sword.
In Thrace, [in the fourth century,]
holy Olympius, Bishop [of Enos,] who
was thrust out of his see by the
Arians and died a Confessor.
At Rome, in the V.atican Basilica,
[in the year 816,] the holy Pope
Leo VI., whose eyes and tongue were
torn out by wicked men, [in the year
799,] but wonderfully given back to
him by God.
In Cilicia, holy Amphion, Bishop
[of Nicomedia,] who was an eminent
Confessor in the time of the Emperor
Galerius Maximian.
In Egypt, [toward the beginning
of the fifth century,] the holy Hermit
Onuphrius, who lived in the great
desert for sixty years and passed to
heaven illustrious for great, mighty,
and worthy deeds ; his famous acts
were written by the Abbat Paphnutius.
In the Second Vespers a Coninie7n-
oration is made of St John of San
Fag07idez, and of the Holy martyrs
Basilides^ Cyrinus^ Nabor^ and Naza-
rius. Prayers from next dafs Lauds.
June 12.
Commemoration of St 3oJ}n of
San jFagontiej, Confessor.
( The full Office for the Feasts from
June 12 to ig ificlusive is never read
from this part of the Breviary., as they
caiinot fall earlier tha?i the Eve of
Whitsunday ; whe7i that Vigil falls
071 Ju7ie 12 there is 7}iade a Coi7i7ne7n-
oratio7i of St John of Sa7i Fag07idez^
a7id the Ni7ith Lesso7i is for7ned of the
Fourth., Fifth., a7id Sixth Lesso7is of
the same St Joh7i. Of the subseque7it
Feasts a Com7ne7)ioratio7t 07ily is
7nade.)
MATTINS.
Fourth Lesson.
JOHN [Gonzalez] was born, the off-
spring of a noble race, at San
Fagondez in Spain, [on Midsummer
Day in the year of grace 1430.] His
father and mother after long childless-
ness, obtained him from God by prayers
and good works. From his earliest
years he gave clear signs of his after
holiness of life. He was used to climb
up upon an high place to preach to the
other little boys, and to exhort them
to be good and to worship God, and
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
957
he made it his work to reconcile their
quarrels. While he was still at home
he was given in charge to the monks
of the Order of Saint Benedict, at
the village of San Fagondez, to teach
him his first lessons. While he was
thus busied, his father obtained for
him the benefice of the Parish, but no
persuasions could induce him to keep
this preferment. He became one of
the household of the Bishop of Burgos,
and that Prelate, seeing his upright-
ness, took him into his counsels, or-
dained him Priest, and made him a
Canon, heaping upon him many kind-
nesses. However, that he might serve
God the more quietly, he left the
Bishop's Palace, resigned all his Church
income, and betook him to a certain
Chapel wherein he celebrated the
Holy Liturgy every day, and often-
times preached concerning the things
of God, with great profit to all that
heard him.
Fifth Lesson.
T T E went later to Salamanca to
study, and there being taken
into the celebrated College of St Bar-
tholomew, he did his priestly office,
so that he was at once constant to
the studies he desired and busy with
sermons. Here he had a severe ill-
ness, and vowed to take up a sterner
way of living. In fulfilment of this
vow, he gave to an half-naked beggar
the better of the two garments which
were all that he had, and then went
to a Convent of the friars of St Austin,
which was then in the richest bloom
of rigid discipline. Being admitted
therein, he surpassed the most ad-
vanced in obedience, lowliness, watch-
ings, and prayer. At the time that
he had charge of the table, one keg
of wine abundantly sufficed in his
hands for all the friars, throughout an
whole year. After his year of novice-
ship, he undertook the duty of preacher
at the command of his Superior. At
that time, owing to bloody feuds, all
things human and divine at Salamanca
were in such utter confusion, that
murders were committed almost every
hour, and the streets and squares, and
the very churches, flowed with the
blood of all classes, especially of the
nobility.
Sixth Lesso?t.
T T was John, who by public preach-
ing and private conversations,
softened the hearts of the citizens so
that the town was restored to peace.
He grievously offended one of the
nobles by rebuking him for his cruelty
toward his vassals. This man sent
two knights to murder him on the
road. They had already come nigh
him when God sent a terror upon
them, so that they and their horses
stood still, until they cast themselves
down before the feet of the Saint, im-
ploring his forgiveness for their sin.
The Prince himself, also, smitten with
a sudden dread, despaired of his salva-
tion, till he had sent for John, who,
finding him repent of his deed, restored
him to soundness. Some quarrelsome
men, likewise, who were fain to give
him a cudgelling, found their arms
stiffen, nor would their strength come
back till they had asked his pardon for
their wickedness. Oftentimes when he
was celebrating the Holy Liturgy, the
Presence of the Lord Christ became
sensibly manifest to him, and he drank
in things heavenly from their Divine
Well-head Himself Oftentimes also
he could see the secrets of men's
hearts, and foretell strange things to
come. He raised from the dead his
own niece, aged seven years. He fore-
told the day of his own death, and
prepared himself by receiving most
devoutly the Sacraments of the Church,
[and then fell asleep in the Lord, upon
958
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
the iith day of June, in the year
1475.] God glorified him by many
miracles, both before and after his
death. These being duly proved,
Alexander VIII. numbered him among
the Saints.
Should the Feast of St John be kept
on so7Jie other day, let the followi7ig
Lesso7i {for the Holy Martyrs) be
read :
Lesson. {For the Holy Martyrs.)
"DASILIDES, Cyrinus, Nabor, and
Nazarius were Roman soldiers,
of illustrious birth, and distinguished
gallantry. Having embraced the
Christian Religion, and being found
publishing that Christ was the Son
of God, they were arrested by Aurelius,
Prasfect of Rome under the Emperor
Diocletian. As they despised his
orders to sacrifice to the gods, they
were committed to prison. While
they were at prayer there, a brilliant
light broke forth before the eyes of all
that were there, and shone in all the
prison. Marcellinus the keeper of the
prison and many others were moved
by this heavenly glory to believe in
the Lord Christ. Basilides, Cyrinus,
Nabor, and Nazarius were afterwards
discharged out of the prison. How-
ever, in the reign of the Emperor
Maximian, when they set light by his
commands also, and had ever in their
mouth that there is but one Christ,
one God, and one Lord, they were
tormented with whips loaded with
metal, and again cast into chains.
Thence, on the seventh day, they
were brought out, and set before the
Emperor, and there 'still persisted in
mocking at the foolish idols, and de-
claring that Jesus Christ is God.
They were accordingly condemned to
death and beheaded. Their bodies
were given to wild beasts to eat, but,
as the creatures would not touch them.
the Christians took them, and buried
them honourably.
LAUDS.
Prayer.
r~\ GOD, the Author of peace and
^-^^ Lover of concord, Who didst
wonderfully adorn Thy blessed Con-
fessor John with the grace of making
peace between them that were at war,
grant unto us for his sake and by his
prayers, to be so solidly established in
the love of Thyself, that no trials what-
soever may be able to part us from
Thee. Through our Lord jESUS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. Ame?i.
A Coimneinoration is made of the
Holy Martyrs.
Prayer.
"ORIGHTEN over us, O Lord, we
beseech Thee, this solemn Birth-
day - keeping for Thine own holy
martyrs, Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor,
and Nazarius, and grant that the same
love of Thee which hath brought them
for ever and ever, such things as ex-
ceed all that we can either ask or
think, may grow up in us also by the
fruits of our earnest petition. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Ame?t.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 13th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Padua, the holy Confessor
Anthony of Portugal, of the Order
of Friars Minor, famous for his life,
miracles, and preaching.
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
959
At Rome, upon the Ardeatine Way,
the holy Virgin martyr Felicula. She
would not marry Flaccus nor sacrifice
to idols, and was therefore handed
over to a certain judge who, forasmuch
as she remained steadfast in confess-
ing Christ, starved her in the dark,
then had her racked until she died,
and thereafter threw her body into a
sewer. The holy Nicomedes buried
her beside the same Way.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Fortun-
atus and Lucian.
At Byblos, in Palestine, the holy
Virgin martyr Aquilina, aged twelve
years. In the persecution under the
Emperor Diocletian and the judge
Valusian, she was buffeted and beaten
for her confession of the faith, and
stabbed with heated awls, and lastly
smitten with the sword, and so hal-
lowed maidenhood by martyrdom.
In the Abruzzi, the holy martyr
Peregrine, Bishop [of Amiternum,]
who for the Catholic faith's sake was
drowned by the Lombards in the river
Aterno.
At Cordova, the holy monk and
priest Fandilas, who [in the year 853]
suffered martyrdom for Christ's sake
by being beheaded in the persecution
by the Arabs.
In Cyprus, [in the fourth century,]
holy Triphyllius, Bishop [of Nicosia.]
June 13.
(fTommemoration of St ^n-^
tljong of Patiua, Confessor.
Antiphons^ &^c., from the Common
Office for a Confessor 7tot a Bishop^
{p. 598.)
Prayer.
r~\ GOD, make Thy Church to be
^-"^ glad at the solemn memorial of
Thy blessed Confessor Anthony, caus-
ing her ever to be strong through Thy
ghostly succour, and fitting her to
relish blessedness at Thy right hand
for evermore. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
At First Vespers a Commemoration
is made of St fohii of San Fagondez.
Prayer as above.
MARTYROLOGY.
On the morrow is usually kept the
feast of holy Basil, styled "the Great,"
Archbishop of Caesarea, in Pontus,
[Confessor and Doctor of the Church,
of whom mention is made upon the
1st day of January, and on the 14th
day of June, of his ordination to his
see of C^sarea.] In the time of the
Emperor Valens he shone as a mar-
vellous light, illustrious for teaching
and wisdom, and shining with all
graces, and defended the Church with
wonderful firmness against the Arians
and Macedonians.
Upon the same 14th day of June,
were born into the better life —
At Samaria, in Palestine, [in the
sixth century before Christ,] the holy
Prophet Elisha. Holy Jerome writ-
eth that the devils shrink from his
grave, where also resteth the Prophet
Obadiah.
At Syracuse, the holy Marcian,
Bishop [of that see,] who was ordained
Bishop by the blessed Apostle Peter.
After he had preached the Gospel he
was slain by the Jews.
At Soissons, the holy martyrs Val-
erius and Rufinus, who after suffering
divers torments were beheaded by
order of the President Rictiovarus in
the persecution under Diocletian.
At Cordova, [in the persecution by
the Muslims,] the holy martyrs Anas-
tasius a Priest, Felix a monk, and
Digna a Virgin.
960
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Constantinople, [in the year 846,]
holy Methodius, Archbishop [of that
see.]
At Vienne, [in Gaul, in the seventh
century,] holy y^therius. Bishop [of
that see.]
At Rodez, [in Gaul, in the sixth
century,] holy Quinctian, Bishop [first
of that see and afterward of Clermont.]
June 14.
martyrology.
Upon the 15th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At the river Silaro, in Lucania, the
holy martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and
Crescentia, who were brought thither
from Sicily under the Emperor Dio-
cletian ; there by the power of God
they overcame boiling lead and. wild
beasts, and finished the course of their
glorious fight by being broken alive
upon a block.
At Dorostorum, in Mysia, the holy
soldier Hesychius, who was arrested
along with blessed Julius, and was
crowned with martyrdom after him,
under the President Maximus.
At Cordova, in Spain [in the perse-
cution under the Muslims,] the holy
martyr Benildes.
At Zephyrium, in Cilicia, the holy
martyr Dulas, who under the Presi-
dent Maximus was for Christ's Name's
sake beaten with rods, laid upon a
gridiron and smeared with burning
oil, and suffered other things also, and
so as a conqueror grasped the palm
of martyrdom.
At Palmyra, in Syria, the holy sisters
Libya and Leonis, and Eutropia, a
damsel of twelve years of age, who
through divers torments attained unto
the crown of martyrdom.
At Valenciennes, [in the year 686,]
the holy Landalin, Abbat [of Crespin.]
At Clermont, [in the year 472,] the
holy Confessor Abraham, [Abbat of
St Cirgues,] illustrious for his holiness
and wonderful w^orks.
At Valais, [in the year 1008,] the
holy Confessor Bernard of Menthon.
At Pibrac, in the Diocese of Tou-
louse, the holy Virgin Germaine Cousin,
a shepherdess, who lived poor and
lowly, and after many woes, borne
with the greatest long-suffering, passed
away to the Divine Bridegroom, [in
the year 1601.] After her death she
became famous for many miracles,
and the Supreme Pontiff Pius IX.
enrolled her name among those of the
holy Virgins.
June 15.
Commemoration of SS* Uitus,
JHotiestus, anti Crescentia,
JHartgrg.
Antiphons^ &^c., at First Vespers
and Lands, from the Comino7i Office
of Martyrs for Easte7'tide, {p. 514.)
Prayer.
r\ LORD, we pray Thee to grant
^^^ unto Thy Church through the
prayers of Thine Holy Martyrs Vitus,
Modestus, and Crescentia, to mind
not high things, but in all lowliness
to do ever such things as be pleasing
in Thy sight, looking down upon all
such things as be corrupt, and work-
ing ever in love unfeigned such things
as be righteous. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. A7ne7i.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the i6th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Besangon, in Gaul, the holy
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
961
martyrs Ferreolus a Priest and Fer-
rutio a Deacon, who were sent forth
by the blessed Irenaeus, Bishop [of
Lyons,] to preach the Word of God,
whereafter they were divers ways
tormented and then beheaded under
Claudius the judge.
At Tarsus, in Cilicia, under the
Emperor Diocletian, the holy martyrs
Quiricus and his mother Julitta.
Quiricus was a little boy of three
years old ; when his mother was hor-
ribly scourged before the President
Alexander, he vehemently wept and
lamented her, whereupon he was
killed by being dashed against the
steps of the judgment -seat. Julitta,
after horrid stripes and grievous tor-
ments, was beheaded, and so finished
her testimony.
At Maintz, the holy martyrs Aureus
and his sister Justina, and the others
who were at Communion in the Church
when they were massacred by the
Huns, who were wasting Germany,
[in the year 451.]
At Limasol, in Cyprus, holy
Tycho, Bishop [of that see,] in the
time of the Emperor Theodosius the
younger.
At Lyons, [in the year 551,] the
blessed Aurelian, Bishop of Aries.
At Nantes, in Brittany, [in the year
310,] the holy Confessor Similian,
Bishop [of that see.]
At Misna, in Germany, [in the year
1 106,] holy Benno, Bishop [of that
see.]
At the village of La Louvesc, in
the Diocese of Vienne, in Dauphiny,
[in the year 1640,] the holy Con-
fessor John Francis Regis, of the
Society of Jesus, a man of wonder-
ful love and long-suffering in seeking
the salvation of souls, whom Pope
Clement XIL added to the list of
the Saints.
In Brabant, [in the year 1246,] the
holy Virgin Lutgard.
June 16.
martyrology.
Upon the 17th day of June, were
born into the better life —
In England, the holy Abbat Botolph.
At Rome, two hundred and sixty-
two holy martyrs, who were slain for
Christ's faith's sake in the persecution
under Diocletian, and were buried at
Cucumber Hill, upon the old Salarian
Way.
At Tarracina, the holy soldier Mon-
tanus, who, after many torments, re-
ceived the crown of martyrdom under
Hadrian the Emperor and Leontius
the Consular.
At Venafro, the holy martyrs Nican-
der and Marcian, who were beheaded
in the persecution under Maximian.
At Chalcedon, the holy martyrs
Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael. They
were envoys who had been sent by
the King of Persia to Julian the
Apostate to treat for peace. Julian
commanded them to worship idols,
and, forasmuch as they steadfastly
refused so to do, he caused them to
be slain with the sword.
At Apollonia, in Macedonia, the
holy martyrs Isaurus a Deacon, Inno-
cent, Felix, Jeremiah, and Peregrine,
Athenians, who were in divers ways
tormented and then beheaded, under
the Tribune Tripontius.
At Amelia, in Umbria, [in the sixth
century,] the holy Himerius, Bishop
[of that see,] whose body was taken
to Cremona, [five hundred years later.]
In Berry, [also in the sixth century,]
holy Gundulph, Bishop [of that see.]
At Orleans, [in the year 530,] the
holy Priest and Confessor Avitus.
In Phrygia, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Confessor Hypatius.
Also, [in the year 1160,] the holy
Hermit Bessarion.
At Pisa, in Tuscany, [in the year
1 160,] the holy Confessor Rainerius.
962
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
June 17.
Cammemoratton of St
aSotolplj, atibat.
Antiphons^ &^c.^ at First and
Second Vespers and Lauds^ from
the Common Office for a Confessor
7iot a Bishop^ {p. 598.) Prayer^
"O Lord, we beseech Thee that
the prayers, &c.," {p. 613.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 1 8 th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Rome, upon the Ardeatine Way,
the holy brothers Mark and Marcellian,
both martyrs, who were tried under
Fabian the judge, in the persecution
under Diocletian. They were fastened
to a stake and sharp nails driven
through their feet, and forasmuch as
they ceased not to praise Christ,
spears were thrust through their
sides, and thus they passed unto the
kingdom of heaven with the glory of
martyrdom.
At Malaga, in Spain, the holy
martyrs Cyriacus and Paula the Vir-
gin, who were stoned to death.
At Tripoli, in Phoenicia, the holy
soldier Leontius, who through sharp
torments attained unto the crown of
martyrdom, under the President Ha-
drian, along with Hypatius the Tribune
and Theodulus, whom he had turned
to Christ.
Upon the same day, [at Nicomedia,]
the holy martyr Etherius, who in the
persecution under Diocletian, after
suffering fire and other torments, was
slain with the sword.
At Alexandria suffered the holy
Virgin Marina.
At Bordeaux, [in the fifth century,]
the holy Confessor Amandus, Bishop
[of that see.]
At Sacca, in Sicily, [likewise in the
fifth century,] the holy Hermit Cal-
ogerus, whose hofiness is chiefly mani-
fested in delivering them that are
vexed with evil spirits.
At Schoenaug, [in the year 1165,]
the holy Virgin Elizabeth, famous for
her straightness in observing the mon-
astic life.
June 18.
dommemoratton of tlje ^lolg
JHartgrs JHarfe anti Jttar^
celUan.
Antiphons^ &^c., at First Vespers
and Laicds, from the Common Office
of Martyrs^ (/. . 5 1 4. )
Prayer.
r\ ALMIGHTY God, grant, we be-
^-^^ seech Thee, that we who do
keep the Birth -day of Thine Holy
Martyrs Mark and Marcellian, may
through their prayers be delivered
from all evils which do presently hang
over us. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 19th day of June, were
born into the better life —
At Florence, the holy Virgin
Juliana de' Falconieri, foundress of
the Sisters of the Order of Servants
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose
name the Supreme Pontiff Clement
XII. enrolled among those of Holy
Virgins.
At Milan, [in the first century,] the
holy brethren Gervase and Protase,
both martyrs. By command of Asta-
sius the judge, Gervase was beaten to
FEAST-DAYS IN JUNE.
963
death with scourges loaded with lead,
and Protase first beaten with cudgels
and then beheaded. Blessed Ambrose,
by the revelation of the Lord, found
their bodies sprinkled with blood and
as incorrupt as though they had
suffered only that very day ; while
they were being moved a blind man
received his sight by touching the
bier, and many who were vexed by
evil spirits were set free.
At Ravenna, [likewise in the first
century,] the holy martyr Ursicinus,
who underwent many torments under
the judge Paulinus, and, forasmuch as
he remained still unshaken in con-
fessing the Lord, was beheaded, and
so finished his testimony.
At Sozopolis, the holy martyr Zosi-
mus, who, after sharp torments under
the President Domitian in the perse-
cution of Trajan, was beheaded, and
so passed away triumphantly to be for
ever with the Lord.
At Arezzo, in Tuscany, the holy
martyrs Gaudentius, Bishop [of that
see,] and the Deacon Culmatius, who
were slain by the raging heathen
in the time of the Emperor Valen-
tinian.
On the same day, [in a year near
the beginning of the eleventh cen-
tury,] the holy martyr Boniface, a
disciple of the blessed Romwald.
He was sent by the Roman Pontiff
to preach the Gospel in Russia.
He passed unharmed through fire,
and baptized the King and his
people, but was murdered in fury by
the king's brother, and so received
that crown of martyrdom which he
had desired.
At Ravenna, the holy hermit Rom-
wald, father of the Camaldolese monks,
who restored the life of hermits in
Italy when it had fallen away, and
marvellously spread it about, whose
feast is kept upon the 7th day of
February.
June 19.
Commemoration of <St Sultana
W IFalcontert, Firgin*
An^ip/ions, &^c., at First ajid Second
Vespers and Lauds^ from the Coimnon
Office^ for a Virgin not a Martyr^ (J).
636.)
Prayer.
r\ GOD, Who, when Thy blessed
^■^^ hand-maiden Juliana was lying
sick unto death wast pleased in won-
drous wise to comfort her with the
Precious Body of Thy Son, be Thou
entreated for the same Thy servant's
sake, and grant unto us also the same
Comfort in our last agony, that we
may go in the strength of that Meat
unto our very Fatherland, which is in
heaven. Through the same our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame7i.
A Co?ninenioration is also made
at First Vespers and Lauds of the
Holy Martyrs Gervase and Protase.
Prayer., "O God, Who year by year,
&c.," (/. 574.)
MARTYROLOGY.
Upon the 20th day of June, were
born into the better life —
The holy martyr Pope Silverius.
He refused to restore the [Eutychian]
heretic Anthimus, who had been de-
posed [from the Patriarchate of Con-
stantinople] by his predecessor. Pope
Agapitus, and in consequence of this,
through a plot of the wicked Empress
Theodora, was exiled by Bellisarius to
the island of Ponza, where he died for
the Catholic faith, broken down by
sufferings and hardships, [in the year
538-]
3f
964
THE PROPER OFFICE OF THE SAINTS.
At Rome, the holy Novatus, son of
the blessed Senator Pudens and brother
of the holy Priest Timothy, and of
Christ's holy Virgins Pudentiana and
Praxedes, who were taught in the faith
by the Apostles. Their house was
turned into a church, and called
that of St Pastor, [in the second
century.]
At Tomi, in Pontus, the holy martyrs
Paul and Cyriacus.
At Petra, in Palestine, the holy
Macarius, Bishop [of that see,] who
suffered many things of the Arians,
and was exiled to Africa, where he
fell asleep in the Lord, [in the fourth
century.]
At Seville, in Spain, [in the year
630,] the holy Virgin Florentina,
sister of the holy Leander, Bishop
[of Seville,] and holy Isidore. Bishop
[of Seville.]
Cibe :^titiitional ^ertjices*
Note. — No?te of these Services are ever binding upon persons bound to recite
the Office^ except that for the Dead on All Souls^ Day, a7id the Litany {without
the Penitential Psalms) on St Mark''s Day, a?td the three Rogation Days?-
€f)t ILtttle ©ffi« of fbt mt^^tH 'Tugin JWarg.
This Office is added to the Chuixh
Office every day, except ( i ) those on
which Nine Lessojts are read, (2) those
ifi the Holy Week, (3) those within
the Octaves of Easter and Pejttecost,
and (4) Saturdays upo?i which her
Office is said as a Simple ; upon all
which days it is 07nitted from the
First Vespers inclusive. Wheii it is
said in Choir, Mattins and Lauds are
said before the Mattins and Lauds
of the Day, and the Vespers before
Vespers. Prime is said just before the
Martyrology is read. Terce, Sext,
None, and Compline are said after
the Terce, Sext, None, ajid Co7npline
of the day, respectively. Out of
Choir it is said whenever the reciter
chooses.
Lf it is said apart from the Church
Office, the Angelic Salutatio7i is said
i72audibly before each Office, except
Lauds. No7ie of the Antipho7is are
ever doubled.
The Office varies accordi7ig as it be
( I ) Ordinary, ( 2 ) I71 Paschal-ti77ie.
I. Ordinary.
VESPERS.
Make haste, &c., as usual, C07iti7iu-
i7ig the sa77ie as 07i a Se77ti-double Feast
of the Blessed Virgi7t, till the e7id of
the Hy77i7i.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
A7itipho7i at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgi7i. Blessed Mother and in-
violate Maiden ! * glorious Queen of
the world ! Plead for us with the
Lord!
Then :
Kyrie eleison.
A7iswer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Verse. O Lord, hear my prayer.
A7tswer. And let my cry come unto
Thee.
1 Nevertheless, in some Churches the custom exists, and in some there are foundations for
saying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, or the Office of the Dead every day or on
certain days, irrespective of what the Church Office may be, and such has also been the
practice of some Saints.
VOL. II. 2 K
966
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, &c., {as
in the full Office^ p. 633, with the
short endings Through Christ our
Lord.)
The7i the following Commemoration
of the Sai7its.
Antiphon. O all ye holy children
of God, be pleased to pray for our
salvation and the salvation of all men.
Verse. Be glad in the LORD, and
rejoice, ye righteous.
Answer. And shout for joy, all ye
that are upright in heart.
Let us pray.
"DE Thou, O Lord, the Shield of
Thy people, and cover with
Thine everlasting Arm those who
trust in the help of Thine Apostles
Peter and Paul, and the others Thine
Apostles.
We pray Thee, O Lord, that all
Thine holy children may in all places
succour us, and that as we call to
mind their worthy acts, so we may
feel the comfort of their friendship.
Grant Thou also peace in our days,
and keep Thy Church ever clean
purged of all iniquity.
Order Thou also our footsteps, our
deeds, and our wills, and the foot-
steps, the deeds, and the wills of all
Thy servants, in the straight path
that leadeth unto salvation in Thee.
Reward with eternal life all them
who do us good.
And grant eternal rest unto all the
faithful departed.
Through our Lord ^JESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
COMPLINE.
Turn us, t&c, as iji the Church
Office., but the Psalms., {which are said
without any Antiphon^) are
Psalm CXXVIII.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees."]
l\/rANY a time have they warred
against me from my youth —
■^ may Israel now say: —
Many a time have they warred
against me from my youth : "^ yet
they have not prevailed against me.
1 The ploughers ploughed upon my
back : * they made long their furrows.
The Lord is righteous. He hath
broken the necks of the wicked. *
Let them all be confounded and
turned back that hate Zion.
Let them be as the grass upon the
house-tops, "^ which withereth before
it is plucked up :
Wherewith the mower filleth not his
hand, ^ nor he that bindeth sheaves
his bosom.
Neither do they that go by say :
The blessing of the LORD be upon
you ! * we bless you in the name of
the Lord !
Psalm CXXIX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." The
meaning of this title is not certain. The
Psalms so called may perhaps, like the
' ' Graduals " of the Roman Liturgy, be ' ' step-
songs," intended to be sung during proces-
sions, Liturgical or of pilgrims.]
/"^UT of the depths have I cried
^^ unto Thee, O Lord ! ^ Lord,
hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive * to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark in-
iquities, * O Lord, who shall stand ?
But there is fors^iveness with Thee :
1 I.e., "They furrowed my back with stripes as the ground is furrowed with the
plough." Gesenius.
THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 967
* because of Thy law, I wait for Thee,
O Lord !
My soul waiteth on His word : *
my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night * let Israel hope in the Lord :
For with the LORD there is mercy,
"^ and with Him is plenteous redemp-
tion.
And He shall redeem Israel, '^ from
all his iniquities.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Psalm CXXX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees," to which
the Hebrew and the Vulgate, but not the
Targum or the LXX., add "of David."]
T ORD, mine heart is not haughty, *
nor mine eyes lofty :
Neither do I exercise myself in
great matters, "^ or in wonderful
things that are above me.
If I have not thought lowly of my-
self— * (but lifted up my soul) —
Even as a child that is weaned
from his mother : ^ so be my soul
rewarded.
Let Israel hope in the LORD, *
from henceforth and for ever.
Hymn?-
■DEMEMBER, O Creator Lord,
That in the Virgin's sacred womb
Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh
Didst our mortality assume.
Mother of grace, O Mary blest.
To thee, sweet fount of love, we fly ;
Shield us through life, and take us hence
To thy dear bosom when we die.
O Jesu, born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to Thee ;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 24.)
T AM the mother of fair love, and
fear, and knowledge, and holy
hope.
A?tswer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. Pray for us, O holy Mother
of God.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Antiphon. We take refuge under
Thy protection.
Song of Simeon. Lord, now lettest
Thou Thy servant, &c., {p. 209.)
Antipho7i. We take refuge under
Thy protection, O holy Mother of
God ! Despise not our supplications
in our need, but deliver us alway from
all dangers, O Virgin, glorious and
blessed !
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O LORD.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
T ORD, we pray Thee, that the
glorious intercession of Mary,
blessed, and glorious, and everlast-
ingly Virgin, may shield us and bring
us on toward eternal life. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
O Lord, open Thou my lips, &c.,
as in the full Office., only with this
Invitatory. Hail, Mary, full of
grace. * The Lord is with Thee !
1 Translation by the late Rev. E. Caswall.
968
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
07ily one Nocturn is said. On
Mondays and Thursdays^ it is the
First from the full Office; o?t Tuesdays
and Fridays^ the Second; and., on
Wednesdays and Saturdays., the Third.
Then :
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
Our Father, &c. And lead us not
into temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution.
By the prayers of the Blessed Mary,
always a Virgin, and by the prayers
of all His Saints, and for her sake
and for their sakes, may the Lord
lead us unto the kingdom of heaven.
Answer. Amen.
First Blessing.
Bless us, Mary, Maiden mild,
Bless us, Jesus, Mary's Child.
First Lesso?t.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus (xxiv. ii.)
'\'X HTH all these I sought rest, but
I shall abide in the inheritance
of the Lord. So the Creator of all
things gave me a commandment, and
said unto me, even He that made me
rested in my tabernacle, and said
unto me. Let thy dwelling be in Jacob,
and thine inheritance in Israel, and
strike thou thy roots amid My chosen
people.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be 'to God.
breast Him Whom the heavens can-
not contain.
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb.
Answer. For thou hast borne in
thy breast Him Whom the heavens
cannot contain.
Second Blessing.
With the Lord Who sprang of thee,
Maid of maidens, plead for me.
Second Lesson.
A ND so was I established in Zion,
^^^ and likewise in the Holy City
was I given to rest, and in Jerusalem
was my power. And I took root
among the honourable people, even
in the portion of my God, as His own
inheritance, and mine abiding was in
the full assembly of the Saints.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Ajiswer. Thanks be to God.
Second Responsory.
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary,
who hast carried the Lord, the Maker
of the world. Thou hast borne Him
Who created thee, and thou abidest a
virgin for ever.
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Answer. Thou hast borne Him
Who created thee, and thou abidest a
virgin for ever.
Third Blessijtg.
He to Whom His mother prays.
Grant us blessing all our days.
First Responsory.
O how holy and how spotless is thy
virginity ! I am too dull to praise
thee ; for thou hast borne in thy
Third Lesson.
T WAS exalted like a cedar in
Lebanon, and as a cypress-tree
upon Mount Zion. I was exalted like
THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 969
a palm-tree in Kadesh, and as a rose-
plant in Jericho, as a fair olive-tree in
the plains, and grew up as a plane-
tree beside the water in the broad
ways. I gave a sweet smell like
cinnamon and aromatic balm ; I
yielded a pleasant odour like the best
myrrh.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Third Responsory.
O holy Virgin Mary, happy indeed
art thou, and right worthy of all
praise, for out of thee rose the Sun of
righteousness, even Christ our God.
Verse. Pray for the people, plead
for the clergy, make intercession for
all women vowed to God. Let all
that are making this holy memorial
of thee feel the might of thine assist-
ance.
Answer. For out of thee rose the
Sun of righteousness, even Christ our
God.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Even Christ our God.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. Mary hath been
taken to heaven ; * the Angels rejoice ;
they praise and bless the Lord.
Second Antiphon. The Virgin Mary
hath been taken into the chamber on
high, '^ where the King of kings sit-
teth on a throne amid the stars.
Third Ajttiphon. We run after
thee, on the scent of thy perfumes —
■^ the virgins love thee heartily.
Fourth Antiphon. Blessed of the
Lord art thou, O daughter, "^ for by
thee we have been given to eat of the
fruit [of the tree] of Life.
Fifth A?ttiphojt. Fair and comely
art thou, O daughter of Jerusalem, "^
terrible as a fenced camp set in battle
array.
Chapter. (Cant. vi. 8.)
T^HE daughters of Zion saw her,
and called her blessed ; the
queens also, and they praised her.
Hymn. O glorious Virgin, &c., {p.
632.)
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women.
Aftswer. And blessed is the Fruit
of thy womb.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias^
except i7i Paschal- time. O Blessed
Mary, ^ Mother of God, Virgin for
ever, temple of the Lord, sanctuary
of the Holy Ghost, thou, without
any ensample before thee, didst
make thyself well - pleasing in the
sight of our Lord jESUS Christ —
pray for the people, plead for the
clergy, make intercession for all
women vowed to God.
Then :
Kyrie eleison.
Answer. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
r\ GOD, Who didst will that Thy
^^ Word should, by the message
of an Angel, take flesh in the womb
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant
unto us, we beseech Thee, that all we
who do believe her to be in very deed
the Mother of God, may be holpen by
her prayers in Thy sight. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
The7t the Commemoration of the
Saints., as at Vespers.
970
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
PRIME.
Make haste, &c., as in the Church
Office.
Hymn as at Compline.
Antipho7t. Mary is taken, &c.,
{First Antipho7i at Lauds.)
Psalm LIII.
[The superscription of this Psalm, after
some words which are probably a musical
direction, proceeds "[A Psalm] of David,
when the Ziphim came and said to Saul, Doth
not David hide himself with us?" This was
during the same period of his life in the South
in which he composed Ps. Ixii. The Ziphim,
or peasantry of the neighbourhood of Ziph,
betrayed him twice to Saul, and both times,
especially the first, he was in imminent peril.
I Kings (Sam.) xxiii. 19-29, xxvi.]
CAVE me, 0 God, in Thy Name,
"^ and judge me in ■ Thy
power.
Hear my prayer, O God : * give
ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers are risen up against
me, and oppressors seek after my
soul : "^ and have not set God before
them.i
Behold God is mine Helper : "^ and
the Lord upholdeth my soul.
Reward Thou evil unto mine en-
emies : "^ and cut them off in Thy
truth.
I will freely sacrifice unto Thee :
■^ and praise Thy Name, O Lord, for
it is good.
For Thou hast delivered me out of
all trouble : "^ and mine eye hath seen
[his desire upon] mine enemies.
Psalm LXXXIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of the sons of Korah,"
with the usual (now uncertain) superscription.]
T ORD, Thou hast been favourable
unto Thy land : "^ Thou hast
brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of
Thy people : "^ Thou hast covered all
their sins.^
Thou hast taken away all Thy
wrath : "^ Thou hast turned Thyself
from the fierceness of Thine anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation,
* and cause Thine anger towards us
to cease.
Wilt Thou be angry with us for
ever ? "^ wilt Thou draw out Thine
anger to all generations ?
0 God, Thou shalt again quicken
us : "^ and Thy people shall rejoice
in Thee.
Show us Thy mercy, O LORD ! *
and grant us Thy salvation.
1 will hear what the LORD God will
speak in me : "^ for He will speak
peace unto His people.
And to His saints, ^ and unto them
that are changed in heart.
Surely His salvation is nigh them
that fear Him, ^ that glory may dwell
in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together:
■^ righteousness and peace have kissed
each other.
Truth hath sprung out of the earth :
■^ and righteousness hath looked down
from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which
is good : "^ and our land shall yield
her increase.
Righteousness shall go before Him:
■^ and shall set His footsteps in the
way.
Psalm CXVI.
r\ PRAISE the Lord, all ye
^~'^ nations: "^ praise Him, all ye
people.
For His merciful kindness is great
toward us : "^ and the truth of the
Lord endureth for ever.
[Here the Hebrew appends "Alleluia,"
which the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to
the next Psalm.]
1 SLH,
THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 97 1
After the repetition of the Antiphon
the Office proceeds thus :
Chapter. (Cant. vi. 9.)
AirnO is she that cometh forth Hke
the rising dawn, fair as the
moon, clear as the sun, terrible as a
fenced camp set in battle array ?
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. Holy Virgin, my praise by
thee accepted be.
Answer. Give me strength against
thine enemies.
Kyrie eleison.
And so on., as at Compline., but with
the
Prayer.
r^ GOD, Who wast pleased to
^-"^ choose for Thy dwelling-place
the maiden palace of Blessed Mary,
grant, we beseech Thee, that her pro-
tection may shield us, and make us
glad in her commemoration. Who
livest and reignest with God the
Father, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Arneii.
TERCE.
Make haste, &c., as in the Church
Office.
Hymn as at Compline.
A7itiphon. The Virgin Mary, &c.,
{Seco?2d Antiphon at Lauds.)
Psalm CXIX.
[This is the first of the "Songs of Degrees,"
or " Gradual Psalms." See note to Ps. cxxix.,
p. 91.]
T N my distress I cried unto the
■*■ Lord, ■* and He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from
lying lips, * and from a deceitful
tongue.
What shall be given unto thee, or
what shall be done unto thee, "^ thou
false tongue ?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, "^ with
hot burning coals.
Woe is me ! that my sojourn is
long : I dwell with the dwellers of
Kedar.i ^ My soul hath long dwelt
as an exile
With them that hate peace. I was
peaceable : "^ when I spoke unto
them, they fought against me without
a cause.
Psalm CXX.
[Also a Song of Degrees,]
T WILL lift up mine eyes unto the
hills, "^ from whence cometh mine
help.
Mine help cometh from the LORD,
■^ Who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy feet to be
moved : "^ He That keepeth thee will
not slumber.
Behold, He That keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper : the
Lord is thy shade "^ upon thy
right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by
day, "^ nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep thee from
all evil : "^ the Lord shall keep thy
soul.
The Lord shall keep thy coming in
and thy going out, ^ from this time
forth and for evermore.
Psalm CXXI.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees, of David."]
T WAS glad when they said unto
me : "^ Let us go into the house
of the Lord.
Our feet have been wont to stand "^
within thy gates, O Jerusalem !
1 Properly " Black-skin." This was the name of a son of Ishmael, and of an Arabian tribe
sprung from him.
972
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Jerusalem is builded as a city *
that is compact together :
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes
of the Lord, "^ the testimony of Is-
rael, to give thanks unto the name of
the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judg-
ment, * the thrones for the house of
David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : ^
they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, ^ and
prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions'
sakes, * I will now say — Peace be
within thee !
Because of the house of the
Lord our God, * I will seek
thy good.
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 15.)
A ND so I was established in Zion,
and likewise in the holy city
was I given to rest, and in Jerusalem
was my power.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. Grace is poured into thy
lips.
Answer. Therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
Kyrie eleison.
And so on.
Prayer.
r\ GOD, Who, by the fruitful vir-
^■^^ ginity of the Blessed Mary,
hast given unto mankind the re-
wards of everlasting life ; grant,
we beseech Thee, that we may
continually feel the might of her
intercession through whom we have
worthily received the Author of our
life, our Lord jESUS Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
SEXT.
Make haste, &c., as i7i the Church
Office.
Hymn as at Compline.
Antiphon. We run after thee, &c.,
{Third Antiphofi at Lauds.)
Psalm CXXII.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees."]
T T NTO Thee lift I up mine eyes,
^ * O Thou That dwellest in the
heavens !
Behold, as the eyes of servants *
look unto the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maiden unto the
hand of her mistress : * so our eyes
look unto the Lord our God, until
that He have mercy on us.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have
mercy upon us : ^ for we are exceed-
ingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled * with
the scorning of those that are at ease,
and with the contempt of the proud.
Psalm CXXIII.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees," to which
the Hebrew and the Targum add " of David,"
but this ascription of authorship does not
occur in the Vulgate or the LXX.]
T F it had not been the LORD Who
was on our side — now may Israel
say — * if it had not been the Lord
Who was on our side.
When men rose up against us : "^
then they had swallowed us up quick,
When their wrath was kindled
against us : "^ then the waters had
overwhelmed us,
The stream had gone over our soul :
■^ then the overwhelming waters had
gone over our soul.
Blessed be the LORD, * Who hath
not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Our soul is escaped as a bird ^ out
of the snare of the fowlers :
THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 973
The snare is broken, "^ and we are
escaped.
Our help is in the name of the
Lord, * Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm CXXIV.
[Intituled " A Song of Degrees."]
T^HEY that trust in the Lord shall
be as Mount Zion : * he that
dwelleth in Jerusalem shall never be
moved.
The mountains are round about
Jerusalem, * and the Lord is round
about His people, from henceforth,
and for ever.
For the Lord will not suffer the
rod of the wicked to rest upon the lot
of the righteous : ^ lest the righteous
put forth their hands into iniquity.
Do good, O Lord, to the good, ^
and to them that are upright in their
hearts.
As for such as turn aside unto their
crooked ways, the LORD shall lead
them forth with the workers of iniquity :
■^ peace be upon Israel !
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 16.)
A ND I took root among the honour-
■^^ able people, even in the portion
of my God, as His own inheritance,
and mine abiding was in the full
assembly of the Saints.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women.
Answer. And blessed is the Fruit
of thy womb.
Kyrie eleison.
And so on as at the other Hours.
M
Prayer.
OST merciful God, grant, we
beseech Thee, a succour unto
the frailty of our nature, that as
we keep ever alive the memory of
the holy Mother of God, so by the
VOL. II.
help of her intercession we may be
raised up from the bondage of our
sins. Through the Same our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
NONE.
Make haste, &c.j as in the Church
Office.
Hym7i as at Compline.
Antiphon. Fair and comely, &c.,
{Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Psalm CXXV.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees."]
AIT HEN the Lord turned again the
captivity of Zion, "^ we were like
them that come again from sickness.
Then was our mouth filled with
laughter, "^ and our tongue with
singing.
Then said they among the heathen :
■^ The Lord hath done great things
for them.
The Lord hath done great things
for us : "^ whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O LORD,
■^ as the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears "^ shall reap
in joy.
They go forth weeping, ^ sowing
their seed ;
They shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, "^ bringing their sheaves
with them.
Psalm CXXVI.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees, of Solo-
mon." The LXX. omits the ascription to
Solomon.]
"PXCEPT the Lord build the
"^ house, "^ they labour in vain
that build it:
Except the Lord keep the city, "^
the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, *
2 K 2
974
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
rise up when ye are rested, ye that eat
the bread of sorrow :
For He giveth His beloved sleep,
Lo, children are an heritage of the
Lord, ^ the fruit of the womb is His
reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a
mighty man, ^ so are 'the children of
the out-cast.
Happy is the man that hath his
desire satisfied with them : ^ he shall
not be ashamed when he speaketh with
his enemies in the gate.
Psalm CXXVII.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees."]
"DLESSED is every one that feareth
the Lord, ^ that walketh in His
ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of
thine hands : "^ happy shalt thou be
and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
* on the sides of thine house :
Thy children like olive plants ^
round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be
blessed ^ that feareth the Lord.
The Lord bless thee out of Zion :
* and mayest thou see the good of
Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Yea, mayest thou see thy children's
children, "^ and peace upon Israel.
Chapter. (Ecclus. xxiv. 19.)
T N the broad ways I gave a sweet
smell like cinnamon and aromatic
balm ; I yielded a pleasant odour like
the best myrrh.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. After thy delivery thou still
remainest a Virgin undefiled.
Answer. Mother of God, pray for us.
Kyrie eleison.
And so on as at the other Hours.
Prayer.
r~\ LORD, we beseech Thee, for-
^'^ give the transgressions of Thy
servants, and, forasmuch as by our
own deeds we cannot please Thee,
may we find safety through the prayers
of the Mother of Thy Son and our
Lord. Through the Same our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
2. In Paschal-time.
The Office is the same as the Ordin-
ary 07ie^ except that the Antiphon^ at the
So7igs of the Blessed Virgi?i^ of Simeoji^
and of Zacharias^ is "Rejoice, rejoice,
&c.," (p. 19.) A7id take notice particu-
larly that the word Alleluia, is ?iot added
elsewhere, as it is i7i the Church Office.
IZTfit ©ffia for x^t HB^air.
Except in Holy Week a7id Paschal-
ti7iie, this Office is said icpon the first day
of the Mo7ith upo7i which Ni7ie Lesso7is
are 7iot read, and, i7i Le7it, up07i the first
week-day of every Week 7iot so occu-
pied. Whe7i it is said i7i Choir, Vespers
are said after the Vespers of the day,
a7id the Dirge after Lauds the 7iext
7nor7ii7ig, U7iless the custoi7i of the par-
ticular Church be otherwise. Out of
Choir it is said whe7iever the reciter
chooses. '
VESPERS.
The A7itipho7is are doubled if three
Noctur7is are to be said i7i the Dirge.
The Se7vice begi7is absolutely with
the First A7itipho7i, as follows.
First A7itipho7i. I will walk before
the Lord * in the land of the living.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
975
Psalm CXIV.
The Vulgate and the LXX. prefix ''Alleluia."]
T AM well pleased, because the
Lord hath heard ^ the voice of
my supplication :
Because He hath inclined His ear
unto me, ^ therefore will I call upon
Him all my days.
The sorrows of death compassed me :
* and the straits of hell found me :
Sorrow and trouble did I find. ^ Then
called I upon the name of the Lord :
0 Lord, deliver my soul. * Gra-
cious is the Lord, and righteous : yea,
our God is merciful.
The Lord preserveth the simple : "^
I v/as brought low and He helped me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul :
* for the Lord hath dealt bountifully
with thee.
For He hath delivered my soul from
death, * mine eyes from tears, and
my feet from falling.
1 will walk before the LORD * in
the land of the living.
At the end of this and all the other
Psalms and Canticles throughout the
whole Office of the Dead, " Glory be to
the Father, &:c.," is not said, bitt in-
stead,
O Lord, grant them eternal rest,
and let the everlasting light shine
upon them !
Second Ajitiphon. Woe is me ! O
Lord, "^ that my sojourn is long.
Psalm CXIX.
[This is the first of the "Songs of Degrees,"
or "Gradual Psalms." See note to Ps. cxxix.,
below.]
T N my distress I cried unto the
Lord, * and He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying
lips, "^ and from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given unto thee, or
what shall be done unto thee, * thou
false tongue ?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, ^ with
hot burning coals.
Woe is me ! that my sojourn is
long : I dwell with the dwellers of
Kedar. * My soul hath long dwelt
as an exile
With them that hate peace. I was
peaceable : "^ when I spoke unto them,
they fought against me without a cause.
Third Antiphon. The LORD shall
keep thee from all evil, "^ the Lord
shall keep thy soul.
Psalm CXX.
[Also a Song of Degrees.]
T WILL lift up mine eyes unto the
hills, "^ from whence cometh mine
help.
Mine help cometh from the LORD,
■^ Who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy feet to be
moved : * He That keepeth thee
will not slumber.
Behold, He That keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper : the LORD
is thy shade "^ upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by
day, "^ nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep thee from all
evil : ^ the Lord shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall keep thy coming
in and thy going out, "^ from this
time forth and for evermore.
Fourth Antiphon. If Thou, LORD,
shouldest mark iniquities, "^ O Lord,
who shall stand !
Psalm CXXIX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." The
meaning of this title is not certain. The
Psalms so called may perhaps, like the
" Graduals" of the Roman Liturgy, be '• step-
songs," intended to be sung during proces-
sions, Liturgical or of pilgrims.]
/^UT of the depths have I cried
^-^ unto Thee, O Lord ! "^ Lord,
hear my voice.
976
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Let Thine ears be attentive ^ to
the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark
iniquities, ^ O Lord, who shall stand ?
But there is forgiveness with Thee :
* because of Thy Law, I wait for
Thee, O Lord!
My soul waiteth on His word : *
my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night "^ let Israel hope in the LORD :
For with the LORD there is mercy,
■^ and with Him is plenteous re-
demption.
And He shall redeem Israel, ^
from all his iniquities.
J^i/t/i Antipho7i. O Lord, forsake
not "^ the works of Thine own hands.
Psalm CXXXVII.
[Intituled " Of David," to which the LXX.
adds "of Haggai and Zechariah," the mean-
ing apparently being that it was his com-
position, but that they made some special
regulation as to its use.]
T WILL praise Thee, O Lord, with
my whole heart : "^ because Thou
hast heard the words of my mouth.
Before the Angels will I sing praise
unto Thee. "^ I will worship toward
Thine holy temple, and praise Thy
Name.
For Thy loving-kindness, and for
Thy truth : "^ for Thou hast magnified
Thine holy Name above every name.
In whatsoever day I call upon Thee,
answer me : * Thou wilt strengthen
my soul exceedingly.
Let all the kings of the earth praise
Thee, O Lord, "^ for they have heard
all the words of Thy mouth.
Yea, let them sing of the ways of
the Lord : ^ that great is the glory
of the Lord.
For the Lord is high, yet hath
He respect unto the lowly : "^ but the
proud He knoweth from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of
trouble Thou wilt revive me : * Thou
shalt stretch forth Thine hand against
the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy
right hand shall save me.
The Lord will give recompense
on my behalf: '^ Thy mercy, O LORD,
endureth for ever : forsake not the
works of Thine own hands.
After the Fifth Aiitiphon^ the Ser-
vice proceeds directly^ thus : —
Verse. ^ I heard a voice from
heaven, saying unto me :
Answer. Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord.
Antiphon. All that the Father
giveth Me shall come to Me ; * and
him that cometh to Me I will in no
wise cast out.^
The Song of the Blessed Virgin.
After the Antipho7i., all kneel dowti.,
and the Lord's Prayer is said silejitly.^
except the words " Our Father," and
the termination^
And lead us not into temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
The7i is said., except on the day
of death or burial of the persofi
or persons for whom the Office is
being said.,
Psalm CXLV.
[To this Psalm is prefixed "Alleluia."
The Vulgate and the LXX. connect it with
the names of Haggai and Zechariah.]
pRAISE the LORD, O my soul;
while I live will I praise the
Lord : "^ I will sing praises unto my
God while I have being.
Put not your trust in princes, *
in the son of man, in whom is no
help.
His breath goeth forth, and he re-
^ Apoc, xiv. 13.
John vi. 37.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
977
turneth to his earth : "^ in that very
day their thoughts perish.
Happy is he that hath the God
of Jacob for his help, his hope is
in the Lord his God : * Who made
heaven and earth, the sea, and all
that therein is :
Who keepeth truth for ever.
Who executeth judgment for the
oppressed : * Who giveth food to
the hungry.
The Lord looseth the prisoners : *
the Lord openeth the eyes of the
blind :
The Lord raiseth them that are
bowed down : "^ the Lord loveth the
righteous :
The Lord preserveth the strangers ;
He defendeth the fatherless and
widow : ^ but the way of the wicked
He will turn aside.
The Lord shall reign for ever I
even thy God, O Zion, ^ unto all
generations !
Af the end is said, O Lord, grant
them eternal rest, and let the ever-
lasting light shine upon them !
Verse. From the gates of the
grave,
A?iswer. Deliver their souls, O
Lord!
Verse. May they rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
Then follow one or more of the
Prayers hereafter given., aiid then :
Verse. O Lord, grant them eternal
rest.
Answer. And let the everlasting
light shine upon them.
Verse. May they rest in peace.
Answer. Amen,
Thus absolutely ends the Office.
Different Prayers for the Dead.
I . For all the Faithful Departed.
r\ GOD, Who in the ranks of the
Apostolic Priesthood hast caused
some of Thy servants to stand in
high places, some as Bishops, and
some as Priests, grant, we beseech
Thee, that they may be joined unto
such company in everlasting blessed-
ness.
r~\ GOD, Who forgivest iniquity,
^"^^ and wouldest that all men
should be saved, we beseech Thee to
grant in the tenderness of Thy mercy
that all the members of our congre-
gation, all our kinsfolk, and all who
have done us good, who have departed
from this world, and for whom the
Blessed Mary and all Thine holy ones
do plead with Thee, may be joined
unto the company of the same in
everlasting blessedness.
r\ GOD, Who art Thyself at once
^■^^ the Maker and the Redeemer of
all Thy faithful ones, grant unto the
souls of Thy servants and handmaids
remission of all their sins, making of
our entreaties unto our Great Father
a mean whereby they may have that
forgiveness which they have ever
hoped for. Who livest and reignest
for ever and ever. Amen.
2, O71 the Day of Burial.
TORD, we pray Thee to absolve the
soul of Thy servant {or, Thine
handmaid) N. {here express the name)
who hath died unto the world, that
he {or, she) may live unto Thee,
And whereinsoever while he {or, she)
walked among men he {or, she)
hath transgressed through the weak-
ness of the flesh, do Thou in the ex-
ceeding tenderness of Thy mercy for-
give and put away. Through our
978
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
hveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
3. At the Year's-Mind.
r\ LORD God, Who art the Great
^^~^ Pardoner, grant rest and re-
freshment, peace and blessing, light
and glory, unto the souls of Thy
men-servants and Thy maid-servants,
(<?r, the soul of Thy servant, <?r, of
Thine handmaid,) whose Year's-Mind
we are keeping. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
4. For a deceased Pope.
C\ GOD, by Whose inscrutable ap-
^-"^ pointment Thy servant N.
{here express his name) was called to
a place in the line of the Chief
Bishops ; O God, Who didst thereby
lay upon him the duty of being Lieut-
enant on earth for Thine Only-be-
gotten Son ; O God, grant unto him
now, we beseech Thee, a place
among Thine holy Bishops, who are
entered into everlasting blessedness.
Through the Same our Lord JesuS
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ameii.
liveth and reigneth with Thee in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
If the deceased were a Cardinal., his
dignity is expressed in the Prayer^
thus : " the high place of a Cardinal
Bishop," or " of a Cardinal Priest."
6. For deceased Parents.
r~\ GOD, Who hast commanded us
^-^^ to honour our father and mother,
look in the pitifulness of Thy mercy
upon the souls of my father and
mother, {or., the soul of my father, <?r,
the soul of my mother,) and forgive
them their trespasses, {or., him his
trespasses, or., her her trespasses,)
and grant unto me the joy of seeing
them {or., him, or., her,) again in the
glorious light of everlasting life.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
One God, world without end. Amen.
The above Prayer is altered to suit
circumstances., as where several child-
ren join in prayer for a pare7it., or a
company of persons for the parents of
all., " our " and " us," instead of " my "
and " me."
7. For deceased Brethren., Comrades.,
Friends., Kinsfolk., or Benefactors., is
said the Prayer., " O God, Who for-
givest iniquity, &c.," {imder i,) with
the necessary alterations.
5 . For a deceased Priest or Bishop.
r\ GOD, Who in the ranks of the
^-'^ Apostolic Priesthood hast caused
Thy servant N. {here express his
name) to stand before Thee in the
high place of a Bishop {or Priest),
grant, we beseech Thee, that he may
be joined unto the company of such
in everlasting blessedness. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
8. For a Ma?t.
r~\ LORD, incline Thine ear unto
^"^^ the prayers whereby we humbly
call upon Thee to show mercy unto
the soul of Thy servant N. {here ex-
press the name) which it hath pleased
Thee to call out of this world, that it
may please Thee also to set him in a
place of peace and light, and give
him a part with Thy Saints. Through
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
979
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A7ne7i.
If the deceased were a Cardinal
Deaco7i, is said " Thy servant the
Cardinal Deacon A^."
9. For a Woman.
T ORD, we beseech Thee in the
tenderness of Thy great mercy,
to have pity upon the soul of Thine
handmaid N. {here express her 7iame)^
purge her from all defilements whereby
in this dying body she hath been be-
fouled, and give her inheritance in
everlasting salvation. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Dirge.
Whe7t three Noctiirtts are said
the Antiphons throughout the Office
are doubled., and the Office commences
with Ps. xciv., a7id a?! Invitatory.
Otherwise it begins with the First
Antiphon. If one Nocturn be said.,
the First is said on Mondays and
Thursdays., the Second ofi Tuesdays
and Fridays., and the Third on Wed-
nesdays and Saturdays.
Invitatory. Unto the [Eternal]
King all live.^ * O come, let us
worship Him !
O Lord, grant them eternal rest,
and let the everlasting light shine
upon them !
FIRST NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. Make my way
straight before Thy face, "^ O Lord
my God.
Psalm V.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with a
musical (?) superscription.]
C^ IVE ear unto my words, O
Lord, "^ consider my sup-
plication.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
"^ my King and my God I
For unto Thee will I pray. "^ O
Lord, in the morning Thou shalt
hear my voice :
In the morning will I stand before
Thee and look up. "^ For Thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness :
Neither shall the evil dwell with
Thee, ^ nor the unrighteous stand in
Thy sight :
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
■^ Thou shalt destroy all them that
speak leasing :
The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man. "^ But as for me,
in the multitude of Thy mercy
I will come into Thine house : * I
will worship toward Thine holy temple
in Thy fear.
Lead me, O Lord, in Thy right-
eousness, * because of mine enemies ;
make my way straight before Thy
face.
For there is no faithfulness in their
mouth : "^ their inward part is very
wickedness.
Their throat is an open sepulchre ;
they flatter with their tongue. ^ Judge
Thou them, O God !
Let them fall by their own coun-
sels ; cast them out in the multi-
tude of their transgressions, "^ for
they have rebelled against Thee, O
Lord!
And let all those that put their
trust in Thee, rejoice : "^ let them
ever shout for joy, because Thou
dwellest in them :
Let them also that love Thy Name
1 Luke XX. 38.
98o
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
be joyful in Thee. * For Thou wilt
bless the righteous.
0 Lord, Thou hast compassed
us * with Thy favour as with a
shield.
Second Afitiphon. Return, O LORD,
deliver my soul : ^ O save me for Thy
mercy's sake !
Psalm VI.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David." The title
also contains directions, probably musical,
the meaning of which is now uncertain.]
^~\ LORD, rebuke me not in Thine
^^^ anger : "^ neither chasten me in
Thine hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for
I am weak : * O Lord, heal me, for
my bones are shaken.
My soul also is sore vexed : ^ but
Thou, O Lord, how long ?
Return, O Lord, deliver my
soul : "^ O save me for Thy mercy's
sake.
For in death there is no one
that remembereth Thee : "^ and in
the grave who shall give Thee
thanks ?
1 am weary with my groaning,
every night I wash my bed : * I water
my couch witli my tears.
Mine eye is grown dim because of
grief: * I am waxen old because of
all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of
iniquity : ^ for the LORD hath heard
the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplica-
tion : "^ the Lord hath received my
prayer.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed
and sore vexed : "^ let them return
and be ashamed suddenly.
Third Aiitiphon. Lest he tear my
soul like a lion, * while there is none
to deliver, or to save.
Psalm VII.
[Intituled "An Hymn of David, which he
sang unto the Lord concerning the words of
Cush the Benjamite." This Cush is supposed
to be the same as Shimei, whose cursing of
David is narrated in 2 Kings (Sam.) xvi. 7, 8,
or else a nickname for Saul.]
r\ LORD my God, in Thee do I
^""^ take refuge : * save me from
all them that persecute me, and de-
liver me.
Lest he tear my soul like a lion,
■^ while there is none to deliver, or to
save.
O Lord my God, if I have done
this, * if there be iniquity in mine
hands ;
If I have requited with evil them
that requited me [with good], * may
I then flee empty before mine
enemies.
Let the enemy persecute my soul,
and take it, yea, let him tread down
my life upon the earth, "^ and lay mine
honour in the dust.^
Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger : "^
and lift up Thyself against the borders
of mine enemies.
And awake for me, O Lord my
God, according to the decree that
Thou hast made : ^ so shall the con-
gregation of the people compass Thee
about.
For their sakes, therefore, return
Thou on high : "^ the LORD judge th
the peoples.
Judge me, O LORD, according to
my righteousness, "^ and according to
mine integrity that is in me.
O let the wickedness of the wicked
come to an end, and establish the just ;
* God trieth the hearts and reins.
Mine help is righteous, coming
from the Lord, "^ Who saveth the
upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge, strong
and patient : "^ is He not provoked
every day ?
1 SLH.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
981
If ye turn not, He will whet His
sword : * He hath bent His bow and
made it ready.
And hath fitted thereon the instru-
ments of death, ^ He hath ordained
His arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity :
■^ he hath conceived mischief, and
brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit and digged it : *
and is fallen into the ditch which he
made.
His mischief shall return upon his
own head : "^ and his iniquity shall
come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the LORD according
to His righteousness : ^ and will sing
praise to the name of the LORD Most
High.
Verse. From the gates of the grave
Answer. Deliver their souls, O
Lord.
T/te Lord's Prayer is then said si-
lently^ and then is begun immediately
the
First Lesson}
T ORD ! let me alone ; for my days
are vanity. What is man, that
Thou shouldest magnify him ? or that
Thou shouldest set Thine heart upon
him ? Thou visitest him very early,
and triest him suddenly. How long
wilt Thou not depart from me, nor let
me alone, till I swallow down my
spittle ? I have sinned ; what shall I
do unto Thee, O Thou Preserver of
men ? Why hast Thou set me as a
mark against Thee, so that I am a
burden to myself? Why dost Thou
not pardon my transgression, and take
away mine iniquity ? Behold ! now
shall I sleep in the dust, and if Thou
shalt seek me in the morning, I shall
not be.
The Responsory is begun directly.
1 Job vii. 16.
First Respo7isory.
I beheve that my Redeemer liv-
eth, and that I shall stand up from
the earth at the latter day, and
in my flesh shall I see God my
Saviour.
Verse. Whom I shall see for my-
self, and mine eyes shall behold, and
not another.
Ajiswer. And in my flesh shall I
see God my Saviour.
Second Lesson.^
"lY/T Y soul is weary of my life ; I will
leave my complaint upon my-
self; I will speak in the bitterness of
my soul. I will say unto God : Do
not condemn me ; show me wherefore
Thou judgest me thus. Doth it seem
good unto Thee that Thou shouldest
maltreat me, that Thou shouldest op-
press the work of Thine hands, and
help the counsel of the wicked ? Hast
Thou eyes of flesh ? or seest Thou as
man seeth ? Are Thy days as the
days of man ? Are Thy years as the
times of men, that Thou inquirest
after mine iniquity, and searchest
after my sin ? Yet Thou knowest
that I have done no wrong, but
that there is none that can deliver
out of Thine hand.
Seco?td Respo7isory .
Thou Who didst call up Lazarus
from the grave after that he had
begun to stink ! — do Thou, O Lord,
grant them rest and a place of for-
giveness.
Verse. Thou W^ho shalt come to
judge the quick and dead, and the
world by fire —
Answer. Do Thou, O Lord,
grant them rest and a place of
forgiveness. .
2 Job X. I,
982
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Third Lessott.
T^HINE hands have made me and
fashioned me together round
about ; and dost Thou so suddenly
destroy me ? Remember, I beseech
Thee, that Thou hast made me as the
clay, and that Thou wilt bring me
into the dust again. Hast Thou not
poured me out as milk, and curdled
me like cheese ? Thou hast clothed
me with skin and flesh ; and hast
fenced me with bones and sinews.
Thou hast granted me life and favour,
and Thy visitation hath preserved my
spirit.
Third Responsory.
Lord, when Thou comest to judge
the earth, where shall I hide myself
from the face of Thy wrath ? For I
have sinned greatly in my life.
Verse. I dread my sins, I bliish
before Thee —
I see the Great Tribunal set !
In fear and terror I implore Thee,
Forgive when soul and Judge are
met !
Answer. For I have sinned greatly
in my life.
Verse. O Lord, grant them eternal
rest, and let the everlasting light shine
upon them.
Answer. For I have sinned greatly
in my life.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. He maketh me to
lie down * in green pastures.
Psalm XXIL
[Intituled a " Psalm of David."]
n^HE Lord is my Shepherd, I shall
not want. * He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures :
He leadeth me beside the still
waters, ^ He restoreth my soul :
He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness, "^ for His Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil : "^ for Thou art with me :
Thy rod and Thy staff "^ they com-
fort me.
Thou preparest a table before me,
■^ in the presence of mine enemies :
Thou anointest mine head with oil :
* and mine overflowing cup, O how
goodly is it !
Surely Thy mercy shall follow me
* all the days of my life :
And I will dwell in the house of the
Lord "^ for ever.
Second Antiphon. Lord, remember
not the sins of my youth, * nor my
transgressions.
Psalm XXIV.
[Intituled "Of David." This Psalm is
ABC Darian.]
T T NTO Thee, O Lord, do I lift up
my soul : * O my God, I trust in
Thee, let me not be ashamed.
Neither let mine enemies triumph
over me : "^ for none that wait on Thee
shall be ashamed :
Let them be ashamed that trans-
gress "^ without cause.
Show me Thy ways, O LORD, * and
teach me Thy paths.
Lead me in Thy truth and teach
me ; * for Thou art the God of my
salvation : and on Thee do I wait all
the day.
Remember, O LORD, Thy tender
mercies, "^ and Thy loving-kindnesses,
which have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth,
^ nor my transgressions :
According to Thy mercy remember
Thou me, ^ for Thy goodness' sake,
O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD ;
■^ therefore will He teach sinners in
the way.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
983
The meek will He guide in judg-
ment : * the meek will He teach His
way.
All the paths of the LORD are
mercy and truth, ^ unto such as keep
His covenant and His testimonies.
For Thy Name's sake, O LORD, par-
don mine iniquity ; "^ for it is great.
What man is he that feareth the
Lord ? * him shall He teach in the
way that He shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease : * and
his seed shall inherit the earth.
The Lord is a strong rock unto
them that fear Him : * and His cove-
nant shall be made known to them.
Mine eyes are ever toward the
Lord : ^ for He shall pluck my feet
out of the net.
Turn Thee unto me, and have
mercy upon me, ^ for I am desolate
and afflicted.
The troubles of mine heart are en-
larged : "^ O bring me out of my
distresses.
Look upon mine affliction and my
pain : * and forgive all my sins.
Consider mine enemies, for they are
many : "^ and they hate me with cruel
hatred.
O keep my soul, and deliver me :
* let me not be ashamed, for I put my
trust in Thee.
The undefiled and the upright cleave
to me : * for I wait on Thee.
Redeem Israel, O God, "^ out of all
his troubles !
Third Antipho7i. I believe that I
shall yet see the goodness of the
Lord "^ in the land of the living.
Psalm XXVI.
[Intituled "Of David." The Vulgate and
the LXX. add "before his anointing." See
2 Kings (Sam.) ii. 4. Monday, fifth week
after Pentecost.]
n^HE Lord is my light and my
salvation : "^ whom shall I
fear ?
The Lord is the defence of my life :
■^ of whom shall I be afraid ?
When the evil-doers come upon me,
* to eat up my flesh,
Mine enemies that trouble me, "^
they stumble and fall.
Though an host should encamp
against me, "^ mine heart shall not
fear.
Though war should rise against me,
■^ in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the
Lord, that will I seek after, "^ that I
may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
* and to visit His temple.
For He hath hidden me in His
pavilion : "^ in the secret of His taber-
nacle hath He hidden me in the day
of trouble.
He hath set me up upon a rock : "^
and now hath He lifted up mine head
above mine enemies.
I will offer in His tabernacle the
sacrifice of joy : "^ I will sing, yea, I
will sing praises unto the LORD.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with
my voice : * have mercy on me and
answer me.
My heart said unto Thee, My face
hath sought Thee : "^ Thy face, LORD,
will I seek.
Hide not Thy face far from me : "^
turn not away in anger from Thy
servant.
Be Thou mine Helper, * neither
leave me, nor forsake me, O God of
my salvation.
When my father and my mother
forsake me, * then the LORD taketh
me up.
Teach me Thy way, O LORD : "^
and lead me in a plain path, because
of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of
mine enemies : "^ for false witnesses
are risen up against me, and iniquity
hath belied itself.
984
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
I believe that I shall yet see the
goodness of the Lord ^ in the land
of the living.
Wait on the Lord, be of good
courage : "^ and thine heart shall be
strengthened, wait, I say, on the
Lord.
Verse. May the Lord set them
with princes.
Answer. Even with the princes of
His people.
Fourth Lesson.^
A NSWER Thou me : how many
are mine iniquities and sins ?
Make me to know my transgressions
and offences. Wherefore hidest Thou
Thy face, and holdest me for Thine
enemy ? Dost Thou show forth Thy
power against a leaf driven to and fro
by the wind ? And wilt Thou pursue
the dry stubble ? For Thou writest
bitter things against me, and art fain
to consume me with the iniquities of
my youth. Thou puttest my feet in
the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto
all my paths, and observest my foot-
steps, and as a rotten thing I am to
be consumed, and as a garment that
is moth-eaten.
Fourth Responsory.
Remember, O God, that my life is
wind. The eye of him that hath seen
me shall see me no more.
Verse. Out of the depths have I
cried unto Thee, O Lord ! Lord,
hear my voice.
Answer. The eye of him that hath
seen me shall see me no more.
cut down : he fleeth also as a shadow,
and continueth not. And dost Thou
think it worthy to open Thine eyes
upon such an one, and to bring him
into judgment with Thee ? Who can
bring a clean thing out of unclean
seed? Is it not Thou Who alone
art ? The days of man are short, the
number of his months is with Thee :
Thou hast appointed his bounds that
he cannot pass. Turn from him for a
little while, that he may rest, till he
shall accomplish, as an hireling, his
day.
Fifth Responsory.
Woe is me, O Lord ! for I have
sinned greatly in my life. I am
smitten : what shall I do ? Whither
shall I flee but unto Thee, O my God ?
Have mercy upon me, when Thou
comest at the latter day.
Verse. My soul is sore vexed, but
Thou, O Lord, help me.
Answer. Have mercy upon me,
when Thou comest at the latter day.
Sixth Lesso7t.
/~\ THAT Thou wouldest hide me
^-'^ in the grave, that Thou wouldest
keep me secret, until Thy wrath be
past ; that Thou wouldest appoint me
a set time, and remember me. If a
man die, shall he live again ? All the
days wherein I now toil, I am waiting
till my change come. Thou shalt call,
and I will answer Thee. Thou wilt
stretch forth Thy right hand unto the
work of Thine hands. Thou dost in-
deed number my steps, but be Thou
merciful unto my sins.
Fifth Lesson.'^
IV/T AN that is born of a woman is
of few days and full of trouble..
He cometh forth like a flower, and is
^ Job xiii. 22.
Sixth Respojtsory.
Hold not my sins in remembrance,
O Lord, when Thou comest to judge
the world by fire.
2 Job xiv. I.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
985
Verse. Make my way straight be-
fore Thy face, O Lord my God.
A?tswer. When Thou comest to
judge the world by fire.
Verse. O Lord, grant them eternal
rest, and let the everlasting light shine
upon them.
Aytswer. When Thou comest to
judge the world by fire.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Be pleased, O
Lord, to deliver me : "^ O Lord,
look upon me to help me.
Psalm XXXIX.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David" and with
the same (now) uncertain superscription as
Ps. xii.]
T WAITED patiently for the Lord,
■* and He inclined unto me,
And heard my cry : "^ He brought
me up also out of an horrible pit, and
out of the miry clay.
And set my feet upon a rock ; "^
and ordered my goings.
And He hath put a new song in
my mouth, ^ even praise unto our
God.
Many shall see it, and fear, "^ and
shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man whose trust
is the Name of the Lord : * and
who respecteth not pride and lying
vanities.
Many, O Lord my God, are Thy
wonderful works which Thou hast
done : * and in Thy thoughts there
is none like unto Thee.
If I would declare and speak of
them, "^ they are more than can be
numbered.
Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not
desired ; * but mine ears hast Thou
opened.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast
Thou not required : * then said I : Lo,
I come.
In the beginning of the book it
is written of me that I should fulfil
Thy will: * O my God, I delight
to do it, yea. Thy law is within
mine heart.
I have preached Thy righteousness
in the great congregation : "^ lo, I
have not refrained my lips : O LoRD,
Thou knowest.
I have not hidden Thy righteous-
ness within my heart : ^ I have
declared Thy faithfulness and Thy
salvation.
I have not concealed Thy loving-
kindness, and Thy truth "^ from the
great congregation.
Withhold not Thou Thy tender
mercies from me, O LORD : ^ let Thy
loving-kindness and Thy truth con-
tinually preserve me.
For countless evils have compassed
me about : "^ mine iniquities have
taken hold upon me, and I am not
able to look up.
They are more in number than the
hairs of mine head : "^ and mine heart
faileth me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver
me : "^ O LORD, look upon me to
help me.
Let them be ashamed and con-
founded together that seek after my
soul, "^ to destroy it.
Let them be driven backward,
and put to shame, "^ that wish me
evil.
Let them quickly bear their shame,
■^ that say unto me : Aha, Aha.
Let all those that seek Thee rejoice
and be glad in Thee : "^ and let such
as love Thy salvation say continually :
The Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy : ^ the
Lord thinketh upon me.
Thou art my help and my deliverer :
■^ make no tarrying, O God.
Second Antipho7t. LORD, heal my
soul ; * for I have sinned against
Thee.
986
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Psalm XL.
[Intituled "A Psalm of David," with some
other words, of meaning now uncertain, as in
some other Psalms.]
"DLESSED is he that considereth
the poor and needy : ^ the LORD
will deliver him in time of trouble.
The Lord preserve him, and
quicken him, and make him to be
blessed upon the earth : "^ and de-
liver him not unto the will of his
enemies !
The Lord strengthen him upon his
bed of suffering ! * Thou hast made
all his bed in his sickness.
As for me, I said : Lord, be merci-
ful unto me : * heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
Mine enemies speak evil of me : ^
When shall he die, and his name
perish ?
If he came to see me he spake
vanity : ^ his heart gathereth iniquity
to itself.
He went out, "^ and told it.
All they that hate me whispered
together against me : * against me
did they devise mine hurt.
They plotted together to do me
evil: "^ Now that he lieth, surely he
will rise up no more.
Yea, mine own familiar friend in
whom I trusted, * who did eat of
my bread, hath lifted up his heel
against me.^
But Thou, O Lord, be merciful
unto me, and raise me up : ^ and I
will requite them.
By this I know that Thou delightest
in me : ^ because mine enemy cannot
triumph over me.
But as for me. Thou upholdest me,
because of mine innocence : * and
settest me before Thy face for ever.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
from everlasting, and to everlasting. *
Amen, Amen.
Third Antiphon. My soul thirsteth
for the living God ; "^ when shall I
come and appear before God ?
Psalm XLI.
[This Psalm has a superscription, the
meaning of which is not now certain, but
which seems in part to imply that it was a
didactic poem written to be sung by the choir
of the Korahites, a family of Levites and
singers in the time of David.]
A S the hart panteth after the water-
brooks : * so panteth my soul
after Thee, O God !
My soul is athirst for God, for the
mighty God, for the living God : ^
when shall I come and appear before
God.?
My tears have been my meat day
and night, * while they daily say unto
me : Where is thy God ?
When I remember these things, I
pour out my soul in me : ^ for I will
go unto the place of the wondrous
Tabernacle, even unto the house of
God.
With the voice of joy and praise, *
the noise of a multitude that keep
holiday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul,
^ and why art thou disquieted in me 1
Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise Him, "^ the Health of my count-
enance and my God.
My soul is cast down within me : ^
therefore will I remember Thee from
the land of Jordan, and from the
mountains of Hermon,^ from the Little
Hill.3
Deep calleth unto deep, "^ at the
noise of Thy waterspouts.
1 Quoted by our Lord. John xiii. i8.
2 A chain of mountains in the north-east of Palestine, stretching down on the eastern side of
Jordan.
3 Or rather, the hill Mizar (viz. the Little), proper name of a mountain on the eastern ridge
of Lebanon. JVIay it not be that the Korahites were among the Levitical families which had
cities in the north and north-east districts?
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
987
All Thy waves and Thy billows ^
are gone over me.
The Lord hath commanded [the
praise of] His loving-kindness in the
day-time, ^ and in the night His song.
Mine shall it be to pray unto the
God of my life. * I will say unto God :
Thou art my refuge.
Why hast Thou forgotten me ? "^
and why go I mourning, while the
enemy oppresseth me ?
While my bones are broken, "^ they
that trouble me, even mine enemies,
reproach me ;
While they say daily unto me :
Where is thy God ? "^ Why art thou
cast down, O my soul, and why art
thou disquieted within me ?
Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise Him : ^ the health of my count-
enance and my God.
Verse. O deliver not unto beasts
the souls of them that praise Thee !
Answer. And forget not the souls
of Thy poor for ever.
Seventh Lesson.^
IX/r Y breath will wax feebler, and
my days fewer, and there is
nothing before me but the grave. I
have not sinned ; yet my mind re-
maineth in affliction. Deliver me, O
Lord, and set me beside Thee ; and
let any man's hand fight against me.
My days are past, my purposes are
broken off, and are but vexation to
my spirit. They change the night
into day, and again, after the darkness
I hope for light. If I wait, the grave
is mine house ; I have made my bed
in the darkness. I have said to cor-
ruption : Thou art my father — to the
worm : Thou art my mother, and my
sister. Where therefore is now my
hope ? As for my patience, who shall
consider it ?
1 Job xvii. I,
Seventh Respoiisory.
Forasmuch as I sin daily, and re-
pent not, the fear of death troubleth
me. O God, have mercy upon me,
and save me, for in hell there is no
redemption.
Verse. Save me, O God, by Thy
Name, and judge me in Thy strength.
Answer. O God, have mercy upon
me, and save me, for in hell there is
no redemption.
Eighth Lesson."^
l\/rY flesh is consumed, my bone
cleaveth unto my skin, and
there remaineth not round my teeth
save the skin of my lips. Have pity
upon me, have pity upon me, at least
ye that are my friends, for the hand
of the Lord hath touched me. Why
do ye persecute me as God, and glut
yourselves upon my flesh ? O that
my words were now written ! O that
they were inscribed in a book with an
iron pen, or cut in lead, or graven
with a chisel upon the flinty rock !
For I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that I shall stand up from the
earth at the latter day, and in my
flesh shall I see God ; Whom I shall
see for myself, and mine eyes shall be-
hold, and not another. This is mine
hope that is laid up in my bosom.
Eighth Respoiisory.
O Lord, judge me not according to
my works ; for I have done nothing
that can be counted in respect of
Thee. I beseech Thy Majesty there-
fore, that Thou wouldest blot out my
transgressions, O God.
Verse. Lord, wash me thoroughly
from mine iniquity and cleanse me
from my sin.
Aiiswer. Blot out my transgres-
sions, O God.
2 Job xix. 20.
988
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Ninth Lesso?i.^
VyHEREFORE hast Thou brought
me forth out of the womb ? O
that I had perished, and no eye had
seen me ! I should have been as
though I had not been — I should
have been carried from the womb to
the grave. Are not my days few ?
Let me alone then, that I may com-
fort myself a little in my sorrow,
before I go whence I shall not re-
turn, even to the land of darkness
and the shadow of death, a land of
cheerlessness and darkness, where the
night of death dwelleth, without any
order, but shapelessness and dreadful-
ness of darkness for ever.
Nijith Responsory when three Nocturjis
have beeii said.
Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal
death in that awful day when the
heavens and the earth shall be
shaken,^ and Thou shalt come to judge
the world by fire.
Verse. Quaking and dread take
hold upon me, when I look for the
coming of the trial and the wrath to
come.
Answer. When the heavens and
the earth shall be shaken.
Verse. That day is a day of
wrath, of wasteness and desola-
tion, a great day and exceeding
bitter.2
Answer. When Thou shalt come
to judge the world by fire.
Verse. O Lord, grant them eternal
rest, and let the everlasting light
shine upon them !
Answer. Deliver me, O Lord,
from eternal death in that awful
day, when the heavens and the
earth shall be shaken, and Thou
shalt come to judge the world,
by fire.
Ninth Responsory when only 07ie
Nocturn has been said.
Deliver me from the ways of hell,
O Lord, Who didst break the gates
of brass in sunder, and didst descend
into hell, and give them light, that
they that sat in affliction and dark-
ness might behold Thee.
Verse. Crying and saying, Thou
hast come, O our Redeemer —
Anstuer. That they that sat in
affliction and darkness might behold
Thee.
Verse. O Lord, grant them eternal
rest, and let the everlasting light shine
upon them !
Answer. That they that sat in
affliction and darkness might behold
Thee.
Lauds begin at once with the
First Antiphon. The bones which
Thou hast broken "^ may rejoice.
Psalm L.
[This Psalm has a musical (?) superscrip-
tion, and the title then proceeds, "A Psalm
of David, when Nathan the Prophet came
unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba."
The whole history is in 2 Kings (Sam.) xi.
xii. (Saturday, 5th week after Pentecost, and
6th Sunday. )]
"Ljr AVE mercy upon me, O God, *
after Thy great mercy :
And according to the multitude of
Thy tender mercies "^ blot out my
transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity : "^ and cleanse me from my
sin.
For I acknowledge my trans-
gression : "^ and my sin is ever
before me.
Against Thee, Thee only, have I
sinned, and done evil in Thy sight :
* that Thou mightest be justified when
Thou speakest, and be clear when
Thou art judged.
1 Job X. 18.
2 Haggai ii. 6,
3 Zeph. i. 15.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
989
For behold, I was shapen in in-
iquity : "^ and in sin did my mother
conceive me.
For behold Thou desirest truth : *
the hidden secrets of Thy wisdom
Thou hast made manifest unto me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I
shall be clean : * wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and glad-
ness : * that the bones which Thou
hast broken may rejoice.
Hide Thy face from my sins : ^
and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O
God : ^ and renew a right spirit with-
in me.
Cast me not away from Thy pres-
ence : "^ and take not Thine holy Spirit
from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy
salvation : "^ and uphold me with
Thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors
Thy ways : ^ and sinners shall be
converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness,
O God, Thou God of my salvation :
* and my tongue shall sing aloud ^ of
Thy righteousness.
O Lord open Thou my lips, "^
and my mouth shall show forth Thy
praise.
For Thou desirest not sacrifice,
else would I give it : ^ Thou de-
lightest not in burnt-offering.
The sacrifice of God is a broken
spirit : "^ a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Do good in Thy good pleasure
unto Zion : * to build the walls of
Jerusalem.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with
the sacrifices of righteousness, with
burnt-offering and whole burnt-offer-
ing : ^ then shall they offer bullocks
upon Thine altar.
Second Antiphon. Lord, hear *
my prayer ; unto Thee shall all flesh
come.
Psalm LXIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm. A Song of David,"
with a musical (?) superscription. The Vul-
gate adds that its use was prescribed Vjy
Jeremiah and Ezekiel to the exiles when they
began to return from the Captivity.]
p RAISE becometh Thee, O God,
in Zion : * and unto Thee shall
the vow be performed in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer : * unto Thee shall
all flesh come.
Iniquities prevail against us : * but
as for our transgressions, Thou shalt
purge them away.
Blessed is the man whom Thou
choosest, and causest to come near
unto Thee : "^ he shall dwell in Thy
courts :
We shall be satisfied with the good-
ness of Thine house : "^ Thy temple
is holy, terrible in righteousness.
Answer us, O God of our salvation :
■^ Thou that art the confidence of
all the ends of the earth, and of the
uttermost parts of the sea !
Thou that by Thy strength settest
fast the mountains, being girded with
power : ^ Thou that stirrest up the
depth of the sea, and the noise of
his waves !
The heathen shall be troubled.
They that dwell in the uttermost parts
shall be afraid at Thy tokens : * Thou
makest the outgoings of the morning
and evening to rejoice.
Thou visitest the earth and waterest
it : * Thou greatly enrichest it :
The river of God is full of water :
Thou makest ready their corn, "^ for
Thou hast so prepared it.
Drench her furrows, increase the
fruits thereof: * the springing there-
of shall rejoice at her showers.
Thou crownest the year with Thy
1 So the Hebrew, the LXX, and all the versions, including Doway, but the Latin text has
the curious mistake of exultabit for exaltabit.
990
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
goodness : * and Thy fields teem
with fruitfulness.
The green places of the wilderness
wax fruitful : "^ and the little hills are
girded with joy.
The pastures are clothed with
flocks ; the valleys also overflow with
corn : "^ they shout for joy, yea, they
sing.
Third Antiphon. Thy right hand
■^ upholdeth me.
Psalm LXII.
[Intituled " A Psalm of David, when he
was in the wilderness of Judah." This was
one of the most perilous periods of David's
life, when he was flying from the pursuit of
Saul, and hiding in different forests and wilder-
nesses in the south of Palestine. He was
betrayed again and again, and had the most
hairbreadth escapes. The history will be
found in i Kings (Sam.) xxii. and xxiii.]
r\ GOD, Thou art my God, ■^" early
will I seek Thee :
My soul thirsteth for Thee, "^ my
flesh longeth for Thee,
In a dry and desert land, without
water. * So have I appeared before
Thee in the Sanctuary, to see Thy
power and Thy glory.
Because Thy loving - kindness is
better than life, "^ my lips shall praise
Thee.
Thus will I bless Thee while I live :
* and will lift up mine hands in Thy
name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with
marrow and fatness ; "^ and my mouth
shall praise Thee with joyful lips.
When I remember Thee upon my
bed, I meditate upon Thee in the
night watches : * because Thou hast
been mine help :
And in the shadow of Thy wings
will I rejoice. My soul followeth
hard after Thee : * Thy right hand
upholdeth me.
But those that seek my soul to
destroy it, shall go into the lower parts
of the earth : * they shall fall by the
sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the King shall rejoice in God :
every one that sweareth by him shall
glory : ^ for the mouth of them that
speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalm LXVI.
[Besides a musical superscription, the
Hebrew and the Targum give no title, ex-
cept "A Psalm, a Psalm." But the Vulgate
and the LXX. ascribe the authorship to
David.]
/^~^OD be merciful unto us, and bless
us : "^ cause His face to shine
upon us, and be merciful unto us.^
That Thy way may be known upon
earth : * Thy saving health among
all nations.
Let the people praise Thee, O God :
* let all the people praise Thee.
O let the nations be glad and sing
for joy : "^ for Thou judgest the
people righteously, and governest the
nations upon earth. ^
Let the people praise Thee, O God,
let all the people praise Thee. "^ The
earth hath yielded her increase ;
Let God, even our own God, bless
us ; let God bless us : "^ and let all
the ends of the earth fear Him.
Fourth Antipho7t. From the gates
of the grave "^ deliver my soul, O
Lord.
The Song of Hezekiah, King of
Judah. (Isa. xxxviii. lo.)
[Intituled "The writing of Hezekiah, King
of Judah, when he had been sick, and was
recovered of his sickness." The history will
be found in 4 (2) Kings xx. (nth Sunday
after Pentecost.)]
T SAID, In the midst of my days,
^ I shall go to the gates of the
cfrave :
I looked for the rest of my years.
^
1 SLH. The repetition of the words " be merciful unto us," is peculiar to the Latin.
2 SLH.
THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAD.
991
I said, I shall not see the Lord my
God 1 in the land of the living :
I shall behold man no more, "^ with
the dwellers in the land of rest.
Mine age is departed, and is rolled
up from me, "^ as a shepherd's tent :
My life is cut off as by a weaver :
my web was scarce begun when He
cut me off: ^ from day even to night
wilt Thou make an end of me.
I thought I might live till morning :
* as a lion, so doth He break all my
bones :
From day even to night wilt Thou
make an end of me. * Like a swal-
low's fledgling so did I twitter, I did
coo as a dove :
Mine eyes fail, * with looking up-
ward.
0 Lord, I am seized, undertake
for me. "^ What shall I say, or what
will He answer me, seeing that He
Himself hath done it ?
1 will call to remembrance before
Thee all my years "^ in the bitterness
of my soul.
O Lord, if by these things men
live, and in such things is the life of
my spirit, so mayest Thou chasten me,
and make me to live. ^ Behold,
mine anguish is [turned] into peace :
But Thou hast delivered my soul
from destruction : "^ Thou hast cast
all my sins behind Thy back.
For the grave cannot praise Thee,
death cannot celebrate Thee : * they
that go down into the pit cannot hope
for Thy truth.
The living, the living, he shall
praise Thee, as I do this day : "^ the
father to the children shall make
known Thy truth.
O Lord, save me : * and we will
sing our songs all the days of our life
in the house of the Lord.
Fzf^/i Antiphon. Let everything
that hath breath * praise the Lord.
Psalm CXLVIII.
[To this Psalm is prefixed "Alleluia." The
LXX. connects it with the Prophets Haggai
and Zechariah. See Thursday and Friday in
the fifth week of November.]
P RAISE ye the LORD from the
heavens : "^ praise Him in the
heights.
Praise ye Him, all His Angels :
■^ praise ye Him, all His hosts.
Praise ye Him, sun and moon : "^
praise Him, all ye stars and light.
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens :
■^ and all the waters that be above
the heavens. Let them praise the
Name of the LORD !
For He spake, and they were
made ^ : "^ He commanded and they
were created.
He hath established them for ever
and ever : "^ He hath made a decree
which shall not pass.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
^ ye dragons, and all deeps : —
Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy wind,
^" fulfilling His word : — ■
Mountains, and all hills, "^ fruitful
trees, and all cedars : —
Beasts, and all cattle, "^ creeping
things, and flying fowl : —
Kings of the earth, and all people ; "^
princesj and all judges of the earth : —
Young men, and maidens, old men,
and children : let them praise the
Name of the Lord — * for His Name
alone is exalted !
His glory is above heaven and
earth. ^ He also exalteth the horn
of His people.
The praise of all His Saints, ^ even
of the children of Israel, a people near
unto Him.
Psalm CXLIX.
CING unto the Lord a new song:
*^ * His praise in the congregation
of Saints.
1 " My God" is not in the Hebrew, but the Divine Name is repeated.
2 Taken from Ps. xxxii. 9.
992
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Let Israel rejoice in Him That
made him : ^ and let the children of
Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His Name in
the dance : * let them sing praises
unto Him with the timbrel and
harp.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in
His people : ^ He also will exalt
the meek unto salvation.
Let the Saints be joyful in glory :
^ let them sing aloud upon their
beds:
Let the high praises of God be in
their mouth ; * and a two - edged
sword in their hands ;
To execute vengeance upon the
heathen, * and punishments upon the
people ;
To bind their kings with chains,
* and their nobles with fetters of
iron ;
To execute upon them the judg-
ment written : * this honour have
all His Saints.
Psalm CL.
pRAISE the Lord in His sanctuary !
* praise Him in the firmament
of His power !
Praise Him in His mighty ' acts !
■^ praise Him according to His ex-
cellent greatness !
Praise Him with the sound of the
trumpet ! * praise Him with the
psaltery and harp !
Praise Him with the timbrel and
dance ! * praise Him with stringed
instruments and organs !
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals,
praise Him upon the high-sounding
cymbals ! * Let everything that hath
breath praise the LORD !
After the Fifth Antiphon the ser-
vice proceeds directly thus :
Answer. I heard a voice from
heaven saying unto me :
Verse. Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord.
Antiphon. ^ I am the resurrection
and the life : * he that believeth in
Me though he were dead, yet shall he
live : and whosoever liveth and be-
lieveth in Me shall never die.
The Song of Zacharias.
After the repetitioii of the Antiphon^
all kneel down, and the service ends
as at Vespers., except that., if Ps. cxlv.
have been said at Vespers.^ now is said
instead.,
Psalm CXXIX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." The
meaning of this title is not certain. The
Psalms so called may perhaps, like the
" Graduals " of the Roman Liturgy, be " step-
songs," intended to be sung during proces-
sions, Liturgical or of pilgrims.]
/^UT of the depths have I cried
^^ unto Thee, O Lord ! "^ Lord,
hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive * to
the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark in-
iquities, ^ O Lord, who shall stand ?
But there is forgiveness with Thee :
■^ because of Thy law, I wait for
Thee, O Lord !
My soul waiteth on His word :
* my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night "^ let Israel hope in the Lord :
For with the LORD there is mercy,
■^ and with Him is plenteous re-
demption.
And He shall redeem Israel, ^ from
all his iniquities.
1 John xi. 25, 26.
THE GRADUAL PSALMS.
993
€f)t ©ratrual ^j^alms^.
T/ie Gradual Psalms are said every
Wednesday in Lent^ unless a Feast of
Ni?te Lessons is bei?tg kept. They are
not said in Holy Week. In Choir
they are said before the Mattiiis of
the day J out of Choir ^ whenever
co?ivenient.
No Antiphon is said with these
Psahns.
At the end of the first five., the
Hymn "Glory be to the Father, &c.,"
is not said.
Ps. cxix. In my distress, &c., {p.
i86.)
Ps. cxx. I will lift up mine eyes,
&c., {p. i86.)
Ps. cxxi. I was glad, &c., {p.
i88.)
Ps. cxxii. Unto Thee lift I up, &c.,
{p. 189.) _,_
Ps. cxxiii. If it had not been the
Lord, &c., {p. 189.)
O Lord, grant them eternal rest,
and let the everlasting light shine upon
them.
Then all kneel.^ a7id the Lords
Prayer is said inaudibly., except the
words " Our Father " and the ter-
minatio7i —
And lead us not into temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. From the gates of the
grave.
Answer. Deliver their souls, O
Lord!
Verse. May they rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Aiiswer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
TORD, we beseech Thee to loosen
the souls of Thy men-servants
and of Thy maid-servants, even the
souls of all Thy faithful children from
all bonds soever wherewith their trans-
gressions have bound them, and grant
unto them to live and breathe again
among all Thy Saints and elect, in
a glorious resurrection. Through
Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
Then are said the next five., and at
the efid of each the Hy77i7t, " Glory be
to the Father, &c."
Ps. cxxiv. They that trust in the
Lord, &c., (/. 189.)
Ps. cxxv. When the Lord turned,
&c., {p. 190.)
Ps. cxxvi. Except the Lord build,
&c., {p. 190.)
■ Ps. cxxvii. Blessed is every one,
&c., {p. 191.)
Ps. cxxviii. Many a time, &c., {p.
191.)
Then all kneel.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father {the Lords Prayer is
C07itinued inaudibly till the ter77ii7ia-
tion) And lead us not into tempta-
tion.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. Remember Thy congrega-
tion.
Answer. Which Thou hast pur-
chased of old.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O LORD.
A7iswer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
994
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Let us pray.
f\ GOD, Whose property is ever to
^-^^ have mercy and to forgive, re-
ceive our humble petitions, and grant
that we and all Thy servants who are
bound by the chain of sin, may, by
the tenderness of Thy pity, mercifully
be absolved. Through Christ our
Lord. ^
Answer. Amen.
T/zen are said the next five^ and at
the end of each the Hymn., " Glory be
to the Father, &c."
Ps. cxxix. Out of the depths, &c.,
(/. 192.)
Ps. cxxx. Lord, my heart is not
haughty, &c., {p. 192.)
Ps. cxxxi. Lord, remember David,
&c., (A 193.)
Ps. cxxxii. Behold, how good, &c.,
{p. 194.)
Ps. cxxxiii. Behold, now, bless ye,
&c., {p. 207.)
Then all kneel.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father {the Lord's Prayer is
conti7iited inaiidibly till the terinijia-
tioii) And lead us not into tempation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. O Thou my God, save Thy
servants.
A7iswer.
Verse.
A?iswer.
unto Thee.
That trust in Thee.
Hear my prayer, O LORD.
And let my cry come
Let us pray.
CTRETCH forth, O Lord, over all
Thy men-servants and Thy maid-
servants the right arm of Thy help
from heaven, that they may seek Thee
with all their heart, and what they
ask worthily may obtain effectually.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cfie S^bttt J^enittntial J^isfalmis antr tfte Ettaitg*
These are said k?ieeling eveiy Fri-
day in Lent when the Office is of the
Week-day^ except Good Friday., and
the Litany alone {without the Seven
Psalms) on St Mark's Day., April 25
— and 071 the three Rogation Days.
In Lent they are said i7i Choir after
Lauds {immediately after V. Bless we
the Lord. R. Thanks be to God.)
Out of Choir, whe7i conve7iie7it.
Glory be to the Father, &c., is said
after each Psalm.
A7itipho7i. Remember not.
Ps. vi. O Lord, rebuke me not,
&c., (A 5.)
Ps. xxxi. Blessed are they, &c.,
(A IT)
Ps. xxxvii. O Lord, rebuke me
not, &c., (^. 83.)
Ps. 1. Have mercy upon me, &c.,
(A 87.)_
Ps. ci. Hear my prayer, &c., {p.
159O
Ps. cxxix. Out of the depths, &c.,
(A 192.) ^
Ps. cxlii. Hear my prayer, &c.,
(A 153.)
A7itipho7t. 1 Remember not, Lord,
our offences, nor the offences of our
forefathers ; neither take Thou venge-
ance of our sins.
1 Tobias iii. 3.
THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS AND THE LITANY. 995
The Litany.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
O Christ, hear us.
Gi'aciously hear us., O Christ.
O God the Father, oi\
heaven,
O God the Son, Redeemer
of the world,
O God the Holy Ghost,
O Holy Trinity, One God,
Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Holy Michael,
Holy Gabriel,
Holy Raphael,
O all ye holy Angels and Arch-
angels,
O all ye holy Orders of blessed
spirits.
Holy John the Baptist,
Holy Joseph,
O all ye holy Patriarchs and
Prophets,
Holy Peter,
Holy Paul,
Holy Andrew,
Holy James,
Holy John,
Holy Thomas,
Holy James,
Holy PhiHp,
Holy Bartholomew,
Holy Matthew,
Holy Simon,
Holy Thaddeus,
Holy Matthias,
Holy Barnabas,
Holy Luke,
Holy Mark,
O all ye holy Apostles and
Evangelists,
O all ye holy Disciples of the
Lord,
O all ye holy Innocents,
Holy Stephen,
Holy Lawrence,
.^
k
t-5
"^
N»
^
.s
S
s?
■^
1
^
^
<>4
5<
Holy Vincent,
Holy Fabian and Sebastian,
Holy John and Paul,
Holy Cosmas and Damian,
Holy Gervase and Protase,
O all ye holy Martyrs,
Holy Silvester,
Holy Gregory,
Holy Ambrose,
Holy Austin,
Holy Jerome,
Holy Martin,
Holy Nicholas,
O all ye holy Bishops and
Confessors,
O all ye holy Teachers,
Holy Anthony,
Holy Benedict,
Holy Bernard,
Holy Dominick,
Holy Francis,
O all ye holy Priests and
Levites,
O all ye holy Monks and
Hermits,
Holy Mary Magdalen,
Holy Agatha,
Holy Lucy,
Holy Agnes,
Holy Cecily,
Holy Katharine,
Holy Anastasia,
O all ye holy Virgins and Wi-
dows,
)
O all ye holy men and women,
children of God,
Make intercessioit for us.
Be merciful.
Spare us., O Lord.
Be merciful,
Graciously hear us., O Lord.
From all evil,
From all sin.
From Thy wrath.
From sudden and unprovided
death,
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of unclean-
ness, ^
996
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Thine holy Rising
Thy wonderful As-
From lightning and tempest, \
From the scourge of earth-
quake,
From pestilence, famine, and
war,
From everlasting death.
Through the mystery of Thine
holy Incarnation,
Through Thy coming.
Through Thy Birth,
Through Thy Baptism and
holy Fasting,
Through Thy Cross and Suffer-
incr
Through Thy Death and
Burial,
Through
again,
Through
cension.
Through the coming of the
Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
In the day of judgment, }
We sinners.
Do beseech Thee to hear us.
That Thou wouldest spare us, \
That Thou wouldest pardon us,
That it may please Thee to
bring us unto true repentance.
That it may please Thee to rule
and preserve Thy holy Church,
That it may please Thee to
preserve our Apostolic Lord, and
all orders of the Church in holy
religion.
That it may please Thee to
bring down the enemies of Thy
holy Church,
That it may please Thee to
give peace and true concord unto
all Christian Kings and Princes,
That it may please Thee to
give peace and unity to all
Christian nations.
That it may please Thee to
strengthen and preserve us in
Thy holy Service,
That Thou wouldest raise up
our minds to heavenly desires, J
o
'>3
^
That Thou wouldest reward ^
with eternal good all them who
do good to us,
That Thou wouldest deliver our
souls, and the souls of our breth-
ren, kinsfolk, and benefactors,
from eternal damnation.
That it may please Thee to
give and preserve to our use the
fruits of the earth.
That it may please Thee to
grant eternal rest unto all the
faithful departed.
That it may please Thee gra-
ciously to hear us,
Son of God,
O Lamb of God, That takest away
the sins of the world.
Spare us^ O Lord.
O Lamb of God, That takest away
the sins of the world.
Graciously hear us., O Lord.
O Lamb of God, That takest away
the sins of the world.
Have mercy upon us.
O Christ, hear us.
Graciously hear us^ 0 Christ.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father, {the Lord'' s Prayer is con-
tinued inaudibly till the termination. )
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.
Psalm LXIX.
INTAKE haste, O God, to deliver
me : "^ make haste to help me,
O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and con-
founded, * that seek after my soul.
Let them be turned backward and
put to confusion, ^ that desire my hurt.
Let them be turned back with
shame, * that say unto me : Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek Thee be joy-
ful and glad in Thee, * and let such
THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS AND THE LITANY. 997
as love Thy salvation say continually ;
Let the Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy : ^ help
me, O God.
Thou art my help and deliverer : ^
O Lord, make no tarrying.
Glory be to the Father, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.
Verse. ^ O Thou, my God, save
Thy servants,
AnsTi/er. That trust in Thee.
Verse. 2 Lord, be Thou unto us a
strong tower
Anstuer. From the enemy.
Verse. ^ Let the enemy prevail no-
thing against us.
Answer. Nor the son of wicked-
ness afflict us.
Verse. * Deal not Thou with us
after our sins.
Answer. Nor reward us according
to our iniquities.
Verse. Let us pray for our Bishop.
{Here the name of the reigning Pope
is inserted. ) ^
Answer. ^ The Lord preserve him,
and quicken him, and make him to
be blessed upon the earth, and deliver
him not unto the will of his enemies.
Verse. Let us pray for them who
have done good to us.
Answer. May it please Thee, O
Lord, to reward with eternal life all
them who do good to us for Thy
Name's sake. Amen.
Verse. Let us pray for the faithful
departed.
Answer. O Lord, grant them eter-
nal rest, and let the everlasting light
shine upon them.
Verse. May they rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. Let us pray for our absent
brethren.
Answer. O Thou my God, save
Thy servants that trust in Thee.
1 Ps. Ixxxv. 2. 2 P5. ix. 4.
^ Pontifex. This being the Roman Breviary,
VOL. II.
Verse. '^ O Lord, send them help
from the sanctuary.
A7iswer. And strengthen them out
of Zion.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come unto
Thee.
Let us pray.
r~\ GOD, Whose property is ever to
^"'^ have mercy and to forgive, re-
ceive our humble petitions, and grant
that we and all Thy servants who are
bound by the chain of sin may, by the
tenderness of Thy pity, mercifully be
absolved.
r\ LORD, we beseech Thee graci-
^^^ ously to hear our humble peti-
tions, and spare all those who confess
their sins unto Thee, granting us in
Thy goodness pardon and peace.
"DE graciously pleased, O Lord, to
show forth upon us Thine un-
speakable mercy, ridding us from all
sin, and therewithal delivering us from
all pains which for the same we do
justly deserve.
r~\ GOD, Whom sin doth justly move
^"^^ to anger, and repentance turn
again mercifully to forgive the same,
look down now graciously upon the
supplications of Thy people praying
before Thee, and turn away the
scourges of Thy wrath, which for our
sins we do most rightfully deserve.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^~'^ God, have pity upon Thy servant
our Bishop N., {here name the Pope.,)
and order his goings according to
Thy mercy in the paths of eternal sal-
vation, that by the gift of Thy grace
he may ever seek such things as
please Thee, and with all his strength
fulfil the same.
3 Ps. Ixxxviii. 23.
6 Ps. xl. 3.
4 Ps. cii. 10.
7 Ps. xix. 3.
2 L
998
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
/^ GOD, from Whom all holy desires,
^^^ all good counsels, and all just
works do proceed ; give unto Thy
servants that peace which the world
cannot give, that both our hearts may
be set to obey Thy commandments,
and also that by Thee we being de-
fended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quiet-
ness.
T ORD, burn our reins and our
hearts with the fire of Thy Holy
Spirit, that we may serve Thee with
chaste bodies and pure minds.
/^ GOD, Who art Thyself at once
^^ the Maker and the Redeemer
of all Thy faithful ones, grant unto
the souls of Thy servants and hand-
maids remission of all their sins, mak-
ing of our entreaties unto our .Great
Father a mean whereby they may
have that forgiveness which they have
ever longed for.
TDREVENT us, O Lord, we beseech
Thee, in all our doings, with Thy
gracious inspiration, and further us
with Thy continual help, that every
iprayer and work of ours may begin
from Thee, and by Thee be duly ended.
r\ ALMIGHTY and everlasting
^-^ God, Who art Lord both of the
living and of the dead, and hast
mercy upon all whom Thou fore-know-
est shall by faith and work be Thine,
we most humbly beseech on behalf of
all for whom we have a mind to pray,
whether they be yet entangled in the
flesh in this present world, or whether
they be already rid of the body, and
entered into that world which for us
is still . to come, that all Thy holy
children may pray for them, and that
the pitifulness of Thy mercy may grant
unto them the forgiveness of all their
trespasses. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. May the almighty and mer-
ciful Lord graciously hear us.
Answer. Amen.
Verse. And may the souls of the
faithful, through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Answer. Amen.
©rate fitfore antr after JJleat.
Before dimter, lie who blesses the
meal says :
. Verse. Bless ye —
Answer. Bless ye.
The7i he says :
1 The eyes of all—
And the rest continue :
Wait upon Thee, O Lord, and Thou
givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest
all things living with plenteousness.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, &c.
A?iswer. As it was, &c.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father, {inaudibly till the last
words ^ )
And lead us not into temptation.
A?iswer. But deliver us from evil.
1 Ps. cxliv. 15, 16.
GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEAT.
999
Let us pray."
"DLESS us, O Lord, and these Thy
gifts, which we are about to
receive from Thy bounty. Through
Christ our Lord.
Answer. Amen.
Reader. Sir, be pleased to give the
blessing.
The Blessing.
May the King of eternal glory make
us to be partakers at His table in
heaven.
Answer. Amen.
At the end of diniter^ the Reader
co7tcludes^ saying:
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. ^ May all Thy works praise
Thee, O LORD !
Answer. And let Thy Saints bless
Thee !
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
&c.
Answer. As it was, &c.
We give Thee thanks, O Almighty
God, for all Thy mercies. Who livest
and reignest for ever and ever.
Answer. Amen.
Then is said alternately either Ps.
1., "Have mercy upon me, &c.," {^p.
87,) or Ps. cxvi., " O praise the Lord,
&c.," {p. 186.) Then:
Verse. Glory be to the Father, &c.
Aitswer. As it was, &c.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleiso7i.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father, {i?tattdibly till the last
words, )
And lead us not into temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from evil.
Verse. ^ He hath dispersed, he
hath given to the poor —
Answer. His righteousness en-
dureth for ever.
Verse. ^ I will bless the Lord at
all times —
Answer. His praise shall continu-
ally be in my mouth.
Verse. My soul shall make her
boast in the Lord —
Answer. The humble shall hear
thereof and be glad.
Verse. O magnify the LORD with
me —
Answer. And let us exalt His
Name together.
Verse. * Blessed be the Name of
the Lord ! —
Aitswer. From this time forth and
for evermore !
May it please Thee, O Lord, to
reward with eternal life all them
who do good to us for Thy Name's
sake.
A7tswer. Amen.
Verse. Bless we the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Verse. May the souls of the faith-
ful, through the mercy of God, rest in
peace.
Answer. Amen.
The Lord^s Prayer is again said,
inaudibly throughout, and then :
God grant us His peace.
Answer. Amen.
At supper the form is the sa?ne, ex-
cept the following :
Text at the begin7ting (Ps. xxi.
48.)
The poor shall eat —
And be satisfied, and they shall
praise the Lord that seek Him : their
heart shall live for ever.
1 Ps. cxliv. 10.
2 Ps. cxi. 9.
3 Ps. xxxiii. 2-4.
■* Ps. cxii. 2.
1000
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Blessing.
May the King of eternal glory
bring us to sup with Him in
eternal life.
At the end :
Verse. ^ He hath made a memorial
of His wonderful works.
Answer. The Lord is gracious
and full of compassion : He hath
given meat unto them that fear
Him.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, &c.
Answer. As it was, &c.
2 God is blessed in all His gifts, and
holy in all His works.
Answer. Amen.
And Ps. cxvi. is always said.
On some days the form is special^ as
follows :
Note I. These special passages are
used both at dinner and supper.
Note 2. On a Fast-Day^ the single
meal allowed is supper.
Note 3. // is always allowed to
substitute Psalm cxvi. for the special
Psalm appoifitedy except on Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday.
I. At stepper on Maimdy Thursday,
nothing is said except the following :
At the beginning {without a7iy
"Bless ye, &c.")
Christ, for our sakes, became obedi-
ent unto death.
Then the Lord^s Prayer is said in-
audibly throughout, a?id afterwards the
sig?i of the Cross is made silently.
If there be readi7ig, nothing is said
by the Reader before or after, and no
blessing, &^c.
At the end :
Christ for our sakes, &c.
1 Ps. ex. 4.
Then Ps. 1. (/. 87,) without " Glory,
&c."
The?i the Lord^s Prayer is said in-
audibly throughout.
Then the Prayer, " Lord, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 364,) the last
clause, "Who liveth, &c.," being said
inaudibly.
Theji the Lord's Prayer again in-
audibly throughout.
2. At supper on Good Friday, the
same, except that the words "even the
death of the Cross " are added to the
" Christ, for our sakes, &c."
3. Supper on Holy Saturday is as
usual, with the following :
Text at the begin?iing (Matth,
xxviii. I.)
But in the end of the Sabbath,
As it began to dawn toward the
first day of the week. Alleluia — Came
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary,
to see the sepulchre. Alleluia.
At the end, the saine is repeated as
V. and R.
4. From dinner 07i Easter Day to
dinner on the next Saturday, both
inclusive.
Text at the begin7iing (Ps. cxvii. 24.)
This is the day which the Lord
hath made. Alleluia —
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Alleluia.
At the e7id, the sa7ne is repeated as
V. a7id R.
Ps. cxvii. O give thanks, &c., {p.
37-)
3 Cf. Ps. cxliv. 17.
PRAYERS FOR A JOURNEY.
lOOI
5. On Ascension Day and there-
after to the Slipper on Friday before
Whitsun Day^ both inclusive.
Text at the beginning (Ps. xlvl. 6.)
God is gone up with a shout,
Alleluia, —
And the Lord with the sound of a
trumpet. Alleluia.
At the end :
Verse. 1 When Christ ascended up
on high — Alleluia.
Answer. He led captivity captive
— Alleluia.
Ps. xlvi. O clap your hands, &c.,
{p. 98.)
6. From supper on Whitsun Eve to
supper on the Friday following^ both
inclusive.
Text at the begi7ining (Wisd. i. 7.)
The Spirit of the Lord filleth the
world, Alleluia —
And That Which containeth all
things hath knowledge of the voice.
Alleluia.
At the end :
Verse. 2 They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost. Alleluia.
Answer. And began to speak.
Alleluia.
Ps. xlvii. Great is the Lord, &c.,
(A 98.)
i^ragerj^ for a 3)ourtt^a*
These Prayers are said immediately
after starti7ig. If one person say them
by himself the Singular Number is
itsed.
Antiphon. May the Lord, the Al-
mighty and Merciful, lead us —
Song of Zacharias. Blessed be the
Lord, &c., (/. 28.)
Aiitiphon. May the Lord, the Al-
mighty and Merciful, lead us into the
way of peace and prosperity, and
may the angel Raphael be with us
in the way, that we may come to
our home again in peace, and health,
and gladness.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison,
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father {inaudibly till the last
words)
And lead us not into temptation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. ^ O Thou my God, save
Thy servants,
A?tswer. That trust in Thee.
Verse. ^ O Lord, send us help from
the sanctuary.
Aiiswer. And strengthen us out of
Zion.
Verse. ^ Lord, be Thou unto us a
strong tower,
Answer. From the enemy.
Verse. ^ Let the enemy prevail no-
thing against us.,
Answer. Nor the son of wicked-
ness afflict us.
1 Eph. iv. 8.
4 Ps. xix. 3.
2 Acts ii. 4.
5 Ps. Ix. 4.
3 Ps. IXXXV. 2.
6 Ps. Ixxxviii. 23.
1002
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Verse. ^ Blessed be the Lord
daily.
Answer. The God of our salvation
maketh our way prosperous.
Verse. ^ Show us Thy ways, O
Lord.
And teach us Thy paths.
2 O that our ways were
To keep Thy statutes.
4 The crooked shall be
the rough places
Answer.
Verse.
directed,
Answer.
Verse.
made straight.
Answer. And
plain.
Verse. ^ God hath given His
Angels charge over thee.
Answer. To keep thee in all thy
ways.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
r~\ GOD, Who madest the children
^"'^ of Israel to walk with dry feet
through the midst of the sea, and Who
didst open unto the three wise men,
by the guiding of a star, the way that
led unto Thee, grant us good speed,
and quietness, that Thine holy Angel
may be with us., and that we may
happily come thither whither we would,
now, and, in the end, unto the haven
of eternal salvation.
r\ GOD, Who didst call Thy ser-
^-^^ vant Abraham out of Ur of the
Chaldees, and didst keep him from
evil through all the ways of his pil-
grimage, we beseech Thee, that it
may please Thee to keep us Thy
servants. Be Thou unto us^ O Lord,
an help when we go forward, a com-
fort by the way, a shadow from the
heat, a covering from the rain and the
cold, a chariot in weariness, a refuge
in trouble, a staff in slippery paths,
an haven in shipwreck. Do Thou
lead us., that we may happily come
thither where we would be, and there-
after come again safe unto our own
home.
/GRACIOUSLY hear our supplica-
^^ tions, O Lord, we beseech Thee,
and order the goings of Thy servants
in the safe path that leadeth unto
salvation in Thee, that amidst all the
manifold changes of this life's pil-
grimage. Thy shield may never cease
from us.
/"^RANT, we beseech Thee, O Al-
^■^ mighty God, that Thy family
may fare onward in the path of sal-
vation, and by giving heed to the
preaching of the blessed Fore-runner
John, may safely attain unto Him
Whom John preached, even our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ameji.
Verse. Let us go on in peace.
A?tswer. In the name of the Lord.
Amen.
1 Ps. Ixvii. 2o.
2 Ps. xxiv. 4.
3 Ps. cxviii. 5.
4 Isa. xl. 4.
5 Ps. xc. 7.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION.
1003
J^rtparatiott for ©ommunioit.
Antiphon {to be doubled when the
Office is doubled.) Remember not,
Lord, om- offences, ^ nor the offences
of our forefathers, neither take Thou
vengeance of our sins. (/;z Paschal-
time add Alleluia.)
Psalm LXXXIII.
[Intituled "A Psalm of the sons of Korah."
It has the same superscription as Ps. Ixx.,
referring possibly to the vintage. It reads as
if it were a pilgrim-song referring to the going
up of all the males of Israel to Jerusalem to
observe the Feast of Tabernacles, when har-
vest and vintage were over.]
T_J OW lovely are Thy tabernacles,
O Lord of Hosts ! * my soul
longeth and fainteth for the courts of
the Lord :
Mine heart and my flesh "^ rejoice
for the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an
house, "^ and the dove a nest for her-
self, where she may lay her young.
Even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts,
* my King and my God !
Blessed are they that dwell in Thine
house, O Lord ; * they will be ever
praising Thee.^
Blessed is the man whose strength
is from Thee ; ^ who hath settled in
his heart to go up [to Thy sanctuary,]
through the vale of tears, ^ to the place
which he hath appointed.
He That hath given the Law will
give His blessing ; they shall go from
strength to strength : "^ they appear
before the God of gods in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my
prayer : "^ give ear, O God of Jacob ! ^
Behold, O God, our shield : "^ and
look upon the face of Thine Anointed.
For a day in Thy courts is better *
than a thousand.
I had rather be a menial in the
house of my God, "^ than to dwell in
the tents of wickedness.
For God loveth mercy and truth : "^
the Lord will give grace and glory.
No good thing will He withhold
from them that walk uprightly. * O
Lord of hosts, blessed is the man
that trusteth in Thee I
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Psalm LXXXIV.
[Intituled "A Psalm of the sons of Korah,"
with the usual (now uncertain) superscription.]
T ORD, Thou hast been favourable
unto Thy land : "^ Thou hast
brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of
Thy people : "^ Thou hast covered all
their sins.^
Thou hast taken away all Thy
wrath : * Thou hast turned Thyself
from the fierceness of Thine anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation, "^
and cause Thine anger towards us to
cease.
Wilt Thou be angry with us for
ever t * wilt Thou draw out Thine
anger to all generations ?
0 God, Thou shalt again quicken
us : "^ and Thy people shall rejoice in
Thee.
Show us Thy mercy, O Lord ! *
and grant us Thy salvation.
1 will hear what the Lord God
will speak in me : ^ for He will
speak peace unto His people,
1 SLH
2 Hebrew, " of Baca," probably the proper name of a place, but, literally, " weepin<
I004
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
And to His saints, * and unto them
that are changed in heart.
Surely His salvation is nigh them
that fear Him, * that glory may dwell
in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together:
* righteousness and peace have kissed
each other.
Truth hath sprung out of the earth :
* and righteousness hath looked down
from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which
is good : * and our land shall yield
her increase.
Righteousness shall go before Him :
* and shall set His footsteps in the
way.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Psalm LXXXV.
[Intituled " A Prayer of David."]
T)OW down Thine ear, O Lord,
and hear me : * for I am poor
and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am holy : ^
O Thou my God, save Thy servant
that trusteth in Thee.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I
cry unto Thee all the day long : "^ re-
joice the soul of Thy servant, for unto
Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For Thou, Lord, art good and ready
to forgive, ^ and plenteous in mercy
to ail them that call upon Thee.
Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer :
^ and attend to the voice of my sup-
plication.
In the day of my trouble I called
upon Thee, * for Thou hast heard me.
Among the gods there is none like
unto Thee, O Lord : ^ neither are there
any works like unto Thy works.
All nations whom Thou hast made
shall come and worship before Thee,
0 Lord : "^ and shall glorify Thy
name.
For Thou art great and doest won-
drous things : ^ Thou art God alone.
Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and
1 will walk in Thy truth : ^ let mine
heart be glad, that it may fear Thy
name.
I will praise Thee, O Lord my God,
with all mine heart, ^ and I will glorify
Thy name for evermore.
For great is Thy mercy toward me:
■^ and Thou hast delivered my soul
from the lowest hell.
O God, the wicked are risen against
me, and the assemblies of violent men
have sought after my soul, "^ and have
not set Thee before them.
But Thou, O Lord, art a God full
of compassion and gracious, * long-
suffering, and plenteous in mercy and
truth.
0 look upon me, and have mercy
upon me : "^ give Thy strength unto
Thy servant, and save the son of
Thine handmaid !
Show me a token for good, that
they which hate me may see it and be
ashamed : "^ because Thou, O Lord,
hast holpen me, and comforted me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Psalm CXV.
[In the Hebrew this Psalm is a continuation
of the last. The Vulgate and the LXX. pre-
fix "Alleluia."]
T BELIEVED, therefore have I
spoken : * but I was greatly
afflicted.
1 said in my haste : * All men are
liars.
What shall I render unto the LORD
"^ for all His benefits toward me ?
I will take the cup of salvation, *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION.
1005
I will pay my vows unto the Lord
in the presence of all His people. *
Precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of His Saints.
0 Lord, truly I am Thy servant :
"^ I am Thy servant, and the son of
Thine handmaid :
Thou hast loosed my bonds. "^ I
will offer to Thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the Lord.
1 will pay my vows unto the LORD,
in the presence of all His people : '^
in the courts of the Lord's house, in
the midst of thee, O Jerusalem !
[Here the Hebrew appends "Alleluia,"
which the Vulgate and the LXX. prefix to
the next Psalm.]
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Psalm CXXIX.
[Intituled "A Song of Degrees." The
meaning of this title is not certain. The
Psalms so called may perhaps, like the
" Graduals" of the Roman Liturgy, be " step-
songs," intended to be sung during proces-
sions, Liturgical or of pilgrims.]
/^UT of the depths have I cried
^^ unto Thee, O Lord! * Lord,
hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive ^ to
the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark in-
iquities, * O Lord, who shall stand ?
But there is forgiveness with Thee :
■^ because of Thy law, I wait for Thee,
O Lord !
My soul waiteth on His word : *
my soul hopeth in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night * let Israel hope in the Lord :
For with the Lord there is mercy,
* and with Him is plenteous redemp-
tion.
And He shall redeem Israel, "^ from
all his iniquities.
VOL. II.
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Aiitiphoji, Remember not, Lord,
our offences, nor the offences of our
forefathers, neither take Thou ven-
geance of our sins. [P. T, Alleluia.]
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father {the Lord^s Prayer is
co7itinued i7iaudibly till the termina-
tio7i. )
Verse. And lead us not into
temptation.
Aiiswer. But deliver us from evil.
Verse. As for me, I said : Lord,
be merciful unto me.
Answer. Heal my soul, for I have
sinned against Thee.
Verse. Turn again, O Lord, for a
little.
Answer. And be entreated for Thy
servant's sake.
Verse. O Lord, let Thy mercy
lighten upon us.
Answer. As our trust is in Thee.
Verse. Let Thy priests be clothed
with righteousness.
Answer. And let Thy Saints shout
for joy.
Verse. Lord, cleanse Thou me
from secret faults.
Answer. Keep back Thy servant
also from the sins of others.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
"DOW down Thy Fatherly ears
unto our supplications, O most
merciful God, and enlighten our hearts
by the grace of Thine Holy Spirit,
that we may worthily take part in
2 L 2
ioo6
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Thy service, and may love Thee with
an everlasting love.
O God, unto Whom all hearts lie
open, all desires known, and from
Whom no secrets are hid, cleanse
the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of Thine Holy Spirit, that
we may perfectly love Thee, and
worthily magnify Thine Holy Name.
Lord, burn our reins and our hearts
with the fire of Thine Holy Spirit,
that we may serve Thee with chaste
bodies and pure minds.
Lord, we beseech Thee, that the
Comforter which proceedeth from
Thee may enlighten our minds, and
lead us into all truth, even as Thy
Son hath promised unto us.
Lord, we beseech Thee, that Thine
Holy Spirit may dwell in us in much
power, mercifully cleansing our hearts
and shielding us from all things
hurtful.
O God, Who didst teach the hearts
of Thy faithful people by sending to
them the light of Thine Holy Spirit,
grant unto us by the same Spirit to
have a right judgment in all things,
and evermore to rejoice in His holy
comfort.
Lord, we beseech Thee to cleanse
our consciences by the power of Thine
holy visitation, that when our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, cometh. He
may find in us a dwelling-place made
ready unto Himself. Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
Prayer. ^
r\ GREAT High Priest and true
^^ Bishop, Jesus Christ, Who
didst offer Thyself up to God the
Father upon the Altar of the Cross
as a pure and spotless Victim for us
sinful wretches. Who hast given us
Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to
drink, and hast set this mystery in
the power of the Holy Ghost, saying,
"Do this as oft as ye do it, in re-
membrance of Me." I entreat Thee
by the same Thy Blood the great
price of our salvation, I entreat
Thee by that wondrous and unspeak-
able love wherewith it hath pleased
Thee so to love us unworthy wretches
as to wash us from our sins in Thine
Own Blood, teach me. Thine un-
worthy servant, whom for no deserts of
mine, but by the mere goodness of Thy
mercy. Thou hast been pleased among
other gifts even to call unto Thine
Altar, teach me, I beseech Thee, by
Thine Holy Spirit how to deal with
this mystery, with the reverence,
honour, earnestness, and fear which
are behoven and meet. Make me
by Thy grace always to believe,
understand, feel, hold, say, and
think concerning this mystery that
which is pleasing unto Thee and ex-
pedient for mine own soul. Let Thy
good Spirit enter into mine heart to
sound there without noise, and to
speak all truth without words. These
things are very deep, and they are
covered with an holy veil. For Thy
great mercy's sake, grant that I
may take part at Mass with a clean
heart and a pure mind. Free my
heart from unclean, shameful, vain,
and harmful thoughts. Defend me
with the kindly and faithful keeping
of Thy blessed Angels and their
mighty watch, that the enemies of
all good may be confounded and go
away. By the power of this great
mystery, and by the hand of Thine
1 In the original this prayer is divided according to the days of the week ; as there are
some passages in it which are suitable only for Priests, and \vhich have therefore been here
necessarily omitted, it is not here so divided, but the intention clearly is that it should not
all be used at one time.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION.
1007
holy Angel, take away from me and
from all Thy servants the hard spirit
of pride and vain - glory, envy and
blasphemy, fornication and unclean-
ness, doubt and suspicion. Con-
founded be they that assail us, and
may they that would fain destroy
us perish,
O King of virgins, lover of chastity
and purity, by the heavenly dew of
Thy blessing quench in my body the
fire of unlawful lusts, that my body
and soul may remain pure. Kill in
my members all unlawful prickings of
the flesh and uprisings of lust, and
grant unto me, along with Thine other
^ifts which truly please Thee, true
and everlasting chastity according to
my state, that I may be able to offer
up unto Thee the sacrifice of praise
with a pure body and a clean heart.
O, what searching of heart, what
shedding of tears, what reverence, and
what awe, what purity of body and
soul are called for by God's heavenly
sacrifice when Thy Flesh is eaten
indeed and Thy Blood is drunk in-
deed, where the things of the highest
are brought down to the things of the
lowest, and the things of God to the
things of earth, where the holy Angels
are present, where Thou Thyself art
wondrously and unspeakably set forth.
Thyself at once the sacrifice and the
Priest.
Who can worthily deal with this,
unless Thou, O God Almighty, should
Thyself make him worthy. Lord, I
know, I know indeed, and I confess it
before Thy Fatherly goodness, that
on account of my great sins and my
countless failings I am not worthy
to draw near to this great mystery,
but I also know, I believe indeed
with all my heart, and I confess with
my mouth, that Thou Who alone art
able to bring a clean thing out of an
unclean, and to make sinners right-
eous and holy, art able to make me
worthy. O, my God, I entreat Thee
by this Thine Almighty power to
grant unto me, a sinner, that I may
receive this Sacrament with fear and
trembling, with purity of heart and
with weeping, with spiritual gladness
and heavenly joy. Let my soul feel
the sweetness of Thy blessed pres-
ence, and that Thine Holy Angels
keep guard round me.
For I, O Lord, sinner though I be,
am going to draw near unto Thine
Altar in memory of Thy worshipful
passion, to receive there the Sacra-
ment which Thou hast instituted
in remembrance of Thyself for our
salvation. O God, most high, do
Thou receive that remembrance on
behalf of Thine holy Church, and on
behalf of Thy people Whom Thou
hast bought with Thine own Blood.
Be pleased, O Lord, to have regard
unto the sorrows of peoples, the
straits of nations, the cries of prison-
ers, the woes of orphans, the needs
of wanderers, the helplessness of the
weak, the hopelessness of the sick, the
failure of the old, the hopes of young
men, the desires of young women, the
grief of widows.
For Thou, O Lord, hast mercy
upon all, and hatest nothing that
Thou hast made — remember of what
we are made. Thou art our Father,
Thou art our God, be not wrathful
exceedingly, neither shut up the multi-
tude of Thy tender mercies from us.
It is not with any hope in any right-
eousness of our own that we lay our
prayers before Thee, but with hope in
the multitude of Thy tender mercies.
Take away our iniquities from us, and
in Thy mercy kindle in us the fire
of Thine Holy Spirit, take away the
stony heart out of our flesh, and give
an heart afresh, an heart to love
Thee, to seek Thee, to rejoice in
Thee, to follow Thee, and to enjoy
Thee. We beseech Thy mercy, O
looS
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Lord, to be pleased to look in favour
upon Thy people when they do ser-
vice unto Thine Holy Name, and in
order that no one may ask in vain,
and no request be refused, do Thou
Thyself inspire us with such prayers
as it may please Thee to hear and to
grant.
Holy Lord and Father, we entreat
Thee also for the spirits of the faith-
ful departed ; unto them may this
great mystery of godliness be health,
wholeness, gladness, and rest. O
Lord, my God, may they have this
day a great and full banquet of Thee
the Living Bread, Who didst come
down from heaven, and givest life
unto the world, of Thine Holy and
Blessed Flesh, the Flesh of Thee, the
Lamb without spot. Who takest away
the sins of the world, which Thou
didst take from the holy and glojious
womb of the blessed Virgin Mary,
and which was conceived by the Holy
Ghost, and of that river of mercy
which the soldier's spear drew out of
Thy Sacred Side, that they may be
thereby strengthened, filled, rested,
and comforted, and may sing unto
Thy praise and g-lory. I beseech
Thy mercy, O Lord, that the fulness
of Thy blessing, and the sanctification
of Thy Godhead, may come down
upon the bread which is to be offered
unto Thee.
Let there also come down thereon
the invisible and incomprehensible
Majesty of Thine Holy Spirit, as of
old time He came down upon the
offerings of the fathers, and let Him
turn our offerings into Thy Flesh
and Blood, and teach me, un-
worthy communicant that I am, to
deal with this great mystery with
purity of heart, with earnestness
even to tears, with reverence, and
with awe.
I beseech Thee also, O Lord, by
this very mystery itself this holy
mystery of Thy Body and Thy Blood,
wherein Thy Church is every day
given to eat and to drink, is purified
and sanctified, and is made partaker
of the one Divine Nature of the Most
High, give me Thine Own Holy
might, and endue me therewith, that
I may be able to draw near Thine
Altar with a good conscience, and
so this heavenly Sacrament may be
salvation and life for me. For Thou
hast said with Thine Own Holy and
Blessed mouth, "The bread which I
will give is My Flesh for the life of
the world" ; "I am the Living Bread,
which came down from heaven" ; " If
any man eat of this Bread he shall
live for ever." O Bread of Sweetness,
cure my heart's palate that I may be
able to taste how sweet Thy love is.
Cure it of every disease that I may
not feel anything sweet like Thy
sweetness. O White Bread, that art
able to content every man's delight
and to yield every, taste; Thou that
always feedest us and yet never art
consumed, let my heart feed on Thee,
and let the taste of Thy sweetness fill
the innermost depths of my soul.
The Angels feed on Thee to fulness ;
let him that is a stranger and pilgrim
here feed on Thee to the best of his
little power, that that provision for
his journey may strengthen him, and
so he faint not by the way. O Thou
Holy Bread, Thou Living Bread, Thou
Pure Bread, Who comest down from
Heaven and givest life unto the world,
come into my heart and purify me
from every defilement, whether of
flesh or of spirit ; enter into my soul,
heal me and cleanse me, within and
without ; be Thou the constant shield
and safety both of my soul and of my
body. Drive all my enemies away
from me, let them fade away far
from the presence of Thy power.
So mayest Thou enable me, under
Thy protection, both without and
THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION.
1009
within, to go straight forward until
I come to Thy kingdom, where we
shall not see Thee any more in
mysteries as we see Thee now, but
face to face, when Thou shalt have
given up the kingdom unto God,
even the Father, and shalt be God
all in all. For then wilt Thou fill
me with Thyself, with such a won-
drous fulness, that I shall never
hunger nor thirst again for ever.
Who, with the same God the Father
and Holy Ghost, livest and reignest
for ever and ever. Amen.
Cfianfesgibing afttr erommunion.
A7ttipho7i. Let us sing the song of
the three holy children, ^ the song
which the three children sang when
they blessed the Lord in the midst
of the burning fiery furnace.
P. T. Alleluia.
The Song of the Three Holy
Children. (Daniel iii. 57.)
r~\ ALL ye works of the Lord, bless
^~^^ ye the Lord : * praise Him, and
exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye
the Lord : "^ O ye heavens, bless ye
the Lord.
O all ye waters that be above the
heavens, bless ye the Lord : * O all ye
powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye stars of heaven, bless
ye the Lord.
O ye showers and dew, bless ye the
Lord : * O ye winds of God, bless ye
the Lord.
O ye fire and heat, bless ye the
Lord : ^ O ye winter and summer,
bless ye the Lord.
O ye dews and rime, bless ye the
Lord : "^ O ye frost and cold, bless ye
the Lord.
O ye ice and snow, bless ye the
Lord : "^ O ye nights and days, bless
ye the Lord.
O ye light and darkness, bless ye
the Lord : "* O ye lightnings and
clouds, bless ye the Lord.
O let the earth bless the Lord :
* let her praise and exalt Him above
all for ever !
O ye mountains and hills, bless ye
the Lord : "^ O all ye green things
upon the earth, bless ye the Lord.
O ye wells, bless ye the Lord : * O
ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord.
O ye whales, and all that move in
the waters, bless ye the Lord : "^ O
all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the
Lord.
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye
the Lord : "^ O ye children of men,
bless ye the Lord.
O let Israel bless the Lord : "^ let
him praise and exalt Him above all
for ever !
O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye
the Lord: "^ O ye servants of the
Lord, bless ye the Lord.
O ye spirits and souls of the right-
eous, bless ye the Lord : "^ O ye holy
and humble men of heart, bless ye the
Lord.
0 Ananias, Azarias, and Misael,
bless ye the Lord : "^ praise and exalt
Him above all for ever.
1 Bless we the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Ghost : * let us praise
and exalt Him above all for ever.
1 This verse is, of course, a later addition ; more than two verses are omitted, and the
last given is one of those omitted at the beginning.
lOIO
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the
firmament of heaven : ^ and to be
praised, and glorified, and exalted
above all for ever.
Psalm CL.
"P RAISE the Lord in His sanctuary !
^ praise Him in the firmament
of His power !
Praise Him in His mighty acts !
■^ praise Him according to His ex-
cellent greatness !
Praise Him with the sound of the
trumpet ! "^ praise Him with the
psaltery and harp !
Praise Him with the timbrel and
dance ! * praise Him with stringed
instruments and organs !
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals,
praise Him upon the high-sounding
cymbals ! ^ Let everything that hath
breath praise the Lord !
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Antipho7t. Let us sing the song of
the three holy children, the song which
the three children sang when they
blessed the Lord in the midst of the
burning fiery furnace.
P. T. Alleluia.
Kyrie eleison. ^
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Our Father, {iiiaudibly') Who art in
heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive them that
trespass against us.
Verse. And lead us not into tempt-
ation.
Answer. But deliver us from
evil.
Verse. May all Thy works praise
Thee, O Lord.
Answer. And let Thy Saints bless.
Thee.
Verse. Let the Saints be joyful in
glory.
Answer. Let them sing aloud upon
their beds.
Verse. Not unto us, O Lord, not
unto us.
Answer. But unto Thy Name give
glory.
Verse. Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Answer. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray.
r\ GOD, Who didst lessen the
^^^ flames of fire for the three
children, mercifully grant that we
Thy children may not be touched
by any flames of sin.
Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee^
that Thy grace may forward us in all
our actions by Thine inspiration, and
follow it by Thine help, that this and
every prayer and work of ours may
begin from Thee, and by Thee be
duly ended.
Grant, O Lord, that we may have
the strength to extinguish the flames
of sin. Thou Who didst grant the
blessed Lawrence to be more than
conqueror amid his fiery torments-
Through Christ our Lord.
Aitswer. Amen.
DEVOTIONS AFTER COMMUNION.
lOII
iStbotiotts^ aftn* ©ammunion*
From St Thomas Aquinas. ^
T GIVE Thee thanks, O holy
Lord, Father almighty, eternal
God, that Thou hast vouchsafed,
for no merit of mine own, but
of the mere condescension of Thy
mercy, to satisfy me a sinner and
Thine unworthy servant with the
precious Body and Blood of Thy
Son our Lord jESUS Christ. I
implore Thee, let not this holy
communion be to me an increase
of guilt unto my punishment, but
an availing plea unto pardon and
forgiveness. Let it be to me the
armour of faith and the shield of
good will. Grant that it may work
the extinction of my vices, the
rooting out of concupiscence and
lust, and the increase within me
of charity and patience, of humility
and obedience. Let it be my strong
defence against the snares of all mine
enemies, visible and invisible ; the
stilling and the calm of all mine
impulses, carnal and spiritual ; mine
indissoluble union with Thee the one
and true God, and a blessed con-
summation at my last end. And I
beseech Thee that Thou wouldst
vouchsafe to bring me, sinner as I
am, to that ineffable banquet where
Thou, with the Son and the Holy
Ghost, art to Thy Saints true and
unfailing Light, fulness of content,
joy for evermore, gladness without
alloy, consummate and everlasting
bliss. Through the same our Lord
jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the same Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. A77ien.
From St Bonaventura.i
r\ SWEETEST Lord jESUS Christ,
^■^^ pierce, I beseech Thee, the in-
most marrow of my soul with the
tender and life-giving wound of Thy
love, with true, and calm, and holy
apostolical charity, so that my whole
soul may ever languish and faint for
love of Thee, and for desire of Thee
alone. May it long for Thee and
pine for Thee in the courts of Thine
house ; may it desire to be dissolved
and to be with Thee. Grant that my
soul may hunger for Thee, Thou
Bread of angels, Thou refreshment
of holy souls, our daily supersubstan-
tial Bread, having all manner of
sweetness and savour, and all most
thrilling delights. May mine heart
ever hunger for Thee and feed on
Thee, on whom angels long to look ;
and may mine inmost soul be filled
with the sweetness of the taste of
Thee. May it ever thirst for Thee,
Thou Well of life. Thou Fountain of
wisdom and knowledge. Thou Source
of everlasting light. Thou torrent of
pleasures, Thou fatness and abund-
ance of the house of God ; may it
ever yearn towards Thee, seek Thee,
find Thee, tend towards Thee, attain
to Thee, meditate ever on Thee,
speak of Thee, and work all things
to the praise and glory of Thy Name,
with humility and discretion, with love
and delight, with ready care and glad
affection, with perseverance even unto
the end ; and do Thou be alone and
evermore mine hope, my whole trust,
my riches, my delight, my gladness
and my joy, my rest and my calm
repose, my peace and my sweet
1 Translation by Rev. T. A. Pope, adopted by Lord Bute in A Form of Prayers, 1896.
I0I2
THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
content, my fragrance and my sweet-
ness, my food and my refreshment,
my refuge and mine help, my wisdom,
my portion, mine own possession and
my treasure, in whom my mind and
mine heart are fixed and rooted firmly
and immovably for evermore. Amen.
Rhyme of St Thomas Aquinas.^
Q GODHEAD hid, devoutly I adore Thee,
Who truly art within the forms before
me ;
To Thee my heart I bow with bended knee,
As failing quite in contemplating Thee.
Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are each
deceived ;
The ear alone most safely is believed :
I believe all the Son of God has spoken.
Than Truth's own word there is no truer
token.
God only on the Cross lay hid from view ;
But here lies hid at once the manhood too :
And I, in both professing my belief.
Make the same prayer as the repentant
thief.
Thy wounds as Thomas saw, I do not see ;
Yet Thee confess my Lord and God to be :
Make me believe Thee ever more and more ;
In Thee my hope in Thee my love to store.
O Thou Memorial of our Lord's own dying !
O Bread that Living art and vivifying !
Make ever Thou my soul on Thee to live ;
Ever a taste of heavenly sweetness give.
O loving Pelican ! O Jesu, Lord !
Unclean I am, but cleanse me in Thy blood ;
Of which a single drop for sinners spilt,
Is ransom for a world's entire guilt.
Jesu ! Whom for the present veil'd I see,
What I so thirst for, oh, vouchsafe to me :
That I may see Thy countenance unfolding.
And may be blest Thy glory in beholding.
O Shepherd of the Faithful, O Jesu, gracious
be,
Increase the faith of all who put their faith
in Thee.
A Prayer to be recited before
AN Image or Representation
OF Christ Crucified.
"DEHOLD, O kind and most sweet
Jesus, I cast myself on my
knees in Thy sight, and with the
most fervent desire of my soul, I
pray and beseech Thee that Thou
wouldst impress upon my heart lively
sentiments of faith, hope, and charity,
with true repentance for my sins, and
a firm desire of amendment, while
with deep affection and grief of soul
I ponder within myself and mentally
contemplate Thy five most precious
wounds ; having before my eyes that
which David spake in prophecy :
" They pierced My hands and My
feet ; they have numbered all My
bones."
1 Translation by Rev. Edward Caswall.
E|)e VotiU ^mct$.
Pope Leo XIII. per?mts that upon
all days whatsoever upon which the
Psahns of the Week-day are to be said
at Mattins^ either by reason of the
Week-day itself or of a SiiJiple Office^
with certain exceptions^ there may be
substituted for the Office of the day
one of the following Votive Offices.
The excepted days are Ash Wed-
nesday^ Passion -tide., and the ijth
to the 2/[th of December., both in-
clusive. Easter and Whitsun weeks
are also excepted., because the Offi<:e
is already Semi- double^ aiid of the
Octave of the Feast of the precedi7ig
Sunday.
The Office itself is Semi-double., and
its relations to the Office of a Week-
day., or of a Siniple Feast., or a
Semi- double or Double Office 07i the
preceding or succeeding day., are
arranged in the same way as if it
were a Semi-double Festival; thus., a
Simple Office would be commemorated
at First Vespers and Lauds., ajid have
the Ninth Lesson., if it had a Lesson
or Lessons of its own; and a Greater
Week-day would be commemorated at
Lauds., and the Ninth Lesson would
be of its Homily., while in Advent and
Lent the Week-day would be com-
memorated at both Vespers and Lauds.,
and have its Homily for the Ninth
Lesson. Preces are said at Compline
and Prime., attd the Co77imon Co77t-
77ie77wrations at Vespers a7id Lauds.,
except the Co77t7ne77ioratio7i of that
which 77iay be the subject of the
Votive Office. That is to say., the
Coni7nemoration of the Blessed Virgi7t
is 07mtted if the Office be of the
I77i77iaculate Conceptio7i., that of St
Joseph if the Office be of hi77i., and
that of SS. Peter a7id Paul if the
Office be of the Apostles.
In E7igla7id the use of two of these
Offices — 7iamely., that of the Most Holy
Sacra77ient for Thursdays a7id that of
the I77i7naculate Conceptio7t for Satur-
days., is obligatory upo7t all perso7is
bou7id to the recitatio7i of the Divine
Office., upojt all days per7nitted by the
Pope., except (i) those in Adve7it a7id
Le7it; (2) Eves; (3) E77iber Satur--
day; a7id {^) days to which the Su7i-
day Office 77iay be tra7tsf erred accordifig
to the Pie., iv. 5.^ 07i those days 07i
which the use of the Votive Office is
per77iitted by the Pope., but is not jnade
obligatory i7i E7zgla7td, its use is
optio7ial, as is that of the other Votive
Offices 071 other days.
After Septuagesi77ia Simday to
Easter., exclusive., the word '-'■Alleluia"
is 077iitted wherever it is here give7i
i7t square brackets., thus [ ], a7id i7t
Paschal-ti77ie it is i7iserted wherever
give7t thus., {P. T. Alleluia.)
1 When these two Votive Offices were introduced by the late Pope Pius IX., and when
they seem to have been made obligatory in England, these days were excepted from the Papal
permission. The edition of the English Offices now before the writer (Tournay, 1896) excepts
only Advent and Lent, but the Catholic Directory shows that Eves also are excepted, and
the exceptions would therefore seem to have remained the same as before. Owing to the
multiplication of Festal Offices it is very improbable that the contingencies (3) (4) would
ever occur.
I0I4
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
©Witt in {jonour of ^11 l^olg
ansels, for jHontiass,
Semi-double.
All as on Sundays except the foU
lowing.
At Vespers on Sunday eve7iing is
inserted the following Commemoratiojz.
Antiphon. ^ Are they not all min-
istering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salva-
tion. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ajiswer. I will worship toward
Thine holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer from Lauds.
MATTINS.
l7ivitatory. The Lord, He is the
King of the Angels. * O come, let
us worship Him. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Hymn.^
HTHEE, O Christ, the Father's Splendour,
Life and virtue of the heart,
In the presence of the Angels
Sing we now with tuneful art :
Meetly in alternate chorus
Bearing our responsive part.
Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky :
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate
Of celestial chivalry :
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.
By whose watchful care, repelling,
King of everlasting grace !
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base ;
Grant us of Thine only goodness
In Thy paradise a place.
Laud and honour to the Father ;
Laud and honour to the Son ;
Laud and honour to the Spirit ;
Ever Three, and ever One :
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run.f Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all the three Psalms
following are said under 07ie A7itiphon
— viz,., the First.
First A7itipho7i. Great things are
spoken of Michael ^ the Archangel,
who waxed valiant in fight, and won
the victory. {P. T. Alleluia.)
O Lord, our Lord, &c..
Ps. viii.
(A 7.)
Seco7idA7itipho7t. The Angel Gabriel
spake unto Mary, ^ and said : Behold
thou shalt conceive in thy womb and
bring forth a Son, and shall call His
Name Jesus.
Ps. X. In the LORD put I my trust,
&c., {p. 9.)
Third Antipho7i. *The Angel
Raphael said : Bless ye the God of
Heaven, * and confess Him before all
living, for He hath had mercy upon
you.
Ps. xiv. Lord, who shall abide,
&c., (A 10.)
Verse. ^ An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. {P. T. Alleluia.)
A7iswer. Having a golden censer in
his hand. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Lesso7is from Scripture accordi7tg to
the Seaso7i^ but i7i Le7tt a7id 07i Roga-
tio7i Mo7iday the following are used.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Exodus (xxiii, 20.)
1 Heb. i. 14. 2 Ps^ cxxxvii. 2.
^ Hymn by St Rabanus .Maurus altered almost beyond recognition ; translated by Dr Neale.
4 Tob. xii. 6. 5 Apoc. viii. 3.
ALL HOLY ANGELS.
IOI5
T)EHOLD, I send Mine Angel be-
fore thee, to keep thee in the
way, and to bring thee into the place
which I have prepared. Beware of
him, and obey his voice, and think
not lightly of him. For he will not
pardon your transgressions ; and My
Name is in him. But if thou wilt
indeed obey his voice, and do all that
I speak, then I will be an enemy unto
thine enemies, and an adversary unto
thine adversaries, and Mine Angel
shall go before thee.
First Responsory.
A multitude of Angels came with
the Archangel Michael, into whose
wardship God hath permitted the souls
of the Saints, that he may lead them
into the garden of gladness. (P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. Lord, do Thou send forth
Thine Holy Spirit from heaven, the
Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
A?tswer. That he may lead them
into the garden of gladness. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Second Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Zechariah (i. 7.)
nPHE Word of the Lord came unto
Zechariah, the son of Berechiah,
the son of Iddo, the Prophet, saying :
I saw by night, and, behold, a man
riding upon a red horse ; and he stood
among the myrtle-trees that were in
the bottom. And behind him were
there red horses, speckled, and white.
Then said 1 : O my lord, what are
these ? And the angel that spake in
me said unto me : I will show thee
what these be. And the man that
stood among the myrtle-trees answered,
and said : These are they whom the
Lord hath sent to walk to and fro
through the earth. And they answered
the angel of the Lord that stood
among the myrtle - trees, and said :
We have walked to and fro through
the earth, and, behold, all the earth is
inhabited, and is at rest.
Second Respofisory.
iThen the Angel of the Lord
answered and said : O Lord of Hosts,
how long wilt Thou not have mercy
on Jerusalem, and on the cities of
Juda, against which Thou hast had
indignation — (P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. These three score and ten
years ?
Answer. How long wilt Thou not
have mercy on Jerusalem, and on the
cities of Juda, against which Thou
hast had indignation ? {P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Lesson, (ii.)
T LIFTED up mine eyes again, and
looked. And, behold, a man
with a measuring line in his hand-
Then said I : Whither goest thou ?
And he said unto me : To measure
Jerusalem, and see what is the breadth
thereof, and what is the length thereof.
And, behold, the angel that talked in
me went forth, and another angel
went out to meet him, and said
unto him : Run, speak to this young
man, saying, Jerusalem shall be in-
habited as a town without walls,
for the multitude of men and cattle
therein. For I, saith the Lord,
will be unto her a wall of fire
round about, and will be in glory in
the midst of her.
Third Respojisory,
2 When ye see the Gentiles, be not
afraid of them, but in your hearts
worship and fear the Lord ; for His
Angel is with you. {P. T. Alleluia.)
1 This Responsory is the continuation of the preceding Lesson. ^ Cf. Baruch, vi. 3-6.
ioi6
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Verse. An Angel stood at the Altar
of the Temple, having a golden censer
in his hand.
Answer. For His Angel is with
you. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. For His Angel is with
you. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time all three Psalms are
said under one A7itiphon — namely^ the
Second.
First Antiphon. The smoke of the
incense ascended up * before the Lord,
out of the Angel's hand.
Ps. xviii. The heavens declare, &c.,
(A 17.)
Secofid A7itiphon. ^ The Angel of the
Lord "^ encampeth round about them
that fear Him, and delivereth them.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. xxiii. The earth is the Lord's,
&c., {p. 46.)
Third Antiphon. Let us praise the
Lord, * Whom the Angels do praise,
unto Whom Cherubim and Seraphim
do cry, " Holy, Holy, Holy."
Verse. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of Pope St Gregory the Great.
(34//^ on the Gospels.')
OINCE we have run over and inter-
preted the names of the different
Orders of Angels, it remaineth that
we should shortly take up the indica-
tion of their different offices. The
term Power is given to those spirits
through whom most often signs and
wonders are worked. The term
Might is applied to those spirits
unto whose order more might hath
been granted than unto the others, so
that it is to their jurisdiction that the
powers of the enemy are brought into
subjection, and by their might that
they are so chained up that they can-
not tempt men's hearts so much as
they fain would.
Fourth Responsory.
2 All the Angels stood round about
the Throne, and about the Elders, and
the four living creatures, and fell be-
fore the Throne on their faces and
worshipped God. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ Worship the Lord, all ye
His Angels !
Answer. And fell before the Throne
on their faces and worshipped God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Lessoji.
"HP HE Principalities are so called
because they are appointed as
princes over the other good Angels,
command their troops whenever there
is anything to be done, and direct
them how to perform their ministry
for God. The Dominions bear this
name because they are highly exalted,
even above the power of the princi-
palities. To be a prince is to be
exalted among equals, but to dominate
is to rule over subjects as a Lord.
The Thrones are those hosts over
whom the Almighty God presideth to
exercise judgment, whence the Psalmist
saith, (ix. 5,) "Thou satest on the
throne judging right."
1 Ps. xxxiii. 8.
2 Apoc. vii. II.
3 Ps. xcvi. 7.
ALL HOLY ANGELS.
IOI7
Fifth Responsory.
^ An Angel stood at the Altar of the
Temple, having a golden censer in his
hand ; and there was given unto him
much incense, and the smoke of the
incense ascended up before the Lord,
out of the angel's hand. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I sing
praise unto Thee ; I will worship
toward Thine holy Temple, and praise
Thy Name, O Lord.
Answer. And the smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord,
out of the Angel's hand. {P. T.
Alleluia. )
Sixth Lesson.
'X'HE Cherubim are said to repre-
sent the fulness of knowledge,
and it is for this reason that these
sublime hosts are so called, because
the nearer they gaze upon the glory of
God so much the more perfect is the
knowledge with which they are filled. ^
The word Seraphim is the title
given to those hosts of holy spirits,
who, on account of their peculiar near-
ness to their Maker, burn with a love
beyond all compare. Their name
signifieth burners or kindlers. Their
fire is their love, and the more pene-
trating is their view of the glory of the
Divine Being so much more intense
is their love thereof wherewith they
glow.
Sixth Responsory.
Before the Angels will I sing praise
unto Thee, and will worship before
Thine holy Temple, and will praise
Thy Name, O Lord. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. For Thy loving -kindness,
and for Thy truth ; for Thou hast
glorified Thine holy Name in us.
Aftswer. And I will praise Thy
Name, O Lord. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7iswer. And I will praise Thy
Name, O Lord. {^P. T, Alleluia.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
In Paschal 'time all three Psahns
are said under one Antiphon, namely
the First.
First Antipho7t. ^ The Lord sent
His Angel, "^ which cut off all the
mighty men of valour, and the leaders
and captains in the camp of the King
of Assyria. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. xcv. O sing unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 148.)
Second A7itiphon. Worship the
Lord, "^ all ye His Angels ! Zion
heard, and was glad.
Ps. xcvi. The Lord reigneth, &c.,
(A 1 49-)
Third Aiitiphon. Bless the Lord,
* all ye His Angels, that excel in
strength, that do His commandments,
to hearken unto the voice of His word.
Ps. cii. Bless the Lord, &c.,
(^p. 160.)
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
(P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. I will worship toward
Thine holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. {^P. T. Alleluia.)
1 Cf. Apoc. viii. 3, 4.
2 St Gregory seems to have accepted the opinion that Chrwb is a variant of spelling for
Qrwb, and therefore means one who draws near. The derivation of the word is now considered
very uncertain, but the traditional belief certainly is that the Cherubim are the representatives
of contemplation, of knowledge as distinguished from love, — that is, of the intellectual as
opposed to the emotional, or the understanding as opposed to the heart, represented by the
Seraphim, whose name is undeniably derived from saraph, to burn.
' 2 Par. Chron. xxxii. 21.
ioi8
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (i. 47.)
A T that time : Jesus saw Nathanael
'^^ coming to Him, and saith of
him : Behold an Israelite indeed, in
whom is no guile. And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] {wth on Ps. xc.)
What are the goings of the holy
Angels ? Surely those goings whereof
the Only-Begotten Son hath told us
when He saith: "Hereafter ye shall
see heaven open, and the Angels of
God ascending and descending upon
the Son of Man." Their goings,
therefore, are by way of ascent and
descent : they ascend for their own
sakes, and they descend, or to speak
more truly, they condescend for our
sakes. Thus do these blessed spirits
ascend' upward by gazing upon God,
and they descend downward by pity
for thee, that they may keep thee in
all thy ways. They ascend upward
to the vision of Him, and they descend
downward at the intimation of His
will ; for "He hath given His Angels
charge over thee, to keep thee in all
thy ways " : but when they so descend
downward they do not thereby lose
the beatific vision of His glory, for
we know that in heaven the Angels
do always behold the face of the
Father. (Matth. xviii. 10.)
Seventh Responsory.
The Angel of the Lord came down
into the furnace, together with Azariah
and his fellows, and smote the flame
of the fire out of the furnace, so that
the fire touched " them not at all,
neither hurt them. {P. T. Alleluia.),
Verse. Blessed be their God, Who
sent His Angel and delivered His
servants that trusted in Him.
Answer. So that the fire touched
them not at all, neither hurt them.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Eighth Lesson.
Al/'HEN they ascend upward to
gaze they search into that
truth wherewith they are sated by
longing, and by satiety are made to
long the more ; when they descend
downward they work mercy upon us
by keeping us in all our ways. For
"are they not all ministering spirits
sent forth to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb.
i. 14.) Surely they are not our lords
but our ministers, and herein they are
even as the Son of Man, who came
not to be ministered unto but to
minister, (Matth. xx. 28,) and Who
was among His disciples as he that
serveth. (Luke xxii. 27.) The fruit
of the goings of the holy Angels is,
as toucheth themselves, their own
blessedness and the conforming obedi-
ence inspired by their love ; but as
toucheth us, we receive through them
the keeping of all our ways under the
care of God's grace, for He hath given
His Angels charge over thee, to keep
thee in all thy needs.
Eighth Responsory .
1 Lord, Thou didst send Thine
Angel in the time of Hezekiah, King
of Juda, and didst slay in the host
of Sennacherib an hundred fourscore
and five thousand ; wherefore now
also, O Lord of heaven, send Thy
good Angel before us, for a fear and
dread of the might of Thine arm.
(^P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. That those be stricken with
1 2 Mac. XV. 22-24.
ALL HOLY ANGELS.
IOI9
terror that come with blasphemy
against Thine holy people.
Answer. Wherefore now also, O
Lord of heaven, send Thy good Angel
before us, for a fear and dread of the
might of Thine arm. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Wherefore now also, O
Lord of heaven, send Thy good Angel
before us for a fear and dread of the
might of Thine arm. {P. T. Alleluia.)
If the Ninth Lesson is 7iot of the
Homily of a Week-day or that of
a Simple^ it is as follows.
T N the meantime God hath given
His Angels charge over thee,
not to take thee out of thy ways, but
to keep thee in thy ways, and so by
their ways to make thy ways His
ways ; for, if thou wouldst know how,
He would have thee also descend and
condescend, thine own needs com-
pelling and admonishing thee to that
which the Angel doth from the purer
motive of love, to condescend by show-
ing pity toward thy neighbour, and
.again to ascend along with the Angels
iDy lifting up thy desires and striving
with all thine heart's longing after
the supreme and eternal truth. Thus
are we exhorted to lift up hearts and
hands together ; thus do we hear it
said every day, " Lift up your hearts " ;
thus are we rebuked for our slothful-
mess ; and thus is it said unto us : " O
ye sons of men, how long will ye be
■dull of heart ? why will ye love vanity
and seek after leasing?" (Ps. iv. 3.)
For when the heart is unburdened and
light, it is easier for it to rise to seek
and love the truth.
The Hym?t^ "We praise Thee, O
'God," is said.
LAUDS.
First Ajitiphon. O ye Angels of
the Lord, ^ bless ye the Lord alway.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Second A7itiphoit. God hath given
His Angels charge over thee, "^ to keep
thee in all thy ways. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Ajitiphon. In heaven their
Angels do alway behold the face of
My Father * which is in heaven.
(P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth A7itipho7t. Praise ye God
* all His Angels, — praise ye Him all
His hosts! {P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Antiphon. O ye Angels and
Archangels, * O ye Thrones and
Dominions, O ye Principalities and
Powers, O ye Mighty Ones of
heaven, praise ye the Lord from
the heavens! (P. T. Alleluia.)
Chapter. (Exod. xxiii. 20.)
"D EH OLD I send Mine Angel before
thee, to keep thee in the way,
and to bring thee into the place which
I have prepared. Beware of him,
and obey his voice.
Hyjn7i.'^
pHRIST! of the holy Angels light and
gladness,
Maker and Saviour of the human race,
O may we reach the world unknown to sad-
ness,
The blessed mansions where they see Thy
Face !
Angel of peace, may Michael to our dwelling
Down from high Heaven in mighty calm-
ness come,
Breathing serenest peace, wild war dispelling
With all her sorrows to the infernal gloom.
Angel of might, may Gabriel swift descending.
Far from our gates our ancient foes repel,
And his own triumphs o'er the world defend-
ing,
In temples dear to Heaven return and
dwell.
^ Translation by the Rev. W. J. Copeland.
I020
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Angel of health, may Raphael lighten o'er us,
To every sick-bed speed his healing flight,
In times of doubt direct the way before us,
And through life's mazes guide our steps
aright.
The Virgin, harbinger of peace supernal,
Mother of Light, with all the Angelic train,
Heaven's glittering host, court of the King
Eternal,
All Saints be with us, till that bliss we
gain.
Be this by Thy thrice holy Godhead granted,
Father, and Son, and Spirit ever blest ;
Whose glory by the Angel host is chanted,
Whose Name by all the universe confest.
Amen,
Verse. Before the Angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. I will worship toward
Thine holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
1 The Angel that talked with me came
again, and waked me as a man that
is wakened out of his sleep. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
O
Prayer throughout.
GOD, Who hast ordained and
constituted the services of
angels and men in a wonderful order,
mercifully grant that as Thine holy
angels alway do Thee service in
heaven, so, by Thine appointment,
they may suffer and defend us on
earth. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. O ye Angels of the
Lord, &c., {First Aiitiphoii at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end. (Apoc. xii. 7.)
T^HERE was a great war in heaven,
Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon, and the dragon
fought and his angels : and prevailed
not ; neither was their place found
any more in heaven.
TERCE.
Ajitiphon. God hath given, &c.,
{Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
An Angel stood at the Altar of the
Temple. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Having a golden censer in
his hand.
Answer. At the Altar of the Temple.
{Except in P. T. when it is Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A?tswer. An Angel stood at the
Altar of the Temple. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. And the smoke of the in-
cense ascended up before the Lord —
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Out of the Angel's hand.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
SEXT.
Antiphon. In heaven, &c., {Third
Antiphoii at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Apoc. v. 11.)
T HEARD the voice of many Angels
round about the throne, and the
living creatures, and the elders ; and
1 Zac, iv. I.
ALL THE HOLY APOSTLES.
I02I
the number of them was thousands of
thousands, saying with a loud voice :
Salvation unto our God.
Short Responsory.
The smoke of the incense ascended
up before the Lord. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
A7iswer. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord. {P. T.
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Out of the Angel's hand.
Answer. Before the Lord. {Ex-
cept 171 P. T. when it is Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The smoke of the incense
ascended up before the Lord. {P. T.
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Before the angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ajtswer. I will worship toward
Thine holy Temple, and praise Thy
Name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
NONE.
O ye angels and arch-
{Fifth Antiphon at
Antipho7t
angels, &c
Lauds. )
Chapter as at the e7id of Pri7ne
Short Respo7isory.
Before the angels will I sing praise
unto Thee, O my God. {P. T. Alle-
luia, Alleluia.)
Answer. Before the angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. I will worship toward Thine
holy Temple, and praise Thy Name.
Answer. O my God. {Except i7i
P. T. whe7i it is Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Before the angels will I
sing praise unto Thee, O my God.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Worship God. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
A7tswer. All ye his angels. {P. T,
Alleluia.)
SECOND VESPERS.
A7itipho7is., Chapter., Verse a7id A7i'
swer, and Prayer from Lauds.
Psal77is of Su7iday., except the last.,
which is Ps. cxxxvii., I will praise
Thee, &c., {p. 197.)
Hy77t7i from Mattins.
A7itipho7i at the So7tg of the Blessed
Virgi7i. Holy Angels who stand ever
before God in heaven, shield us in
the battle, that we perish not in the
awful judgment. {P. T. Alleluia.)
©ffice ixi 5lonour of all
tlje ilolg Apostles, for
Semi-double.
The Office is the Co7nmo7t Office for
Apostles., {p. 528,) except in Paschal-
ti7?ie, when it is as in the Co77imo7i
Office for that seaso7i {p. 514,), with
the followi7tg differe7ices.
The Co77i7no7t Co77i7)ie7noratio7i of
SS. Peter a7id Paid is 07iiitted.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst will that Thy
^^ blessed Apostles should be the
means whereby Thou hast brought us
to know Thy Name, grant unto us
1022
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
the grace to celebrate unto our profit
their everlasting glory. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Lessons of the First Nocturn are
from Scripture according to the Season^
but if the day have no Scripture
Lessons, the?t they are from i Cor. iv.
I , as in the Common Office, {p. 531.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
(43^^ o?i the Saints.)
nPHEY are the light of the \vorld,
because they were the means
whereby the Lord was first pleased
to give unto this world the light of
faith and true knowledge, and to
deliver the nations and peoples from
the darkness of ignorance and sin.
They are the salt of the earth, for
they were the means whereby they
that dwell upon the earth have
tasted the savour of life eternal,
that they might be preserved from
the looseness of the flesh and the
corruption of sin and weakness.
They are they of whom John saith
in his revelation (xxi. 14, 19) that
the wall of the heavenly city had
twelve foundations, garnished with
all manner of precious stones, and
in them the names of the twelve
Apostles of the Lamb, for their
preaching was the mean whereby
God was pleased to lay the found-
ations of the Church, whence also
Paul saith (Eph. ii. 19): "Ye are
no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow - citizens with the Saints,
and of the household of God, and
are built upon the foundation of
the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus
Christ Himself being the chief
corner-stone."
Fifth Lesson.
"1"^ EARLY beloved brethren, when
we call these things to mind,
let us strive to put in practice what
these great leaders have taught and
commanded us. Let us learn by
their example to esteem lightly the
riches of the world, to love not the
pleasures of this life, to desire the
kingdom of heaven, to put Christ
before all things, and to obey His
commandments in all things, to love
the poverty of things present, to
pile up riches by grace, to choose
the treasure of wisdom, to seek
the gladness of the spirit, to envy
no man, but to love all men,
even our friends in God, and our
enemies for God, for this only is
love in truth.
Sixth Lesson.
T^HEY therefore are our princes,
princes made most perfect in
love for God, and filled with love for
their neighbour. Whence they were
able to overcome the onset of the
world and to conquer that bloody age,
because they loved nothing in any
thing except the will of God. Even
so, brethren, let us love to do the will
of God in all things, to love our
Maker in Himself, and the things
which He has made for their Maker's
sake, and so shall our love be well
ordered. " For God is love " (i John
iv. 8,) and he that loveth with this
love loveth God ; and if we thus love,
God Himself loveth us, and the Holy
Apostles that are to judge us love us,
and pray for us, that at Christ's gen-
eral judgment we may be crowned
along with them for ever.
ALL THE HOLY APOSTLES.
1023
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matth. (xix.
27.)
A T that time : Peter said unto
"^ Jesus : Behold, we have for-
saken all and followed Thee ; what
shall we have, therefore ? And so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop [of
Poitiers.] (^Coi7iine7it. on Matth. xx.)
It is written that Peter answered
and said unto the Lord, " Behold,
we have " forsaken all and followed
Thee ; what shall we have, there-
fore ? and Jesus said unto them :
Amen, I say unto you, that ye
which have followed Me, in the
regeneration when the Son of Man
shall sit in the throne of His glory,
ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones
ludging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or child-
ren, or land for My Name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and
shall inherit everlasting life ; but many
that are first shall be last, and the
last shall be first." There are many
reasons which forbid us to place upon
these words of the Gospel a literal
interpretation.
Eighth Lessoji.
"Vl/'E are admonished by the intro-
duction of some things which,
according to human sense, are self-
contradictory, to seek for an heavenly
sense. The Apostles say that they
have forsaken all things, and yet that,
so far from forsaking Christ, they
have actually followed Him. Christ
had said (i. iv. ): "It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God," and "When
His disciples heard it they were ex-
ceedingly amazed, saying. Who then
can be saved?" Why should they
be exceedingly amazed ? saying, " Who
then can be saved," seeing that they
themselves had forsaken all things ;
and what they had done, others could
do. It is written also, " But jESUS
beheld them, and said unto them :
With men this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible." How
can it be said that with men this is
impossible, when it was the very
thing which the Apostles themselves
boasted of having done, and which
the Lord Himself acknowledged that
they had done ?
Ni?ith Lesso?t.
A LL this discourse is to be in-
'^^ terpreted spiritually. What is
more possible with God than to
save by faith, to regenerate by
water, to conquer by the cross, to
make children of adoption by the
Gospel, to quicken the dead by resur-
rection ? When the Apostles heard
these things they believed them forth-
with, and they profess that they
have left all things, and this their
obedience the Lord doth forthwith
reward, while He solveth all the diffi-
culty of the question above by say-
ing, "Ye which have followed Me,
in the regeneration when the Son
of Man shall sit in the throne of
His glory, ye also shall sit upon
twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel." This is that re-
generation which the Apostles have
obtained, which the law could not
give, and which, by seating them
upon twelve thrones to judge the
twelve tribes of Israel, has made
them sharers in the glory of the
twelve patriarchs.
1024
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
©fflice in f^onour of St SosepJj,
Spouse of tlje iSlessetr Ftr^:
gin JSarg, anD ^Patron of
tlje Catl)olic ffifjurc!}.
Semi-double.
All from the Common Office for a
Feast of a Coiifessor not a Bishop^
except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
A7ttiphons, Chapter, and Prayer
from Lauds.
Hymn}-
JOSEPH ! to thee by hosts on high
And choirs of Christians, laud be
paid ! —
Saintly of life, — by purest tie
Joined unto her, the glorious Maid.
When thou didst doubt thy wife's repute,
And mark her great with Sacred Load,
The angel taught thee that her Fruit
Came from the Holy Ghost of God.
To clasp the Son, thy Lord, was thine, —
To share His flight to Egypt's shore, —
With tears, to seek in Salem's Shrine
Him lost, — with joy, to find once more.
Death brings to other saints their rest ;
Through toil they win the victor's place ; —
Thou happier, like the angels blest,
Alive, hast seen God Face to face.
Spare us, O Trinity Most High !
Grant that, with Joseph, we may gain
Thy starry realm, and ceaselessly
There raise to Thee our thankful strain.
Amen.
Verse. ^ He made him lord of His
house. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And ruler of all His
substance. {P. T. Alleluia.)
A7itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ When as Mary, the Mother
of Jesus, was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
The Comiiton Commemoration of St
Joseph is omitted.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. In worshipful remem-
brance of our blessed Defender Joseph,
* let us praise our God. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Hymn as at First Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Joseph went up
from Galilee, "^ out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem,
to be enrolled with Mary.
Seco7id Antiphon. The shepherds
came with haste, "^ and found Mary
and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a
manger.
Third Antipho7i. Behold, the Angel
of the Lord appeared to Joseph * in
a dream, saying : Arise, and take the
young Child and His Mother, and flee
into Egypt.
Verse. ^ I will give praise unto Thy
Name— {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. For Thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender. (/*. T. Alleluia.)
The Lessons are takeii from Scrip-
ture accordi?ig to the Season; but if
the day have 7io?ie such., the?! the fol-
lowing are read.
First Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Genesis (xxxix. i.)
1 Hymn of the sixteenth century ; translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
2 Ps. civ. 21. ■ ■ 3 Matth. i. i8. 4 Ecclus. li. i, 2.
ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO25
00 Joseph was brought down to
Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer
of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an
Egyptian, bought him of the hands of
the Ishmaehtes, which had brought
him down thither. And the Lord
was with him, and he was a pros-
perous man ; and he was in the house
of his master ; and [his master] knew
well that the LORD was with him,
and made all that he did to prosper
in his hand. And Joseph found
grace in his master's sight, and he
served him ; and he made him
overseer over his house, and all that
he had he put into his hand. And
the Lord blessed the Egyptian's
house for Joseph's sake, and made
all his substance to increase, in
the house, and in the field, [and
he left all that he had in Joseph's
hand,] and he knew not aught he
had, save the bread which he did
eat. And Joseph was a goodly per-
son, and well-favoured.
First Responsory.
^ The people cried to Pharaoh 2 for
bread : and he answered them : Go
unto Joseph, {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ The saving of our lives is
in thy hand ; only let us find grace
in thy sight, and we will gladly be
Pharaoh's servants.
Answer. And he answered them :
■Go unto Joseph. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Second Lessoft. (xli. 37.)
T^HE thing was good in the eyes
of Pharaoh, and in the eyes
of all his servants, and he said
unto them : Can we find such an
one as this is, a man in whom the
Spirit of God is ? Unto Joseph
therefore he said : Forasmuch as
God hath showed thee all this
which thou hast spoken, how shall
I find any man more discreet and
wise than thou art ? Thou shalt be
over my house, and according to
thy word shall all my people be
ruled : only in the throne will I
be greater than thou. And Pharaoh
said moreover unto Joseph : See,
I have set thee over all the land
of Egypt. And he took off his ring
from his hand, and put it upon his
hand ; and arrayed him in a vesture
of fine linen, and put a gold chain
about his neck, and he made him
to ride in the second chariot which
he had, and an herald cried out
that all men should bow the knee
before him, and should know that
he had been made ruler over all
the land of Egypt.
Seco7id Respo7isory.
* God hath made me as a father to
Pharaoh, and lord of all his house.
He hath made me great, to save much
people alive. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ Come unto me, and I will
give you all the good of the land of
Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the
land.
Answer. He hath made me great,
to save much people alive. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Third Lessoji.
A ND Pharaoh said moreover unto
'^^ Joseph : I am Pharaoh : with-
out thee shall no man lift up his hand
or foot in all the land of Egypt. And
he changed his name, and called him
in the Egyptian tongue, " Saviour-of-
1 Gen. xli. 55.
2 Rex, " the king," according to Gesenius, a simple translation of the Egyptian word ; but
the translator has thought it best to give the foreign word, as it stands in the Hebrew and in
the Vulgate.
3 Gen. xlvii. 25. ■* Gen. xW. 8 ; 1. 20. ^ Gen. xlv. 18.
1026
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
the-world." i And he gave him to
wife Asenath daughter of Potiphar,
Priest of Heliopolis. So Joseph went
out into the land of Egypt, (he was
thirty years old when he stood before
King Pharaoh) and went throughout
all the land of Egypt. And the plen-
teousness of the seven years came to
pass, and the corn was gathered by
handfuls, and laid up in the granaries
of Egypt. The fruit of the field which
was round about every city was laid
up in the same. And so plentiful
was the wheat that it was like unto
the sand of the sea, and exceeded all
reckoning.
Third Responsory .
2 Now shall I die happy, since I
have seen thy face, and do leave thee
behind me. I am not disappointed of
seeing thee. The Lord hath showed
me also thy seed. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ He That hath fed me
from my youth up, bless the lads, and
let my name be named on them.
Answer. The Lord hath showed
me also thy seed. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The Lord hath showed
me also thy seed. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
First A?itiphon. Joseph arose, and
took the young Child and His Mother
by night, and departed into Egypt ;
and was there until the death of
Herod.
Second Antiphoit. When Herod
was dead, an Angel of the Lord
appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt, saying : Arise, and take the
young Child and His Mother, and
1 Tsaphnath Phandach. LXX. Psonthomphan^ch. Egyptian scholars interpret it as above,
recognising in it a corruption of the Egyptian P-sot-m-ph-enech, but the Jews had an inter
pretation of their own from the Hebrew form — i.e., " Revealer-of-a-secret " (so Gesenius).
2 Cf. Gen. xlvi. 30; xlviii. 11. s Gen. xlviii. 15, 16.
* Ps. Ixxix. 15, 16. - 5 Ps. xvii. 36, 3.
go into the land of Israel : for they
are dead which sought the young
Child's life.
Third Antiphon. Joseph took the
young Child and His Mother, and
came into the land of Israel.
Verse. * Look down from heaven,
and behold, and visit this vine —
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And protect that [Thy
right hand hath planted.] {P. T
Alleluia.)
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
{ind upon Luke \. 26.)
ly/TARY was espoused to Joseph, or,
as it would be better to express
it in the very words of the Evangelist,
to a man whose name was Joseph.
He calleth him a man not because
he was a husband, but by a title
of excellency ; or rather because, as
another Evangelist hath it, he was
not simply a man, but was rightly
called her husband, as he was neces-
sarily supposed so to be. He was
thus called her husband because he
must needs have been so supposed to
be, as also he was deemed meet not
in deed to be, but to be called, the
father of the Saviour, since he was
supposed so to be, as saith this same
Evangelist: "And jESUS Himself be-
gan to be about thirty years of age,
being (as was supposed) the son of
Joseph."
Fourth Responsory.
^ Thou hast given me the shield of
Thy salvation, and Thy right hand
hath holden me up. My buckler,
and the horn of my salvation, and
my refuge. {P. T. Alleluia.)
ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 102/
Verse, i I am thy shield and thy
exceeding great reward.
A7iswer. My buckler, and the
horn of my salvation, and my re-
fuge. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifik Lesson.
\^E cannot doubt but that a good
and faithful man was Joseph,
unto whom was espoused the Mother
of the Saviour. He was a faithful
and wise servant whom the Lord
set up for the comfort of His own
Mother, the fosterage of His own
flesh, and then a faithful helper
Whom His own great counsel formed
upon earth. In addition thereto it
is said that he was of the house of
David. He was indeed of the house
of David. This man Joseph was
indeed of kingly race, noble by birth,
but nobler in heart, he was indeed
a son of David, and no unworthy
descendant of David his father. He
was indeed a son of David, not in
the flesh only, but by loyalty and
holiness and earnestness. One of
whom the Lord might have given
testimony, and said, " I have found
David the son of Jesse a man after
mine own heart, which shall fulfil all
My will" (Acts xiii. 22.) A man
who could say, like David, " The
hidden secrets of Thy wisdom Thou
hast made manifest unto me" (Ps.
1. 7.) A man who was made "a
minister according to the dispensa-
tion of God ... to fulfil the word
of God, even the mystery which hath
been hid for ages and for genera-
tions, but now is made manifest to
His saints" (Col, i. 26.)
Fifth Responsory.
2 He shall set his children under
her 2 shelter, and shall lodge under
her branches : by her shall he be
covered from heat, and in her glory
shall he dwell. i^P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ Trust in Him,^ ye con-
gregation of the people, pour out
your heart before Him.
Answer. And in her glory shall
he dwell. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Sixth Lesson.
T T NTO Joseph it was given not
only to see and to hear that
which many prophets and kings had
desired to see and had not seen,
and to hear and had not heard, (Luke
X. 24,) but even to carry this, to lead
it, to embrace it, to kiss it, to feed it,
and to keep it. We must, however,
believe that Mary as well as Joseph
was of the house and lineage of
David, since if she had not so been
she would not have been espoused to
one who was so. Both, therefore,
were of the house of David, but in
her was fulfilled that which the Lord
had sworn in truth unto David,
(Ps. cxxxi. II,) saying, "Of the fruit
of thy body will I set upon My
throne," while Joseph stood by the
conscious witness of the fulfilment
of the promise.
Sixth Responsory.
^Though an host should encamp
against me, my heart shall not fear.
Though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident. {P. T.
Alleluia. )
Verse. '^ My praise shall be con-
tinually of Thee, for Thou art my
strong refuge.
Answer. Though war should rise
against me, in this will I be con-
fident. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
1 Gen. XV. i. 2 Ecclus. xiv. 26, 27.
5 I.e., in God — see context.
3 I.e., Wisdom's.
6 Ps. xxvi. 3.
4 Ps. Ixi. 9.
7 Ps. Ixx. 6, 7.
1028
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Though war should rise
against me, in this will I be con-
fident. {P. T. Alleluia.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Aiitiphon. When Joseph
heard that Archelaus did reign in
Judea in the room of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go thither.
Second Antiphon. Joseph being
warned of God in a dream turned
aside into the parts of Galilee, and
he came and dwelt in a city called
Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets :
He shall be called a Nazarene.
Third Antipho7i. The Father and
Mother of jESUS marvelled at those
things which were spoken of Him,
and Simeon blessed them.
Verse. ^ I called upon the Lord,
the Father of my Lord — (P. T.
Alleluia.)
Answer. That He would not leave
me in the days of my trouble. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
"^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized and
praying, the heaven was opened.
And so on.
Homily by St Augustine, Bishop
[of Hippo.] {^Against Faustus^ xxiii.
7,8.)
From heaven, over the Jordan,
"The Holy Ghost descended in a
bodily shape like a dove upon Him,
and a voice came from heaven which
said, Thou art My beloved Son, in
Thee I am well pleased." Thus also
upon the high mountain, "Behold a
bright cloud overshadowed Him, and
behold a voice out of the cloud which
said. This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased ; hear ye
Him" (Matth. xvii. 5.) And He
over Whom these voices sounded
from heaven was the Son of God
before ever they were uttered, for
He was He "Who albeit in the
womb of the Virgin He took upon
Him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men,"
was the same "Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God" (Phil. ii. 7, 6.)
Whence also the same Apostle Paul
saith plainly in another place, (Gal.
iv. 4, 5,) that, "When the fulness
of the time was come, God sent forth
His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, to redeem them that
were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons." He
is the Son of God who is the
Lord of David, as touching His
Godhead, and is yet as touching
His flesh the Son of David begotten
of David's seed.
Seventh Responsory,
2 Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife ;
for That Which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Ghost : and she shall
bring forth a Son ; and thou shalt call
His Name jESUS. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. For He shall save His
people from their sins.
Answer. And thou shalt call His
Name Jesus. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Eighth Lesson.
lUr AD it been useless for us to be-
lieve this, the aforenamed
Apostle would not have been so
1 Ecclus. li. 14.
2 Matth. i. 20, 21.
ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO29
careful to remind Timothy to (2 Tim.
ii. 8) "remember that Jesus Christ
of the seed of David was raised from
the dead according to my gospel."
The question now ariseth before the
reader of the Holy Gospel, where-
fore since he doth us to wit that
Christ was born of the Virgin without
any coition with Joseph, this Christ
is, nevertheless, called the Son of
David, although the pedigree for
David given by the Evangelist
Matthew is not that of Mary but
that of Joseph. The first reason is
that in order of sex the husband is
named before the wife, and that he
is not the less called husband because
he knew her not, since this same
Matthew when he saith (i. 20) that
That Which was conceived in her was
of the Holy Ghost, expressly giveth
to Joseph (19) the title of "her
husband."
Eighth Responsory.
1 Arise, and take the young Child,
and His Mother, and flee into Egypt ;
and be thou there until I bring thee
word. \P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by
the Prophets, saying : Out of Egypt
have I called my Son.
Answer. And be thou there until
I bring thee word. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. And be thou there until
I bring thee word. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ninth Lesson.
nPHIS one and the same Matthew
therefore saith that Joseph was
the husband of Mary, that the Mother
of Christ was a virgin, that Christ
was of the seed of David, and that
Joseph was in the pedigree of Christ
from David. The only conclusion is
that Mary herself was of the lineage
of David, and that she was called
the wife of Joseph in order of enum-
eration of sex, and on account of
their union of soul, and that Joseph
is included in the pedigree as her hus-
band, lest it might otherwise seem as
if he were parted from a wife to whom
he was bound by oneness of heart.
The Hy 77171., "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First A7itipho7i. 2 And Jacob begat
Joseph, * the husband of Mary, of
whom was born Jesus, Who is called
Christ. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Seco7id A7itipho7i. ^ The Angel
Gabriel "^ was sent from God, unto
a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a Virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Third A7itipho7i. ^And Joseph also
went up ^ from Galilee, out of the
city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto
the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth A7itipho7i. ^ And they came
with haste, "^ and found Mary and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a
manger. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Antiphon. ^ And Jesus Him-
self began to be about thirty years of
age, being (as was supposed) the Son
of Joseph. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Chapter. (Gen. xlix. 26.)
T^HE blessings of thy father have
been strengthened by the bless-
ings of his progenitors, until the
Desire of the everlasting hills come ;
1 Matth. ii. 13,
■* Luke ii. 4.
VOL. n.
2 Matth, i. i6,
5 Luke ii. 16.
3 Luke i. 26, 27.
6 Luke iii. 23.
2 M
1030
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
let them be on the head of Joseph,
and on the crown of him that was a
Nazarite ^ from his brethren.
Hy^nn!^
JOY of the Saints ! who didst uphold
Our life's sure Hope, the world's one
Stay,—
Joseph ! as now thy praise is told.
Hearken to us in love to-day.
The great Creator made it thine
To be the spouse of purest Maid,
And father of the Word Divine
In name — salvation's work to aid.
Thou seest with joy in manger lie
The Saviour sung by seers of yore,
And Him, the Son of God Most High,
In lowliness thou didst adore.
The King of kings, the Lord of all,
The God Whom heaven in awe attends.
Whose nod makes trembling demons fall,
To thee in meek submission bends.
To God Most High, the Three in One,
Be praise, Who gave such grace to thee,
He make us win what thou hast won.
The joys of life eternally. Amen.
Verse. ^ Thou hast given me the
shield of Thy salvation. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Answer. And Thy right hand hath
holden me up. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
* Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for
That Which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer throughout the Office.
/^ GOD, Who in Thine unspeak-
^-^^ able foreknowledge didst choose
Thy blessed servant Joseph to be the
husband of Thine Own most holy
Mother ; mercifully grant that now
that he is in heaven with Thee, we
who on earth do reverence him for
our defender, may worthily be holpen
by the succour of his prayers to
Thee on our behalf; Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
The Common Commemoration of St
Joseph is omitted.
PRIME.
Antipho7i. And Jacob, &c., {First
Antipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end. (Gen. xlix. 22.)
JOSEPH is a fruitful bough, a
fruitful bough and comely to look
upon, whose branches run over the
wall.
TERCE.
Antipho7i. The Angel Gabriel, &c.,
{Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory .
He made him lord of His house.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
A7iswer. He made him lord of
His house. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. And ruler of all His sub-
stance.
A7iswer. Lord of His house.
{Except i7t Paschal-time.^ 'whe7i it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7iswer. He made him lord of
His house. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. I will give praise unto Thy
Name— {P. T. Alleluia.)
A7iswer. For Thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender. {P. 7". Alleluia.)
1 "Separate," i.e., as sold away from them. Perhaps allusion is also made to the previous
estrangement.
2 Hymn of the sixteenth century or later; translation by the Rev. Dr Littledale.
5 Ps. xvii. 36, 4 Matth. i. 20.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
IO31
SEXT.
Antiphon. And Joseph also, &c.,
( Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Gen. xlix. 25.)
nPHE God of thy father shall
help thee, and the Almighty
shall bless thee with blessings of
heaven above.
Short Responsory.
I will give praise unto Thy Name.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. I will give praise unto
Thy Name. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. For thou hast been mine
Helper and Defender.
Answer. Praise unto Thy Name.
{^Except in Paschal-time^ wheit it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. I will give praise unto
Thy Name. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. The righteous shall grow as
the lily. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
NONE.
Antiphon. And Jesus Himself,
&c., {Fifth Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Respo7tsory.
The righteous shall grow as the
lily. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. The righteous shall grow
as the lily. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Yea, he shall flourish for
ever in the presence of the Lord.
Answer. As the lily. {Except in
Paschal - time., when it is Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The righteous shall grow
as the lily. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. 1 Planted in the house of
the Lord. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. In the courts of the house
of our God. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at First Vespers., except the
following :
Verse. ^ I sat under His shadow in
Whom I delighted. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And His fruit was sweet
to my taste. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antipho77 at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ Son, why hast Thou thus
dealt with us ? Behold, Thy father
and- I have sought Thee sorrowing.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
©ffiice in ?gonour of tlje JHost
5gol2 Sacrament of t^e aitar,
for Eijurstiass.
Semi-double.
All as 071 Sundays except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST VESPERS.
Chapter a7id Prayer fro7n Lauds.
First A7itiphon. * Christ the Lord,
being made an High Priest for ever *
after the order of Melchisedec, hath
offered bread and wine. .{P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Second A7itipho7i. He hath made
His wonderful works to be re-
membered ; "^ the Lord is [gracious
and] full of compassion. He hath
given meat unto them that fear Him.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
1 Ps. xci. 14.
2 Cant. ii. 3.
3 Luke ii. 48.
4 Heb. vi. 20 ; Gen. xiv. li
I032
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Third Antiphon. I will take the
cup of salvation, * and offer the
sacrifice of thanksgiving. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Ps. cxv. I believed, therefore have
I spoken, &c., (/. 185.)
Fourth Antiphon. Let the child-
ren of the Church be like olive-plants
■^ round about the table of the Lord.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. cxxvii. Blessed is every one,
&c., {p>. 191.)
Fifth Antipho7i. The Lord, That
maketh peace in the borders of the
Church, * filleth her with the finest
of the wheat. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. cxlvii. Praise the LORD, O
Jerusalem, &c., {p. 203.)
Hyinn?-
r\^ the glorious Body telling,
O my tongue, Its mystery sing ;
And the Blood, all price excelhng,
Which for this world's ransoming
In a noble womb once dwelling
He shed forth, the Gentiles' King.
Given for us, for us descending
Of a Virgin to proceed,
Man with man in converse blending
Scattered He the Gospel seed :
Till His sojourn drew to ending
Which He closed in wondrous deed.
At the Last Great Supper seated,
Circled by His brethren's band,
All the Law required, completed,
In the Feast its statutes planned,
To the twelve Himself He meted
For their Food, with His own Hand.
Word made Flesh, by word He maketh
Very bread His Flesh to be ;
Man for wine Christ's Blood partaketh ;
And if senses fail to see,
Faith alone the true heart waketh
To behold the Mystery.
Therefore, we, before It bending,
This great Sacrament adore :
Types and shadows have their ending
In the new rite evermore :
Faith, our outward sense amending,
Maketh good defects before.
Honour, laud, and praise addressing
To the Father and the Son,
Might ascribe we, virtue, blessing.
And eternal benison :
Holy Ghost, from Both progressing.
Equal laud to Thee be done. Amen.
Verse. ^ Thou didst send them
from heaven — {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Bread able to content
every man's delight. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ O Lord, how kindly is Thy
Spirit ! ^ even Thine, Whose sus-
tenance declared Thy sweetness unto
Thy children when Thou didst send
them from heaven bread tempering
itself to every man's liking, O Thou,
Who hast filled the hungry with good
things, and the rich, that are proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
Thou hast sent empty away. (P. T.
Alleluia. )
At Compline and every other Office
the last verse of the Hymji is altered
in honour of the Bicarnation^ except-
ing only the three Hy77ins proper to
the Feast.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. O come, and let us
worship Christ,
Of all the nations Lord, *
Who doth, to them that feed on
Him,
The Bread of Life afford.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
1 Hymn by St Thomas Aquinas ; translation by the late Dr Neale, (two words altered,
^' noble" for "generous," as a translation ' of " generosi " in the ist, and "for" for "in"
an the 4th.)
^ Wisd. xvi. 20. " 3 Wisd. xii. i ; xvi. 21.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
1033
Hymn. ^
T ET old things pass away ;
Let all be fresh and bright ;
And welcome we with hearts renewed
This Feast of new delight.
Upon this hallowed eve,
Christ with His brethren ate,
Obedient to the olden Law,
The Pasch before Him set.
Which done, — Himself entire,
The True Incarnate God,
Alike on each, alike on all.
His sacred Hands bestowed.
He gave His Flesh ; He gave
His Precious Blood ; and said :
"Receive and drink ye all of This
For your salvation shed."
Thus did the Lord appoint
This Sacrifice sublime,
And made His Priests the ministers
Through all the bounds of time.
Farewell to types ! henceforth
We feed on Angels' Food ;
The slave — O, wonder ! — eats the Flesh
Of his Incarnate God !
O Blessed Three in One !
Visit our hearts, we pray.
And lead us on through Thine own paths
To Thy eternal day. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
I71 Paschal-time o?ily 07ie Antiphon.,
namely the First ^ is said at each
Nocturn.
First Antiphojt. The Lord brought
forth His fruit in the season of His
death, "^ even that fruit whereof if
any man eat, he shall live for ever.^
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. i. Blessed is the man, &c.,
(J>- 4.)
Second Antiphon. His faithful ones
which are increased by the fruit of
His corn and His wine "^ do lay them
down in peace and sleep in Christ.
Ps. iv. When I called, &c., {j>. 206.)
Third Antiphon. ^ Us, being many,
hath the Lord made one body, "^ for
we are all partakers of that one cup,
which is not the communion of the
blood of bulls, but of God Himself
Ps. XV. Preserve me, O Lord, &c.,
{p. 12.)
Verse. * He gave them of the bread
of heaven — {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Man did eat Angels'
bread. {P. T. Alleluia.)
The Lessons are taken from. Scrip-
ture accordijig to the Season., but 'whe7t
there are none such the following are
used.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the First
Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Paul
to the Corinthians (xi. 20.)
A^^HEN ye come together, there-
fore, into one place, this is not
to eat the Lord's Supper. For every
one taketh before his own supper to
eat, and one is hungry, and another
is drunken. What ! have ye not
houses to eat and to drink in ?
or despise ye the Church of God,
and shame them that have not ?
What shall I say to you ? Do I
praise you ? In this I praise you
not.
First Resp07isory,
5 The whole assembly of the child-
ren of Israel shall kill the lamb
toward the evening of the Passover.
And they shall eat the flesh, and un-
leavened bread. {P. T. Alleluia.)
1 Hymn by St Thomas Aquinas ; translation by the Rev. E. Caswall. 2 John vi. 51.
3 I Cor. X. 17 ; Heb. ix. 13, 14. ^ ps. Ixxvii. 24, 25. ^ Exod. xii, 6,
1034
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Verse. ^ Even Christ our Passover
is sacrificed for us ; therefore let us
keep the feast with the unleavened
bread of sincerity and truth.
A?ts'wer. And they shall eat the
flesh, and unleavened bread. {P. T,
Alleluia.)
Second Lesson.
■pOR I have received of the Lord
that which also I delivered unto
you, That the Lord Jesus, the same
night in which He was betrayed, took
bread ; and, when He had given
thanks, He brake it, and said : Take,
eat : This is My Body, Which shall
be given for you ; this do in remem-
brance of Me. After the same
manner also He took the cup, when
He had supped, saying : This Cup
is the New Testament in My Blood.
This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of Me. For as often as
ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup,
ye do show the Lord's death till He
come.
Second Responsory.
2 Ye shall eat flesh, and shall be
filled with bread. "^ This is the bread
which the LORD hath given you to
eat. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ Moses gave you not that
Bread from heaven, but My Father
giveth you the true Bread from
heaven.
Answer. This is the bread which
the Lord hath given you to eat.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Lesson.
VyHEREFORE, whosoever shall
eat this Bread, or drink the
Cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the Body and Blood of the
Lord. But let a man examine himr
self, and so let him eat of that
Bread, and drink of that Cup. For
he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to
himself, not discerning the Lord's
Body. For this cause many are weak
and sickly among you, and many
sleep. For if we would judge our-
selves, we should not be judged. But
when we are judged, we are chastened
of the Lord, that we should not be
condemned with the world.
Third Responsory.
^ Elijah looked, and, behold, there
was a cake baken on the coals at his
head, and he arose, and did eat and
drink ; and went in the strength of
that meat [forty days and forty nights]
unto the mount of God. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Verse. ^ If any man eat of this
Bread, he shall live for ever.
Answer. And went in the strength
of that meat [forty days and forty
nights] unto the mount of God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And went in the strength
of that meat [forty days and forty
nights] unto the mount of God.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The Lord re-
member our offering, * and accept
our burnt-sacrifice. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. xix. The Lord hear thee, &c.,
ij), 1 8.)
Second A7itipho7i. The Lord pre-
pareth His Table before us "^ in the
presence of our enemies.
Ps. xxii. The LORD is my Shep-
herd, &c., {p. 47.)
1 I Cor. V. 7, 8. 2 Exod. xvi. 12, 15.
4 3 (i) Kings xix. 6, 8.
3 John vi. 32.
5 John vi. 51.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
1035
Third Antipho7i. Let them that
keep holiday around the table of the
Lord * make the voice of joy and
praise to be heard [in the house of
God.]
Ps. xli. As the hart panteth, &c.,
(^- 950
Verse. ^ He fed them with the finest
of the wheat — {P. T. Alleluia.)
Aiiswer. And with honey out of
the Rock did He satisfy them.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth Lesso7i.
{In February.)
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {6ist
Homily to the people of Antioch.)
"p\ EARLY beloved brethren, it be-
hoveth us to learn the miracle
of the Mysteries — what the Gift is,
and why It was given, and what is
the use thereof "We, being many,
are one body," saith [the Apostle
Paul, (i Cor. X. 17,) and again] —
" We are members of His Body, of
His Flesh, and of His Bones." (Eph.
V. 30.) Only the initiated ^ will now
understand what I say. That this
union may take place, not by love
only, but verily and indeed, we ought
to mingle our own with His Flesh.
And this is done by eating that Food
Which He hath given unto us, being
fain to manifest that exceeding great
love which He beareth to us -ward.
To this end He hath mingled Him-
self with us, and infused His Body
into our bodies, that we may be one
together, like as the limbs of a man
and his head are all of one body.
Such union do they long for that
love much.
{In March and April.)
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St John Chrysostom, [Patriarch
of Constantinople.] {60th Homily
to the people of Antioch.)
nPHE Word saith: "This is My
Body." This we confess, and
believe, and, with spiritual eyes, do
see. Christ hath not left unto us
Himself in such form as that we can
see, hear, touch, smell, or taste Him ;
and yet hath He left Himself unto
us in things which we can see, hear,
touch, smell, and taste, and which all
men may understand. Thus also is
it in baptism ; by mean of water,
which men perceive outwardly, is
given unto them a gift which they
can grasp only inwardly, that is, a
new birth. If we had no bodies,
then would these things be given us
without any outward and visible signs,
but since we are here made up of
souls and bodies, there are given unto
our souls gifts which they can grasp,
in outward signs which our bodies
may perceive. How many there
be which say : I would that I could
see His comely presence. His Face,
His garments, even His shoes ! Be-
hold, thou dost see and touch Him,
yea, thou dost feed upon Him. And
wouldest thou behold His raiment ?
Lo, He hath given unto thee not only
to behold it, but to feed upon it, and
handle it, and take it into thyself
{hi May and June.)
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom, [Pat-
riarch of Constantinople.] {Con-
tinuation of the 60th Homily.)
T N this mysterious Sacrament Christ
doth mingle Himself with all
and each of His faithful ones. They
1 Ps. Ixxx. 17.
2 /.^., the baptized, the Church's doctrine on the Eucharist being concealed from the
catechumens.
I036
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
are His children, and He nurseth
them Himself, and giveth them not
over unto another, herein again as-
suring us that the Flesh He hath
taken unto Himself is ours. We,
then, who have been deemed meet to
be treated with such love and such
honour, let us be wakeful ! See ye
not how eagerly the sucklings seize
on the breasts, how readily they fix
their mouths on the paps ? Let us,
with like eagerness, draw nigh to that
Table, and suck at that spiritual Cup.
Yea, let us prize that gracious Food
as the suckling doth its mother's
breast, and hold it the great woe of
life to be cut off from that Banquet.
Here there are set before us no
works of man's power ; He That
worked at that Last Supper, the
Same worketh the same here still.
As for us Priests, we hold the place
of His ministers, but He Which
halloweth and changeth is He.
Hither let there draw nigh no Judas,
nor covetous one — this is no Table
for him. But he which is Christ's
disciple, let him come ; for the Lord
saith : " I will keep the Passover
with My disciples," (Matth. xxvi. i8.)
This is that Passover Table, and it
is all Christ's — what is wrought there
is not some of it Christ's work, and
some of it man's work, but it is all
His work and not another's.
Fourth Responsory.
1 As they were eating, jESUS took
bread, and blest it, and brake it, and
gave it to the disciples, and said :
Take, eat ; this is My Body. (P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ The men of my tabernacle
said : O that we had of his flesh !
we cannot be satisfied.
Answer. Take, eat ; , this is My
Body. {^P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Less 071.
{/jt February.)
[The 6 1 St Homily of St John Chrys-
ostom — continued. ]
V\/'HEN we come back from that
Table we ought to be like so
many lions breathing fire, dreadful to
the devil. Our thoughts ought to be
concentrated on our Great Head and
the love which He showeth us. Many
fathers and mothers there are who
give their children to others to nurse,
but I, saith the Lord to His children,
I am not so, but I feed you with
Mine Own Flesh, and join Myself to
you, fain that ye all should be sons
of noble blood now, and giving you
a noble hope of that which ye shall
be hereafter. I was content to be-
come your Brother, I for your sakes
have taken unto Me Flesh and Blood,
and that Flesh and Blood wherein I
am become your Brother, the Same
give I in turn unto you.
{In March and April. )
[The 6oth Homily of St John Chrys-
ostom — co?iti7iued. ]
npO this table of the Lord let none
dare to draw near with squeam-
ishness or carelessness. Let all be
fiery, all hot, all roused. To the
Jews it was commanded touching
the Paschal lamb, (Exod. xii. ii):
"And thus shall ye eat it; with
your loins girded, your shoes on
your feet, and your staff in your
hand ; and ye shall eat it in haste ;
it is the Lord's Passover." But
thou needest to be more watchful
than they. They were just about
to travel from Egypt to Palestine,
and therefore they bore the guise of
travellers ; but the journey that lieth
before thee is from earth to heaven.
1 Matth. xxvi. 26.
Job xxxi. 31.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
1037
And therefore it behoveth thee in
all things to be on thy guard, for
the punishment of him that eateth or
drinketh unworthily is no light one.
(i Cor. xi. 27.) Bethink thee how
thou art indignant against him which
betrayed, and them that crucified
the Lord ; and look to it well that
thou also be not " Guilty of the
Body and Blood of the Lord." As
for them, they slew His Most Holy
Body ; but thou, after all that He
hath done for thee, dost thrust Him
into thy polluted soul. For His
love, it was not enough to be made
Man, to be buffeted, and to be
crucified ; He hath also mingled
Himself with us, by making us His
Body, and that not by faith only,
but verily and indeed.
crown, this, and not the going about in
white robes and glittering vestments.
And thou, O layman ! when thou seest
the Priest making the oblation, think
not that He Which is then the real
Worker is such a Priest as thou seest,
but know of a surety that it is Christ's
Hand Which is stretched out, albeit
unseen by thee.
Fifth Responsory.
^ Jesus took the cup, after supper,
saying : This cup is the New Testa-
ment in My Blood. This do in re-
membrance of Me. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. My soul hath them ^ still in
remembrance, and is humbled in me.
A?tswer. This do in remembrance
of Me. {P. T. Alleluia.)
(/;? May and June.)
[The 60th Homily of St John Chrys-
ostom — conti7iiied. ]
"LJI ITHER let there draw nigh none
brutal, none cruel, none merci-
less ; in good sooth, none unclean.
I speak to all that take that Holy
Communion, and to you also, O ye
that do administer the same ! To
you now I turn my speech, to warn
you with how great care that Gift is
to be given. No slight vengeance is
that which awaiteth you if ye admit
for a partaker at the Lord's Table the
sinner whose guiltiness ye know. At
your hands will his blood be required.
If a man be a General, a Governor,
a crowned Monarch, yet if he come
there unworthily, forbid him ; thou
hast greater power than he. To this
end hath God exalted you to the honour
ye hold, that ye may judge in such
matters. This office is your dignity,
this is your strength, this is all your
Sixth Lesson.
{In February.)
[The 6 1st Homily of St John Chrys-
ostom — co7itinued.'\
TET us then, dearly beloved breth-
ren, take good heed to our-
selves, as unto the holders of so great
mercies, and when any foul word
springeth to our lips, or we feel anger
taking possession of us, or the sting
of any other sinful passion, let us
call to mind of What we have been
counted worthy, and let that remem-
brance still the unruly motion. As
often as we take that Body, as often
as we taste that Blood, let us think
how that we feed on Him Who is
sitting on high, adored of Angels, at
the right hand of the Eternal Power.
Ah me, how many a way is open to
us whereby we may be saved ! He
hath made us His — He hath given
His Body to us — and we still are not
turned away from evil.
1 Luke xxii. 20, 19.
2 Viz., the affliction and the misery, the wormwood and the gall, See context in
Lam. iii. 20.
VOL. II. 2 M 2
1038
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
{^In March and April.)
[The 6oth Homily of St John Chrys-
ostom — continued. ]
/'~^AN anything be purer than that
man ought to be, who eateth of
this great Sacrifice ? Can sun-beam
be clearer than that hand ought to
be which breaketh this Flesh ? — that
mouth, which is filled with that
spiritual fire ? — that tongue, w^hich is
reddened by that Blood, awful ex-
ceedingly ? That whereon the Angels
quail to look, neither dare to gaze
steadfastly upon It, because of the
blinding glory that shineth therefrom,
upon This we feed, with This we be-
come one, and are made one body of
Christ, and one flesh. " Who can
utter the mighty acts of the LORD ?
who can show forth all His praise?"
(Ps. cv. 2.) Where is the shepherd
which feedeth his flock with his own
blood ? Nay, why should I say,
shepherd ? Many mothers there be,
who after all the pains of travail, give
their own little ones to strangers to
nurse. But so would not He, but feed-
eth us with His Own Blood, and maketh
us to grow up in His Own substance.
(/;? May and June.)
[The 6oth Homily of St John Chrys-
os tom — contiimed. ]
T ET us hear, all of us, both Priests
and laymen, let us hear What
Food it is whereof we are made
worthy — let us hear, I say, and let us
quake. The Lord satisfieth us with
His Own holy Flesh, setting Himself
slain before us. What excuse there-
fore shall we have, if, being so fed
as we are, we sin as we do ? If,
eating of the Lamb, we are still
wolves ? If, pastured as the sheep
of the flock, we raven like lions ?
This mysterious Sacrament forbiddeth
1 John vi. 48-51.
unto us not outrage only, but any the
least enmity ; it is the Mystery of
peace. Upon the Jews God laid it
to make year by year by solemn
festivals a yearly commemoration of
His mercies unto them, but upon
thee to do this in remembrance of
His love to thee, day by day. To
this Table then let there draw nigh
no Judas Iscariot, no Simon Magus.
These men fell through covetousness ;
let us fly that bottomless pit.
Sixth Responsory.
1 I am that Bread of life. Your
fathers did eat manna in the wilder-
ness, and are dead. This is the
Bread Which cometh down from
heaven, that a man may eat thereof,
and not die. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. I am the living Bread
Which came down from heaven ; if
any man eat of this Bread, he shall
live for ever.
A7iswer. This is the Bread Which
cometh down from heaven, that a
man may eat thereof, and not die.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. This is the Bread Which
cometh down from heaven, that a
man may eat thereof, and not die.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. I will go unto the
Altar of God ; * I will feed on Christ,
Which is the Renewer of my youth.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. xlii. Judge me, O God, &c.,
(A 105.)
Second Antiphon. The Lord hath
fed us "^ with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey out of the Rock ^ hath
He satisfied us.
2 I Cor. X, 4.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
1039
Ps. Ixxx. Sing aloud unto God, &:c.,
{p. 140.)
Third Antiphon. It is at Thine
Altar, O Lord, * that we do feed on
Christ, for Whom our heart and our
flesh crieth out.
Ps. Ixxxiii. How lovely are Thy
tabernacles, &c., (/. 142.)
Verse. ^ Thou bringest forth food
out of the earth! {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ansiver. And wine that maketh
glad the heart of man. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Seventh Lesson.
{In February.)
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vi. 56.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto the
multitudes of the Jews : My
Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood
is drink indeed. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {lyth Tract oti John.)
We have heard from the Gospel
the words of the Lord which follow
[those that formed the subject of
my] earlier discourse. To your ears
and understandings we owe a dis-
course on these also, and to-day it
becometh very well, for it is upon
that Body of the Lord, Which He
professeth Himself that He "will give
for the life of the world," "that a
man may eat thereof and not die."
He hath made manifest how He
giveth, and What is His Gift, where
He saith : " He that eateth My Flesh
and drinketh My Blood, dwelleth in
Me and I in him." The sign to
show whether a man hath or hath
not eaten that Flesh and drunk that
Blood, is whether or not he dwelleth
in Christ and Christ in him, whether
or not he is a guest of Christ and
Christ of his, whether or not he so
cleaveth unto Christ, that Christ be
not parted from him.
\In March and April.)
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vi. 56.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto the
^'^ multitudes of the Jews : My
Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood
is drink indeed. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (27M Tract on John.)
I have said, my brethren, that what
the Lord hath set before us, in eating
of His Flesh and drinking of His
Blood, is that we should dwell in
Him, and He in us. We dwell in
Him when we are His members,
and He dwelleth in us when we are
His temple. But the bond whereby
we are made His members is one-
ness ; and what is the cause of one-
ness but love 't And love of God,
whence is it ? Ask the Apostle.
"The love of God," saith he, "is
shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost, Which is given unto
us." (Rom. V. 5.)
{In May and June.)
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (vi. 56.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto the
'^^ multitudes of the Jews : My
Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood
is drink indeed. And so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {2(ith Tract on John.)
"This is the bread which cometh
down from heaven," (v, 50.) By
" this -bread " the Lord here signifieth
1 Ps. ciii. 14, 151
I040
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
both the manna, and That Which
we receive at the AUar of God.
Both these are, as it were, Sacra-
mental signs, differing indeed some-
what in their outward and visible
part, but pointing to the Same
Thing signified. Hear what the
Apostle saith : " Moreover, brethren,
I would not that ye should be
ignorant how that all our fathers
were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea, and were all baptized
unto Moses in the cloud and in the
sea, and did all eat the same spiritual
meat." (i Cor. x. 1-3.) This meat
was the same spiritually but not
really ; they ate manna — we eat
Something else. Spiritually they ate
W^hat we eat ; but our fathers — not
their fathers ; unto whom we are like
— not unto whom they are like. And
it is added: "And did all drink the
same Spiritual drink." They drank
one thing", and we drink Another, the
difference being in the outer show,
the sameness in that the Same Thing
is pointed to by both. And what
was that Same Drink ? " They drank
of the spiritual Rock that followed
them, and that Rock was Christ."
Him did bread and rock alike signify.
The Rock was a figure, but by the
Word and in the Flesh there is the
very Christ Himself. And how came
they to drink of that rock ? " Moses
lifted up his hand, and with his rod
he smote the rock twice, and the
water came out abundantly." (Num.
XX. II.) These two strokes of the
rod upon the rock are a figure of
the two beams whereof the Cross
was made.
Seventh Respo7isory.
1 He that eateth My Flesh and
drinketh My Blood, dwelleth in Me,,
and I in him, {P T. Alleluia.)
Verse. 2 "What nation is there so
great, who hath gods so nigh unto
them, as the Lord our God is to us ?
Afiswer. Dwelleth in Me, and I in
him. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Eighth Lesson.
{In February.)
[The 17th Tract on John, by St
Austin — conti7iued. ]
'T^HIS hath He taught, and warned
us, by words of deep meaning,
to be in His Body as members whose
Head is He, eating His Flesh, and
cleaving alway to His Oneness.
" Many of His disciples when they
had heard this . . . went back, and
walked no more with Him" — for
they understood not by "Flesh" any
flesh other than such as they them-
selves were made of. The Apostle
saith, (and very true it is): "To be
carnally minded is death." (Rom.
viii. 6.) The Lord giveth us His
Flesh to eat, and to understand it
carnally is death. Where He saith :
"Whoso eateth My Flesh . . . hath
eternal life " — we must not under-
stand this His Flesh carnally, as did
they of whom it is written: "Many
of His disciples " — (not His enemies)
— •" when they heard this, said : This
is an hard saying — who can hear it ? "
{hi March and April. )
[The 27th Tract on John, by St
Austin — continued. ]
QO "it is the spirit that quicken-
eth." It is the spirit that maketh
lively the limbs, nor is the quicken-
ing power of the spirit shed through
any limbs but such as remain in
union with the body whose the spirit
is. The spirit that thou hast in thee,
O man, and whereby thou art a man.
1 John vi. 57.
2 Deut. iv. 7,
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
104 1
doth that spirit shed life through
any limb cut off from thy flesh ? By
" spirit," I mean soul. The soul
quickeneth no limb but such as re-
main attached to the body. Cut
one off, and the soul quickeneth it
no more, for it is separate from the
oneness of thy body.
{In May and June.)
[The 26th Tract on John, by St
Austin — contijiued. ]
/^^HRIST'S faithful ones discern the
Lord's Body while they remain
' watchful members of His Body. They
remain members of His Body as long
as they will to live according to His
Spirit. The Spirit of Christ giveth
life to nothing but the body of Christ.
Now, my brethren, understand what
I am going to say. Thou art a man,
and hast a body and a spirit. By
spirit I mean the soul, which causeth
thee to be a man at all. Thou art
a man, made up of soul and body.
Thy spirit is unseen, thy body seen.
Tell me, which of them is it which
giveth animation to the other ? Doth
thy spirit derive animation from thy
body, or thy body from thy spirit ?
Every one who liveth will answer —
for if any one cannot answer this, I
know not if he be alive. What will
whosoever hath life answer ? " Verily,
it is my spirit which doth animate
my body." Wilt thou then live by
the Spirit of Christ ? Be of the Body
of Christ.
and understanding hath the Lord
fed him.
Ajtswer. So he that eateth Me,
even he shall live by Me. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. So he that eateth Me,
even he shall live by Me. (/*. T.
Alleluia.)
Ninth Lesson.
{In February.)
[The 17th Tract on John, by St
Austin — continued. ]
T F His disciples took His words
for an hard saying, how did His
enemies take them ? And, neverthe-
less, thus it behoved to speak them
if all men were not to understand
them. A Divine mystery ought to
make us thoughtful, not to repel us ;
and yet, when the Lord Jesus Christ
spoke thus in mystery, many of His
disciples went back and walked no
more with Him. They believed not
that He was speaking of some great
thing, and darkly announcing in these
words a bounty. They understood
but as they pleased, even after the
manner of men, that jESUS was able,
or that Jesus meant, to give that
Flesh wherewith the Word is clothed
on, as it were, in slices, to them that
believe on Him. And they said :
" This is an hard saying — who can
hear it?"
Eighth Responsory.
1 As the living Father hath sent
Me, and I Hve by the Father, so he
that eateth Me, even he shall live
by Me. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^with the bread of life
1 John vi. 58.
{In March a?id April. )
[The 27th Tract on John, by St
Austin — contiimed. ]
'T^HESE things I say, that we may
love oneness and dread division.
In sooth, there is nothing which a
2 Ecclus. XV. 3.
L042
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Christian ought so much to dread, as
to be cut off from the Body of Christ.
If he be cut off from the Body of
Christ, he is no longer a member of
Christ, and the Spirit of Christ no
longer quickeneth him. " Now, if
any man," saith the Apostle, "have
not the Spirit of Christ, he is none
of His." (Rom. viii. 9.)
"It is the Spirit that quickeneth;
the flesh profiteth nothing : the words
that I speak unto you, they are spirit
and they are life."
" Spirit and life " — what meaneth
this ? It is to be taken spiritually.
Hast thou taken it spiritually? Then
the words the Lord spake, unto thee
they are spirit and they are life.
Hast thou taken it carnally ? Then
the words of the Lord are still indeed
spirit and life — but not for thee.
{In May a7id June.)
[The 26th Tract on John, by St
Austin — contmued.']
T S it not my spirit which doth ani-
mate my body ? My spirit doth
animate my body, and thy spirit doth
animate thy body. The Body of
Christ liveth not save by the Spirit
of Christ. Hence it is that the
Apostle Paul saith, touching this
Bread : " We, being many, are one
bread, and one body, for we are all
partakers of that one Bread." (i Cor.
X. 17.) O what a Sacrament of love !
O what a seal of union 1 O what a
bond of charity I He that willeth to
live hath here where to live, and
whence to live. Let him come near,
let- him believe, let him enter into
that Body, that he may be quickened.
Let him not sever himself from the fit
joining-together of all the members ;
let him not be as a mortifying limb,
that must needs be cut off, nor a mis-
shapen limb, a cause to blush. Let
him be goodly, and useful, and
healthy. Let him cleave unto the
body ; let him live by God to God ;
let him labour now on earth, that he
may reign hereafter in heaven.
The Hym?!., "We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. 1 Wisdom hath
builded her house, "^ she hath mingled
her wine, she hath also furnished her
table. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Second Antiphon. ^ Thou feddest
Thine Own people "^ with Angels'
food, and didst send them bread from
heaven. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Antipho7i. Out of Christ
His bread shall be fat, ^ and He
shall yield royal dainties.^ {P. T.
Alleluia. )
Fourth Antipho7i. ^ The Priests
shall be holy ; * for the offerings [of
the Lord] made by fire, and the
bread of their God, they do offer,
[therefore they shall be holy.] {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Fifth Antipho7i. ^ To him that
overcometh will I give of the hidden
manna, * and will give him a new
name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Chapter, (i Cor. xi. 23.)
"DRETHREN, I have received of
the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, that the Lord
Jesus, the same night in which He
was betrayed, took bread, and, when
He had given thanks. He brake it,
and said : Take, eat ; this is My
Body, Which shall be given for you :
this do in remembrance of Me.
1 Prov. ix. I, 2. 2 Wisd. xvi. 30.
3 Adapted from Jacob's blessiiig on Asher, Gen. xlix. 20. ^ Lev, xxi. 6. ^ Apoc. ii. 17.
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
1043
Hyinn?-
'X'HE Word of God proceeding forth,
Yet leaving not the Father's side,
And going to His work on earth,
Had reached at length life's eventide.
By a disciple to be given
To rivals for His Blood athirst ;
Himself, the very Bread of heaven,
He gave to His disciples first.
He gave Himself in either kind ;
His Precious Flesh ; His Precious Blood ;
Of flesh and blood is man combined.
And He of man would be the Food.
In Birth, man's Fellow-man was He ;
His Meat, while sitting at the Board ;
He died, his Ransomer to be;
He reigns, to be his Great Reward.
O Saving Victim, slain to bless !
Who openest heaven's bright gates to all
The attacks of many a foe oppress ;
Give strength in strife, and help in fall.
To God, the Three in One, ascend
All thanks and praise for evermore ;
He grant the life that shall not end,
Upon the heavenly country's shore.
Amen.
Verse. He maketh peace in thy
borders. (/*. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And filleth thee with
the finest of the wheat. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
2 I am the living Bread Which came
down from heaven : ^ if any man eat
of this Bread he shall live for ever.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer throughout the Office.
C\ GOD, Who under a wonderful
^-^ Sacrament hast left unto us
whereby to show forth thy Suffering
Death, grant unto us, we beseech
Thee, so reverently to handle the
Sacred Mysteries of Thy Body and
Thy Blood that we may alway feel
within ourselves the fruit of Thy
Redeeming Work. Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. A7nen.
( First
PRIME.
Antipho7i. Wisdom, &c.
Antiphon at Lauds.)
The Psalms are as on Feast Days.
In the Short Responsory^ instead of
"Thou That sittest, &c.," is said.,
Verse. Thou That wast born of
the Virgin Mary.
Chapter at the e7id. (i Cor. xi. 27.)
VynOSOEVER shall eat this
Bread, or drink this Cup of
the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty
of the Body and Blood of the Lord.
TERCE.
&c.
A7itiphon. Thou feddest,
{Seco7id Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter fro7ti Lauds.
Short Respo7tsory.
He gave them of the bread of
heaven — (P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
A7iswer. He gave them of the
bread of heaven. — {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Man did eat Angels' bread.
Answer. The bread of heaven.
{^Except in Paschal-ti7ne^ whe7i it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
A7tswer. He gave them of the
bread of heaven. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
1 Hymn by St Thomas Aquinas ; translation extracted from the
2 John vi. 51.
Hymnal Noted."
1044
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Verse. He fed them with the finest
of the wheat. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And with honey out of
the rock did He satisfy them. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
SEXT.
A7itipho7i. Out of Christ, &c.
{Third Aiitiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter, (i Cor. xi. 26.)
T7OR as often as ye eat this Bread,
and drink this Cup, ye do show
the Lord's death till He come.
Short Responsory.
He fed them with the finest of the
wheat. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. He fed them with the
finest of the wheat. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. And with honey out of the
rock did He satisfy them.
Ajtswer. The finest of the wheat.
{Except in Paschal-time., when it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He fed them with the
finest of the wheat. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Thou bringest forth food
out of the earth. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And wine that maketh
glad the heart of man. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
NONE.
Antiphon. To him that over-
cometh, &c. {Fifth Antiphon at
Lauds. )
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
Thou bringest forth food out of the
earth. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
1 I Cor. xi. 26.
Answer. Thou bringest forth food
out of the earth. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. And wine that maketh glad
the heart of man.
Ajtswer. Out of the earth. {Ex-
cept in Paschal -time., when it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Thou bringest forth food
out of the earth. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. He maketh peace in thy
borders. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And filleth thee with the
finest of the wheat. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the First., except the fol-
lowifig.
Antiphon at the So7ig of the Blessed
Virgin. Holy exceedingly is the
Supper of the Lord, "^ wherein we
do feed on Christ, do show His
death till He come,^ do get grace
abundantly to our souls, and do take
pledge of the glory which shall here-
after be revealed in us.^ {P. T.
Alleluia.)
©Witt in 3lonour of tlje
Passion o{ our ILortr %tm%
ffii^rist, for Jritrags.
Semi-double.
All as oil Su7tdays, except the
following.
FIRST VESPERS.
First Antiphon. I will take the
cup of salvation, * and call upon the
Name of the Lord. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
2 Rom. viii. 18.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1045
Ps. cxv. I believed, &c., (/. 185.)
Second Antiphon. With them that
hate peace * I was peaceable. When
I spoke unto them they fought against
me without a cause. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. cxix. In my distress, &c.,
{p. 186.)
Third Antiphon. O Lord, pre-
serve me * from the evil man. (/*. T.
Alleluia.)
Ps. cxxxix. Deliver me, &c., (^.
198.)
Fourth Antiphon. Keep me from
the snare * which they have laid for
me, and the gins of the workers of
iniquity. (A T. Alleluia.)
Ps. cxl. Lord, I cry unto Thee,
&c., ij). 199.)
Fifth A?ttiphon. I looked * on my
right hand and beheld, but there was
no man that would know me. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Ps. cxli. I cried unto the Lord,
&c., {p. 200.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Hyinn.^
"DLOOD is the price of heaven ;
All sin that price exceeds ;
O come to be forgiven,
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
Under the olive boughs,
Falling like ruby beads.
The Blood drops from His Brows,
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
While the fierce scourges fall,
The Precious Blood still pleads ;
In front of Pilate's hall
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
Beneath the thorny crown
The crimson fountain speeds ;
See how it trickles down.
He bleeds.
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
Bearing the fatal wood
His band of Saints He leads,
Marking the way with Blood,
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
On Calvary His shame
With Blood still Intercedes ;
His open Wounds proclaim —
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
He hangs upon the tree.
Hangs there for my misdeeds ;
He sheds His Blood for me ;
He bleeds.
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
Ah me ! His Soul is fled ;
Yet still for my great needs
He bleeds when He is dead ;
He bleeds.
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
His Blood is flowing still ;
My thirsty soul It feeds ;
He lets me drink my fill ;
He bleeds,
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
1 The two beautiful and popular Hymns by the late Dr Faber which are here inserted
at Vespers and Mattins are not translations of the Hymns Mcerentes oculi and Aspice,
infami, but, whether the ideas were suggested by the Latin or v/hether it be an accidental
coincidence, they agree with the sense of the Latin so closely, that they might fairly be
called Paraphrases or imitations, and this consideration induces the Translator to insert
them. Absolute translations have been executed by the late Rev. E. Caswall and the
Rev. Dr Wallace. See Appendix — Friday after Sexagesima Sunday.
1046
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
O sweet ! O precious Blood !
What love, what love it breeds !
Ransom, Reward, and Food,
He bleeds.
My Saviour bleeds !
Bleeds !
Verse. ^ He was offered up because
He willed it. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antiphon at the Sottg of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ o all ye that pass by !
behold, and see if there be any sorrow
like unto my sorrow. \P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer as at Lauds.
At Compli7ie the last verse of the
Hyin7t is said thus :
Lord Jesu, slain for us, to Thee
Eternal praise be given.
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Christ our King Who
was crucified, ^ Him — O come ! — let
us worship. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Hynin.^
COME and mourn with me awhile!
See, Mary calls us to her side ;
O come, and let us mourn with her ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
O
Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and Jews deride?
Ah ! look how patiently He hangs ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
How fast His Hands, His Feet are nailed ;
His blessed Tongue with thirst is tied ;
Hi§ failing Eyes are dim with Blood ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
His Mother cannot reach His Face ;
She stands in helplessness beside;
Her heart is martyred with her Son's ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
Seven times He spoke, seven words of love,
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men :
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
Death came, and Jesus meekly bowed :
His faihng Eyes He strove to guide
With mindful love to Mary's face ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
O break, O break, hard heart of mine
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
His Pilate and His Judas were ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
Come, take thy stand beneath the Cross,
And let the Blood from out that Side
Fall gently on thee, drop by drop :
JeSUS, our Love, is crucified !
A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and it will not be denied ;
A broken heart love's cradle is ;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
O love of God ! O sin of man !
In this dread act your strength is tried ;
And victory remains with love ;
For He, our Love, is crucified !
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. The kings of the
earth set themselves, * and the rulers
take counsel together against the
Lord and against His Anointed.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. ii.
(A 4.)
Why do the heathen, &c.,
Second Antiphon. They be in-
creased * that trouble me ; many are
they that rise up against me.
Ps. iii. Lord, how are they in-
creased, &c., {p. 5.)
Third A?ttipho7t. They part * my
garments among them ; and cast lots
upon my vesture.
Ps. xxi. My God, my God, &c.,
(A 48.)
1 Isa. liii. 7, 5.
2 Lam. i. 12.
' By Dr Faber as before ; two verses are omitted.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1047
Verse. He was offered up because
He willed it. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. And with His stripes we
are healed. {P. T. Alleluia.)
The Lessons are taken from Scrip-
ture according to the Season; but
if there should be none such., the
followiiig are used.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Epistle
. of the Blessed Apostle Paul to the
Romans (v. 8.)
r^OV> commendeth His love toward
us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much
more then, being now justified by His
Blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him. For if, when we were
enemies, we were reconciled to God
by the death of His Son, much more,
being reconciled, shall we be saved
by His life. And not only so, but
we also joy in God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now
received the atonement. (17.) For
if by one man's offence, death reigned
by one, much more they which receive
abundance of grace, and bounty, and
righteousness, shall reign in life
through Jesus Christ.
First Responsory.
1 I had planted thee a noble vine,
saith the Lord, and thou hast brought
forth unto Me grapes exceeding bitter,
for thou hast made ready, a Cross for
thy Saviour. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ O My people, what have
I done unto thee ? and wherein have
I wearied thee ? Testify against Me.
Aiiswer. For thou hast made
ready a Cross for thy Saviour. (/*. T.
Alleluia.)
1 Gf. Jer. ii, 21.
Second Lesson.
'pHEREFORE, as by the offence
of one judgment came upon all
men to condemnation, even so, by
the righteousness of One, [the gift]
came upon all men unto justification
of life. For as by one man's dis-
obedience many were made sinners,
so by the obedience of One shall
many be made righteous. Then, the
law entered that the offence might
abound ; but where sin abounded
grace did much more abound, that,
as sin hath reigned unto death even
so might grace reign, through righte-
ousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Second Responsory.
I brought thee forth out of Egypt ;
behind thee I caused Pharaoh to
drown in the Red Sea, and before
thee I went in the pillar of the cloud.
And thou didst betray Me unto the
chief Priests, and lead Me unto the
judgment-hall of Pilate. (/". T. Alle-
luia.)
Verse. O My people, what have
I done unto thee ? and wherein have
I wearied thee. Testify against Me.
Answer. And thou didst betray
Me unto the chief Priests, and lead
Me unto the judgment-hall of Pilate.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Lesso7i. (vi.)
'VITHAT shall we say then? Shall
we continue in sin, that grace
may abound ? God forbid ; how shall
we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein ? Know ye not that
so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into His
death? For we are buried with Him
by baptism into death, that, like as
2 Micah vi. 3.
1048
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so
we also may walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together
in the likeness of His death, we shall
be also in the likeness of His resur-
rection ; knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with Him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin.
P^or he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now, if we be dead with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live
with Him.
Third Responsory.
I scourged Egypt in her first-born
for thy sake, and thou when thou
hadst scourged Me, didst deliver Me
[to be crucified,] Me Who as a lamb
before his shearer was dumb, and
opened not My Mouth.i {^P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Verse. O My people, what have
I done unto thee ? and wherein have
I wearied thee ? Testify against
Me.
Answer. And thou, when thou
hadst scourged Me, didst deliver Me
[to be cruci-fied]. Me Who as a
lamb before his shearer was dumb,
and opened not My mouth. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. .Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Me Who as a lamb
before his shearer was dumb, and
opened not My Mouth. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
^ First Antiphon. Mine enemies "^
speak evil of me : When shall he die,
and his name perish ? {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. xl. Blessed is he that con-
sidereth, &c., {p. 94.)
1 Isa. liii. 7.
Second Antiphon. Strangers are
risen up "^ against me, and oppressors
seek after my soul.
Ps. liii. Save me, O God, by Thy
Name, &c., {p. 36.)
Third Antipho7i. Mine enemies
tread me down "^ all the day long ; all
their thoughts are against me for
evil.
Ps. Iv. Be merciful unto me, &c.,
(A no.)
Verse. 2 Qod spared not His Own
Son. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. But delivered Him up
for us all. {^P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] {For Wednesday in
Holy Week, on the Passion of the
Lord. )
"DRETHREN, it is well to contem-
plate these things, in especial
in the Passion of the Lord, namely,
what He did ? how He did it ? and
why He did it ? In what He did we
see a model of patience, in the way
in which He did it, a model of low-
liness, and in the reason why He did
it, a model of love. His patience was
singular. The ploughers ploughed
upon His back ; they made long their
furrows. (Ps. cxxviii. 3.) He was
stretched upon the Cross in such
wise that one might have told all
His Bones. (Ps. xxi. 18.) That
tower of strength which keepeth
Israel was broken through upon every
side, for they pierced His Hands and
His Feet. He was brought as a
sheep to the slaughter. But as a
lamb before his shearers is dumb, so
He opened not His mouth, (Is. liii.
2 Rom. viii. 32.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1049
7.) He uttered no murmur against
the Father, Who had sent Him,
against mankind for whom He was
paying what He had never taken, nor
even against His own people who
were repaying Him so much evil for
so much good.
Fourth Respo7isory.
I smote the kings of Canaan for
thy sake, and gave thee a kingly
sceptre, and thou didst put on My
Head a crown of thorns, and smite
Me upon the Head with a reed.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. O My people, what have I
done unto thee ? and wherein have I
w^earied thee ? Testify against Me.
Aitswer. And thou didst put on
My Head a crown of thorns, and
smite Me upon the Head with a reed.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Lesson.
AND if thou wilt look well how
He did it, thou wilt see how
that He is not only meek but even
lowly of heart. " In His humiliation
His judgment was taken away."
(Actsviii. '^'^.) And He answered never
a word to all the blasphemies, and to
all the false witness that was brought
against Him. " He hath no form
nor comeliness, and when we shall
see Him there is no beauty that we
should desire Him. He is despised
and rejected of men ; a man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and He hid as it were His face from
us ; He was despised and we esteemed
Him not. Surely He hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows ; yet
Ave did esteem Him stricken, smitten
of God, and afflicted." (Isa. liii. 3, 4.)
O the depth and the height, O the
lowliness and the loftiness, despised
and rejected of men, but the glory
of Angels, than Him there is none
loftier and none lowlier. He was
smeared with spitting, sodden with
reproaches, condemned to a death
of shame, numbered with the trans-
gressors. And hath this very lowH-
ness carried to such a measure, yea
beyond all measure, no merit in itself?
As His patience was singular so was
His lowliness wonderful. There is
nothing like either of them.
Fifth Responsory.
I led thee through the wilderness
for forty years, and gave thee manna
to eat, and thou didst buffet Me and
scourge Me. (/*. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. O My people, what have I
done unto thee ? and wherein have I
wearied thee ? Testify against Me.
A7iswer. And thou didst buffet
Me and scourge Me. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Sixth Lesson.
"DUT what He did, and how He
did it, are alike gloriously set
forth by the reason why He did it,
namely, His love. God for His great
love wherewith He loved us (Eph.
ii, 4) spared not His Own Son
(Rom. viii. 32.) Neither did the Son
spare Himself, great indeed was that
love, passing all comprehension and
all measure, and rising above all
things. "Greater love," saith He,
(John XV. 13,) "hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends." But Thou Thyself, O
Lord, Thou Thyself hadst greater
love than this, for Thou didst lay
down Thy life for Thine enemies.
When we were enemies we were re-
conciled by Thy death to the Father
and to Thee. (Rom. v. 10.) What
other love then hath there ever been
or can there ever be to be likened
unto this love ? " Scarcely for a
righteous man will one die." But
Thou didst suffer the just for the un-
1050
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
just. Thou didst die for our sins.
O Thou Who didst come to justify
sinners freely to make slaves into
brethren, bondsmen into co-heirs, and
exiles into kings.
Sixth Responsory.
I lifted thee up with a strong hand,
and thou didst lift Me up upon the
gibbet of the Cross, and thereon I
stretched forth My hands unto an
unbelieving and gainsaying people. ^
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. O My people, what have I
done unto thee ? and wherein have I
wearied thee ? Testify against Me.
Answer. And thou didst lift Me
up upon the gibbet of the Cross, and
thereon I stretched forth My hands
unto an unbelieving and gainsaying
people. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And thereon I stretched
forth My hands unto an unbelieving
and gainsaying people. (/*. T. Alle-
luia.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. As for the sons
of men, "^ their teeth are spears and
arrows, and their tongue a sharp
sword. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ps. Ivi. Be merciful unto me, &c.,
(A no.)
Second Antiphon. They bend their
bow, ■* even bitter words, that they
may shoot in secret at the perfect.
Ps. Ixiii. Hear my voice, O God,
&c., {p. 114.)
" Third A?itipho7i. I ain as a man
that hath no strength, ^ lying nerve-
less among the dead.
Ps. Ixxxvii, O Lord God of my
salvation, &c., (/. 145.)
Verse. He became obedient unto
death. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Even the death of the
Cross. [^P. T. Alleluia.)
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix. 28.)
A T that time : jESUS, knowing that
'^^ all things were now accom-
plished, that the Scripture might
be fulfilled, saith : I thirst. And
so on.
Homily by St Cyril, Pope of Alex-
andria. {Bk. xii. Comme7it. on John.')
The brutality of the Jews had
already outraged Christ to the full ;
cruelty had nothing left to desire ;
and now at the last moment the Most
Holy Flesh of Christ suffereth a pain
springing naturally from Itself. That
Flesh, fevered by many and divers
tortures, felt thirst. Great pain hath
the property of producing strong
thirst, since by some natural law
which I cannot explain, it drieth up
as by heat the liquids of the body and
as it were setteth on fire the inward
parts. As therefore Christ had willed
to undergo other sufferings, so was He
pleased to undergo this. He asked
therefore to drink, but they were so
utterly destitute of humanity that in-
stead of giving Him a drink which
should be refreshing and pleasant
they brought Him one which was
harmful and bitter, and so turned into
wickedness what was a seeming act
of kindness ; to give to Him that
asked of them was a seeming act of
kindness, but the Scriptures cannot
lie wherein (Ps. Ixviii. 22) Christ is
made to say, "They gave me also
gall for my meat, and in my thirst
they gave me vinegar to drink."
1 Rom. X. 21.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
IO51
Seventh Responsory.
I gave thee to drink out of the
rock the waters of salvation, and thou
didst give Me gall and vinegar to
drink. {^P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. O My people, what have
I done unto thee ? and wherein have
I wearied thee ? Testify against Me.
Answer. And thou didst give Me
gall and vinegar to drink. {P. T.
Alleluia. )
Eighth Lesson (xxxvi.)
<'\\/'HEN Jesus therefore had re-
ceived the vinegar. He said :
It is finished. And He bowed His
Head and gave up the ghost."
" It is finished." Jewish outrage
against God was finished ; the power
to inflict torture was finished. What
had the Jews left unattempted, or
cruelty left undone ? Did any pain
■or insult remain uninfiicted ? Rightly
did He say: "It is finished." But
He was come to be the Lord of the
dead as well as of the quick, and the
hour was now calling Him to go and
preach to the imprisoned spirits in
the netherworld. He accepted even
death for our sakes and bore in His
Own Flesh that suffering common to
all our nature, albeit that as God
He is naturally life in Himself, in
order that He might plunder hell,
and being become as the Scripture
(i Cor. XV. 20) hath it (Apoc. i. 5),
" The first fruits of them that slept,
and the first begotten of the dead,"
might gift our nature with return to
life.
Eighth Responsory.
I opened the Red Sea before thee,
and thou didst open with a spear the
Side of thy Saviour, Who redeemed
the world by His Blood. {P. T.
Alleluia.) ,
1 Ps. Ixxii. 14.
Verse. O My people ! what have I
done unto thee ? and wherein have I
wearied thee ? Testify against Me.
Answer. And thou didst open
with a spear the Side of thy Saviour,
Who redeemed the World by His
Blood. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. Who redeemed the world
by His Blood. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ninth Lesson.
" TTE bowed His Head." When
the strength of the body is
gone and the soul which keepeth the
body together is also gone, the heads
of the dying fall, and it is to describe
this that the Evangelist useth these
words ; so also the words gave up
the ghost are an expression which
we often use of them that depart and
die ; nevertheless to me it seemeth
that the Evangelist useth these words
He gave up the ghost in something
more than their ordinary sense of
mere death, because the Lord gave
up His soul into the Hands of God
the Father with a commendation,
saying, " Father, into Thine hands I
commend my Spirit," the which is
the foundation and spring of our
main hope.
The Hy 71171^ " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First A7itipho7i. 1 All the day long
have I been plagued, "^ and chastened
every morhing. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Seco7id A7itipho7i. ^ I gat me to
the mountain of myrrh, * and to the
hill of frankincense ; I was brought
as a lamb to the slaughter, and I
was dumb, and opened not my
mouth. {P. T. Alleluia.)
2 Cant. iv. 6 ; Isa. liii. 7,
1052
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Third Antiphon. ^ They pierced
my hands and my feet ; * they have
told all my bones. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth A7itiphon. ^ I looked for
comforters and I found none ; ^ they
gave me also gall for meat, and in
my thirst they gave me vinegar to
drink. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Fz/th Antiphon. When jESUS had
received the vinegar, "^ He said : It is
finished — and He bowed His Head,
and gave up the ghost. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Chapter, (Phil. ii. 5.)
"DRETHREN, let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ
Jesus, Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God ; but emptied Him-
self, and took upon Him the form
of a servant, and was found in the
likeness of men. He humbled Him-
self and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the Cross.
Hyinn.^
Q'ERWHELMED in depth of woe,
Upon the tree of scorn
Hangs the Redeemer of mankind
With racking anguish torn.
See how the nails those Hands
And Feet so tender rend ;
See down His Face, and Neck, and Breast
His Sacred Blood descend !
Hark ! with what awful cry
His Spirit takes Its flight.
That cry, it pierced His Mother's heart
And whelmed her soul in night.
Earth hears, and to its base
Rocks wildly to and fro ;
Tombs burst ; seas, rivers,
quake ;
The vail is rent in two.
mountains
The sun withdraws his light ;
The midday heavens grow pale ;
The moon, the stars, the universe
Their Maker's death bewail.
Shall man alone be mute?
Come, youth and hoary hairs,
Come, rich and poor, come, all mankind,
And bathe those Feet in tears.
Come, fall before His Cross,
Who shed for us His Blood !
Who died, the Victim of pure love,
To make us sons of God.
Jesu, all praise to Thee,
Our joy and endless rest :
Be Thou our Guide while pilgrims here,
Our Crown amid the blest. Amen.
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
But when they came to jESUS, and
saw that He was dead already, they
brake not His Legs, but one of the
soldiers with a spear pierced His
Side, and forthwith came thereout
Blood and Water. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer throughout the Office.
A LMIGHTY and everlasting God,
"^^ Who didst send our Saviour to
take upon Him our flesh, and to en-
dure the Cross, that all mankind
should follow the example of His
great humility, mercifully grant that
we who worship in memory of His
Sufferings, may worthily both follow
the example of His Patience and also
be made partakers of His resurrec-
tion. Through our Lord jESUS Christ,
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
1 Ps. xxi. 17, 18. - Ps. Ixviii. 21, 22.
3 Another hymn from the Proprium of the arch-diocese of Freiburg ; translation by the late
Rev. E. Caswall.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1053
PRIME.
Antiphon. All the day long, &c.,
[First A7tUphon at Lauds.)
Psalms as on Feast-Days.
The last verse of the Hymn is said
thus :
Lord Jesus, slain for us, to Thee,
Eternal praise be given.
With Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Here as it is in heaven.
So also at Terce., Sext, and None.
Chapter at the end. (Isa. liii. 8.)
"\"\7'H0 shall declare His genera-
tion ? For He was cut off out
of the land of the living : for the
transgression of my people did I
smite Him.
Jjistead of Verse^ "Thou that sit-
test, &c.," is said :
Verse. Thou That wast pleased to
suffer for us.
TERCE.
Antiphon. I gat me, &c., {Second
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
He was offered up because He
willed it. (P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. He was offered up be-
cause He willed it. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. And with His stripes we
are healed.
Answer. Because He willed it.
[Except iji Paschal - timCf when it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He was offered up be-
cause He willed it. [P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. God spared not His Own
Son. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. But delivered Him up
for us all. [P. T. Alleluia.)
SEXT.
Antiphon. They pierced,
{Third Antiphoti at Lauds.)
&c..
Chapter. (Zech. xiii. 6.)
'\1 /"HAT are these wounds in thine
hands ? Then he shall answer :
Those with which I was wounded in
the house of my friends.
Short Responsory.
God spared not His Own Son.
[P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. God spared not His Own
Son. [P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. But delivered Him up for
us all.
Answer. His Own Son. {Except
ill Paschal-time^ when it is Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Aitswer. God spared not His Own
Son. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. He became obedient unto
death. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Even the death of the
Cross. {P. T. Alleluia.)
NONE.
Antiphon. When Jesus, &c., {Fifth
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the e7id of Prime.
Short Responsory.
He became obedient unto death.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. He became obedient unto
death. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Even the death of the
Cross.
1054
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
Answer. Unto death. {Except
z?t Paschal-time^ when it is Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He became obedient unto
death. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions. (/*. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities. (/*. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the First, except the follow-
ing.
Verse. He was wounded for our
transgressions. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. He was bruised for our
iniquities. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin, i Joseph took down the Body
of Jesus, and wrapt It in linen, and
laid It in a sepulchre that was hewn
in stone. In that day there was a
great mourning, and the women sitting
over against the sepulchre, mourned,
as one mourneth for the death of the
firstborn. {P. T. Alleluia.)
©fKce in l^onour of tije Em=
maculate Conception of tijje
Blesseti Uirgtn JHarg, for
Saturtiags*
Semi-double.
All frojn the Commoji Office for
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, {p. 620,)
except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons, Chapter, Verse and Aji-
swer, and Prayer from Lauds.
Antiphoji at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. All generations shall call me
blessed, "^ for He That is mighty hath
done to me great things. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
COMPLINE.
The last verse of the Hymn is altered
in honour of the Incarjtation.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Let us tell of the stain-
less Conception of the Virgin Mary :
■* let us worship Christ, her Son, and
her Lord and ours. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Hymn.^
"DLEST Guardian of all virgin souls!
Portal of bliss to man forgiven !
Pure Mother of Almighty God !
Thou hope of earth, and joy of Heaven !
Fair Lily, found among the thorns !
Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold !
Rod from whose tender root upsprang
That healing Flower long since foretold !
Thou Tower, against the dragon proof!
Thou Star, to storm-toss'd voyagers dear !
Our course lies o'er a treacherous deep ;
Thine be the light by which we steer.
Scatter the mists that round us hang,
Keep far the fatal shoals away ;
And while through darkling waves we sweep,
Open a path to life and day.
O Jesu, born of Virgin bright !
Immortal glory be to Thee ;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
In Paschal-time only one Antiphon,
7ia7nely the First, is said at each
Nocturn.
First Antiphofi. O Lord, how ex-
cellent is Thy Name * in all the
1 Cf. Luke xxiii. 53; Matth. xxvii. 60; Zech. xii. 10, 11.
2 Translation by the Rev. E. Caswall.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO55
earth, Who hast made Thee a worthy
tabernacle in the Virgin Mary. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Second Antiphon. The Lord hath
set * His tabernacle in the sun.
Third Antiphon. Even in her Con-
ception "^ did Mary receive a blessing
from the Lord, and mercy from the
God of her salvation.
Verse. 1 It is Almighty God That
girdeth me with strength. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Answer, And maketh my way
perfect. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Lessons from Scripture accordiitg to
the Seaso7tj but if there are 7ione such^
the following are read.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
Genesis (iii. i.)
nPHE serpent was more subtle than
any beast of the field which the
Lord God had made. And he said
unto the woman. Why hath God said.
Ye shall not eat of every tree of the
garden ? And the woman said unto
the serpent. We may eat of the fruit
of the trees of the garden ; but of the
fruit of the tree which is in the midst
of the garden, God hath said. Ye shall
not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,
lest ye die. And the serpent said unto
the woman : Ye shall not surely die.
For God doth know that in the day
ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall
be opened : and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil.
First Responsory.
2 By one man sin entered into the
world, in whom all have sinned. Fear
not, Mary, for thou hast found grace
with God. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ The Lord hath delivered
thy soul from death, yea, the Lord
was thy stay.
A7iswer. Fear not, Mary, for thou
hast found grace with God. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Second Lesson.
A ND the woman saw that the tree
was good for food, and that it
was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree
to be desired : and she took of the
fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave
also unto her husband with her, and
he did eat. And the eyes of them
both were opened ; and they knew
that they were naked, and they sewed
fig-leaves together and made them-
selves aprons. And they heard the
voice of the Lord God walking in
the garden in the cool of the day ;
and Adam and his wife hid themselves
from the presence of the Lord God,
amidst the trees of the garden.
Second Responsory.
^ Come unto me, all ye that be
desirous of me, and I will declare
what God hath done for my soul.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ As the Lord liveth, by me
He hath fulfilled His mercy.
Answer. And I will declare what
God hath done for my soul. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Third Lesson.
A ND the Lord God called unto
'^ Adam, and said unto him :
Where art thou ? And he said : I
heard Thy voice in the garden : and
I was afraid, because I was naked,
and I hid myself And He said :
Who told thee that thou wast naked ?
Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof
1 Ps. xvii. 33. 2 Rom. v. 12 ; Luke i. 30.
4 Ecclus. xxiv. 26 ; Ps. Ixv. 16.
3 Cf. Ps. Iv. 13 ; xvii. 21.
5 Judith xiii. 18.
1056
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
I commanded thee that thou shouldest
not eat ? And Adam said : The
woman whom Thou gavest me to
be with me, she gave me of the tree,
and I did eat. And the Lord God
said unto the woman : Wherefore hast
thou done this ? And she said : The
serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
And the Lord God said unto the
serpent : Because thou hast done this,
thou art cursed above all cattle, and
above every beast of the field ; upon
thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt
thou eat all the days of thy life : I
will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her
seed : she shall bruise thy head, and
thou shalt bruise her heel.
Third Responsory.
1 My beloved is white like snow in
Lebanon, her lips drop as the honey-
comb. Honey and milk are under
her tongue. \p. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Come from Lebanon, My
Spouse, thou shalt be crowned with
a crown of grace.
Answer. Honey and milk are
under her tongue. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Honey and milk are
under her tongue. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Grace is poured
into her Conception, * and she is
fairer than the daughters of men.
(P. T. Alleluia.)
"Secojtd A ntipho7t. God h ath holpen
her right early, "^ the Most High hath
hallowed His tabernacle.
Third Antipho?t. Glorious things
are spoken of thee, O City of God ;
1 Cant. V. 10; iv. it, 8.
3 I.e., Wisdom. Ecclus.
* the Lord hath laid thy foundation
in the holy mountains.
Verse. ^ By this I know that Thou
favourest me. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Because mine enemy can-
not triumph over me. {P. T Alleluia.)
Fourth Lessofi.
The Lesson is taken from the Dog-
matic Bull of Pope Pius IX.
"DOTH in her Offices and in the
most holy Liturgy the Church
hath been accustomed to apply to the
creation of Mary the language in
which the Holy Scriptures set forth
the Eternal Generation of the Un-
created Wisdom, and that, because
Mary was predestined in the decree
of the Incarnation of the same Wis-
dom. This practice hath been re-
ceived by the faithful in all quarters,
and plainly showeth what hath been
the mind of the Church of Rome,
which is the mother and mistress of
all Churches, on the subject of the
sinless conception of the Virgin.
Nevertheless, it is fitting to set
forth in greater detail the celebrated
acts of this Church, on account of
that pre - eminent rank and power
which all other Churches are bound
to yield her, because she is the
centre of Catholic truth and unity,
wherein alone Doctrine is always pre-
served pure, and from whom all the
other Churches must needs receive
the tradition of the Faith.
Fourth Respo7isory.
^ I came out of the mouth of the
Most High, the first-begotten before
every creature. I made the unfading
light to arise in the heavens. When
2 Ps. xl. 12.
xxiv. 5, 6 ; Prov. viii. 24.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO57
there were no depths I was conceived.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. For the Lord hath created
me in righteousness, and hath held
mine hand, and hath kept me.
Answer. When there were no
depths I was conceived. (/*. T.
Alleluia.)
Fifth Lesson.
[The Dogmatic Bull of Pope Pius IX.
— continued. ]
n^HUS it hath always been one
of the most striking features
of the Roman Church that she hath
most powerfully asserted, guarded,
promoted, and vindicated the doc-
trine that the Virgin was conceived
without sin. It hath been the
boast of Our Predecessors that
by their authority they instituted
in the Roman Church the Feast
of the Conception of Mary, and
caused it to be observed with an
Office and a Mass wherein her
privilege of immunity from original
sin was openly asserted. Our said
Predecessors have done everything
in their power to increase the
love of the faithful for this doc-
trine : by granting Indulgences in
its honour ; by giving permission
to cities, provinces, and kingdoms
to choose for their Patroness the
Mother of God, under her title
^' Conceived without sin ; " by ap-
proving of Guilds, Congregations,
and Associations of persons under
vows, all instituted in honour of the
sinless Conception ; by praising the
piety of those who have founded
Convents, Hospitals, Altars, and
Churches named from this belief;
and lastly, by encouraging those
who have taken an oath to defend
this opinion to the utmost of their
power.
Fifth Responsory.
1 No defiled thing can fall into her ;
she is the brightness of the everlast-
ing light, and the unspotted mirror of
the power of God. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. For she is more beautiful
than the sun, and being compared
with the light, she is found before it.
A?is'wer. She is the brightness of
the everlasting light, and the unspotted
mirror of the power of God. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Sixth Lesson,
[The Dogmatic Bull of Pope Pius IX.
— conti7iiied. ]
lyrOREOVER, Our said Prede-
cessors with great joy ordained
that the Feast of the said Conception
should be observed as of the same
rank as that of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin, and appointed that it
should be kept with an Octave
throughout the whole Church. They
added this Feast to those which are
commanded to be kept with solemnity,
and ordered that the ceremony called
a " Papal Chapel " should take place
every year on this Feast in our
Patriarchal Basilica of our Lady of
the Snows. And above all did they
rejoice in the hope of strengthening
this belief in the minds of the faithful,
and stirring them up to love and ven-
erate the Virgin conceived without
sin, when they granted permission to
add to the Litany of Loreto the in-
vocation, " Queen conceived without
original sin," and to insert the word
" stainless " into the Preface of the
Mass on this Feast, that so the law
of prayer might become the law of
belief.
Sixth Respo7tsory,
2 There appeared a great wonder
in heaven : a Woman clothed with
1 Wisd. vii. 25, 26, 29.
2 Apoc. xii. I.
1058
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
the sun, and the moon under her
feet, and upon her head a crown of
twelve stars. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. ^ The Lord hath clothed her
with the garments of salvation, and
hath covered her with the robe of
righteousness, yea, as a bride He
hath adorned her with jewels.
Answer. And upon her head a
crown of twelve stars. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And upon her head a
crown of twelve stars. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. Holiness and
beauty are in her Conception : * de-
clare her glory among all people.
(P. T. Alleluia.)
Second Antiphon. Rejoice ye ^11 in
the Lord : ^ and give thanks at the
remembrance of His holiness.
Third Antiphon. The Lord hath
made known His salvation : ^ the
glory of His Mother hath He openly
showed in the sight of the heathen.
Verse. ^ I will extol Thee, O Lord,
for Thou hast lifted me up. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Answer. And hast not made my
foes to rejoice over me. {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
S eve fit h Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (i. 26.)
T that time : The Angel Gabriel
was sent from God, unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to
a Virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of
David, and the Virgin's name was
Mary. And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] {2nd on this text.)
A
Rejoice, father Adam, and yet more
thou mother Eve, ye that are the
source of all, and the ruin of all, and
the unhappy cause of their ruin before
ye gave them birth. Be comforted
both in your daughter, and such a
daughter ; but chiefly thou, O woman^
of whom the first evil came, and who
hast cast thy slur upon all women.
The time is come for the slur to be
taken away, and for the man to have
nothing to say against the woman.
At the first, when he unwisely began
to make excuse, he scrupled not to
throw the blame upon her, saying,
"The woman whom Thou gavest to
be with me, she gave me of the tree,
and I did eat." Wherefore, O Eve,
betake thyself to Mary : Mother, be-
take thyself to thy daughter : let the
daughter answer for the mother : let
her take away her mother's reproach :
let her make up to her father for her ^
mother's fault : for if man be fallen by
means of woman, it is by means of
woman that he is raised up again.
Seventh Responsory.
^ A garden enclosed is my sister,
my spouse, a garden enclosed, a foun-
tain sealed. O Mary, thy perfumes
are a garden of delights. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Verse. Open to me, my sister, my
love, my dove, my undefiled.
Answer. O Mary, thy perfumes
are a garden of delights. {P T. Alle-
luia.)
Eighth Lesson.
[The Second Homily by St Bernard,
on Luke i. 26 — continued.']
VyHAT didst thou say, O Adam?
"The woman whom Thou gav-
est to be with me, she gave me of
the tree, and I did eat." These are
wrathful words, by the which thou
1 Cf. Isa. Ixi. 10.
2 Ps. xxix. 2.
3 Cant. iv. 12, v. 2.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO59
dost rather magnify than diminish
thine offence. Nevertheless, Wisdom
hath defeated thy maHce. God asked
thee that He might find in thee an
occasion of pardon, but, in that He
found it not. He hath sought and
found it in the Treasure of His Own
mercy. One woman answereth for
another ; the wise for the foohsh ; the
lowly for the proud ; for her that
gave thee of the tree of death, another
that giveth thee to taste of the tree
of life ; for her that brought thee
the bitter food of sin, another that
giveth thee of the sweet fruits of
righteousness. Wherefore accuse the
woman no more, but speak in thanks-
giving, and say, " Lord, the woman
whom Thou hast given me, she hath
given me of the tree of life, and I
have eaten ; and it is in my mouth
sweeter than honey, for thereby hast
Thou quickened me." (Ps. cxviii.
103, 93.) Behold, it was for this
that the angel Gabriel was sent to
the Virgin, to the most worshipful
of women, a woman more wonderful
than all women, the restorer of them
that went before, and the quickener
of them that come after her.
Eighth Responsory.
My soul doth magnify the Lord ;
for He That is mighty hath done to
me great things, and holy is His
name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. For, behold, from hence-
forth all generations shall call me
blessed.
Answer. For He That is mighty
hath done to me great things, and
holy is His name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. For He That is mighty
hath done to me great things, and
holy is His name. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Ninth Lesson.
[The Second Homily by St Bernard,
on Luke i. 26 — continued.'\
VyAS it not of this thy daughter,
O Adam, that God spake
when He said unto the serpent, " I
will put enmity between thee and
the woman ? " And if thou wilt still
doubt that He speaketh of Mary,
hear what folio weth : " She shall
bruise thy head." Who won this
conquest but Mary .f" She brought
to nought the whole wiles of Satan
whether for the pollution of her body
or the injury of her soul. Was it not
of her that Solomon spake, where he
saith, "Who shall find a virtuous
woman?" (Prov. xxxi. 10.) The wise
man knew the weaknesses of women,
how frail they are in body, and how
changeable in mind. But he had
read that God had promised that the
enemy, who had prevailed by means
of a woman, was by a woman to be
overthrown, and he believed. But
he wondered greatly, and said, "Who
shall find a virtuous woman .^ " that
is to say : If our salvation, and the
bringing back of that which is lost,
and the final triumph over the
enemy, is in the hand of a woman,
it must needs be that a virtuous
woman be found, meet to work in
that matter.
The Hymn., " We praise Thee, O
God, &c.," is said.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. ^ Thou art all fair,
O Mary, "^ there is no spot of original
sin in thee. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Second Antiphon. 2 -phy raiment "^
is white as snow, and thy countenance
as the sun. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Third Aiitiphon. ^ Thou art the
1 Cf. Cant. iv. 7.
2 Cf. Matth. xvii. 2.
3 Judith XV. 10 ; xiii. 23.
io6o
THE VOTIVE OFFICES.
exaltation of Jerusalem, * thou art
the great glory of Israel, thou art
the great rejoicing of our nation.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Fourth Antiphon. ^ O Virgin Mary,
■^ blessed art thou of the Most High
God, above all the women upon the
earth. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Fifth Antiphon. ^ Draw us, *
Maiden undefiled, we will run after
thee in the odour of thy perfumes.
{P. T. Alleluia.)
Chapter. (Pro v. viii. 22.)
HTHE Lord possessed me in the
beginning of His ways, before
His works of old. I was ordained
from everlasting, from the beginning,
or ever the earth was. When there
were no depths I was conceived.
Verse. Maiden Mother of " God,
thy stainless conception — {P. T.
Alleluia. )
Aiiswer. Was a message of joy to
the whole world. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Antipho7i at the So7ig of Zacharias.
The Lord God said unto the serpent :
I will put enmity between thee and
the woman, "^ and between thy seed
and her seed ; she shall bruise thy
head. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Prayer.
r\ GOD, Who didst cause that a
^-^^ virgin should be conceived with-
out sin, to the end that she might
be made a meet dwelling-place for
Thy dear Son ; O God, Who through
the precious death of the Same Thy
Son foreseen by Thee, didst keep her
clean from all stain, hear us, we
beseech Thee, and grant that by her
prayers, we also who are presently
defiled, may finally be made pure,
and so with her attain unto Thee.
Through the Same our Lord jESUS
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
PRIME.
A7itipho7i. Thou art all fair, &c.,
{First A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
In the Short Respo7isory^ instead of
" Thou That art to come into the
world," is said :
Verse. Thou That wast born of
the Virgin Mary.
Chapter at the e7id. (Apoc. xii. i.)
nPHERE appeared a great wonder
in heaven : a Woman clothed
with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown
of twelve stars.
TERCE.
A7itipho7i. Thy raiment, &c.,
{Seco7id A7itipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter fr 0771 Lauds.
Short Resp07isory.
It is Almighty God That girdeth
me with strength. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Answer. It is Almighty God That
girdeth me with strength. {P. T.
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. And maketh my way
perfect.
A7is'wer. That girdeth me with
strength. {Except in Paschal- tiTne^
'whe7i it is Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. It is Almighty God That
1 Judith XV. 10 ; xiii, 23.
2 Cf, Cant. i. 3, 4.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. IO61
girdeth me with strength. {P. T.
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. By this I know that Thou
favourest me. {P. T. Alleluia.)
Answer. Because mine enemy
shall not triumph over me. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
SEXT.
Aiitiphon. Thou art the exaltation
of Jerusalem, &c., {^Third Aiitiphon at
Lauds. )
Chapter. (Ezek. xliv. 2.)
HTHIS gate shall be shut, it shall
not be opened, and no man
shall enter in by it ; because the Lord,
the God of Israel, hath entered in by
it, therefore it shall be shut for the
Prince ; the Prince, He shall sit in it.
Short Respo7isory.
By this I know that Thou favourest
me. {P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Aiiswer. By this I know that
Thou favourest me. (P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. Because mine enemy shall
not triumph over me.
Answer. Thou favourest me. {Ex-
cept in Paschal- tiine^ when it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. By this I know that
Thou favourest me. {P. T. Alleluia,
Alleluia.)
Verse. I will extol Thee, O Lord,
for Thou hast lifted me up. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
Answer. And hast not made my
foes to rejoice over me. {P. T.
Alleluia.)
NONE.
Antiphon. Draw us, &c., {Fifth
Antipho7i at Lauds. ^
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory .
I will extol Thee, O Lord, for
Thou hast lifted me up. {P. T.
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Answer. I will extol Thee, O
Lord, for Thou hast lifted me up.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. And hast not made my foes
to rejoice over me.
Answer. Thou hast lifted me up,
{Except i7i Paschal-ti?ne^ when it is
Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. I will extol Thee, O
Lord, for Thou hast lifted me up.
{P. T. Alleluia, Alleluia.)
Verse. Maiden Mother of God,
thy stainless conception, {P. T. Alle-
luia.)
Answer. Was a message of joy to
the whole world. {P. T. Alleluia.)
SECOND VESPERS.
All as the Firsts except the fol-
lowing.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgiii. O holy Mary, be thou an
help to the helpless, a strength to the
fearful, a comfort to the sorrowful ;
pray for the people, plead for the
clergy, make intercession for all
women vowed to God ; may all that
keep the memory of thine holy and
stainless conception, feel the might
of thine assistance. {P. T. Alleluia.)
VOL. II,
2 N
(5mtvai ^ppmtiix^
Note. — T/ie Offices contained in this Appendix^ with the exception of thcit of St
John Baptist de la Salle ^ are said in certain dioceses only ; full directions
are given in the diocesan Or do Recitandi for the year.
February 9.
Sapan.
Double.
All from the Commo7i Office for
Many Martyrs., {p. 564,) .except the
following.
Prayer throughout.
r\ LORD Jesus Christ, Who didst
^"^ dedicate the first-fruits of the
faith among the people of Japan in
the blood of Thine holy martyrs Peter
Baptist, Paul, and their companions,
so that they were conformed to Thy
likeness through the death of the
cross, grant that we, who this day
keep their festival, may be stirred up
by their ensample. Who livest and
reignest with God the Father, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
First Vespers are of St John de la
Mata till the Chapter exclusive.^ then
of the Martyrs.^ with Commeinorations.^
first of the Second Vespers of St John
de la Mata., the7i of the Week-day.,
and then of St Apollonia. Antiphoii.,
Verse and Answer from the Common
Office for a Virgi7i and Martyr., and
Prayer., " O God, Who amidst the
wondrous, &c.," {p. 643.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Rom. viii., {p. 565.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
nPHE empire of Japan, on the east-
ernmost side of Asia, had lain
for long in darkness and in the
shadow of death, when upon it the
light of Catholic truth shone in the
sixteenth century of man's redemp-
tion. Holy Francis Xavier, the great
apostle of the Indies, there preached
Christ crucified, and founded so
illustrious a church that the times
of the first Apostles seemed there
again to have appeared upon earth.
Neither did this same church lack
martyrs to dedicate in their blood
the first-fruits of its faith. Towards
the close of the aforesaid century,
Taicosama, Emperor of Japan, several
1064
GENERAL APPENDIX.
times threatened to invade the Philip-
pine Islands, and His Most Catholic
Majesty the King of Spain deemed
well to send some religious men of
his own nation into Japan to treat of
peace with Taicosama on his royal
behalf. For this purpose he made
choice of the Friar Peter Baptist, a
Priest of the Barefooted Order of
Friars Minor of St Francis of the
Stricter Observance, and a man emi-
nent for his holiness and teaching,
and with him he sent some com-
panions of the same Order. These
men were authorised by the Apostolic
See to spread the Catholic faith in
the Indies and in China, and they
undertook their mission from the King
of Spain with the intention of making
it an occasion to preach the Gospel
among those people. They came to
Japan, and when they had happily
performed the mission wherewith they
were charged, they called other com-
panions to their aid, and set them-
selves to work for the increase of
religion.
Fifth Lesson.
TIj^OR three years they toiled by
preaching, fasting, watching,
and praying. They founded many
Christian hospitals, convents, and
churches in divers places. They re-
lieved the sufferings of the poor and
sick with wondrous love, confirmed
many of the faithful in the path of
salvation, and led countless numbers
to the faith. These things stirred up
the priests of the false gods, and they
betook themselves to the Emperor,
and persuaded him that the safety of
his empire demanded that he should
expel from its coasts the Christian
religion, which was springing up on
all sides. The Emperor was stricken
with this groundless fear, and forth:
with commanded the Friars to be
arrested, and sentenced them to the
cross. Besides Peter Baptist and his
five companions, there were arrested
Paul Miki and two other Japanese
members of the Society of Jesus, and
fifteen Japanese members of the Third
Order of St Francis, of whom some
ministered in catechising and others
in holy offices. To whom were added
two more that ministered to them in
their chains, so that there were
twenty-six in all.
Sixth Lesson.
A FTER long suffering, the extreme
point of the left ears of these
brave soldiers of Christ was cut off
in a public square at Meaco. After
this they were carried in carts with
their hands tied behind their backs,
first through the streets of that capital
city, and then through those of other
cities, in order that their shame might
be spread abroad as widely as possible
to the terror of others. They were
thus borne at mid-winter over some
six hundred miles, with a crier going
before them, and bearing the sentence
of their condemnation to the cross
for having preached the law of Christ
which the Emperor had forbidden.
It is meet to be recorded that during
their journey the parents of the young
Japanese Anthony, one of the mem-
bers of the Third Order, met him and
strove by tenderness and tears to get
him to break his truth with Christ.
Them he constantly withstood, and
declared that he despised all earthly
and transitory things, and would
cleave only to Christ, Who had pro-
mised him things heavenly and eter-
nal, and he gave to them his garment
wherewith he was clothed. At length
they came to Nangasaki, where crosses
had been made ready at a hill as
though upon another Calvary. To
these they were fastened and then
lifted up. They ceased not to pro-
ST KENTIGERN.
1065
claim the faith of Christ, and like the
chiefest of them was Paul Miki, who
from the glorious pulpit of the cross
preached the Christian religion to
the multitude that stood around, and
openly bade himself rejoice that he
was dying upon the cross even as the
Lord Christ died at the same age as
he. At last two lances were thrust
through the body of each of them
from beneath the ribs on the one side
to the shoulder upon the other side,
and thus they gave up their triumph-
ant spirits to heaven. It pleased
God to glorify the victory of His
champions by signs and wonders, and
when these had been duly proved, the
Congregation of Sacred Rites decreed
that it might at any time proceed
with their canonisation. Meanwhile
the Supreme Pontiff Urban VIII., on
receiving this decree, gave leave to
say and celebrate every year an office
and mass of these martyrs as among
the blessed. At length the Provid-
ence of God brought it to pass that
the Supreme Pontiff Pius IX. carried
out the matter, and upon the holy
day of Pentecost, in the year 1862,
when he was surrounded by a great
and illustrious mass of Cardinals and
Bishops, who had come together from
all parts of the Catholic world to
protect the rights of the Church and
of the Apostolic See, he enrolled the
names of these martyrs among those
of the Saints.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro7?t Luke vi. 1 7, with the
homily of St Ambrose^ (J>. S77') The
last is omitted to make room for the
Ninth Lesson^ which is that of the
Homily. Commemorations are made
of the Week-day aiid of St Apollonia
at Lands.
Vespers are of St Scholastica from
the Chapter inclusive., but with a
Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs.,
and of the Week-day.
February 13.
St IS^enttsern, Btsijop [of
ffilasgob},] Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Bishop and Cojifessor., {p. 581,) except
the followijig.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, Who didst use Thy
^~^ blessed Confessor and Bishop
Kentigern as a mean whereby to
make the light of the true faith
to shine before barbarous nations,
grant, we beseech Thee, that we
by faithfully following that which
he preached and taught may in
the end obtain unto that light of
eternal glory where he now liveth.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xliv. i, (/.
596.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
TT'ENTIGERN, whom the Scots
on account of the innocency
of his life and the sweetness of
his ways called Munghum,^ which
1 It is difficult to guess who can have compiled these Lessons. The quaint word
Munghum is evidently meant to represent Mynghu, popularly corrupted into Mungo, and
which signifies "my dear " : the ngh being the c of the Welsh ctt undergoing the nasal mutation
after my, in modern Welsh vy. He was not a Pict, but a Briton.
io66
GENERAL APPENDIX.
is being interpreted dearly beloved,
was sprung of the royal stock of the
Picts in North Britain. While he
was still a lad, he was given over to
the monastery of Culross, under the
teaching of the holy Bishop and
Abbat Serf, and made wondrous
headway in the study not only of
letters, but also of the things of
God and the science of the saints. i
Hence he withdrew into a solitary
place at Glasgow in Scotland,^
where he led an hard life in con-
stant prayer, and meditation upon
the things of heaven, until the
faithful of those parts, moved by
the fame of his holiness, duly chose
him for their bishop.
Fifth Lesson.
AyirHEN he had been raised to the
dignity of shepherd, he forth-
with shed around the bright rays of
apostolic grace, like a candle set
upon a candlestick. By his words
and his example he so shaped
the flock committed unto him that
many of them were so kindled
with the love of Jesus Christ as
to keep nothing of their own, but
to serve God with one heart and
one mind like the first disciples of
the Apostles. Kentigern himself re-
laxed nothing of his first way of life.
It was his use every day, besides
other works of godliness and penance,
to repeat the whole psalter ; and
every year, after the example of
Christ, he passed in the desert
the whole time of the fast of
forty days, cut off altogether from
the conversation of men.
Sixth Lesson.
r^OT) confirmed his preaching with
^^ many and great miracles, and
thus this holy bishop, mighty in word
and in work, preserved his flock un-
hurt from the Pelagian heresy which
crept all round about. And in his
vast diocese, wherethrough he trav-
elled many times on foot, he almost
abolished the worship of false gods,
and brought a countless multitude of
heathen into the Church of Christ.^
With this, nevertheless, he was not
content, but sent meet churchmen to
preach the gospel in the northern
parts of Scotland, in the Orkneys, in
Norway, and in Iceland. He lacked
not the merit of suffering hardship for
Christ's sake. He was driven into
exile by a wicked tyrant, and betook
himself to Wales, where he dwelt for
a while with holy Bishop David, and
then founded at the confluence of the
Elwy and the Clwyd a famous monas-
tery, where he trained up holy Asaph
as his disciple. There was a story
that once upon a time, when holy
Colum, the Abbat of lona, saw Kent-
igern, he said unto his monk, I see a
pillar of fire coming down upon this
holy bishop like a golden crown, and
the light of the glory of heaven shin-
ing upon him. He went to our
fatherland, which is in heaven, full of
days and beloved of God and men, at
the beginning of the seventh century.
His body was buried in the Cathedral
^ The boat containing Kentigern and his mother was washed ashore at Culross very
soon after his birth. The Serf in question was not an Abbat, and it is very improbable
that he was a Bishop. The monastery was not founded for hundreds of years after-
wards.
^ It is difficult to understand what is meant by the solitary place, since he seems to have
been attracted to Glasgow by the fact that there was there already a burying-ground which
had been consecrated by Ninian. The word Scotland at that time would have meant Ireland,
and it was not until a good many centuries later that it would have been held to include
Strathclyde.
3 This last sentence would appear to be an effort of pure imagination.
ST KENTIGERN.
1067
same reward, because consideration
was had not to the amount of their
gain, but to the amount of their
earnest effort.
Eighth Lesson.
TD Y the five talents, the two talents,
and the one talent, we may
understand the different graces which
are given to each : or, by the five
talents, we may understand the five
senses in full ; by the two, under-
standing and work ; and by the one,
the gift of reason whereby men are
separated from beasts. " Then he
that had received the five talents went
and traded with the same, and made
them other five talents." By the use
of his bodily senses he obtained a
knowledge of heavenly things, by
argument from creation he recog-
nised the existence of a Creator, by
bodily things he rose to the apprecia-
tion of things which are not bodily,
by things seen to things unseen,
by things fleeting to things eternal.
" And likewise he that had re-
ceived two, he also gained other
two." That which he had been
taught in the law he made double
through the Gospel, and understood
that that intelligence and that work
which have to deal with this present
life are but shadows beforehand
leading toward that blessed life
which is to come.
The Nijith Lesson is the Homily
of the Week-day. The following is
oinitted or read_^ with the Eighth.
Ninth Lesson.
nPHE time is very long between
the Ascension of our Saviour
and His coming again, but if the
1 No one would conclude from the above that the body of Kentigern remains absolutely
undisturbed in Glasgow Cathedral to the present day, which is the case. The last amazing
statement needs no remark,
church of Glasgow, where it was held
in great honour until the times
when the fury of the Calvinistic
heresy exterminated Catholic belief
from Scotland. 1
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seve?tth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxv.
14.)
AT that time: jESUS spake unto
His disciples this parable : A
man, travelling into a far country,
called his own servants, and de-
livered unto them his goods. And
so on.
Homily by St Jerome, Priest [at
Bethlehem.] {Bk. iv. on Matth.
xxv.)
By this man travelling into a
far country and first calling his
servants and delivering unto them
his goods, we can hardly doubt but
that Christ is signified, who, after
that He was risen again from the
dead, ascended hence in triumph
to the Father ; but before doing
so, called together His Apostles,
and committed to them the preach-
ing of the Gospel, more to one
and less to another, not arbitrarily,
but to every man "according to his
several ability," even as saith the
Apostle (i Cor. iii. 2) : "I had fed you
with milk and not with meat ; for
hitherto ye were not able to bear it,
neither yet now are y^ able." And
hence we find that at the end he
that had received five talents, and
had therewith gained five talents
more ; and he that had received two
talents, and had gained two other
talents beside them, each received the
io68
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Apostles will be called upon to give
an account of their stewardship, and
will rise again with the fear of the
judge before Him, what are we be-
hoven to do ? And be it remarked
that whatsoever we have now, howso-
ever great, and however much it may
seem to us, is nevertheless little and
scanty in comparison with those things
which are to come. "Enter thou,
saith He, into the joy of Thy Lord,"
and receive those things which " Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
hath it entered into the heart of man
[the things which God hath prepared
for them that love Him]" (i Cor.
ii. 9.) For what more can be given
unto the faithful servant than to be
with his Lord, and to behold his
Lord's joy ?
Co77tinemoration of the Week-day at
Lauds^ a?td at Second Vespers of the
Week-day and of St Valentine.
February 14.
tree aittr Ijts Companions,
JMartgrs.
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office for
Many Martyrs., {p. 564,) except the
following.
Prayer throughout.
O God, Who year by year, &c., {p.
574.)
^At First Vespers a CoiJimemoratio?i
is made of the Week-day^ and of St
Valentine.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Romans viii. 12, (/.
565.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
n^HOMAS Plumtree was a Priest
honourable for his life and
teaching, who, during the short
restoration of the Catholic religion
in the city of Durham, often publicly
offered up the holy Sacrifice of the
Mass and preached to the people.
When he was arrested by the Queen's
officers he steadfastly refused to con-
form himself to the rites of the
heretics, and as a warning to others
he was hanged at Durham, and so
gained the crown of a glorious mar-
tyrdom upon the 4th day of February
in the year 1570. Twelve years later
there suffered in London for the same
Catholic faith, Luke Kirby, who is
said to have been born within the
Bishopric of Durham, and have been
ordained Priest at the English College
at Doway. After he was in the cart
about to be hanged he was offered
his life if he would renounce the
Roman Pontiff and acknowledge the
Queen to be the head of the English
Church. Certainly, said he, I will
not deny the authority of the Pope
in order to save my life, for I
should surely thereby gain the loss
of my soul. The cart therefore
was taken away from under him,
and he resigned his holy soul into
the hands of his Creator upon the
30th day of May.
Fifth Lesson.
T T PON the 22nd day of August, in
the same year, there suffered
at York, Richard Kirkman. When
he was asked by the judge if he had
ever said Mass in England, he an-
swered that he had done so in
Northumberland, when sentence of
death was pronounced upon him for
being a Priest from the Seminary of
Rheims and for havinsr induced sub-
THE FLIGHT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO EGYPT. IO69
jects of the Queen to embrace the
Catholic religion. This lowly servant
of Christ deemed himself unworthy
of so lofty a call, and prayed the
judge to reconsider the matter, since
such a death was worthy of an holy
martyr. Then he could no longer
restrain the outbursts of the joy of
his soul, and said with a loud and
gladsome voice, "We Praise Thee, O
God, we acknowledge Thee to be the
Lord." He was taken to execution
along with the blessed William Lacy,
cheerfully mounted the ladder, and
gave up his blessed spirit with his
eyes raised heavenwards.
Sixth Lesson.
T3ICHARD Thirkill was born at
Coniscliffe, in the county of
Durham, and was already of ripe
years w^hen he was ordained Priest
at Rheims. From often thinking how
extraordinary a gift it was, that he
should offer up unto God every day
for his own salvation, and for the
salvation of all the people, the
Precious Blood of Christ, he early
conceived the desire to offer his own
blood for Christ in return. After four
years he was arrested at York, and
with great boldness he professed him-
self to be a Priest, and while he lay
in prison he laboured to prepare for
a godly death his fellow-prisoners who
were under capital sentence for their
crimes, and to exhort the Catholics
to steadfastness. When he himself
received the sentence of death he
knelt down and cried out with great
joy, "This is the day which the
Lord hath made, let us rejoice and
be glad in it." He suffered upon the
29th day of May in the year 1583.
Pope Leo XIII. approved that the
honours due to the blessed should
be paid to these illustrious martyrs.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xxi. 9, with the
Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 5 7 1 • )
The NijitJi Lesson is omitted^ or
read as one with the Eighth^ and the
Nifith Lesson is the Homily of the
Week-day,
At Lauds a Commemoration is made
of the Week-day^ and of St Valejitine ;
ajtd at Second Vespers of the Week-day^
and of SS. Faiistimcs and fovita.
February 17.
S:i)e Jltglit of ©ur Hort Sesus
Cijrist into lEggpt.
Greater Double.
All as on Sujtdays^ except the
following.
Psalms are the same as i7i the Office
of the Blessed Virgin. The last verse
of the Hymns at all the little hours is
altered in honour of the Lncar7iation^
ajid the same alteratioft is made at the
Short Responsory at P^-ime as in her
Office.
FIRST VESPERS.
Chapter., and Prayer
Antipho7is^
from Lauds.
Hyimi.^
'T^HE mighty King of glory dread,
Promised from Abraham's line to spring,
The kings bear witness now has come ;
That He is born, they tell the king.
The tyrant dooms the Child to death,
Tossed in his soul by passion's waves ;
But, warned by Heaven, from the sword
Her Child the Virgin Mother saves.
To distant lands in Egypt's realms
She bears away her Child in haste,
Nor does she rest until she sees
Her Infant Son in safety placed.
1 Translation by Archbishop Bagshawe, (Breviary Hymns, No. 50.
VOL. II.
2 N 2
1070
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Ah Mother ! bravest of the brave,
Wounded at heart by love most pure.
Lightly all troubles thou dost bear,
And flight's discomforts dost endure.
To Thy poor servants gracious be,
And make their troubles Thy concern,
And those, vi^hom sin has exiles made.
To their true country make return.
Jesus, to Thee be glory given,
Whom erst the Virgin Mother bore,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
Through endless ages evermore. Amen.
Verse. Joseph arose and took the
young Child and His mother by
night.
A?iszuer.
And departed into Egypt.
Antiphoii at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Behold the Angel of the
Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream,
saying, Arise, and take the young
Child and His mother, and flee into
Egypt, and be thou there until I bring
thee word : for Herod will seek the
young Child to destroy Him.
A Conwtemoration is made of the
Week-day.
MATTINS.
The Lord our Saviour
fled into Egypt. * O
Invitatory.
Jesus Christ
come let us worship Him.
Hymn as at First Vespers.
Third Aiitiphon. The Lord was
with Joseph in Egypt.
Verse. ^ Out of Egypt,
Answer. Have I called My Son.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Hosea (xi. i.)
A S the morning passeth away, so
■■^^ hath the King of Israel passed
away. For Israel was a child, and I
loved him, and called my son out of
Egypt. As they called them, so they
went from them ; they sacrificed unto
Baalim, and burned incense unto
graven images ; and I was as a foster
father unto Ephraim, I carried them
in my arms, and they knew not that I
healed them. I will draw them with
cords of Adam, with bands of love,
and I will be unto them as one that
taketh off the yoke on their jaws ; and
I turned aside unto him that he might
eat. He shall not return unto the
land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall
be his king, because they refused to
return. The sword hath begun on
his cities, and shall consume his
chosen ones, and devour the heads
thereof, and my people shall linger
until I return, and the yoke shall be
laid upon them together, and shall
not be lifted.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Antiphoji. Joseph took the
young Child and His mother by
night, and departed into Egypt.
^ Second Antiphon. And was there
until the death of Herod ; [that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the Prophet, saying.
Out of Egypt have I called My
Son.]
First Respojisory. (Gen. xlvi. 3, 4.)
Thus saith the Lord : Go down into
Egypt ; I will go down thither with
thee, and I will also bring thee up
again.
Verse. Joseph arose and took the
young Child and His mother by
night.
Ajtszver. And
thee up again.
I will also bring
1 Exodus xxxix. 2.
THE FLIGHT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO EGYPT. IO71
Second Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of the Prophet (Isaiah xix. i.)
TDEHOLD the Lord shall ride upon
a swift cloud and shall come into
Egypt ; and the idols of Egypt shall
be moved at his presence, and the
heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst
of it, and I will set the Egyptians
against the Egyptians, and they shall
fight every one against his brother,
and every one against his neighbour,
city against city, kingdom against
kingdom, and the spirit of Egypt shall
fail in the midst thereof, and I will
destroy the council thereof, and they
shall seek to the idols, and to the
charmers, and to them that have
familiar spirits, and to the wizards,
and Egypt will I give over into the
hand qf cruel lords, and the fierce
king shall rule over them, saith the
Lord God of Hosts.
Second Responsory.
Christ our King cometh,i and John
hath testified of Him, that He is the
Lamb that shall come.
Verse. ^ The kings shall shut their
mouths at him, all nations shall serve
him.
Answer. And John hath testified
of Him, that He is the Lamb that
shall come.
Third Lesson. ( I saiah xix. 19.)
T N that day there shall be an Altar
to the Lord in the midst of the
land of Egypt, and a pillar at the
border thereof, to the Lord for a sign,
and for a witness unto the Lord of
Hosts in the land of Egypt. For
they shall cry unto the Lord because
of the oppressor, and He shall send
them a Saviour, and a Great One,
and He shall deliver them. And the
Lord shall be known to Egypt, and
the Egyptians shall know the Lord in
that day, and they shall do sacrifice
and oblation ; and they shall vow vows
unto the Lord and perform them. And
the Lord shall smite Egypt ; He shall
smite and heal it, and they shall
return even to the Lord, and He
shall be entreated of them, and shall
heal them. In that day there shall
be an highway out of Egypt to
Assyria. And the Assyrians shall
come into Egypt, and the Egyptians
into Assyria, and the Egyptians
shall serve Assyria. In that day
shall Israel be the third with the
Egyptians, and with the Assyrians,
even a blessing in the midst of
the land, whom the Lord of Hosts
hath blest, saying. Blessed be Egypt,
My people.
Third Responsory.
^ Behold, I come from the south,
even I the Lord your God to visit you
in peace.
Verse. ^ I will have respect unto
you, and make you fruitful, you shall
be multipHed and I will establish My
covenant with you.
Afiswer. To visit you in peace.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. To visit you in peace.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphoii. Herod when He
saw that He was mocked by the wise
men was very wroth.
Seco7id Antiphon. Herod sent forth
and slew all the children that were
in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts
thereof. .
1 John i. 29.
3 Cf. Hab. iii. 3.
2 Is. Hi. 5._
^ Lev. xxvi. 9.
1072
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Third Antiphon. From two years
old and under, many children did
Herod slay for the Lord's sake.
Ve7'se. In Rama was there a voice
heard.
Answer. Lamentation and great
mourning.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St John Chrysostom, Arch-
bishop [of Constantinople.] {Eighth
on Matthew.)
VyHEREFORE was the young
Child sent into Egypt. The
Evangelist giveth the first reason :
" That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the
Prophet, saying : Out of Egypt
have I called My Son." But it
was also so done in order to pro-
claim to the whole world a message
of good hope. The two places
wherein glowed the fire of wicked-
ness, more than in all the rest
of the world, were Babylon and
Egypt, and the Lord from His
very birth declareth that He will
heal these two countries and bring
them to better things. And so
showeth that there is no part of
the world that may not look to
Him for good. From the one He
bringeth wise men to worship Him,
and to the other He Himself goeth
with His mother. From the wise
men we learn well to give ourselves
also to study, and from His flight
into Egypt we learn that trials and
dangers are to be looked for from
the very beginning, — they befell Him
even from His birth. No sooner was
He born than the tyrant broke forth
in fury, whence came flight and
exile, and the harmless mother was
fain to betake herself to the land
of heathens.
Fourth Responsory.
Weep not, O Egypt, for thy King
cometh unto thee, and the depths
shall be moved at His presence, to
set free His people out of the hand
of the mighty.
Verse. Behold the Lord of Hosts,
even thy God, cometh with great
power.
Answer. To set free His people
out of the hand of the mighty.
Fifth Lesson.
T^ROM this example thou mayest
learn to bear cheerfully the con-
stant trials which are one of the main
things which befall spiritual-minded
men. Bethink thee that trials befell
not the mother of the Child only,
but the wise men also. They were
fain to depart into their own country
another wayi She who had never
left her home was constrained to
undertake a long and toilsome journey
on account of her wondrous Child,
and His mystic birth. Consider
another marvel. In Palestine plots
are made against Him, but in Egypt
He is welcomed and held in safety
from those plots. Types and figures
were set forth not only in the sons
of the Patriarch, but also in the Lord
Himself. Those things which He
did foreshadowed many things which
were afterward to come, as was the
case also in regard to the ass and
her colt. The Angel which appeared
spake not unto Mary, but unto Joseph,
and what said he ? " Arise and take
the young Child and His mother " —
he said not "Thy wife," but His
mother, the birth having taken place.
The trouble of Joseph was removed
and his faith satisfied, and the Angel
speaketh unto him not of his son, or
of his wife, but of the young Child
and of His mother, bidding him
THE FLIGHT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO EGYPT. I073
flee with them into Egypt, and he
saith moreover why they should flee,
" For Herod will seek the young
Child to destroy Him."
Fifth Responsory.
The Lord shall be known to Egypt,
and the Egyptians shall know the
Lord in that day.
Verse. They shall cry unto the
Lord from the face of the oppressor,
and He will send unto them a
Saviour.
Answer. And the Egyptians shall
know the Lord in that day.
Sixth Lesso7i.
"DY this is the Virgin herself set
forth in no little glory and
honour, for she could thus obtain
what was held as a glory by all her
people. They thought it a great
thing and a proud thing that they
had returned out of Egypt, whereat
the Prophet doth point when he saith :
Did I not bring strangers out of
Cappadocia and Assyrians out of a
pit ? and thus is manifested the glory
of the Virgin. Moreover, when the
people and the Patriarch went down
into Egypt and came up again, their
action was a type of His return, for
they went down thither to escape from
the death which was threatening them
through famine, and He went to escape
the death which threatened Him from
plots. They went and were delivered
from the famine. He went that
He might sanctify all that land by
His presence. I would have thee
bethink Thyself, how amid things
lowly are manifested the things which
pertain unto God. When the Angel
said, " Flee into Egypt," he said not
that he would be with them either in
their going down or in their coming
up, giving them to wit that He Who
was with them, albeit a young Child,
was that Great One at whose appear-
ing all things should be changed.
Sixth Responsory.
Hail Mary, how holy and how spot-
less is thy virginity. I am too dull
to praise thee ! for thou hast borne
into Egypt upon thy breast Him
Whom the heavens cannot contain.
Verse. Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb.
Ajzswer. For thou hast borne into
Egypt upon thy breast Him Whom
the heavens cannot contain.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ansiuer. For thou hast borne into
Egypt Him Whom the heavens cannot
contain.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antipho7i. But when Herod
was dead, behold an angel of the
Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph
in Egypt.
Seco7id Antiphon. Arise, and take
the young Child and His mother,
and go into the land of Israel.
Third Antipho7i. They are dead
which sought the young Child's life.
Verse. Joseph arose and took the
young Child and His mother.
Answer. And came into the land
of Israel.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (ii.
13.)
A T that time : The Angel of the
Lord appeareth to Joseph in a
dream, saying : Arise, and take the
young Child and His mother, and flee
1074
GENERAL APPENDIX.
into Egypt, and be thou there until I
bring thee word. And so on.
Homily by St Peter Chrysologus,
Archbishop [of Ravenna.] (O;? the
Flight of Christ into Egypt.)
What is this day read hath moved
our hearts, made our bowels to
tremble, and confounded our hearing.
Behold the Angel of the Lord ap-
peareth to Joseph in a dream, saying,
"Arise and take the young Child
with His mother and flee into Egypt."
Virginity offereth no obstacle to His
birth, reason resisteth Him not, nature
gainsayeth Him not. What might
then, what power, what danger should
prevail to make Him flee? "Take
the young Child and His mother and
flee into Egypt." It had been more
reverent if he had said, "Go into
Egypt," so that it might have been a
journey and not a flight. An act of
free-will and not of compulsion ; an
act of wisdom and not of fear ; an
act at least of man if not of God ;
but now is there a command to flee
— a command from heaven, a com-
mand brought by an Angel, so that
it were as if heaven and not earth
had been the first to fear.
Seventh Responsory.
The Virgin Mother that knew not
a man, bore but travailed not, from
the fountain of her breast the Virgin
fed the Saviour blest, when He the
Eternal King of Angels was driven
into exile.
Verse. Soon riseth in that modest
shrine the temple of the Lord divine ;
the stainless and unwedded one
within her womb conceived the Son.
A7is'wer. From the fountain of her
breast the Virgin fed the Saviour
blest, when He the Eternal King of
Angels was driven into exile.
Eighth Lesson.
" nPAKE the young Child and His
mother and flee into Egypt."
Flee into Egypt, flee from thine own
home to the land of strangers, flee
from the holy places into the midst of
the wicked, flee from thy temple
unto the shrines of devils, flee from
the fatherland of the Saints into the
country of idols. Judea is not wide
enough, the Lord of the world is
straitened for room, the Holy of
Holies will not contain the Lord of
the temple, neither can He find a
place amid the multitude of his
priests, nor a refuge among all the
kinsfolk of Mary and of Joseph, but
profane Egypt must be called in to
afford God a hiding-place. Thus doth
necessity press, and the Virgin may
not consider her modesty, the mother
her toil, the woman her shyness,
Joseph his fears ; they must not con-
sider the weariness of the long journey
and the break-up of their home.
Eighth Responsory.
1 And now what hast thou to do in
the way of Egypt ? Turn again, O
Virgin of Israel, turn again unto thine
own cities.
Verse. How long wilt thou go
about sorrowing ?
Answer. Turn again, O Virgin of
Israel, turn again unto thine own
cities.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. Turn again, O Virgin of
Israel, turn again unto thine own
cities.
The following Ninth Lesso?t is either
omitted or read as one with the Eighth.^
in order to leave room for the Homily
of the Week-day.
1 Jer. ii. i8 ; xxxi. 21, 22.
THE FLIGHT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO EGYPT. IO75
Ninth Lesson.
"DRETHREN, the flight of Christ
was not the effect of fear ; it
was a mystery ; it was a declara-
tion of the freedom of the Creator,
not a confession that He was in
danger. It was not the act of
His weakness as man, but of His
power as God. He fled in order
to save the Hfe of the world, not
to save from death Him Who had
made the world. He had come to
die, and why then should He have
fled from death ? If Christ had
allowed Himself to be slain as a
little child, He would have slain the
whole scheme of our salvation. Christ
had come to instruct by His teaching,
and to strengthen by His example ; to
do Himself those things which He
commanded to be done, and to prove
to the 'eyes the possibility of things
which to the hearing seemed impos-
sible. He had come to make it
known to man that He was God, and
to leave man in ignorance no longer ;
and all these things would have been
lost to us had Christ not fled while
yet He was in swaddling bands.
The Hymn.,
God," is said.
We praise Thee, O
LAUDS.
First A7itipho7i. Behold the Angel
of the Lord "^ appeareth to Joseph in
a dream.
Second Antipho7i. Arise, and take
the young Child "^ and His mother,
and flee into Egypt.
Third Antiphojt. Be thou there
* until I bring thee word.
Fottrth Ajttiphon. For Herod will
seek the young Child * to destroy
Him.
Fifth Antiphon. Joseph arose and
took the young Child and His mother
by night and departed into Egypt.
Chapter. (Is. xix. i.)
"DEHOLD the Lord shall ride upon
a swift cloud, and shall come
into Egypt ; and the idols of Egypt
shall be moved at His presence, and
the heart of Egypt shall melt in the
midst of it.
Hyinn.^
nrO the true Thunderer's Only Son,
Escaping from the treacherous sword,
Leaving the worship of thy gods,
Haste, Egypt, safety to afford.
Him Herod's cruelty compels,
An exile from His home to go,
But the hard flight of Christ avails
To us the Heavenward way to show.
O sweetest Virgin Mother, who
Didst through a thousand risks defend
Thy sweet Son Jesus, and didst reach
Successfully thy journey's end,
Undo the bonds which Satan's wiles
Have woven round us, that we may,
Ever thro' rough ways and thro' plain
Our Leader follow and obey.
Jesus, to Thee be glory given,
Whom erst the Virgin Mother bore,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
For endless ages evermore. Amen.
Verse. Cry out and shout, O
Egypt.
Answer. ^ por great is the Holy
One of Israel in the midst of them.
Antiphon at the Song of Zach arias.
When Herod was dead, behold an
Angel of the Lord appeareth in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying :
Arise, and take the young Child and
His mother, and go into the land of
Israel ; for they are dead which sought
the young Child's life.
1 Translation by Archbishop Bagshawe, (Breviary Hymns, No. 51.)
2 Cf. Is. xii. 6.
1076
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Prayer throughout.
r\ GOD, the Protector of all them
^^^ which trust in Thee, Who by a
flight into Egypt wast pleased to de-
liver from the sword of Herod Thine
only - begotten Son our Redeemer,
grant unto us Thy servants at the
prayers of the most blessed Mary
always a Virgin, and yet mother of
the same Thy Son, that we may be
delivered from all dangers whether of
mind or of body, and may be made
meet to be called home from this our
exile unto our very fatherland which
is in heaven. Through the same our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Ame7i.
A Conimevioration is made of the
Week-day.
PRIME.
Antiphoji. Behold the Angel of the
Lord, &c., {First Ajitiphon at Lauds.')
In the Short Respofisory.
Thus Thou that wast born of the
Virgin Mary.
Chapter at the end. (Is. xvi. 3.)
'T^AKE counsel, bethink thee of
judgment ; make thy shadow as
the night in the midst of the noon-
day ; hide the outcasts, bewray not
him that wandereth. Let mine out-
casts dwell with thee ; be thou a
covert to them from the face of the
spoiler.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Arise, and take the
young Child, &c., {Second Antiphon
at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Short Responsory.
Verse. The Lord is as a bride-
groom.
Anstver. The Lord is as a bride-
groom.
Verse. Coming out of his chamber.
Answer. As a bridegroom.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
AnsTver. The Lord is as a bride-
groom.
Verse. The Lord shall come forth
out of His holy place.
Answer. He shall come to save
His people.
SEXT.
A7itipho7i. Be thou there, &:c.,
{Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Ezek. xxx. 13.)
'pHUS saith the Lord God: I will
destroy the images, and I will
cause the idols to cease out of
Memphis ; and there shall be no
more a prince of the land of Egypt,
and I will put a fear in the land of
Egypt.
Short Responsory.
Verse. The Lord shall come forth
out of His holy place.
Answer. The Lord shall come
forth out of His holy place.
Verse. He shall come to save His
people.
A?iswer. Out of His holy place.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The Lord shall come
forth out of His holy place.
Verse. All the ends of the earth
have seen
Answer. The salvation of our
God.
ST MARGARET OF CORTONA.
1077
NONE.
Aiitipho7i. Joseph arose, &c., {Fifth
Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
All the ends of the earth have seen.
Answer. All the ends of the earth
have seen
Verse. The salvation of our God.
Answer. The ends of the earth
have seen.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. All the ends of the earth
have seen.
Verse. The Lord was made flesh.
Answer. And dwelt among us.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at First Vespers except the
Aiitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin.
Y\/'HEN Joseph heard that Arche-
laus did reign in Judea in the
room of his father Herod, he was
afraid to go thither, and being warned
in a dream, he turned aside into the
parts of Galilee ; and he came and
dwelt in a city which is called Naz-
areth, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet : He shall
be called a Nazarene.
Coninieviorations are made of the
Week-day.^ and of St Simeo?i.
February 27.
St JHargaret of ffiortotta,
^Penitent.
Semi-double.
All from the Co7nmon Office for
Holy Women not Virgins., {p. 649,)
except the following.
Iji the Second Vespers of St Ethel-
bert a Commemoration is made of St
Margaret. Prayer from Lauds.
A Com7nemoratio7i is 77iade of the
Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro77i Proverbs xxxi. 10,
(A 650.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
nPHIS Margaret who, from the
place where she fell asleep, is
called Margaret of Cortona, was born
at Alviano, in Tuscany. In her
younger years she was led astray by
the pleasures of the world, and led
a vain and wanton life at Monte
Pulciano, till she was led by a dog
to discover the body of her paramour
who had been foully murdered and
buried in a hole under a pile of wood.
Thenceforth the hand of the Lord was
upon her, and being touched with
great sorrow for her sins she went
out and wept bitterly. She returned
to Alviano, put off her hair, and left
her head untired, clad herself in a
grey garment, and bade farewell to
her own misguided ways and to the
enticements of the world. She lay
upon the ground in the churches with
an halter round her neck, and begged
the pardon of all whom she had
beforetime shocked by her life. Soon
after this she went to Cortona, where
she sought in sackcloth and ashes to
please the majesty of God Whom she
had offended. After a trial of three
years she obtained from the Friars
Minor, who were the directors of her
spiritual life, an habit of the Third
Order of St Francis. Henceforth she
was oftentimes in an abundance of
tears, and such groanings from the
depths of her soul that for a long
io;8
GENERAL APPENDIX.
time she did not speak. She made
her bed upon the bare ground and
used a stock or stone for her pillow ;
thus she was accustomed to pass
nights without sleep thinking of the
things of heaven. She never again
felt any evil desire, and a good spirit
strengfthened her weak flesh for toil.
Fifth Lesson.
'T*HIS valiant woman, when the
devil assailed her by crafty and
dangerous advances, once and again
unmasked the enemy through his own
words and remained unconquered. In
order to escape the temptation to vain-
glory wherewith the evil spirit assailed
her, she continued to assure herself
of her past life with a loud voice in
the streets and broad ways, and to
declare herself worthy of any punish-
ment. It was only through the per-
suasion of her Confessor that she was
prevented from marring the comeliness
of her face which had once been the
source of unclean love, and she took
it to heart that the long hardships
which she inflicted upon her flesh
left her bodily beauty unchanged.
By these and other great works of
repentance she purged away the stain
of her guilt, and so conquered herself
as to keep all her senses untouched
by the allurements of the world.
Thus was she made worthy often-
times to have converse with the Lord.
Sometimes all her senses left her, and
while she appeared as though she were
actually dead, she realised her burn-
ing prayer to be with Christ and with
the Virgin, the Mother of Sorrows.
It came to pass that many resorted
to her, even from distant places, as to
a teacher of perfection, and she by
that heavenly light which shone in
her saw the secrets of hearts and'
the consciences of men,, and perceived
Avith woe and tears the sms of those
who were offending God even in far-
off places. From the intensity of her
love for God and for her neighbour
she was of great profit to souls. She
obtained health for the sick who-
betook themselves to her, and de-
liverance for those that were pos-
sessed by evil spirits. Touched by
a mother's grief she raised her dead
son to life ; by her constant prayers
she averted the threatening tempests
of war ; and by works of far-stretching
mercy she earned well both of the
living and of the dead.
Sixth Lesso7i.
A^LrHILE she was busied with so
many holy works she laid
aside none of the hardness wherewith
she treated her body, neither did she
suffer herself to relax her gaze upon,
things heavenly. In both kinds of
life she was so wonderful that she
seemed to be at once both a Mary
and a Martha. At length she be-
sought the Lord for herself that He
would be pleased to call her home
out of this vale of tears into our
Fatherland above which is in heaven^
and her prayer was heard, and it
was revealed to her on what day and
at what hour she should fall asleep.
She was then full of good works and
labours and heavenly gifts. Her
bodily strength began to give way ;
for seventeen days she took no food,
and strengthened herself only by talk-
ing with God. Then she duly re-
ceived the holy sacraments of the
church, and with gladsome face and
eyes lifted up to heaven she happily
passed away h^nce to be forever with
the Bridegroom upon the 22nd day
of February in the year of man's
salvation 1297, of her own age the
50th, and of her conversion the
23rd. Her body remaineth until
this day lifelike, incorrupt, uninjured^
ST EDWARD, KING OF ENGLAND, MARTYR.
1079
and diffusing sweet savour. It is
preserved in deep reverence in the
church of the Friars Minor which is
called after her name. She hath
constantly flourished by miracles
which have moved the Bishop of
Rome to grant many indulgences for
the increase of her honour, and Pope
Benedict XIII. held a solemn religious
ceremony of her canonisation upon the
feast of Pentecost, being the i6th
day of May in the year 1728.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xiii. 44, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 653.)
The Ninth Lesson is of the Week-
day^ of which also a Commemoratioii
is 7nade at Lands.
LAUDS.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
When God gave repentance to the
Magdalene of the Seraphic Order, she
recovered herself out of the snare of
the devil,! ^caA her sins which were
many were forgiven, for she loved
much. 2
SECOND VESPERS.
Virgin
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
^ My beloved is mine and I
am his. I have found Him Whom
my soul loveth, I held Him and would
not let Him go.
A Commemoratio7i is made of the
Week-day,
In the Dioceses of Newport and
Menevia., St David^ March i, and iii
the Diocese of Bir7ninghaj7i, St Chad.,
March 2, are Dotcbles of the First
Class., and if Lent be not already
begun they have Octaves. It is rare
for such Octaves to be completed., as
Ash- Wednesday puts an ejid to thejn.
The Rubric directs the reader to be
guided by the Ordo Recitandi for the
year. In the Diocese of Hexham and
Newcastle the Feast of St Cuthbert^
March 20, is a Double of the First
Class.
March 22.
St (Etitoarti, Ittng of ISnglanti,
iHartgr,
Double.
All from the Common Office for One
Martyr^ {p. 548,) except the followifig.
Prayer throughout.
(~\ GOD, the eternal King, look
^^ down in mercy upon Thy family
who keep the memorial of Thy blessed
martyr King Edward, and grant for
his sake, and at his prayers, that we
who rejoice at his victory may also
gain a share in his reward.
Vespers are of St Benedict., with
only a Commemoration of St Edward
before that of the Week-day.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
The Lessons are taken from Rom.
viii. 12, (^. 565,) with Responsories
from the Common Office for One
Martyr.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Less 072.
^1 /"HEN Edward was raised to the
throne, the Lord the King of
kings guided him in the paths of
righteousness and of truth, and with
His help he excelled more and more
from day to day in greatness of mind
and perfect lowliness. By the excel-
lence of his graces he raised again to
1 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26.
2 Luke vii. 47.
3 Cant. ii. 16; iii. 4.
io8o
GENERAL APPENDIX.
all its first glory the honour which he
had newly received. He was careful
to turn his mind to follow the healthy
counsels of Dunstan, Archbishop of
Canterbury, rather than to act upon
the advice of men younger and less
wise ; and he conformed his judg-
ments in all things to the advice of
that primate and of other devout and
honourable men. Then was there in
England the calm of peace, and great
riches in all things.
Fifth Lesson.
"OUT the devil, the enemy of all
goodness, stirred up his step-
mother, whose name was Alfrith, to
hate the king, and in the glow of her
evil passion she dared to think within
herself how she should destroy the man
of God out of the kingdom, that she
might make her own son Etheldred
to be king in his stead. This plan,
therefore, she revealed to some of her
counsellors, praying and adjuring them
to consent with her and to help her ;
and they consented with her, and be-
thought them how they should bring
about the murder of the gentle king.
Sixth Lesson.
V\/"HEN this worshipful king had
reigned for three years and
eight months he went to hunt one
day at Warham Wood, which then
was a great wood ; and he was fain
to see his brother, and went with few
only to the house of his stepmother,
which was hard by. And while they
went thither they that were with him
left him to follow their pastime, and
the "king came alone, suspecting no
evil, to the house of his stepmother.
When it was told to the wicked queen
that King Edward was coming thither
alone, she rejoiced that she had gotten
a fit time to carry out her evil desire,
and she went out to meet him, and
bade him lovingly to come in. But
he would not, but said that he was
fain to see his brother. Then the
wicked queen bade bring him drink,
that while he was drinking she might
do her will. Then one of them who
was more wicked than the rest gave
him a kiss of peace, that he might
make him feel all the more safe and
might the more easily slay him ; and
he did so, for when the king took his
drinking vessel from the hand of the
cup-bearer and put it to his mouth,
he that had given him the kiss leapt
forward upon him and struck a knife
into his inward parts. And so the
friend of God fell from his horse and
gave up the ghost [upon the i8th day
of March in the year 978.]
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matt. xvi. 24, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 560.)
The last Lesson is read along with
the Eighth., to leave room for the
Homily of the Week-day.^ of which
a Commemoration is also made at
Lauds. Where this Feast is observed.^
the Feast of St Cyril of Jerusalem is
kept upon the next day., and Vespers
are therefore of him from the Chapter
inchtsive, but with a Commemoration
of St Edward and of the Week-day.
March 23.
Ln the Diocese of Hexham and
Ne%ucastle.
of ^i t\xi%UxL
Sejjii-double.
All as on the Feast., except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso?7s from Timothy iii. i, {p.
582.)
FOURTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF ST CUTHBERT. loSi
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.]
(29. On Rom. 15.)
T T E that loveth Christ, loveth his
flock. He first set Moses over
the Jewish people when his kindliness
had been proved. David also was
exalted to the head of the kingdom
after it had been made manifest how
he loved the people. While he was
yet a lad he was sorrowful and anxious
because of his people, and he put his
own life in jeopardy that he might
slay Goliath, in that he said, " What
shall be done to the man that killeth
this Philistine, and taketh away the
reproach from Israel?" (i Kings
(Sam.)- xvii. 26.) He said it not
because he sought for a reward, but
that men might believe him and let
him go forth to battle, for after that
he had gained the victory, and Abner
took him and brought him before Saul
with the head of the Philistine in his
hand, he said nothing of payment.
Fifth Lesson.
IX/rOREOVER, as for Samuel also,
he was kindly and a lover of his
people, whence also he said, " God for-
bid that I should sin against the Lord
in ceasing to pray for you," (i Kings
(Sam.) xii. 23.) And Paul loved them
over whom he was set, not as the
others had loved them, but much more
than them all, and thereby he stirred
up such love among them in return
that he saith, " I bear you record,
that, if it had been possible, ye would
have plucked out your own eyes and
have given them to me," (Gal. iv. 15.)
And Christ Himself has revealed the
love of Himself, the chief Shepherd of
all, in the words, " The good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep," (John
X. II.) The souls of saints are so
tender and humane that their love
extendeth not toward them of their
households only, but to strangers also,
and even unto brute beasts likewise.
Whence the Wise Man saith, "A
righteous man regardeth the life of
his beast ; but the tender mercies of
the wicked are cruel," (Prov. xii. 10.)
And if they so have regard unto
the life of their beasts, much more
unto the life of men.
Sixth Lesson.
A ND as we are now speaking of
beasts, let us consider the hard-
ships which the shepherds in Cappa-
docia undergo for the sake of their
flocks. They often pass three days
at a time under the snow. It is said
also that the hardships of those in
Lybia are just as great, who for a
whole month at a time will go about
in that rugged desert filled with evil
beasts. If, then, the shepherds of
beasts bestow upon them such care,
what excuse, I should like to know,
shall we have unto whose care reason-
able souls have been committed ? and
who yet sleep the deep sleep which we
sleep. Knowest thou not the dignity
of thy flock ? or that it was for the
sake of that flock that thy Lord hath
created works without number ? that
it was for that flock that He ended
by shedding His own blood ? And
dost thou ask for rest ? What can be
worse than shepherds such as these ?
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxiv,
42.)
I082
GENERAL APPENDIX.
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
'^^ disciples : Watch, for ye know
not what hour your Lord doth come.
And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] (78.
O71 MattJieiv.)
For this reason doth the Lord
bid His disciples to watch and be
ready, for that in such an hour as
they think not He cometh. Thus
doth He make them careful and
anxious lest even they should fall
away. In like manner it is said :
If men knew beforehand when they
were to die, they would bestow
much care upon that hour, and
therefore that they may be careful
not at that time only but at all
times, and be always looking out
upon the watch, He foretelleth unto
them no hour either in general
or in particular, just as He hath
hidden from every man the hour
of his death.
Eighth Lesson.
A ND then vvith such clearness that
'^^ nothing can be clearer He
calleth Himself our Lord. It seemeth
unto me that these things are said to
make us ashamed of our sloth. The
good man upon the watch for the
thief hath more care to keep his
goods than ye have to save your
souls ; for he watcheth lest his house
be robbed, but ye, albeit ye know for
;a surety that your Lord will come,
persevere not nor so watch that ye
cannot leave this life unprepared.
And, therefore, that day will come
charged with evil to them whom it
shall find sleeping.
The Ninth Lesson is the Homily of
the Week-day., of which also a Coni-
memoratio7i is jnade at Lauds,
March 24.
L?i the Diocese of LLexhaui and
Newcastle.
fif^g ®a^ wt(6tn i^t <Dctat?e of
Semi-double.
All as on the Feast .^ except the fol-
loiuing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Timothy iii. i, if).
582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {As
yesterday. )
'T^HEY that rule nations, when they
have to take counsel over
events, are not content with the day,
but sit up by night also to consult.
We, whose business it is to strive for
heaven, go to sleep not in the night
only but in the day also. Who, may
I inquire, is to save us from the pun-
ishment which will be visited upon
the rulers of things earthly ? If it
was a question of exposing our bodies
to death, if there were many deaths
to bear, ought we not to run to this
as men run to a fair ? It is not the
shepherds alone whom I wish to hear
this. I wish the sheep to hear it too,
that they may wake their shepherds
up, while at the same time they yield
them nothing but all obedience and a
teachable spirit.
- Fifth Lessoft.
pAUL saith, " Obey them that have
the rule over you, and submit
yourselves ; for they watch for your
FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF ST CUTHBERT.
1083
souls, as they that must give account,"
(Heb. xiii. 17.) The words, "they
watch for your souls," include toils,
cares, and dangers without number.
He that is a good shepherd, and such
as Christ would have him, he is
likened to martyrs without number.
The martyr dieth once for Christ's
sake, but the good shepherd, if he is
such as he ought to be, dieth a
thousand times, for such a shepherd
can die for his flock every day.
Wherefore do ye, when ye know
our labour, help us by your prayers,
and your care, and the readiness of
your souls, and your love, that ye
may be our glory, and that we may
be yours.
Sixth Lesson.
"KirHEN Christ laid the command
to feed His flock upon him
who was the leader of the Apostles,
and who loved Him more than the
rest. He asked him first of all whether
he loved Him. Learn thou from this
that before all other things the thing
necessary is love for Christ. Here
there is need for a stout heart. I am
not saying these things about myself
or about them that are like unto me,
but about the best shepherds, such as
was Paul or Peter or [Cuthbert] ; but
whether we be governors or governed,
let us imitate them, and even they
that are governed have that wherein
they also in turn do play the shep-
herd, such as their household, their
friends, their servants, their wives,
and their children.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxiv.
42.)
AT that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : Watch, for ye know
not what hour your Lord doth come.
And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {As
before. )
Are these, I ask, the words of one
of them that know not ? It is written,
(Mark xiii. 22,) " Of that day and that
hour knoweth no man ; no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither
the Son, but the Father," and if the
Son Himself know not, what wilt thou
say when He asketh, as though in
doubt, "Who, then, is a faithful and
wise servant ? " Dost thou deem that
this also He knoweth not? Nay, for
this were foolishness. We can say
wherefore He knoweth not that day
nor that hour, but not wherefore He
should not know who be the faithful
and wise servants. When He asked,
" Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
Me?" (John xvi. 15, 16, 17,) or
"Where have ye laid him?" (xi. 34,)
did He not know ?
Eighth Lesson.
T FIND that even the Father Him-
self somewhiles so speaketh, as
where He calleth unto Adam, "Where
art thou ? " (Gen. iii. 9,) or where it is
written, "And the Lord said. Because
the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is
great, and because their sin is very
grievous, I will go down now and see
whether they have done according to
the cry of it which is come unto Me ;
and if not, I will know," (xviii. 20, 21,)
or again, in another place, " It may be
that the house of Juda will hear all
the evil which I purpose to do unto
them ; that they may return every
man from his evil way, that I may
forgive their iniquity and their sin,"i
1 Si forte audierint, si forte intellexerint. Apparently a loose quotation from memory.
1084
GENERAL APPENDIX.
(Gen. xxxvi. 3,) and again, in the
Gospel, (Luke xx. 13,) "What shall I
do ? I will send My beloved Son ; it
may be they will reverence Him when
they see Him." All these passages are
written as though they expressed ignor-
ance, but they are not written to express
ignorance, but because it pleased Him
in His good providence so to speak.
The Ninth Lesson is the Homily of
the Week-day^ of which also a Covi-
viemoration is made at Lands.
March 26.
Ln the Diocese of Hexham and
Newcastle.
^even^g ©a^ mi%m tge Octave
of ^i t\xm^xU
Semi-double.
A II as on the Feast., except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Timothy iii. i, {J).
582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Lessons from St Maxiiniis of Turin.,
"Our blessed Father Cuthbert," &c.,
(A 594.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthev/ (xxiv.
42.)
A T that time : Jesus said unto His
disciples : Watch, for ye know
not what hour your Lord doth come.
And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {^As
before. )
Who, then, is a faithful and wise
servant whom his lord hath made
ruler over his household to give them
meat in due season. If either faith-
fulness or wisdom be lacking the
other profiteth little ; if a servant be
faithful, in the sense that he doth
not steal, but is a waster instead
of a thrifty spender, it is no small
fault in him ; on the other hand, if
he be a wise steward, but enricheth
him_self, this is a great fault in him.
And let us who are wealthy take
good heed to it.
Eighth Lesson.
TIj^OR the Lord hath appointed as
His stewards, not preachers
only, but the rich also. Unto both
these classes hath the Lord given
riches in charge, that in due season
they may give meat unto His house-
hold. Unto preachers, indeed, He
hath committed the stewardship of
the greater riches, but unto the
wealthy He hath given the steward-
ship of riches which are no small
ones. If, therefore, preachers scatter
abroad the better riches, and ye show
no bountifulness in scattering abroad
the lesser riches, what excuse have
ye ? But why, indeed, should I say
bountifulness and not gratitude, for
ye give away that which is not your
own but others.
The Niiith Lessoii is the Homily of
the Week-day., of which also a Com-
jnemoration is uiade at Lauds.
Also March 26.
Double.
All as on Sitndays., except the fol-
lowing.
Psalms as in the Office of a Confessor
not a Bishop.
THE PENITENT THIEF.
1085
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons^ Chapter^ and Prayer
from Lauds.
Hymn.
T ESUS ! Eternal Truth Sublime,
•J Through endless years the same !
Thou Crown of those who through all time
Confess Thy holy name.
Thy suppliant people, through the prayer
Of Thy blest saint, forgive ;
For his dear sake Thy wrath forbear,
And bid our spirits live.
Again returns the sacred day,
With heavenly glory bright.
That saw him go upon his way
Into the realms of light.
Then for his sake Thy wrath lay by,
And hear us while we pray ;
And pardon us, O Thou Most High !
On this his festal day.
All glory to the Father be
And sole Incarnate Son ;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
While endless ages run. Amen.
Verse. ^ The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
Answer. He clothed him with a
robe of glory.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^ One thief said unto the
other : We, indeed, receive the due
reward of our deeds, but what hath
this man done ? Lord, remember
me when Thou comest into Thy
kingdom.
A Comniejnoration is made of the
Week-day.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. While Christ our King
hung from the Cross, He gave Para-
dise to the thief that was crucified
with Him. "^ O come let us worship
Him.
Hymn as at Vespers.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. Blessed and holy
is he that putteth his trust in the
Lord. And He heard him out of His
holy hill.
Second Antipho7z. Ask of Me and
I shall give thee thine inheritance.
Third Antiphon. I cried unto the
Lord with my voice, and He heard
me out of His holy hill.
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
Answer. And clothed him with a
robe of glory.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah (Iv. i.)
"LJ O, every one that thirsteth, come
ye to the waters ; and he that
hath no money, come ye, buy and
eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for
that which is not bread, and your
labour for that which satisfieth not ?
Hearken diligently unto Me and eat
ye that which is good, and let your
soul delight itself in fatness. Incline
your ear and come unto Me : hear,
and your soul shall live ; and I will
make an everlasting covenant with
you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given Him for a
witness to the people, a leader and
commander to the nations. Behold,
thou shalt call a nation that thou
knewest not ; and nations that knew
not Thee shall run unto Thee because
of the Lord Thy God and for the
1 Ecclus. xlv. 9.
2 Luke xxiii. 40-42.
io86
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Holy One of Israel, for He hath
glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord
while He may be found, call ye upon
Him while He is near.
First Responsory.
i I have laid help upon one that
is mighty, for my hand shall help
him, mine arm also shall strengthen
him.
Verse. The enemy shall prevail
nothing against him, nor the son of
wickedness afflict him.
Answer. For my hand shall help
him, mine arm also shall strengthen
him.
Second Lesson.
T ET the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and let him return unto
the Lord, and He will have mercy
upon him, and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon. For My
thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are
My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
And as the rain cometh down, and
the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither but watereth the earth
and quickeneth it, and maketh it to
bring forth, and giveth seed to the
sower and bread to the eater ; so
shall My word be that shall go forth
out of My mouth ; it shall not return
unto Me void, but it shall accomplish
that which I please, and it shall pros-
per in that whereto I sent it.
Second Responsory .
This is he which knew righteous-
ness, and saw great wonders, and
made his prayer unto the Most High.
May he pray for all people that their
sins may be forgiven unto them !
Verse. He is numbered among
the saints.
Answer. May he pray for all
people that their sins may be forgiven
unto them.
Third Lesson, (lix. i.)
"DEHOLD, the Lord's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save ;
neither His ear heavy, that it cannot
hear. But your iniquities have separ-
ated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid His Face from
you, that He may not hear. For
your hands are defiled with blood,
and your fingers with iniquity ; your
lips have spoken lies, and your tongue
uttereth perverseness. None calleth
for justice, nor any judgeth truly,
but they trust in vanity and speak
foolishness ; they conceive mischief
and bring forth iniquity.
Third Responsory.
The Lord loved him, and beautified
him ; He clothed him with a robe of
glory, and crowned him at the gates
of Paradise.
Verse. The Lord hath put on him
the breastplate of faith and hath
adorned him.
Answer. And crowned him at the
gates of Paradise.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
A7tswer. And crowned him at the
gates of Paradise.
SECOND NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. When His holy
one called the Lord heard him, yea
the Lord heard him and gave him
peace.
Second Antiphon. Hearken unto
1 Ps. Ixxxviii. 20, 22, 23.
THE PENITENT THIEF.
1087
the voice of my cry, O Lord, my
King and my God !
Third Antiphoii. Thou hast set
Thy glory above the heavens.
Verse. The Lord hath put on him
the breastplate of faith and hath
adorned him.
Ansiuer. And crowned him at the
gates of Paradise.
Fourth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St John Chrysostom, [Patriarch
of Constantinople.] {2nd on the
Cross and the Thief.)
T KNOW that others have treated
the subject of the penitent thief
before me, but the Word of God hath
divers interpretations. This thief
purchased salvation from the Cross
and made the kingdom of heaven his
booty. He did violence to the Divine
Majesty' and prevailed, not by his
own power, but by faith. The
Lord Himself hath said, (Matth. xi.
12) : "The kingdom of heaven sufifer-
eth violence, and the violent taketh
it by force." The two crucified
thieves are images of Jewry and
heathendom, and the thief who re-
pented was an image of the ingather-
ing from heathendom who erst had
walked in darkness but are afterward
come to the knowledge of the truth.
The thief who repented not is an
image of the Jewry who remain still
unbelieving. They trod together the
path of sin until they came to the
Cross, but the Cross parted them
asunder.
Fourth Responsory.
^ The veil of the temple was rent
in twain, [from the top to the bottom,]
and all the earth did quake ; - the
thief on the Cross cried, saying :
1 Matth. xxvii. 51, 52.
Lord, remember me when Thou
comest into Thy kingdom !
Verse. The rocks rent and the
graves were opened, and many bodies
of the saints, which slept, arose.
Answer. And all the earth did
quake ; the thief on the Cross cried,
saying : Lord, remember me when
Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Fifth Lesson.
HP HEY were parted asunder, for
he that believed not entered
upon the path of darkness and de-
struction, and he that believed gained
the path of salvation. The thief
upon the Cross learnt the dividing
of the ways, "for the Lord knoweth
the way of the righteous, but the
way of the ungodly shall perish,"
(Ps. i. 6.) And behold the just
judgment of God that thou mayest
say with the prophet, " righteous
art Thou, O Lord, and upright are
Thy judgments," (Ps. cxviii. 2)1 •)
For one sin was Adam condemned,
and at one cry of faith was the
thief saved. One sin cast Adam
out of Paradise, one holy act brought
in the thief to dwell therein. Behold
a marvel ! even unto Abraham was
made no promise of Paradise ; because
he believed God he hath indeed in-
herited it, but it was never promised
unto any until it was promised unto
the good thief.
Fifth Responsory.
Paradise was never promised unto
any until it was promised unto the
thief — unto whom the Lord said upon
the Cross : To-day shalt thou be with
Me in Paradise.
Verse. Lord, remember me when
Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Answer. To - day shalt thou be
with Me in Paradise.
2 Luke xxiii. 42.
1088
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Sixth Lesson.
TLJ E did not see the Saviour seated
on a kingly throne. He did
not see Him worshipped in a temple,
speaking from heaven, or directing
the ministry of angels, but numbered
in punishment with the transgressors.
He saw Him suffering, and addressed
Him as though He were in glory.
He saw Him on the Cross, and
besought Him as though He were
enthroned in the heavens. He saw
Him condemned, and called upon
Him as his king, saying : " Lord,
remember me when Thou comest
into Thy kingdom." He seeth Christ
crucified and proclaimeth Him his
king. He beheld Him hanging upon
the Tree, and thought of the kingdom
of heaven. Wondrous is the con-
version of the penitent thief.
Sixth Responsory.
Wondrous is the conversion of the
penitent thief. He saw Christ cruci-
fied, and proclaimed Him his king.
Verse. He beheld Him hanging
upon the Tree, and thought of the
kingdom of heaven.
Answer. He saw Christ crucified,
and proclaimed Him his king.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. He saw Christ crucified,
and proclaimed Him his king.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First A7itiphon. Lord, this Thy
Saint shall abide in Thy tabernacle.
He shall dwell upon Thine holy hill.
Second Antipho7i. He asked life
of Thee, and Thou gavest him length
of days for ever and ever.
Third Antipho7i. He shall ascend
into the hill of the Lord, and stand
in His holy place.
Verse. He shall receive a blessing
from the Lord.
Answer. And mercy from the
God of his salvation.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xxxiii.
39.)
A T that time : One of the thieves
-^ that was crucified with Jesus
blasphemed Him, saying : If Thou
be the Christ, save Thyself and us.
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] (49///. On the Thief.)
The portion of the Gospel which
is read this day maketh mention of
the penitent thief. Let us then see
who this thief was who, when the
Lord was lifted up upon the Cross,
obtained from Him not only the
forgiveness of his sins, but also the
gift of the joy of Paradise. He had
been justly condemned to death as
the due reward of his deeds, but
through his faith he was translated
unto glory, and the Cross was to
him the occasion of salvation rather
than the instrument of execution.
Crucified himself, he believed in the
Lord Christ crucified. And, there-
fore, because he made use of the
companionship with Him in which
he found himself upon the Cross,
he was gifted with companionship
with Him in Paradise. That blessed
robber, while he is actually suffering
execution, gaineth the kingdom of
heaven. He is called a criminal
like one the hour of whose condem-
nation had come, but he would not
have attained unto glory if he had
not been cast for punishment. Let
us then see, I say, wherefore one
who had been guilty of so many
crimes had Paradise so quickly pro-
THE PENITENT THIEF.
1089
mised unto him by his Saviour, where
others hardly obtain the pardon of
their sins through long weeping, and
oftentimes fasting.
Seventh Responsory.
This is that blessed robber who,
being himself crucified, believed in
the Lord Christ crucified, and while
he was actually suffering execution
gained the kingdom of heaven.
Verse. Him Whom Judas Iscariot
betrayed in a garden. Him did the
thief upon the Cross confess, and
unto him was promised the garden
of Eden.
Answer, And while he was actually
suffering execution gained the kingdom
of heaven.
Eighth Lesson.
HTHE reason, my brethren, was
great and manifold. Firstly,
because that robber was so suddenly
changed, through the earnestness of his
faith, that he recked little of the punish-
ment he was then enduring, and asked
for the remission of the punishment
which was yet to come. He deemed
it better for himself to ask for pardon
as regarded the eternal rather than
the temporal judgment ; when he
called to mind with contrition the
greatness of his crimes, his hopes of
the hereafter outweighed in his mind
the sufferings of the present. As a
believer in Christ he might have
besought Him to deliver him from
his present torment, had it not been
that his thoughts were fixed rather
upon the things which are to come ;
moreover, it was the greater grace
in him that he believed in Christ
while Christ was actually hanging
upon the Cross, and those sufferings
which Avere a cause of stumbling unto
so many were unto him an occasion
of faith. The sufferings of the Cross
have indeed been a stumbling-block
unto many, as said the Apostle, ( i Cor.
i. 23,) "We preach Christ crucified,
unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and
unto the Greeks foolishness." Well,
then, doth he deserve Paradise who
seeth in the Cross of Christ not a
stumbling - block but a power. As
saith further the Apostle, "but unto
them which are called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God."
Eighth Responsory.
He saw in the Cross of Christ not
a stumbling-block but a power, and
therefore he deserved Paradise. May
he pray for all people that their sins
may be forgiven unto them.
Verse. Judas betrayed the Lord
with a kiss, but the thief honoured
Him even while he suffered upon the
Cross.
Answer. May he pray for all
people that their sins may be for-
given them.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. May he pray for all
people that their sins may be for-
given them.
The Ninth Lessoji is the Homily of
the Week-day.
LAUDS.
First Antiphon. The thief saw
Christ * nailed to the Cross, and
called upon Him as his King, say-
ing : Lord, remember me when Thou
comest into Thy kingdom.
Second Aiitiphon. 1 Whosoever shall
confess Me * before men, him will
I confess also before My Father.
1 Matth. X. 32.
1090
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Third Aiitiphon. Lord, when my
soul is troubled, * Thou wilt remem-
ber mercy.
Fourth Antiphon. Christ my Re-
deemer hath saved me, * Who hath
said unto me. To-day shalt thou be
with me in Paradise.
Fifth Antiphon. Behold what he
was "^ through grace when he left the
Cross, who had come to the Cross
through sin.
Chapter. (Isaiah lix. i.)
"DEHOLD, the Lord's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save ;
neither His ear heavy, that it cannot
hear.
Hymn.
JESU, the world's Redeemer, hear,
Thy servant's fadeless crown draw near,
Accept with gentler love to-day
The prayers and praises that we pay.
This day, when we in prayerful state
Thy blest confessor celebrate,
Who in Thy saving power believed,
And Paradise from Thee received,
Grant us, like him, ere life shall close,
To turn where mercy's fountain flows,
And washed from every stain of sin,
The heaven which he hath won, to win.
To Thee, O Christ, our loving King,
All glory, praise, and thanks we bring.
All glory as is ever meet,
The Father, and the Paraclete. Amen.
Verse. He asked life of Thee, and
Thou, Lord, gavest it him.
Aiiswer. ^ Honour and great ma-
jesty hast Thou laid upon him.
Antipho7i at the Song of Zacharias.
One thief said unto the other : We re-
ceive the due reward of our deeds.
What hath this man done ? Lord,
remember me when Thou comest into
Thy kingdom.
Prayer throughotit the Office.
r\ ALMIGHTY and merciful God,
^"^^ Who justifies the ungodly,^ we
humbly beseech Thee to stir up in us
the spirit of due repentance by that
same look of mercy which Thine only-
begotten Son turned upon the blessed
thief, and in the end to grant unto us
that same everlasting glory which He
promised unto him. Through the
same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
W^ho liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. Amen.
A Commemoration is made of the
Week-day.
PRIME.
Antiphon. The thief saw Christ,
&c., {First Antipho7i at Lauds.)
Chapter at the end. (Isa. xxxviii. 17.)
T3UT Thou, O Lord, hast delivered
my soul from destruction. Thou
hast cast all my sins behind Thy
back.
TERCE.
Antiphon. Whosoever shall confess
Me, &c., {Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Short Responsory .
Verse. The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
Answer. The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
Verse. He clothed him with a robe
of glory.
Answer. And beautified him.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
Answer. The Lord loved him and
beautified him.
Verse. The Lord hath put on him
'1 Ps. XX, 4, 5.
2 Rom. iv, 5.
OCTAVE OF ST CUTHBERT.
IO9I
the breastplate of faith and hath
adorned him.
Answer. And crowned him at the
gates of Paradise.
SEXT.
Antiphon. Lord, when rny soul is
troubled, &c., {Third Antiphon at
Lauds. )
Chapter. (Isa. Iviii. 9.)
HTHEN shalt thou call, and the
Lord shall answer ; thou shalt
cry, and He shall say. Behold, here
I am.
Short Responsory.
The Lord hath put on him the
breastplate of faith and hath adorned
him.
Answer. The Lord hath put on
him the breastplate of faith and hath
adorned-him.
Verse. And crowned him at the
gates of Paradise.
Anszver. And hath adorned him.
Vei-se. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The Lord hath put on
him the breastplate of faith and hath
adorned him.
Verse. He shall receive a blessing
from the Lord,
Answer. And mercy from the God
of his salvation.
NONE.
Antiphon. Behold what he was
through grace, &c., {Fifth Antipho7i
at Lauds.)
Chapter as at the end of Prime.
Short Responsory.
He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord.
Answer. He shall receive a bless-
ing from the Lord.
Verse. And mercy from the God
of his salvation.
Answer. A blessing from the
Lord.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. He shall receive a bless-
ing from the Lord.
Verse. He asked life of Thee, and
Thou, O Lord, gavest it him.
Answer. Honour and great ma-
jesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
SECOND VESPERS.
All as at the First., except
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. ^As for the wickedness of
the wicked, he shall not fall thereby
in the day that he turneth from his
wickedness.
A Commemoration is made of the
Week-day.
March 27.
In the Diocese of Hexham and
Newcastle.
Ocfav)e of ^i t\xi^ixt
All as on the Feast, except the fol-
lowing.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of Pope St Gregory [the
Great.] {Part 2, Pastorali.., 2, 10.)
npHE life of a Bishop ought to be
so much higher than the life
of his people as is that of a shepherd
than that of his sheep. It behoveth
him carefully to consider how high
1 Ezek. xxxiii. 12.
1 092
GENERAL APPENDIX.
are the calls upon him in comparison
of whom the people are called sheep.
It behove th him, therefore, to be pure
in thought, eminent in works, wise in
silence, useful in word, by sympathy
every man's neighbour, in contempla-
tion more rapt than any, by lowliness
the fellow-worker of such as do well,
by zeal for righteousness the opponent
of evil in such as do ill, not suffering
the care of those things that be out-
ward to take away from the care of
those things that be inward, nor
neglecting to see to those that be
outward because he hath care for
those that be inward.
Fifth Lesso7i.
Al /"E must consider also that when
he that is chosen a Bishop
taketh on him the care of the people,
he Cometh unto them as a physician
unto a sick man. If therefore his
own works be still disordered, with
what face shall he go to heal the
suffering while his own unhealed
wounds are manifest ? He ought in
all his ways to set an example of
good living, showing himself one who
hath died to all fleshly passions and
liveth in the spirit, who setteth little
store by it that things should go well
with him in this world, and is not
afraid that they should go ill, whose
only eagerness is for the things that
be inward ; one whose body and spirit
are under the control of his will, the
weakness of the one hindering him
in nothing, the pride of the other
resisting him but little ; one who
is . not drawn to desire other men's
goods, but freely disperseth his own.
Sixth Lesson.
"\^ HENCE th« very office of a
Bishop is called a good work
where it is said : " If a man desire
the office of a Bishop he desireth a
good work," (i Tim. iii. i.) He
therefore is a witness against himself,
that he desireth not the office of a
Bishop, who desireth to be a Bishop,
not that he may be a minister of
good works, but for the sake of hon-
our and dignity, A man indeed doth
not only not desire the sacred office
of a Bishop at all, but doth not even
know what it is, if what he gaspeth
for is the position of power, if the
subjection of others unto him be a
secret banquet to his inmost thoughts,
if it is his delight to hear himself
praised, if his heart swell at the idea
of his rank and if he revelleth in
wealth and comfort. What he seek-
eth is gain in this world, and that
under the mask of the very dignity
whereby all gain in this world ought
to have been put away.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seve7ith Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matth. (xxiv.
42.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto
His disciples : Watch, for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth
come. And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {07t Faith, v. 8.)
We asked wherefore it was that the
Lord was not pleased to indicate the
actual moment, and when we ask we
find that this reticence on His part
was the outcome not of ignorance but
of wisdom. It is better for us that
we should not know the moment,
although we know that a moment
there will surely be, in order that
we may be always on the watch,
and' may not let ourselves fall into
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED OF GOOD COUNSEL. IO95
habits of sin, lest the day of the
Lord shall come suddenly upon us,
and so find us.
Eighth Lesson.
"\1 /"HAT is good is not to know the
future, but to fear it. For it
is written, (Rom. xi. 20) : " Be not
highminded, but fear." If He had
named the day He would have seemed
to lay the duty of strict preparation
for it upon that one generation upon
whom it was to come, and during
the rest of time the righteous would
have been laxer, and the sinner
securer. The adulterer, unless he
have upon him the fear of daily pun-
ishment, cannot give up the desire of
committing adultery.
The Ninth Lesson is the Lesson of
the Week-day.
April 26.
Elje Blessetr Firgin JHarg,
stgleti of ffiooti CounseL
Greater Double.
All as on the Feasts of the Blessed
Virgi?t, {p. 620,) except the following.
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons^ Chapter^ and Prayer
from Lauds.
Hymn. Hail, Thou Star of Ocean,
{f. 621.)
Verse. Pray for us, O Mother of
Good Counsel. Alleluia.
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Alleluia.
A7itipho7i at the Magnificat. ^ She
is the brightness of the everlasting
light, the unspotted mirror, the ma-
jesty of God, and the image of His
goodness, and therefore can no de-
filed thing fall into her. Alleluia.
MATTINS.
Lnvitatory. O Holy Mary, Virgin
Mother of God, Mother of Good
Counsel, "^ pray for us. Alleluia.
Llyjnn.'^
CING high your hymns of praise, all ye
who dwell
In Genazzano, where the sacred fane
The image of God's Mother doth contain.
No mortal hand could limn that face so
well !
The mighty works wrought through it who
shall tell,
When first it dawned upon their wondering
sight ?
The sick are healed, and all the ills that
light
On body and on mind it did dispel.
The woes which threatened Latium to invade
Were banished far. O Virgin ! still thy
power
Is manifest by many wondrous signs.
To weary mortals lend thy powerful aid,
And hear the vows which we, thy servants,
pour.
To Him, Whose glory in the heaven
shines,
The Triune God Who rules the Universe,
May every creature ceaseless praise rehearse.
Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Antiphon. ^ Receive my advice,
and refuse not my counsel. Alleluia.
Verse. All good things together
came to me with her. Alleluia.
A?iswer. And innumerable riches
by her hands. Alleluia.
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Book
of Proverbs (ii. 10-15.)
Al rHEN wisdom entereth into thine
heart, and knowledge is pleas-
ant unto thy soul, discretion shall pre-
^ Wisd. vii. 26, 25.
VOL. II.
2 Translation by Rev. Dr Wallace.
3 Ecclus. vi. 24.
2 O
1094
GENERAL APPENDIX.
serve thee, and understanding shall
keep thee : to deliver thee from the
evil way, and from the man that
speaketh froward things ; who leave
the paths of uprightness, and walk
in the ways of darkness ; who re-
joice to do evil, and delight in the
frowardness of the wicked ; whose
ways are crooked, and they froward
in their paths.
First Respoiisory.
1 If thou criest after knowledge, and
liftest up thy voice for understanding,
then shalt thou understand the fear of
the Lord, and find the knowledge of
God. Alleluia.
Verse. - For the LORD giveth wis-
dom, and out of His mouth come
knowledge and understanding.
Ajiswer. ^ Then shalt thou under-
stand the fear of the Lord, and find
the knowledge of God. Alleluia.
Second Lesson, (iii. 21-23.)
IX/TY son, let them not depart from
thine eyes : keep sound wisdom
and discretion, and they shall be life
unto thy soul, and grace unto thy
neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy
way faithfully, and thy feet shall not
stumble. When thou liest down,
thou shalt not be afraid : thou shalt
lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither
of the wicked, when they fall upon
thee. For the Lord shall be by thy
side, and shall keep thy foot from
being taken.
Second Responsory.
When wisdom entereth into thine
heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto
thy soul, discretion shall preserve
thee, and understanding shall keep
thee. Alleluia.
Verse. To deliver thee from the evil
way, and from the man that speaketh
froward things.
Ajtswer. Discretion shall preserve
thee, and understanding shall keep
thee.
Third Lesson, (viii. 12.)
T WISDOM, dwell with prudence,
' and find out knowledge of
witty inventions. The fear of the
Lord is to hate evil : pride, and
arrogancy, and the evil way, and
the double mouth, do I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wis-
dom ; understanding is mine ; mine
is strength. By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice : by me
princes rule, and nobles command
righteousness. I love them that
love me, and those that seek me
early shall find me.
Third Responsory.
* Blessed is the man that findeth
wisdom, and who getteth understand-
ing : the first and purest are her gifts.
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ She is more precious than
all gifts, and all things which can be
desired are not to be compared with
her.
Answer. The first and purest are
her gifts. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. The first and purest are
her gifts. Alleluia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Antiphojt. All the words of my
mouth are in righteousness ; there is
nothing froward or perverse in them.
Alleluia.
1 Prov. ii. 3, 5.
Prov. ii. 6. ^ Prov. ii. 5.
■* Prov. iii. 13. ^ Prov. iii. 15,
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED OF GOOD COUNSEL. IO95
Verse. I have taught thee in the
way of wisdom. Alleluia.
Ansiuer. I have led thee in right
paths. Alleluia.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermon
of St Augustine, Bishop [of Hippo.]
{^The Birthday of St John Baptist.)
"PLIZABETH and Mary both con-
"^ ceived men ; but Elizabeth a
man only, and Mary both man and
God. The marvel is how the creature
could conceive her Creator. What,
then, my brethren, are we to under-
stand, except that He who created
the first male without either father
or mother created flesh for Himself
out of a mother only ? Our first fall
was when that woman through whom
we die conceived in her heart the
venom ^ of the serpent. The serpent
solicited her to sin, and she assimil-
ated his evil suggestion. If, then, the
fact of the woman conceiving in her
heart the venom of the serpent was
the cause of our first fall, it is little
marvel that the cause of our salvation
should be the fact of the woman con-
ceiving in her womb the flesh of the
Almighty. Both the sexes fail, and
therefore both were to be restored.
Through a woman had come our de-
struction, and through a woman had
come our salvation.
Fourth Responsory,
O son, keep sound wisdom and
discretion ; and they shall be life
unto thy soul, and grace unto thy
neck. Alleluia.
Verse, Then shalt thou walk in
thy way faithfully, and thy foot shall
not stumble.
Answer. And they shall be life
unto thy soul, and grace unto thy
neck. Alleluia.
1 Prov. iv. la
Fifth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
by St Fulgentius, Bishop [of Ruspa.]
i^On the Praise of Mary at having
given Birth to the Saviour.)
'T^HE devil spoke unto Eve through
a serpent, and so through Eve's
ears brought death into the world.
God spoke unto Mary through an
angel, and so brought in everlasting
life. The angel spake, and the Virgin
conceived the Christ. This is the
glory wherewith the Son of God is
begotten, and this is the purity where-
with He is born. The Healer from
heaven passed through the Virgin,
but He left her unbroken after His
passage. He by His touch could
restore again in whole the parts of
broken bodies, and could He not
avoid breaking by His birth that
which He found unbroken inside His
own mother ? His birth rather estab-
lished than impaired her physical in-
tegrity, and her virginity was fortified
rather than broken up.
Fifth Respojisory.
1 Hear, O my son, and receive my
sayings, that the years of thy life shall
be many. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ I will show thee the way
of wisdom ; and lead thee in right
paths.
A?iswer. That the years of thy life
shall be many. Alleluia.
Sixth Lesson.
TT ERE are the three excellent gifts
whereby Mary was exalted : she
was saluted by an angel, she was blest
of God, and she was filled with grace.
For thus is. it written : " And the
angel came in unto her, and said :
Hail ! thou that art full of grace,
2 Prov. iv, II.
1096
GENERAL APPENDIX.
the Lord is with thee ; blessed art
thou among women ! " {So far St
Fulgentiits. )
That nothing that concerns this
most holy Virgin, whom an angel
hailed as full of grace, might remain
unexalted, it had come to pass under
the providence of God that even her
images should be highly honoured,
and should be famed for marvels and
wonders. Among such images a chief
place has for three centuries been
held by that, which is attested by
Papal documents and from like
records, to have appeared upon the
wall of the church of the hermits
of the Order of St Augustine, in the
town of Genazzano, in the diocese of
Palestrina, during the pontificate of
Pope Paul n. Pope Pius VI. was
hereby induced to permit the aforesaid
hermits to say a special office upon
the 25 th day of April, which is that
upon which the said image appeared,
and then to allow the whole of their
Order to say the same office as a
Feast of the Greater Double rite
upon the day following ; and Pope
Leo XIII., with a view to increase
the honour paid to the most Blessed
Virgin, styled the Mother of Good
Counsel, hath approved this new
office.
Sixth Responsory.
1 Attend to my words, and incline
thine ear unto my sayings : let them
not depart from thine eyes ; keep
them in the midst of thine heart.
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ For they are life unto
1 Prov. iv. 20, 21. 2 Prov. iv. 22. ^ Prov. xii. 15. ^ Ecclus. i. 22.
5»The signification of the word MRYM, or Mary, has been the subject of many theories, of
which the Breviary^ gives two, viz., " Lady" and " Star-of-the-Sea " — Stella Mai-is. The latter
was probably taken by St Bernard from what seems to have been then and is now the text of
St Jerome. But it may be remarked that if the word MRYM be Hebrew (which is itself
uncertain), the meaning lying upon the surface would be (not Stella but) Stilla Maris, " Drop-
of-the-Sea" or "Wild-sea-spray," a very elegant name for a virgin, as implying the idea of
sparkling freshness and incorruptibility. And that St Jerome really wrote Stilla instead of
Stella seems the more probable, because he expressly rejects the meaning Illuininatrix Maris,
"Light-of-the-Sea." See this very blunder of copyists as early as the time of St Gregory >
p. 616, footnote.
those that find them, and health to
all their flesh.
Answer. Let them not depart
from thine eyes ; keep them in the
midst of thine heart. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Ajiswer. Let them not depart
from thine eyes ; keep them in the
midst of thine heart. Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
First Antiphon. ^ The way of a
fool is right in his own eyes ; but he
that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ The fear of the Lord is a
crown of wisdom. Alleluia.
Answer. Making peace and per-
fect health to flourish. Alleluia.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Evangel according to Luke (i. 26,
27.)
A T that time : The Angel Gabriel
was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin
espoused to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David ; and the
Virgin's name was Mary. And so on.
The Lesson is taken from the Homily
by St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
{2.nd on Luke i. 26.)
T T is said: "And the virgin's name
was Mary." Let us speak a few
words upon this name, which signifieth,
being interpreted, "Star of the Sea,"^
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED OF GOOD COUNSEL. IO97
and suiteth very well the Maiden
Mother, who may very meetly be
likened unto a star. A star giveth
forth her rays without any harm to
herself, and the Virgin brought forth
her Son without any hurt to her
virginity. The light of a star taketh
nothing away from the star itself, and
the birth of her offspring took nothing
away from the virginity of Mary.
She is that noble star which was to
come out of Jacob, (Num. xxiv. 17,)
whose brightness still sheddeth lustre
upon all the earth, whose rays are
most brilliant in heaven, and shine
even unto hell, lighting up earth mid-
way, and warming souls rather than
bodies, fostering good and scaring
away evil. She, I say, is a clear
and shining star, twinkling with ex-
cellencies, and resplendent with ex-
ample, needfully set to look down
upon the surface of this great and
wide sea. O thou, whosoever thou
art, that knowest thyself to be here
not so much walking upon firm ground,
as battered to and fro by the gales
and storms of this life's ocean, if thou
wouldest not be overwhelmed by the
tempest, keep thine eyes fixed upon
this star's clear shining. If the hurri-
canes of temptation rise against thee,
or thou art running upon the rocks of
trouble, look to the star, call on Mary.
If the waves of pride, or ambition, or
slander, or envy toss thee, look to the
star, call on Mary. If the billows of
anger or avarice, or the enticements
of the flesh beat against thy soul's
bark, look to Mary. If the enormity
of thy sins trouble thee, if the foulness
of thy conscience confound thee, if the
dread of judgment appal thee, if thou
begin to slip into the deep of despond-
ency, into the pit of despair, think of
Mary. In danger, in difficulty, or in
doubt, think on Mary, call on Mary.
Let her not be away from thy mouth
1 Prov. viii. 32.
or from thine heart, and that thou
mayest not lack the succour of her
prayers, turn not aside from the ex-
ample of her conversation. If thou
follow her, thou wilt never go astray.
If thou pray to her, thou wilt never
have need to despair. If thou keep
her in mind, thou wilt never wander.
If she hold thee, thou wilt never fall.
If she lead thee, thou wilt never be
weary. If she help thee, thou wilt
reach home safe at the last — and so
thou wilt prove in thyself how meetly
it is said : " And the virgin's name
was Mary."
Seventh Responsory.
1 Hearken unto me, O ye children :
blessed are they that keep my ways.
Alleluia.
Verse. ^ Hear instruction, and be
wise ; and refuse it not.
Ajtswer. Blessed are they that
keep my ways. Alleluia.
Eighth Lesson.
/^ONSIDER, O man, the counsel
of God ; recognise its wisdom
and its goodness. He Who was
about to water the whole floor with
dew from heaven, began by drenching
the fleece. He Who was about to
redeem all mankind, poured the price
of redemption upon Mary. Consider
deeper with what feelings He hath
willed that we should honour Mary,
He Who hath given unto her a ful-
ness of all good ; so that if we have
any hope, any grace, any salvation, we
know that it runneth over from her
abundance "who goeth up, overflow-
ing with delights." (Cant. viii. 5.)
With all our hearts, then, with all
our deepest affections and longings,
let us honour Mary, since this is
the will of Him Who hath been
pleased that it should be through
2 Prov. viii. 33.
1098
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Mary that we should have all things.
I say that such is His will — for
our sakes. [God] doth in all things
anticipate our needs, cheer our
terrors, rouse our faith, nerve our
hope, put away our fears, strengthen
our cowardice.
Eighth Responsory.
The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom, and the know-
ledge of holy things is understanding.
Alleluia.
Verse. For by me thy days shall
be multiplied, and the years of thy
life shall be increased.
Answer. And the knowledge of
holy things is understanding. Alle-
luia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And the knowledge of
holy things is understanding. Alle-
luia.
Ninth Lessoji.
''T^HOU art awe-struck even by hear-
ing the voice of the Father, thou
art ashamed to approach Him, and
wouldst fain hide thyself among the
trees of the garden. Lo ! He hath
given thee Jesus for a Mediator, a
Mediator Who will be heard on
account of His reverent submission,
(Heb. V. 7,) for the Father loveth
the Son. (John iii. 35.) But per-
chance thou shrinkest before the
Divine Majesty in Him also, since
albeit He be made Man, He remain-
eth still God. Wouldst thou have
an advocate with Him likewise ?
Have recourse to Mary. There is
nothing in Mary but pure humanity —
pure, not only in the sense of being-
free from any kind of contamination,
but in that of being pure and simple
human nature and nothing more.
And I have no hesitation in saying
that she also will be heard on account
of her reverent submission. The Son
will indeed hear the mother, and the
Father will hear the Son. My little
children, this is the sinners' ladder to
heaven, this is my chiefest trust, this
is the whole reason of the hope that
is in me.i For why ? Can her Son
thrust her away, or endure that she
should be thrust away ? Can He
either not hear, or not Himself be
heard ? Plainly He cannot. The
Angel giveth her this joyful assurance :
"Thou hast found grace with God."
She will always find grace with God,
and grace is all that we need, since
by grace are we saved. (Eph. ii. 8.)
What else do we want, my brethren ?
Let us seek grace, and let us seek it
through Mary, for he that seeketh,
findeth, and cannot be disappointed
of his hope. Let us seek grace, but
let it be grace with God, for among
men "favour is deceitful." (Prov.
xxxi. 30.) Let others seek for merits,
but let us seek to find grace. For
why? Is it not the work of grace
that we are here ? Of a truth, " it
is of the Lord's mercies that we are
not consumed." (Lam. iii. 22.)
The Hyvi?!., "We praise Thee, O
God," &c., is said.
LAUDS.
First Aiitiphon. 2 i am the mother
of fair love, and fear, and knowledge,
and holy hope. Alleluia.
Second Aiitiphon. '^\n me is all
grace of the way and the truth : in
me is erery hope of life a«id under-
standing. Alleluia.
Third A?ttiphon. * He that heareth
me shall not be confounded, and they
that work by me shall not sin. Alle-
luia.
1 Hasc peccatorum^cala, h'aec mea maxima fiducia est, haec tota ratio spei me^.
2 Ecclus. xxiv. 24. 3 Ecclus. xxiv. 25. •* Ecclus. xxiv. 30.
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED OF GOOD COUNSEL. IO99
Fourth Aiitiphon. ^ Give me wis-
dom that sitteth by Thy throne, and
reject me not from among Thy chil-
dren. Alleluia.
Fifth Antiphon. ^ I prayed, and
understanding was given me : and I
called, and the Spirit of wisdom came
to me. Alleluia.
Chapter. (Prov. viii. 34, 35.)
"DLESSED is the man that heareth
me, and watcheth daily at my
gates, and waiteth at the posts of my
doors. Whoso findeth me findeth
life, and shall obtain salvation of the
Lord.
Hymn.^ " O glorious Virgin, ever
blest," (^. 632.)
Verse. Holy Virgin, my praise by
thee accepted be. Alleluia.
Aiis^er. Give me strength against
thine enemies. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Blessed Mother, and inviolate Maiden,
Queen of the world, despise not our
petitions in our necessities, but deliver
us always from all dangers. Alleluia.
Prayer.
C\ GOD, Who hast given unto us
^~"^ the Mother of Thine only-be-
gotten Son, to be our mother also,
and hast made her comely image
glorious by a wonderful appearance.
Grant, we beseech Thee, that adher-
ing faithfully to the warnings of the
same, we may live according to Thine
own heart, and may happily attain to
Thy heavenly country. Through the
same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
PRIME.
Antiphon. I am the Mother of
fair love, &c., {First Antiphon at
Lauds. )
Chapter at the end. (Prov. xxiii. 26.)
"j\/TY son, give me thine heart, and
let thine eyes observe my
ways.
TERCE.
Antiphon. In me is all grace, &c.,
{Second Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter from Lauds.
Respojisory.
All good things together came to
me with her. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. All good things together
came to me with her. Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Verse. And innumerable riches by
her hands.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. All good things together
came to me with her. Alleluia, Alle-
luia.
Verse. I will show thee the way of
wisdom. Alleluia.
A7tswer. I will lead thee in right
paths. Alleluia.
SEXT.
Afitiphon. He that heareth me,
&c., {Third Antiphon at Lauds.)
Chapter. (Prov. vi. 20, 21.)
TV/TY son, keep thy father's com-
mandment, and forsake not
the law of thy mother : bind them
continually upon thine heart, and tie
them about thy neck.
1 Wisd. ix. 4.
2 Wisd. vii. 7,
IIOO
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Responsory.
I will show thee the way of wisdom.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
A?tswer. I will show thee the way
of wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. I will lead thee in right
paths.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. I will show thee the way
of wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. The fear of the Lord is a
crown of wisdom. Alleluia.
Answer. Making peace and perfect
health to flourish. Alleluia.
NONE.
Antiphon. I prayed, &c., {Fifth
A?itipko?i at Lauds.)
Chapter from the end of Prime. ■
Respo7tsory.
The fear of the Lord is a crown of
wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Answer. The fear of the Lord is a
crown of wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Making peace and perfect
health to flourish.
Answer. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The fear of the Lord is a
crown of wisdom. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Verse. Come, ye children, hearken
tinto me. Alleluia.
Answer. I will teach you the fear
of the Lord. Alleluia.
SECOND VESPERS.
Ajitiphons^ Chapters^ and Prayer
from Lauds.
Hym?i. Hail, Thou Star of Ocean,
{p. 621.)
Verse. Pray for us, O Mother of
Good Counsel. Alleluia.'
Answer. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Happy art thou, O sacred
Virgin Mary, and right worthy of all
praise. For from thee arose the
Sun of Righteousness, Christ our
God, the Angel of the Great Council.
Alleluia.
Efjirtr Suntrag after Chaster.
^Patronage of St Sosepfj.
{Seep. 425.)
In some dioceses this Feast has an
Octave. The Office is then on every
day the same as on Sunday., except
those thi?igs which belong to the Sun-
day itself aad the fact that the Office
is Semi-double. Moreover., several of
these days are always occupied by Fest-
ivals., upon which the Octave is only
conwiemorated. Hence., Offices are here
given for the five days within the
Octave., which may be otherwise un-
occupied., a7id 071 which the Office 7nay
therefore be of the Octave.
^xx^i 5tee ®a^ mi^m i%t Octave
of i^t patronage of ^i ^o^^pP*
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is fro77i Scripture according to
the Seaso7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernardine [of Sienna.] {ist
071 St Joseph.)
'T^HE marriage which, by the inspir-
' ation of God, was contracted
between Mary and Joseph was a thor-
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — FIRST FREE DAY.
IIOI
oughly true marriage. In marriage
"they twain shall be one flesh, where-
fore they are no more twain, but one
flesh," (Matth. xix. 5, 6.) It is
impossible seriously to think that the
Holy Ghost would thus have united
with the Virgin any soul, save one
which grace had made like unto her.
Hence I believe that this holy man
Joseph was a man of the purest
virginity, of the deepest lowliness,
of the warmest love of God, and
of the highest contemplation. The
Holy Ghost Himself said unto
him, (Matth. i. 20, 21, 24, 25),
" Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife, for That Which is conceived
in her is of the Holy Ghost : and
she shall bring forth a Son, and
thou shalt call His name jESUS, for
He shall save His people from their
sins." - "Then Joseph being raised
from sleep did as the Angel of the
Lord had bidden him, and took unto
him his wife, and knew her not."
Thus sharing her love and care for
God's own divine Son. I believe
that Joseph loved with all his heart
"that Holy Thing Which was born
of her" (Luke i. 35.)
Fifth Lesson.
JOSEPH, then, loved Christ dearly,
and I ask, who will deny that, as
he held Christ in his arms, or as he
talked with Him, Christ, whether as
an infant or as He increased in age,
impressed upon him feelings and joys
which we cannot describe, but which
were the work of the grace of Christ
flowing forth from Him, united with
the seeing, the hearing, and the
touching Him, as though He had
been his Son. How sweet were the
kisses which he received from Him.
With what love did he hear the little
Child as He learnt to speak, learnt
VOL. II.
to call him father ; and with what
love did he feel Him, embrace
Him ; with what tenderness did
he see the little Jesus grow weary
in the journeys which they made
as the Child increased in stature,
and take Him up to rest in his
own arms, for he bore toward Him
all the fulness of adoptive love, as
toward a dear Son Whom the Holy
Ghost had given unto him along
with the Virgin his wife.
Sixth Lesson.
THEREFORE it was that that
wise mother, who knew the
love of Joseph toward her Son
Jesus, said unto Him, when she
found Him again in the temple :
" Son, why hast Thou thus dealt
with us ? Behold Thy father and
I have sought Thee sorrowing,"
(Luke ii. 48.) In order to under-
stand these words, we must under-
stand that Christ hath Himself two
savours — the savours of sweetness
and of sorrow, — and that the holy
Joseph did wondrously partake of
both, so that the blessed Virgin doth
here give him the singular title of
father of Christ. In this place alone
is it written that the Virgin termed
Joseph the father of Jesus, because
that sorrow which he had felt at the
loss of Jesus showed that he had to-
ward Jesus the love of a father.
According to the laws of men, ap-
proved by God, a stranger may adopt
a stranger for his son, and much
more may the Son of God be called,
and even be supposed (Luke iii. 23)
to be the Son of Joseph, unto
whom He had been given with
his most holy bride, in the won-
drous mystery of their maidenly
wedlock, that well - beloved Jesus,
over Whom he felt a father's love
and sorrow.
202
II02
GENERAL APPENDIX.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
"^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Book ii. on the Concord of
the Gospels.)
Joseph might have adopted any
child who was not the child of his
wife, and with regard to him he would
have been called father ; much more
can he not be refused the title of
father of Christ, for the mere reason
that he had not begotten Him.
Christ was indeed supposed to be the
Son of Joseph in another sense —
namely, in that of having been act-
ually begotten by him. But this was
the supposition of those who knew
not the virginity of Mary. Luke
saith : "And jESUS Himself began to
be about thirty years of age, being, as
was supposed, the Son of Joseph."
This same Luke hath no hesitation in
giving the title of parent of Jesus to
both Mary and Joseph, and not to
Mary only. As he saith (ii. 40) :
"And the Child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, filled with wisdom :
and the grace of God was in Him.
Now His parents went to Jerusalem
every year at the feast of the Pass-
over."
Eighth Lesson.
n^HAT this expression, His parents,
cannot be understood of Mary
herself and her kinsfolk, is evident
from the words previously (33) use<;i
by this same Luke, where he saith :
" And His father and His mother
marvelled at those things which were
spoken of Him." Now it is this same
Luke who testifieth that Christ was
born of the Virgin Mary without
coition with Joseph, and we must
therefore understand that he calleth
Joseph the father of Christ, because
Joseph was His mother's husband by
the marriage tie, but without fleshly
union ; and that on account of his
thus being, as it were, the step-father
of Christ, he is called the father of
Christ in a stronger sense than if
Christ had been a strange Child
simply adopted by him. Hence also,
if any were able to show that Mary
was in no wise sprung from the line-
age of David, Christ might still be
accepted as the Son of David for the
same reason for which Joseph is called
Christ's father.
Ninth Lesson.
T UKE giveth the pedigree of
Christ, not at the beginning of
his Gospel, but after narrating the
baptism of Christ. And he giveth
the pedigree itself, not in descent
but in ascent, as though he would
set Him forth as the High Priest
making atonement for sin, at that
point where " the Holy Ghost de-
scended in a bodily shape like a
dove upon Him, and a voice came
from heaven, which said. Thou art
My beloved Son ; in Thee I am well
pleased." At the which time also
" John seeth jESUS coming unto him,
and saith. Behold the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the
world. . . . And John bare record,
saying, I saw the Spirit descending
from heaven like a dove, and it abode
upon Him. . . . And I saw, and
bare record that this is the Son of
God," (John i. 29, 32, 34.) And as
Luke ascendeth in this pedigree he
passeth beyond Abraham, with whom
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — SECOND FREE DAY.
1 103
Matthew beginneth, and cometh even
unto God, unto Whom we are re-
conciled when we are cleansed and
sanctified. Well doth Luke begin
His pedigree by an adoptive Sonship,
because we also are adopted sons of
God, as it is written, "Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God," (i John v. i.) He
hath well shown that when he saith
Joseph was of Heli, he meaneth not
that he was begotten of him, but
that he was adopted of him, since
he also saith that Adam was of God,
by whom Adam was not begotten
but created, and placed as a son in
that Paradise which he afterward
lost by sin.
§econb ^vu ®a^ within tU
Octave of i^t {patvona^t of §t
Joee^jg.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Less 071.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {/\.th
on Matthew.)
T T was the general use of the
Antients that espoused wives did
dwell in their husband's houses. Thus
did Mary dwell with Joseph, and where-
fore was it that she conceived not until
they dwelt together ? To the end that
the mystery might lie, as it were,
buried in shadow, and that the Virgin
might be protected against any evil
reputation. Her husband was he by
whom it was most natural that offence
should be taken, and not only did
he not put away his espoused wife
nor brand her with shame, but even
took her unto him and ministered
unto her being great with child,
whence it is evident that he knew
clearly that That Which was con-
ceived in her was of the Holy
Ghost, else would he neither have
kept her with him nor ministered
unto her in all things whereof
she had need.
Fifth Lesson.
" T^HEN Joseph her husband, being
a just man, and not willing
to make her a public example, was
minded to put her away privily." The
Evangelist had already stated that
"she was found with child of the
Holy Ghost," and not through carnal
connection, and now he confirmeth
his statement. For lest any might
say, how can this thing be
proved 1 who hath seen such a
thing ? who hath ever heard of such
a thing having befallen ? or lest
we should think that this was a
case of a disciple devising a fiction
in order to please his Master, he
bringeth forward as a witness Joseph,
who could confirm all things from
his own experience, so that the
Evangelist here plainly seemeth to
say, if thou believe me not and hold
my witness for doubtful, at any rate
believe the husband.
Sixth Lesson.
" nPHEN Joseph her husband, being
a just man." The Evangelist
would have us regard this just man
as perfect in all things. Being then
a just man, that is to say a worthy
and good man, he was minded to put
her away privily. The Evangelist
hath told us what befel this just
man before the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, that
thou mayest not doubt concerning
1 104
GENERAL APPENDIX.
those things which came to pass
after the truth had been known
unto him. Certainly if Mary had
been what jealousy would have repre-
sented her as being, not only ought
she to have been made a public
example, but she ought to have
been punished by the authority of
the law. But Joseph not only did
not condemn her, but was not even
willing to make the matter public.
Thou seest a man practising the
highest philosophy and free from the
tyranny of the passion of jealousy.
And indeed could it have been called
jealousy when the swelling of her
belly seemed to be actually attesting
the fact ? but so free was this man
from anything in the shape of
jealousy as to be minded that the
Virgin should not be afflicted even
in the least — living under the • law
he was more philosophical than
the law. For indeed, in as much
as grace was soon coming there
was due a display of a loftier
discipline.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke(iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
'^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened. And
so on.
Homily by St Augustine, Bishop
[of Hippo.] {Against Faustus^ xxiii.
7; 8.)
From heaven, over the Jordan,
^' the Holy Ghost descended in a
bodily shape like a dove upon Him,
and a voice came from heaven, which
said. Thou art My b,eloved Son ; in
Thee I am well pleased.' Thus also
upon the high mountain, "behold, a
bright cloud overshadowed Him, and
behold a voice out of the cloud, which
said, This is My beloved Son, in
Whom I am well pleased ; hear ye
Him" (Matth. xvii. 5.) And He
over Whom these voices sounded
from heaven was the Son of God
before even they were uttered, for
He was He " Who albeit in the
womb of the Virgin He took upon
Him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of man," was
the same "Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to
be equal with God," (Phil. ii. 7, 6.)
Whence also the same Apostle Paul
saith plainly in another place (Gal.
iv. 4, 5) that "when the fulness of
the time was come, God sent forth
His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, to redeem them that
were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons."' He
is the Son of God Who is the Lord
of David as touching His Godhead,
and is yet, as touching His flesh,
the Son of David begotten of David's
seed.
Eighth Lesson.
T_r AD it been useless for us to
believe this, the aforenamed
Apostle would not have been so
careful to remind Timothy to (2 Tim.
ii. 8) "remember that jESUS Christ
of the seed of David was raised
from the dead according to my
Gospel." The question now ariseth
before the reader of the Holy Gospel,
wherefore, since he doth us to wit
that Christ was born of the Virgin
without any coition with Joseph,
this Christ is nevertheless called the
Son of David, although the pedigree
from David given by the Evangelist
Matthew is not that of Mary but
that , of Joseph. The first reason is
that in order of sex the husband is
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — THIRD FREE DAY.
1 105
named before the wife, and that he
is not the less called husband because
he knew her not, since this same
Matthew when he saith (i. 20) that
That Which was conceived in her was
of the Holy Ghost, expressly giveth
to Joseph (19) the title of "her
husband."
Ninth Lesson.
n^HIS one and the same Matthew
therefore saith that Joseph was
the husband of Mary, that the mother
of Christ was a virgin, that Christ was
of the seed of David, and that Joseph
was in the pedigree of Christ from
David. The only conclusion is that
Mary herself was of the lineage of
David, and that she was called the
wife of Joseph in order of enumeration
of sex, and on account of their union
of soul, and that Joseph is included
in the^ pedigree as her husband, lest
it might otherwise seem as if he were
parted from a wife to whom he was
bound by oneness of heart.
i(x\>t of (§e (pa^trona^e of ^i
^oeepg.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordi7ig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of .St John Chrysostom, [Arch-
bishop of Constantinople.] (4//^
071 Matthew.)
" JOSEPH, thou son of David,
J fear not to take unto thee Mary
thy wife." What is here to be under-
stood by the words take unto thee ?
surely to keep her in his own home.
As far as his mind went he had
already put her away, but the Angel
biddeth him to keep in his own home
her whom in his own mind he had
put away ; her who was joined to
him by God and not by their kins-
folk, joined to him not by the solemn
covenant of wife and husband but
in a common home, and that through
the voice of an angel. Even as
Christ did afterward commit her unto
the disciple whom He loved, so now
doth the Angel commit her unto her
husband, to have his solace, but not
to be bound to him by the tie of
wedlock. Then doth he set forth
more nobly and more worthily the
reason of her motherhood so as to
quench all jealousy. He declareth
that not only hath she been defiled
by no unlawful embrace, but that she
is fruitful from a cause above nature
and above usage. He biddeth him
therefore not to sorrow over the joyful
motherhood of his bride, but rather
to rejoice the more, "for That Which
is conceived in her is of the Holy
Ghost."
Fifth Lesson.
"AND she shall bring forth a Son,
and thou shalt call His name
Jesus." That That Which was con-
ceived in her was of the Holy Ghost
was not to deprive him of that great
office, albeit he had no part in pro-
ducing this conception, since he knew
her not. Nevertheless there is granted
unto him that office which is the right
of a father, and which yet can throw
no shadow upon the glory of the
Virgin, the office that is of naming
the child. "Thou shalt call His
name jESUS." Albeit the Child that
was conceived was not his own son,
he nevertheless was to show toward
it the care and tenderness of a father,
and therefore he is charged with the
duty of giving it a name ; but lest
iio6
GENERAL APPENDIX.
it might hence have been surmised
that he was indeed its father, the
Angel saith not she shall bear thee
a son, but, quite generally and in-
definitely, she shall bear a son.
Mary brought forth a jESUS not
for Joseph only but for all mankind.
Sixth Lesson.
T7OR this reason also doth the
Evangelist give us to know
that the name of the Child was re-
vealed by an angel from heaven, to
show us again how marvellous was
this birth, wherein the name of the
Child was taught to Joseph by an
angel sent from God. Neither is
this name, which surely containeth
a thousand treasures of good, men-
tioned idly here. For the Angel
himself doth interpret it that he may
fill with hope such as mourn Over
lost good, and thus doth he bid him
to believe what he saith. We easily
obey the call to that which is pleasant
unto us, and easily believe good news.
For He shall save His people from
their sins. Herein is set forth how
new indeed are these good news.
He is not to save them in any war
with enemies which can be seen, nor
from the sword of savages, but He
is to save His people from something
much worse than these, namely, from
sin, and this is the salvation which
no mere man can accomplish.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seve?ith Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
"Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
■^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened.
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop
[of Milan.] {Coni7ne7it. on Luke,
Bk. iii.)
None need trouble himself on
account of the words here written,
"being [as was supposed] the Son of
Joseph." It is justly said that He was
only supposed to be the Son of Joseph,
since He was not the Son of Joseph
by nature. He was supposed to be
the Son of Joseph because He was
the Son of Mary, who was the wife
of Joseph. Thus dost thou find in
Matthew xiii. 55, ^ " Is not this
Joseph the carpenter's Son ? " We
have discussed above why the Lord of
Salvation should have been pleased to
have been born of a virgin, why He
should have been pleased in especial
to have been born of an espoused
virgin, and why He should have been
pleased to have been born of her at
the special moment of the enrolment
of the people, and it is now akin to
discuss why we should have had a
carpenter for His supposed father.
By this image He setteth forth that
His real Father was that Worker by
Whom the world was made. We
may not indeed compare the things of
man with the things of God ; but the
type remaineth true that the very
Father of Christ is One Who worketh
by fire, and by the Holy Ghost. One
Who as a good carpenter of the soul
planeth away our faults, Who layeth
His axe unto the root of these trees
that bring not forth fruit. Who hath
skill to cut away the scampy scionure
to save those trees which point
heavenward, to soften our hard hearts
by the fire of the Spirit, and to turn
all mankind into implements for
divers uses.
1 The quotation does not quite agree with the present Vulgate, which merely reads, Is not
this the carpenter's Son? without naming Joseph.
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — FOURTH FREE DAY. 110/
Eighth Lesson.
Al /"E might have wondered why the
pedigree given us should be
that of Joseph and not that of Mary,
since it was Mary who conceived the
Lord Christ by the overshadowing of
the Holy Ghost, and Joseph is entirely
apart from this generation. But in
this we are enlightened by the custom
of the Scriptures, which use to give
pedigrees in the male line only. The
personality taken is that of the male,
through whom the rank of his family
is handed down in parliament and in
the other courts of the commonwealth.
It would therefore have been an in-
congruity to have departed from the
male line and resorted to the female,
as though Christ had had no father
who could be avowed to the world.
The pedigrees of families are every-
where drawn up in the male line ; no
wonder^ therefore, that the descent
given should be that of Joseph. He
v/ho was born according to the flesh
had needs follow the usage of the
flesh, and He who was born into the
world had needs be enrolled accord-
ing to the custom of the world ; and
this all the more when the pedigree of
Joseph and the pedigree of Mary are
the same.
Ninth Lesson.
TV/TATTHEW beginneth the pedi-
gree of Christ with Abraham,
but Luke traceth this same pedigree
in the ascending line from Christ unto
God. Luke deemeth that this pedi-
gree should be traced up to God
because God is the real progenitor
of Christ, His Father by true gen-
eration, or the author of the mystic
gift through the new birth in the
washing of regeneration ; and there-
fore he giveth not His descent from
His first ancestor, but forthwith, after
that he hath set forth His baptism.
that he may show forth that God is
by baptism the Author of all, he
hath set forth that Christ is descended
from God by line of pedigree, thereby
weaving together the several truths
that Christ is the Son of God accord-
ing to nature, according to grace, and
according to the flesh. No plainer
declaration of this Divine Sonship
can be given than that which this
Evangelist hath given, when upon the
very point of praising the earthly
pedigree he hath recorded how " a
voice came from heaven which said.
Thou art My beloved Son ; in Thee
I am well pleased."
Oc(a<>e of i%i (pa^rona^e of ^i
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture accordi7ig to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
{2nd upon Luke i. 26.)
1\/TARY was espoused to Joseph, or,
as it would be better to express
it in the very words of the Evangelist,
to a man whose name was Joseph.
He calleth him a man not because
he was a husband, but by a title
of excellency ; or rather because, as
another Evangelist hath it, he was
not simply a man, but was rightly
called her husband, as he was neces-
sarily supposed so to be. He was
thus called her husband because he
must needs have been so supposed to
be, as also he was deemed meet not
in deed to be, but to be called, the
iio8
GENERAL APPENDIX.
father of the Saviour, since he was
supposed so to be, as saith this same
Evangelist: "And Jesus Himself be-
gan to be about thirty years of age,
being (as was supposed) the Son of
Joseph."
Fifth Lesson.
^^/"E cannot doubt but that a good
and faithful man was Joseph,
unto whom was espoused the mother
of the Saviour. He was a faithful
and wise servant whom the Lord
set up for the comfort of His own
mother, the fosterage of His own
flesh, and then a faithful helper
Whom His own great counsel formed
upon earth. In addition thereto it
is said that he was of the house of
David. He was indeed of the house
of David. This man Joseph was
indeed of kingly race, noble by birth,
but nobler in heart, he was indeed
a son of David, and no unworthy
descendant of David his father. He
was indeed a son of David, not in
the flesh only, but by loyalty and
holiness and earnestness. One of
whom the Lord might have given
testimony, and said, " I have found
David the son of Jesse, a man after
Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all
My will," (Acts xiii. 22.) A man
who could say, like David, "The
hidden secrets of Thy wisdom Thou
hast made manifest unto me," (Ps.
1. 7.) A man who was made "a
minister, according to the dispensa-
tion of God ... to fulfil the word
of God ; even the mystery which hath
been hid for ages and from genera-
tions, but now is made manifest to
His saints," (Col. i. 26.)
Sixth Lesso?i.
T T NTO Joseph it was given not'
only to see and to hear that
which many prophets ana kings had
desired to see and had not seen,
and to hear and had not heard, (Luke
X. 24,) but even to carry this, to lead
it, to embrace it, to kiss it, to feed it,
and to keep it. We must, however,
believe that Mary as well as Joseph
was of the house and lineage of
David, since if she had not so been
she would not have been espoused to
one who was so. Both, therefore,
were of the house of David, but in
her was fulfilled that which the Lord
had sworn in truth unto David, (Ps.
cxxxi. II,) saying, "Of the fruit of
thy body will I set upon My throne,"
while Joseph stood by, the consci-
ous witness of the fulfilment of the
promise.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened.
And so on.
Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.] {Comntentary on Luke., Bk. iii.
c. 3.)
That Matthew traceth the descent of
the Lord through Solomon, and Luke
through Nathan, seemeth to show
that the one giveth the kingly descent
of Christ and the other the priestly.
We must not suppose that the one
pedigree is truer than the other ;
they are equally true. He was, ac-
cording to the flesh, of a family at
once kingly and priestly. A king
from kings and a priest from priests,
and that was true of Him as touching
things earthly which had been re-
vealed of Him touching things
heavenly, " The king shall joy in
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — FIFTH FREE DAY.
1 109
Thy strength, O Lord, . . . give the
king Thy judgments, O Lord," (Pss.
xxi. I, and Ixxii. i,) and again,
" Thou art a priest for ever, according
to the order of Melchisedec," (cix. 4.)
Eighth Lesson.
"DOTH spake the truth: Matthew
attesteth the origin of Christ
through kings, and Luke setteth forth
the hoher side of His origin, by tracing
His pedigree through priests from
God. This is a part of that fitness
whereby (among the figures of the
four Hving creatures which are taken
to set forth the Evangelists) the figure
of a calf is the figure which is appropri-
ated to Luke, because he doth every-
where cleave unto the mystery of the
priesthood, (and the calf is a beast
offered in sacrifice by priests.) Neither
shouldest thou marvel if the genera-
tions between Abraham and Christ
be more according to Luke and fewer
according to Matthew, since they do
not trace the descent through the
same persons, and some may have
lived long lives and others short, as
indeed we see many old men who
are alive at the same time as their
own grandchildren, whereas we see
others who die soon after they have
become fathers.
Ninth Lesson.
V\/E also remark that Matthew
saith that Jacob, who was
the father of Joseph, was the son
of Matthan, and Luke saith that
Joseph, the husband of Mary, was
the son of Heli, and that Heli was
the son of Malchi. How can the
same man have had two fathers ? —
that is to say, both Heli and Jacob. the Season.
1 By the dead St Ambrose seems here mystically to understand the Jews themselves, but
the meaning is very obscure.
2 A peculiar adaptation of the Latin text of Ps. Ixviii. 7.
He is said to have been the son of
both, because he was the son of the
one according to procreation, and the
son of the other according to the law.
[It is written in the law, (Deut. xxv.
5, 6,) "If brethren dwell together,
and one of them die, and have no
child, the wife of the dead shall not
marry without unto a stranger : her
husband's brother shall go in unto
her, and take her to him to wife,
and perform the duty of an husband's
brother unto her. And it shall be,
that the first-born which she beareth
shall succeed in the name of his
brother which is dead, that his name
be not put out of Israel."] The Jewish
people did not understand that by
this commandment of the law there
was promised unto us a future con-
tinuance of the seed of the dead,i
but accepted the passage according
to the letter, and thus spoiled the
grace of the revelation. For that other
brother who raised up seed unto his
dead brethren was not their brother
according to the flesh but according
to grace, and perchance, therefore, is
it written, " brother redeemeth not,
man redeemeth," 2 for He by whom
the grace of the resurrection of the
dead hath been proclaimed is not a
brother according to the flesh, but
the " One Mediator between God and
men, the Man Christ Jesus" (i Tim.
ii. 5.)
Stf^g Stree <S)a^ wt't^tn i%t <Dcj:
tave of i%(t (pattrona^e of ^i
goeep^-
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
mo
GENERAL APPENDIX.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.] (^iiid on Luke.)
TT is written, (Matth. i. 19), "Then
Joseph her husband, being a just
man, and not wilHng to make her a
public example, was minded to put
her away privily." Being a just man,
he was not willing to make her a
public example, because, as no one
would be a just man who condoned
the guilt which he knew, so would
no one be a just man who con-
demned her whom he knew to be
innocent. Being, therefore, a just
man, and unwilling to make her
a public example, he was minded
to put her away privily. Where-
fore was he minded to put her
away ? Take the opinion, which is
not mine, but that of the fathers.
Joseph was minded to put her away
for the same reason for which Peter
would have put away the Lord when
"he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying,
Depart from me ; for I am a sinful
man, O Lord," (Luke v. 8,) and for
which the centurion would have had
Him not to enter his house, saying,
" I am not worthy that Thou shouldest
enter under my roof," (vii. 6.)
Fifth Lesson.
'T^HUS also did Joseph, looking
upon himself as an unworthy
sinner, say within himself that he
was. not worthy to dwell with one
by whose marvellous exaltation above
himself he was awestruck. He beheld
her, and quailed before the evident
manifestation of the Divine presence,
and for as much as he could not
understand the mystery he was
minded to put her away. Thus
is it written of Peter that " he
was astonished, and all that were
with him, at the draught of fishes
which they had taken," and thus
also is it written that the cen-
turion said, "Wherefore neither
thought I myself worthy to come
unto Thee," and thus did Joseph in
his human lowliness quail before this
new and wondrous thing. Neither
needest thou wonder that Joseph
deemed himself unworthy of the
fellowship of the Virgin while she
was great with child, since thou
hearest that unto holy Elizabeth her
presence was the cause of awe and
reverence, and she cried out, " Whence
is this to me that the mother of my
Lord should come to me ? " (Luke i. 4.)
Sixth Lesson.
"POR this reason, therefore, was
Joseph minded to put her away
privily ; but wherefore privily and not
openly ? That the cause of the
divorce might not be inquired into
and a reason demanded. What,
indeed, could that just man have
answered to that stiff-necked people,
to that unbelieving and gainsaying
people ? If he had told them
what he felt and what he knew
concerning her purity, would not
the unbelieving and cruel Jews have
mocked at him and stoned her ? In
aftertimes they despised Christ even
while He cried in the temple, how
then would they have believed in Him
while He lay silent in the womb ?
In aftertimes they laid wicked hands
upon Him even while He was shining
with miracles, what then would they
have done unto Him while He was
not yet seen ? It is clear, therefore,
wherefore this just man, since he
would neither lie nor be forced to
impute guilt to the innocent, was
minded to put her away privately.
PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH. — FIFTH FREE DAY.
nil
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lessoii.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
"^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened. And
so on.
Homily by St John of Damascus.
{^rd oil the Birth of the Blessed
Virgin. )
Matthew, for the opening of his
work, saith : " The book of the gen-
eration of Jesus Christ, the Son of
David, the Son of Abraham ; " neither
doth he stop here, for he giveth the
genealogy even unto the husband of
the Virgin. Luke, after recording the
manifestation of the Saviour on the
occasion of His baptism, maketh some-
what of a parenthesis, and writeth
thus: "And Jesus Himself began to
be about thirty years of age, being
(as was supposed) the Son of Joseph,
which was the son of Heli, which was
the son of Matthat," and so on up-
ward even unto " Seth, which was the
son of Adam, which was the son of
God." Since the pedigree of Joseph
is thus set forth, the pedigree of
Mary, herself the virgin mother of
God, is surely set forth as being the
same as his. Since it is written in
the law of Moses (Num. xxxvi. 8) :
"Every daughter, that possesseth an
inheritance in any tribe of the children
of Israel, shall be wife unto one of
the family of the tribe of her father,
that the children of Israel may en-
joy every man the inheritance of his
fathers." And "even as the Lord
commanded Moses, so . . . the
daughters of Zelophehad . . . were
married unto their father's brothers'
sons ; . . . and their inheritance re-
mained in the tribe of the family of
their father," (10-12.)
Eighth Lesson.
T T was not without reason that the
conception of Christ by the Holy
Ghost was not spoken of among the
people, and that Joseph was adopted
into the place of His father, and was
consequently supposed to be so. Had
this not been so, the Child would have
been supposed to have been father-
less, because He had no recorded
pedigree upon the father's side. For
this reason the honoured Evangelists
necessarily recorded the pedigree of
Joseph. Had they not done so, but
had recorded His pedigree upon His
mother's side, they would have done
that which would have been not only
unseemly but also opposed to the
usage of God's Scriptures. It was
therefore convenient that they should
give the pedigree of Joseph from
David, and for the reason which we
have already given of the kinship
between her and her husband. They
thereby attest that the Virgin Mary
also was of the lineage of David.
Ninth LessoJi.
T T is evident that Joseph was a just
man, and conformed his life to
the law ; hence, according to the pre-
cept of the law, he took unto him a
wife of his own tribe. If, therefore,
Joseph were of the tribe of Judah
and of the inheritance and family of
David, doth it not follow that Mary
was of the same race also ? Hence
it is that it is the lineage of the
husband that is given. The Apostle
Paul saith (Ephes. v. 23): "The
husband is the head of the wife, even
as Christ is the head of the Church :
and He is the saviour of the body."
When, therefore, the pedigree of the
III2
GENERAL APPENDIX.
head is given, doth it not follow that
the pedigree of the body is given
also ? I judge it to be plain, there-
fore, that the giving of the pedigree
of Joseph by the Evangelists is not
useless, since it is evident that by
this pedigree is set forth also the
descent of the Virgin from David ;
and with her descent, that of Him
Who by an exxeeding wonder was
born of her, even Christ the eternal
Son of God.
Jourtlj Suntiag after CEaster.
^ctan of tU (pattona^t of
Double.
All as upon the Feast ^ with a
Couiinenioration of the Sunday at F-irst
and Second Vespers and at Lauds.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from the Scripture according
to the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Austin, Bishop [of Hippo.]
((9/" Marriage ajid Concupiscence.,
Bk. L c. II.)
n^HE Angel spake not falsely unto
Joseph when he said unto him :
" Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife." He
had not known her according to the
flesh, neither was he ever so to know
her. But she is called his wife in
virtue of the truth which they had
plighted together when they were
espoused ; and the absence of any
fleshly union, either in the past or
in the present, had nof destroyed nor
rendered untrue the wifely title. She
was a virgin, and therefore she w^as
pleasant unto her husband — in a way
more holy and more wonderful, be-
cause she conceived without man's
intervention ; and, albeit his comrade
in faith, as exalted above him as
a parent. Because of this faithful
espousal, the pair are rightly called
together the parents of Christ ; and
not only is she when alone called
His mother, but Joseph when alone
is also called His father, albeit he
was so in affection and not ac-
cording to the flesh. But whether
Joseph were His father by affection
only, and Mary His mother in the
flesh also, they were both the
parents of His lowliness and not
of His exaltation, of His weakness
and not of His divinity.
Fifth Lesson.
nPHE Gospel lieth not where it is
written (Luke ii. 33): "And
His father and His mother marvelled
at those things which were spoken
of Him"; or again (41) : " Now^ His
parents went to Jerusalem every year
at the Feast of the Passover " ; and
again a little after (48): "And His
mother said unto Him, Son, why hast
Thou thus dealt with ' us ? Behold,
Thy father and I have sought Thee
sorrowing. And He said unto them.
How is it that ye sought Me ? Wist
ye not that I must be about My
Father's business." This was to show
that besides them He had a Father
Who had begotten Him without a
mother ; but to show that by so
speaking He meant not to deny that
they were His parents, the Evangelist
addeth forthwith : " And they under-
stood not the saying which He
spake unto them. And He went
down with them, and came to
Nazareth, and was subject unto
OCTAVE OF THE PATRONAGE OF ST JOSEPH.
III3
them." Unto whom was He subject
but unto His parents ? and who was
subject unto them but Christ jESUS,
Who being in the form of God
thought it not robbery to be equal
with God ?
Sixth Lesson.
TT E Who was in the form of God
was subject unto them because
He had emptied Himself, and had
taken upon Him the form of a servant,
of the which form of a servant they
were the parents ; and yet both of
them would not have been the parents
even of this form of a servant un-
less they had been espoused to one
another, albeit without fleshly con-
nection. Hence it is that when the
pedigree of Christ is to be traced,
it is traced to Joseph ; and thus no
slight is cast upon the precedence of
the male sex, while at the same time
there is no dallying with truth, since
Mary as well as Joseph was of that
house and lineage of David where-
from in accordance with prophecy the
Messiah was born. In the marriage
between these parents of Christ all
the good things of marriage were
present : offspring, troth, mystery.
As for the offspring, we know it to
have been the Lord jESUS Himself.
The kept troth was there because
neither of them committed adultery,
and the mystery was preserved in
that they were not divorced.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (iii. 21.)
A T that time : When all the people
'^^ were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] (36//^ on the Baptism of
Christ. )
This day is in a sense a second
birthday for the Saviour. We know-
that He was born with the same
signs and the same wonders, but
we know that he was now baptized
with greater glory, for now doth
God Himself proclaim: "Thou art
My beloved Son ; in Thee I am well
pleased." This is the second birth,
[even that of water and the Holy
Ghost,] truly more glorious than the
first, [which was of the flesh.] In
the first birth, [which was of the
flesh,] the Christ came into the world
unwitnessed and in silence. In the
second birth, [which was of water
and the Holy Ghost,] the Lord was
baptized with the proclamation of His
Godhead. On the occasion of the
first birth Joseph, who was supposed
to be His father, stood aside ; but
the record of the second is made the
occasion to bring him forward. At
the first birth His mother lay under
suspicion because there was no avowed
father, but at this second birth she is
proclaimed honourable by the attesta-
tion of the Godhead of her Son. I
say that the second birth was more
honourable than the first. At the
first Joseph the carpenter was reck-
oned as His father, at the second
that title is claimed by the God of
glory ; and albeit it was of the
Holy Ghost that the Lord was both
born and baptized, nevertheless the
Father that thundereth from heaven
is greater than the father that
toileth upon earth.
Eighth Lesso7i.
JOSEPH the carpenter was sup-
posed upon earth to be the
father of the Lord our Saviour ; but
his was a work from which is not
III4
GENERAL APPENDIX.
excluded the true Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, even God, for God also
is a Workman. God is a Workman
Who by His power, not wondrous
only, but by us unspeakable, hath
made the world. He is the Archi-
tect Who by His wisdom hath hung
above the heavens on high, Who
hath laid the foundations of the
earthy and Who hath girdled the
seas with the pebbles of the shore.
He is the Workman by Whose meas-
urement the pinnacles of pride are
laid low and the foundations of
lowliness are built up. He is the
Workman Who planeth away such
things in us as are needless and
keepeth those things which are
worthy. He is that Workman of
Whose art John the Baptist said
(Matth. iii. lo) : "Now also the- axe
is laid unto the root of the trees :
therefore every tree which bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire."
The Ninth Lesson is the Hojuily of
the Sunday.
JFirst Suntiag i'ii jHag. W^t
iSlesseti Firstn JHarg,
stgleti tl)e JHotljer of tlje
ILortJ our Sljepljertr.
Greater Double.
Whatever is not specially given here
is from the Commoii Office for Feasts
of the Blessed Virgin, {p. 620.)
FIRST VESPERS.
Antiphons and Prayer from Lauds.
Antiphon at the So?ig of the Blessed
Virgi?!. He shall feed His flock
like a shepherd : H6 shall gather
the lambs with His arm, and carry
them in His bosom. Alleluia. ^
A Commemoration is made of the
Sunday.
MATTINS.
Invitatory. Holy Mary, Mother of
the Lord our Shepherd, * pray for
us. Alleluia.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Antiphon. Let us get up early to
the vineyards ; let us see if the vine
flourish, whether the tender grapes
open : there will I give thee my
breasts. Alleluia.^
First Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Proverbs
of Solomon (viii. 12.)
T WISDOM, dwell with prudence,
^ and find out knowledge of witty
inventions. The fear of the Lord is
to hate evil : pride, and arrogancy,
and the evil way, and the double
mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine,
and sound wisdom : understanding is
mine ; mine is strength. By me kings
reign, and princes decree justice. By
me princes rule, and nobles command
righteousness. I love them that love
me ; and those that seek me early
shall find me. Riches and honour
are with me ; yea, durable riches and
righteousness. My fruit is better
than gold and precious stones, and
my revenue than choice silver. I
walk in the way of righteousness, in
the midst of the paths of judgment :
that I may cause those that love me
to inherit substance ; and that I may
fill their treasures.
First Responsory.
3 Like as I have watched over them,
to pluck up, and to break down, and
1 Isa. xl. II.
2 Cant. vii. 12.
3 Jer. xx.xi. 28.
THE B.V. MARY, MOTHER OF THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD. III5
to throw down, and to destroy, and
to afflict ; so will I watch over them,
to build, and to plant. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ My sheep wandered through
all the mountains, and upon every
high hill.
Answer. So will I watch over them,
to build, and to plant. Alleluia.
Second Lesson.
'T'HE Lord possessed me in the
beginning of His ways, before
His works of old. I was set up from
everlasting, or ever the earth Avas.
When there were no depths, I was
already conceived ; when there were
no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled in
their strength, before the hills, was I
brought forth : while as yet He had
not made the earth, nor the rivers,
nor the poles of the globe. When He
prepared the heavens, I was there :
when by a certain law He enclosed
the depths in a circle : when He
established the space above, and
weighed the fountains of waters :
when He gave to the sea his bounds,
and laid a law upon the waters that
they should not pass their borders :
when He appointed the foundations
of the earth : then I was by Him,
ordering all things, and took my
delight every day, rejoicing always
before Him, rejoicing in the globe
of the earth ; and my delights were
to be with the sons of men. Now
therefore hearken unto me, O ye
children : for blessed are they that
keep my ways. Hear instruction, and
be wise, and refuse it not.
Second Responsory.
2 My soul hath desired Thee in the
night ; yea, with my spirit within me
will I seek Thee early. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ I sleep, but my heart
waketh : it is the voice of my beloved
that knocketh.
Answer. Yea, with my spirit
within me will I seek Thee early.
Alleluia.
Third Lesso7t, as i?t the Common
Office.
Third Responsory.
^As a shepherd seeketh out his
flock in the day that he is among
his sheep that are scattered. Alle-
luia.
Verse. So will I seek out My
sheep, and will deliver them out of
all places where they have been scat-
tered in the cloudy and dark day.
Answer. The day that he is
among his sheep that are scattered.
Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. The day that he is among
his sheep that are scattered. Alle-
luia.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Aiitiphon. -5 I will save my flock,
and they shall no more be a prey.
Alleluia.
Fourth Lessoji.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.]
IV/r Y brethren, let us come and hold
Mary by the feet, let us lie at
those blessed feet and most earnestly
entreat her. Let us hold her, and
not let her go, except she bless us.^
She is able to bless us ; as the fleece
between the dew and the floor,^ as
the woman between the sun and the
moon,^ so is Mary set between
Christ and the Church. Perchance
1 Ezek. xxxiv, 6. 2 isa. xxvi. 9.
•5 Cf. Cant. iii. 4, Gen. xxxii. 26.
3 Cant. V. II. ■* Ezek. xxxiv. 12. ^ Apoc. 12.
■^ Cf. Judges vi. 37. s a. Apoc. xii, i.
iii6
GENERAL APPENDIX.
thou marvellest less that the dew be
on the fleece only, and that it be dry
upon all the earth beside, than that the
woman be clothed with the sun.
That the dew should drench the fleece
is a marvel, but the greater marvel is
it that the woman should be clothed
with the sun. How can her weak
nature stand unconsumed amid the
intensity of his heat ? Well didst
thou wonder, O holy Moses, ^ when
the Angel of the Lord appeared unto
thee in a flame of fire out of the
midst of the bush, and the bush
burned with fire, and the bush was
not consumed, and thou didst say : I
will now turn aside, and see this great
sight, why the bush is not burnt ; but
put off thy shoes from off thy feet, and
lay aside the perplexities of human
thought, if thou art fain to draw nigh
thither.
Fourth Respo7isory.
2 My flock was scattered upon all
the face of the earth, and none did
search or seek after them. Behold, I,
even I, will both search my sheep, and
seek them out. Alleluia.
Verse. He hath kept them safe
from their enemies, and from de-
ceivers defended them.
Answer. Behold, I, even I, will
both search my sheep, and seek them
out. Alleluia.
Fifth Lesson. [On the Assu7nptio7i
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. )
r\ MOTHER of mercy, the moon
^-^^ under thy feet — that is to say,
the Church — calleth upon thee by the
kindliness of thine heart, to plead for
her with the sun — the Sun of Right-
eousness, — wherewithal thou art
clothed; that in thy light she may
see light, and by thy prayers may
obtain the grace of that Sun Which,
because He loved thee more than all,
hath adorned thee by clothing thee
with His robe of glory, and hath set
upon thine head the crown of twelve
stars. Thou art full of grace, thou art
the fleece drenched with the dew, thou
art overflowing with delight, leaning
upon thy beloved. Lady ! feed thy
poor wretches this day, let even the
dogs also eat of the crumbs that fall
from thy table. ^ From the overflow
of thy pitcher give thou drink, not
unto the servant of Abraham only, but
unto the camels also.
Fifth Respo7isory.
4 [The Lord our God, He it is that]
preserved us in all the way wherein
we went, and among all the people
through whom we passed. Alleluia.
Verse. ^ They made me keeper of
the vineyards.
A7iswer. And among all the people
through whom we passed. Alleluia.
Sixth Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.) {2%th 071 the Sai7its.)
r\ BLESSED Mary, receive thou
^-"^ our thanks, meagre though they
be, and unworthy of thee, and when
thou receivest our prayers, by thy
prayers obtain toleration for our
faults. Let our entreaties come up
into that sanctuary wherein thou hear-
est and grantest, and send us an
answer of healing ; let that which we
bring through thee, through thee be
forgiven. What we ask faithfully do
thou obtain effectively ; receive thou
that which we offer, give us that
which we entreat ; save us from that
which we fear, for thou art the
1 Cf. Exod. iii. 2-5. ^ Ezek. xxxiv. 6, 11.
4 Jdsh. xxiv. 17.
3 Cf. Gen. xxiv. 15, 26.
5 Cant. i. 6.
THE B.V. MARY, MOTHER OF THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD. Ill/
sinner's only hope. Through thee we
hope for the forgiveness of our sins,
and in thee we look forward to a
blessed reward. Receive the homage
of thy servants who dwell in this land,
[and who, because they have in so
many and great dangers been holpen
of thee, have, for a proof of their
thankfulness to thee and of the good
things which thou hast conferred upon
them by defending them and shielding
them, obtained from the Supreme
Pontiff Pius VIII. this feast in thine
honour, under the style of Mother
of the Lord their shepherd,] that all
the faithful may know thee for their
watchful keeper who feedest them with
food from heaven, may call upon thee,
and may serve thee.
Sixth Respo7isory.
1 1 sat under his shadow in whom
I delighted, and his fruit was sweet
to my taste. Alleluia.
Verse. What wilt thou see in the
Shulamite, but companies of armies.
Answer. And his fruit was sweet
to my taste. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. And his fruit was sweet
to my taste. Alleluia.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Ajttiphon. 2 TJiy lips drop as the
honeycomb, honey and milk are under
thy tongue. Alleluia.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to John (xix.
25-)
A T that time : There stood by the
'^^ Cross of Jesus His mother, and
His mother's sister, Mary the wife of
1 Cant, ii, 3.
2 Cant. iv. II.
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And
so on.
Homily by the blessed Peter
Damian. {\st on the Birth of the
Blessed Virgifi Mary.)
O Virgin Mother of God ! O
Lady ! at whose beauty the sun
and the moon do wonder, help
them whose cries are rising to thee :
" Return, return, O Shulamite : re-
turn, return, that we may look
upon thee," (Cant. vi. 13.) O thou
that art blessed, and blessed ex-
ceedingly, return through thy nature ;
because thou hast been so drawn to
God hast thou therefore forgotten
our manhood ? Nay, O Lady I thou
knowest in what straits thou hast
left us, where thy servants are
lying, and how they fail. Ill
would it become such mercy to
forget such misery, for though
glory may call thee away, nature
still calleth thee back. Thou dost
not in such sense make mention
of God's righteousness, even of
His only, that thou hast no
mercy, nor because thou thyself
canst not suffer canst thou not
feel for the suffering. The nature
which thou hast is ours and not
another, and it is right that the
dew of such goodness should fall
abundantly upon us.
Seve7ith Responsory.
3 My beloved is mine, and I am
his : that feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day break, and the shadows
flee away. Alleluia.
Verse. I am my beloved's, and his
desire is toward me.
Answer. Until the day break,
and the shadows flee away. Alle-
luia.
^ Cant. ii. 16, 17, 7, 10.
iii8
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Eighth Lesso7i.
■DETURN through thy power : He
that is mighty hath done unto
thee great things, and all power is
given unto thee in heaven and in
earth : nothing is impossible with
thee, with whom it is possible to raise
up the hopeless unto the hope of
blessedness. For how could that
power withstand thy power, whose
flesh sprang of thy flesh. Thou drawest
nigh unto the golden altar of man's
atonement, not praying only, but bid-
ding, not as a handmaid, but as a
lady. Be moved by thy nature, be
moved by thy power. The mightier
thou art, so much more oughtest thou
to be merciful. It is a glory to power
to abstain from revenge. Return
through love. Lady ! I know that thou
art most kind, and that thou lovest
with an unconquered love us whom
thy Son and thy God loved with the
highest love, in thee and through thee.
Who knoweth how often thou dost
cool the anger of the Judge when the
might of justice is going forth from
before God ?
Eighth Responsory.
I will gather My sheep from the
countries, and will bring them to their
own land, and feed them upon the
mountains of Israel by the rivers,
and in all the inhabited places of the
country. Alleluia.
Verse, i I will feed My sheep, and
I will cause them to lie down.
Answer. And I will feed them
upon the mountains of Israel by the
rivers, and in all the inhabited places
of the country. Alleluia.
' Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Ansiver. By the rivers, and in all
the inhabited places of the country.
Alleluia.
The Nmth Lesson is the Homily of
the Sunday., but if the Feast be trans-
ferred, then the following :
"DETURN through this that thou
art alone, for in thine hands are
the treasures of the mercies of the
Lord, and thou alone art chosen to
have grace given unto thee. God for-
bid that thine hand should be short-
ened, since thou seekest occasion to
save the miserable and to pour forth
mercy. It is not a diminution but
an increase to thy glory when sinners
who have been justified by pardon
are taken up into glory. Return,
therefore : return, O Shulamite — that
is, thou despised one. Thou through
whose soul the sword pierced, thou that
art called the wife of the carpenter.
And why shouldest thou return ?
"That we may look upon thee.'^
Next to seeing God, the highest glory
is to see thee, to cling unto thee, and
to dwell in the stronghold of thy pro-
tection. O hear us ! for thy Son
honoureth thee by denying thee
nothing — Thy Son, Who is God
blessed for ever.
LAUDS.
First Antipho7t. ^ Lgj- ^]^y voice
sound in mine ears, for sweet is thy
voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Alleluia.
Second Ajitiphon. ^ My beloved is
gone down into his garden, to feed
in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
Alleluia.
Third A?itiphon. ^ Come, my be-
loved, let us go forth into the field ; let
us lodge in the villages. Alleluia.
Foio'th Antiphon. ^ A fountain of
1 Ezek. xxxiv. 13, 15. 2 Cant. ii. 14.
■^ Cant. vii. 11. 5 Cant. iv. 15.
3 Cant. vi. 2.
MARTYRS JOHN ROCHESTER AND JAMES WALWORTH. III9
gardens, a well of living waters, a
stream from Lebanon. Alleluia.
Fifth Antipho7i. ^ At our gates
are all manner of fruits, new and
old, which I have laid up for thee,
O my beloved. Alleluia.
Verse. Fair and comely art thou,
O daughter of Jerusalem. Alleluia.
Ajiswer. Terrible as a fenced camp
set in battle array. Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of Zacharias.
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,
where thou feedest thy flock, where
thou layest thee down at noon, lest I
begin to turn aside after the flocks of
thy companions. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout.
r^ GOD, Who, by Thine unspeak-
^■^^ able Providence, art the Shep-
herd aijd Governor of the whole world,
grant that the prayers of blessed Mary,
always a virgin, who doth ever watch
over us, may defend us from all
enemies, until we are satisfied with
the sweetness of Thy fruit, and may
safely come home to our very father-
land, which is in heaven. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
A Commemoration is made of the
Stmday.
The Antiphons at Privie., Terce^
Sext., and None are the First., Second.,
Third., and Fifth of Lauds respect-
ively.
SECOND VESPERS.
All from the Common Office^ except
the following.
Antiphons and Prayer from Lauds.
Verse. Through thee, O Virgin
1 Cant.
Mary, may we draw the waters of
salvation. Alleluia.
Answer. Out of the wells of the
love and suffering of Christ thy Son.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgi?i. When jESUS therefore saw
His mother, and the disciple standing
by, whom He loved, He saith unto
His mother, Woman, behold thy
Son ! Then saith He to the disciple,
Behold thy mother ! And from that
hour that disciple took her unto his
own home.
A Commemoration is made of the
Sunday.
May II.
Eocljester ant Sames Wal-
toortl), JKonfts of ti}e Cftar^
terl}ouse, aitU tljetr Com-
panions.
Double.
All from the Common Office for
Martyrs in Paschal-time., {p. 514.)
Prayer throughout.
"DE Thou magnified, O Lord, by
the memorial of the passion of
Thy blessed martyrs John and his
fellows, wherethrough it hath pleased
Thee in Thine unspeakable Pro-
vidence to grant everlasting glory to
them and an help to us. Through
our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One
God, world without end. Ameji.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons f'om Scripture according to
the Season.
vii. 13.
1 1 20
GENERAL APPENDIX.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7i.
\7'0RK, which is the capital city
of the northern province of
England, is famous before all other
cities in England, except London,
for the shedding of the blood of
martyrs in defence of the faith and
of the obedience due to the Roman
Pontiff. The first among these were
two monks from the Charterhouse
of London, that monastery of great
fervour. They bore steadfastly the
persecution of their own house and
their own forcible transference to
others, and after two years, because
they refused to swear a sinful oath
to the king, they followed in the
footsteps of their Prior, the blessed
John Houghton, and were condemned
to death, and hanged at York upon
the nth day of May in the year
1537- Their bodies were hung in
chains in a public place, until the
birds had picked off all the flesh
and the bones parted one from
another and fell to the ground.
These blessed martyrs, John Roches-
ter and James Walworth, being Priests
and professed Monks in the Order of
the Charterhouse, suffered during
the reign of King Henry VII L,
who had decreed the punishment of
treason against all who would not
acknowledge with an oath the right-
fulness of the power which he had
taken to himself of exercising supreme
authority in the Church of God.
Fifth Lesson.
TOURING the reign of Elizabeth
the persecution flamed out again
for the same cause, and upon the
22nd day of August, in the year
1582, there suffered together at York
the blessed Priests William Lacy and
Richard Kirkman. William Lacy
had some time held civil ofiice, but,
because he received priests as his
guests and would not take part in
the profane assemblies of the heretics,
he was compelled to resign his office
and to fly with his wife and children.
He passed the next fourteen years in
wanderings hither and thither, and
after the death of the most excellent
lady, his wife, he betook himself to
Rheims and to Rome, to the end
that, albeit advanced in years, he
might take Holy Orders. After his
ordination he came back to England,
and toiled hard for two years in the
gaining of souls. When at length
he was arrested, and questioned, as
use was, whether he acknowledged
the Queen's primacy in the Church,
he was condemned and executed,
being glad, as he himself said, to
go into the House of the Lord.
Richard Kirkman was a Priest from
the Seminary at Doway. When he
was arrested by the heretics, he wrote
it with his own hand that he was a
Catholic Priest, wherefore he was
forthwith declared to be guilty of
death as one that led the Queen's
subjects to embrace the Catholic re-
ligion. He received his sentence
gladly, and cheerfully underwent a
cruel death, professing that he was
utterly unworthy of so great honour.
Sixth Lesso7i.
T^HERE were slain by the same
kind of death, upon the 28th
day of November in the same year,
the blessed James Thompson ; upon
the 15 th day of March in the year
following, the blessed William Hart ;
and upon the 29th day of May the
blessed Richard Thirkell. These
three also were Priests, and the
histories of all three were much the
same. After a few years' work in
England they were arrested, ques-
MARTYRS JOHN ROCHESTER AND JAMES WALWORTH. 1 121
tioned touching their ordination and
the spiritual jurisdiction of the Queen,
and for this reason condemned to
death and executed by hanging and
the tearing out of their inward parts.
While James Thompson was hanging
he lifted up his hands to heaven,
smote upon his breast, and signed
himself with the sign of the Cross.
William Hart died as he commended
himself to God with the words, Unto
Thee lift I up mine eyes. Richard
Thirkell gladly received from the
King of the Martyrs the same palm
of martyrdom, for the which he had
prayed for eight whole years. Gregory
XIII. approved the honours paid to
all these, and Leo XIII. by solemn
decree confirmed the same.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matth. (x. 34.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
disciples : Think not that I am
come to send peace on earth : I came
not to send peace, but a sword. And
so on.
Homily by St Hilary, Bishop [of
Poitiers.]
["For I am come to set a man at
variance against his father."] What
variance is this ? Among the fore-
most commandments of the law we
read, " Honour thy father and thy
mother," (Ex. xx. 12); and the Lord
Himself also saith, " Peace I leave
with you. My peace I give unto you,"
(John xiv. 27) ; but here it is said,
" I came not to send peace, but a
sword. For I am come to set a
man at variance against his father,
and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall
be they of his own household."
Therefore henceforth public authority
will be set before the failure of natural
duty, — everywhere hatred, everywhere
war, — and the sword of the Lord
cutting fiercely between the father
and the son, between the mother
and the daughter.
Eighth Lesson.
A SWORD is the sharpest of all
weapons, it is the symbol of the
power of law, of the sternness of
judgment, and of the punishment of
evil - doers. In the prophets the
preaching of the new gospel is often-
times likened unto the sword. We
remember that the Word of God is
the sword of the Spirit, (Eph. vi. 17,)
and this sword is sent upon earth,
that is to say, the preaching of the
Word of God entereth into the hearts
of men. And there is sore variance
in one house, and a man's foes are
they of his own household, for through
the Word of God he will rejoice in
newness of spirit to remain separate
from others both within and without,
both in soul and in body.
Ninth Lesson.
T_T E proceedeth then in the same
course of commandments and
of understanding ; for after that He
had taught that all the things which
are dearest in this world must be
left, He said, moreover, " And he
that taketh not his cross, and foUoweth
after Me, is not worthy of Me," for
" they that are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts,"
(Gal. V. 24,) and he is unworthy of
Christ who taketh not up his Cross
whereon to suffer with Him, to die
with Him, to be buried with Him,
and to rise again with Him, and so
followeth after the Lord, in the
mystery of the faith to live in new-
ness of spirit.
II22
GENERAL APPENDIX.
May 12.
iLotolinrSiS of tlje Blessed
Ftrgin iHarg.
Greater Double.
All from the Coinino7i Office for
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin^ {p. 620,)
except the following.
Verse. While I was yet a little
one I pleased the Most High. Alle-
luia.
Answer. And I brought forth
from my bowels God and Man.
Alleluia.
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. My spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour, for He hath re-
garded the lowliness of His hand-
maiden. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who knowest the proud
^^ from afar and hast respect unto
the lowly, grant unto us Thy servants
that we may ever copy with pure
thoughts the lowliness of blessed
Mary always a Virgin, who by her
maidenhood was pleasant in the sight
of our Lord jESUS Christ Thy Son,
and in her lowliness did conceive
the same. Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Ame7i.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
First Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Song of
Songs (viii. 5.)
inHORUS.I Who is this that
cometh up from the wilderness,
overflowing with gladness, leaning
upon her beloved ?
\The Bride.'] Under an apple-tree
did I rouse thee up. There was thy
mother ravished, there was she de-
flowered that bare thee. Set me as a
seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon
thine arm ; for love is strong as death,
jealousy is cruel as the grave. The
lamps thereof are lamps of fire and
flames.
Responsories from
Office.
the Commofi
Second Lesson.
[ n^HE Bride.] Many waters cannot
quench love, neither can the
floods drown it. If a man would
give all the substance of his house
for love, it would utterly be con-
temned. We have a little sister, and
she hath no breasts : what shall we
do for our sister in the day when she
shall be spoken for ? If she be a
wall, we will build upon her battle-
ments of silver — if she be a door, we
will furnish her forth with boards of
cedar.
Third Lesson.
[ HTHE Bride. ] I am a wall, and my
breasts like towers ; whence it
was that I found " Peace " ^ in his
presence. " Peaceful " ^ hath a vine-
yard at " The-place-of-a-multitude," 2
he hath let it out unto keepers ; the
man bringeth for the fruit thereof a
thousand pieces of silver. Mine own
vineyard is before me.^ The thousand
pieces be thine, O " Peaceful," and
two hundred for them that keep the
fruit thereof.
1 The name of the Bridegroom "Sh'lomoh" means "Peaceful."
2 Baal-hamon, a place near Samaria. Whether it really means " The-place-of-a-multitude "
and not rather a shrine of the idol Jupiter Amnion, is at least doubtful.
3 The meaning seems to be that she afforded in herself a richer feast than any vineyard, and
had it always at hand.
LOWLINESS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
II23
\The Bridegroom.'\ O thou that
dwellest in the gardens ! they that
love thee are listening — cause me to
hear thy voice !
{The Bride.'] Flee away, my
beloved ! and be like to a roe or
to a young hart upon the moun-
tains of spices.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Sermons
of St Bernard, Abbat [of Clairvaux.]
(0;z the Twelve Prerogatives.)
T^HOU readest in the Acts of the
Apostles, (i. 12-14,) that "they
returned unto Jerusalem from the
mount called Olivet, . . . and . . .
all continued with one accord in prayer
and supplication." Who did this .^^
If, perchance, Mary were one of
them, let her be named first, since
she is above all, not by her mother-
hood only, but also by her holiness.
But the writer saith that " when they
were come in, they went up into an
upper room, where abode both Peter,
and James, and John, and Andrew,
Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew,
and Matthew, James the son of
Alphseus, and Simon Zelotes, and
Judas the brother of James. These
all continued with one accord in
prayer and supplication, with the
women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with His brethren." Did
Mary then seem to be the lowest of
women that she should be named the
last of all ? In good sooth the
Apostles were carnal - minded, " for
the Holy Ghost was not yet given ;
because that Jesus was not yet
glorified," (John vii. 39,) "and there
was also a strife among them, which
of them should be accounted the
greatest," (Luke xxii. 24.) Whereas
Mary, who was greater than them
all, humbleth herself, not only in
all but before all. Rightly was the
last made first, (Matth. xix. 30,)
who being the first of all made
herself the last ; rightly was she
who made herself the handmaid of
all made the Lady of all ; rightly
hath she who in her unspeakable
gentleness set herself after widow
and penitent, and even after her
out of whom had been cast seven
devils — rightly indeed hath she been
exalted above angels.
Fifth Lesson.
ly/TY little children, I beseech you
that if ye love Mary ye would
copy this one of her graces. If ye
would please her, try to be humble
after her example. There is nothing
which is so useful to a man as
humility, nor anything which better
becometh a Christian ; and in the
Virgin is manifest this grace of
lowliness were it only from the fact
that in the Acts of the Apostles
she gently causeth herself to be
named after all the other women.
Traits of character are often heredi-
tary, and among them lowliness and
meekness, and by these things she
has shown to be the natural mother
of Him Who said, (Matth. xi. 29,)
" Take My yoke upon you, and,
learn of Me ; for I am meek and
lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest
unto your souls." Pride is the mother
of frowardness, and gentleness is born
of true lowliness ; nor is it only in
the silence of Mary that we find her
noble lowliness. The same is at-
tested in her words also, " The angel
answered and said unto her, . . .
that Holy Thing which shall be born
of thee shall be called the Son of
God. . . . And Mary said, Behold
the handmaid of the Lord," (Luke i.
35, 38.)
1 1 24
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Sixth Lesso7i.
CO also when she came to visit
her cousin Elizabeth, and her
solitary glory was revealed by the
Holy Ghost to her said kinswoman,
so that that kinswoman marvelled at
her coming and saluted her. "And
EHzabeth was filled with the Holy
Ghost ; and she spake out with a
loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou
among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb. And whence is
this to me, that the mother of my
Lord should come to me. For, lo,
as soon as the voice of thy salutation
sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped
in my womb for joy. And blessed
is she that believed : for there shall
be a performance of those things
which were told her from the Lord."
These were her praises, but her
earnest lowliness would suffer her to
keep none of them for herself, but
at once to refer them to Him of
Whose pure goodness she had re-
ceived everything that she had.
" And Mary said. My soul doth
magnify the Lord, and my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For He hath regarded the lowliness
of His handmaid."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (i. 26.)
A T that time : The angel Gabriel
'^^ was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a
virgin espoused to a man whose name
was Joseph ; and the virgin's name
was Mary. And so on.
Homily by St Bernard, Abbat [of
Clairvaux.]
Who is this virgin so worshipful
that she should be saiuted by an
angel, and so lowly that she should
be espoused to a carpenter ? O how
lovely a union of maidenhood and
lowliness. That soul pleased God
well wherein the maidenhood was
graced by lowliness, and the lowli-
ness adorned by maidenhood ; but
of what honour is she worthy when
thou rememberest that in her mother-
hood ennobled lowliness, and delivery
hallowed maidenhood. Thou hearest
of this virgin and thou hearest that
she is lowly ; if thou canst not copy
the virginity of the lowly one, copy the
lowliness of the virgin. Virginity is
praiseworthy, but lowliness is more
needful. Virginity is advised, but
lowliness is commanded. Thou art
invited to virginity, but thou art
bound to be lowly. Concerning celi-
bacy, it is said, (Matth. xix. 11,)
" All men cannot receive this saying,
save they to whom it is given. For
there are some eunuchs, which were
so born from their mother's womb :
and there are some eunuchs, which
were made eunuchs of men : and
there be eunuchs, which have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom
of heaven's sake. He that is able
to receive it, let him receive it."
But concerning lowliness it is said,
(Luke xviii. 17,) "Whosoever shall
not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child shall in no wise
enter therein."
Eighth Lesson.
T N other words, thou canst be saved
without being a virgin, but thou
canst not be saved without being
lowly. I say that lowliness pleaseth
God when it bewaileth the loss of
virginity, but I dare to say that the
virginity of Mary herself would not
have pleased God if she had not
been lowly. The matter is therefore
here plain : That Which was conceived
ST JEAN-BAPTISTE DE LA SALLE, CONFESSOR.
II25
in Mary was of the Holy Ghost,
and her own testimony concerning
the matter is that what God regarded
was not the virginity but the lowliness
of His handmaiden. Her virginity
may have pleased Him, but it was
her lowliness that gained her her
motherhood.
Ni7ith Lesson.
r\ VIRGIN that art proud, what
^^^ wilt thou say now ? Mary
remembereth no more that she is a
virgin, but giveth thanks that the
Lord hath regarded her lowliness ;
and thou who art not lowly dost
flatter thyself concerning thy virginity.
She saith the Lord hath regarded
the lowliness of His handmaiden.
These are the words of the holy,
the wise, the devoted Virgin. Dost
thou think thyself to be more
chaste than she ? dost thou think
thyself to be more devoted than
she ? or dost thou think that thy
virginity is so much higher than
the chastity of Mary that thou
canst thereby please God without
lowliness, w^hereas she could not ?
The more excellent thou art by the
gift of continency so much the more
dost thou harm thyself if by the
pollution of pride thou befoul within
thee the grace of such a gift.
SECOND VESPERS.
Verse. While I was yet a little
one, I pleased the Most High. Alle-
luia.
Answer. And I brought forth
from my bow^els God and Man.
Alleluia.
A7itiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. Behold from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed, for
God hath regarded the lowliness of
His handmaiden. Alleluia.
May 15.
St Sean^Baptiste tie la Salle,
Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common Office for a
Confessor Jtot a Bishop.^ (/. 598,) ex-
cept the following.
MARTYROLOGY.
At Rouen, the holy Confessor Jean-
Baptiste de la Salle, a man eminent
for his services to religion and society
in the education of the young, especi-
ally of the poor. He founded the
Institute of the Brothers of the
Christian Schools.
Prayer throughout the Office.
r\ GOD, Who, to school the
^"^ poor in Christ's law and to
solidly establish their children in
the way of truth, didst raise up
the holy Confessor Jean - Baptiste,
and through him didst gather to-
gether a new household in the
Church, grant of Thy grace, that
helped by his prayers and follow-
ing his example we may seek to
serve Thy glory by a fervent love
of souls, and be found worthy
to share in his heavenly crown.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Scripture according to
the Season.
VOL. II.
2 P
I I 26
GENERAL APPENDIX.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
TEAN-BAPTISTE de la Salle was
J born of a noble family in Rheims.
His character and conduct in boyhood
foreshadowed his vocation to the
priesthood and his future glory as
a saint. He studied literature and
philosophy at the University of
Rheims, and while there he endeared
himself to all by his virtue, his ability,
and his sweet disposition, but at the
same time he avoided the companion-
ship of his fellow-students, the more
easily to commune with God in soli-
tude. At the age of sixteen, when
he had already worn the tonsure for
some years, he was made a Canon
of Rheims. He proceeded to Paris
in order to study theology at the
Sorbonne, and was admitted into, the
Seminary of St Sulpice, but losing
his parents soon after this, he was
compelled to return home and under-
take the charge of his brothers. This
duty he fulfilled with excellent results,
as was seen later, and meanwhile he
continued his theological studies.
Fifth Lesson.
"D AISED to the priesthood, he
retained through life the wonder-
ful spirit of faith and fervent devotion
manifested in his first Mass. In-
flamed with zeal for the salvation
of souls, he spent himself in apostolic
labours. He undertook the govern-
ment of the Sisters of the Infant
Jesus, — an association for the educa-
tion of girls, — and showed the greatest
pfudence as their Superior ; indeed the
continued existence of that Institute
was due to him. His attention was
thus drawn to the need of religious
education in the case of boys belong-
ing to the working classes. This
was the end for which God raised
up His servant — to be the founder
of a new congregation of religious
men, and thus to make lasting and
effectual provision for the education
of boys, especially for the children
of the poor. He successfully carried
out the task put upon him by the
Providence of God, in spite of much
opposition and suffering, and founded
his Congregation of the Brothers of
the Christian Schools.
Sixth Lesson.
"LJIS associates in this severe and
arduous work were lodged at
first in his own house ; later, more
suitable premises were found, and
under his training his disciples were
filled with the spirit of the wise rule
and constitutions which were after-
wards approved by Benedict XIII.
In his humility and love of poverty,
he gave up his position as canon,
bestowed all his property upon the
poor, and, after repeated attempts,
succeeded at last in resigning the
government of the new Institute.
While losing none of his interest in
the congregation and the schools
which by this time had been opened
in many places, he was able to give
himself more completely to God. He
was merciless to himself in the con-
stant practice of fasting, scourgings,
and other austerities, and passed whole
nights in prayer. At length, eminent
for every virtue, especially for obedi-
ence, zeal for the fulfilment of God's
will, and loving devotion towards the
Apostolic See, he fell asleep in the
Lord, in the sixty-eighth year of his
age, full of merits and fortified by
the Holy Sacraments. He was
beatified by Leo XIII., and his
glory shining brighter in further
miracles, he was canonised in the
year of Jubilee, one thousand nine
hundred.
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED MOTHER OF GRACE. 112/
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesso7i.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xviii.
I.)
A T that time : Came the disciples
unto Jesus, saying : Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
Patriarch [of Constantinople.] (6o//z
on Matth. xviii.)
"Take heed," saith Jesus, "that
ye despise not one of these little ones,
for I say unto you, that in heaven
their angels do always behold the face
of My Father " — and that for their
sake am I come, and this is the will
of My Father, Hereby the Lord
stirreth us up to guard and save these
little ones. Thou seest how mighty
are the walls which He raiseth to pro-
tect little children, and how great
thought and care He hath lest they
should be lost, threatening on the one
hand the uttermost punishment against
whosoever shall offend one of these
little ones which believe in Him,
and promising on the other hand the
highest reward to whosoever shall re-
ceive one such little child in His
Name, and this His teaching He
giveth both in His Own and in His
Father's Name.
thing look hard to us and calling for
a great deal of work, let such things,
I pray, be looked on as light and
easy if they be required for our neigh-
bour's salvation, for of such price and
such care did God count his soul
to be worth, that He spared not
to purchase it, even His Own Son.
(Rom. viii. 32.)
Ni7ith Lesson.
T F it be not enough for our salvation
that we should ourselves live well,
but we must also seek the salvation
of others, what shall we answer if we
neither live well ourselves nor exhort
others ? What hope that we shall be
saved is then left to us ? What more
important task is there than to train
up minds, and teach to the young how
to live ? He that is skilled to mould
well the minds of children I reckon a
nobler workman than any painter or
sculptor, or such like artist.
May 15. .
Wc^t BlesseU Ftrgin Jttarg,
stgleti JHotljer of ffirace.
Greater Double.
All from the Coimnon Office for
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin., {p. 620,)
except the following.
Eighth Lesson.
T ET us therefore take ensample by
the Lord, and let us leave
nothing undone for the good of any
of our brethren, even for such as seem
to us the least and lowliest, but if
there be any need that we should
serve any, low and outcast though he
be, let us serve him ; though the
FIRST VESPERS.
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord is with thee.
Alleluia.
Aiitiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O Blessed Virgin Mary, thou
art the channel of pardon,^ thou art
the mother of grace, thou art the hope
1 Venias vena.
II28
GENERAL APPENDIX.
of the world, graciously hear thy child-
ren who cry unto thee. Alleluia.
Prayer throughout.
r^ GOD, Who hast granted unto
^-^ mankind the grace of redemp-
tion through the fruitful virginity of
the blessed Mary, mercifully grant
that we, who upon earth do therefore
style her the mother of grace, may
enjoy for ever the grace of happy
companionship with her in heav^en.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ameji.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Proverbs as 2?i the
Coininoi2 Office.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Thomas. {\st on the
Anmmciatio?2. )
A/TY strong desire hath been, as far
as my poor powers permit, to
praise Mary, the wonderful and most
mighty mother of God, but I have
hardly been able to find in the Bible
anything in her praise which calleth
forth directly her glory and her ex-
cellency. Many things were spoken
concerning her by the Prophets, but
such interpretation of these passages
is a mystic interpretation, and facts
are recorded here and there whence
conclusions may be drawn as to the
greatness of her power, by the Evan-
gelists and Apostles. She is hardly
ever mentioned, and even when she
is, their expressions are seldom in
her praise. To tell the truth, although,
she is not passed over by them alto-
gether in silence, the glory of her
graces is apparent in these writings
only, as it were, by a ray of light
visible through a small chink. Whence
can we draw conclusion as to her
glory, her graces, and the gifts of her
soul, better than from the record of
her wondrous conversation with the
angel ? From this conversation we
learn that the angel styled her full of
grace, and blessed among women, but
we also learn from her own acts and
words, an whole crop of points in her
praise.
Fifth Lesso7i.
n^HE angel came in unto her re-
joicing, and respectfully saluted
her. " Hail, thou that art full of
grace, the Lord is with thee." Thou
that art full of grace, thou that art to
be filled with God, thou that art to be
overshadowed by the power of the
Highest, — thou that art full of grace,
thou of whose fulness all do receive,
thou from whose overflow the whole
world is to be filled, — thou that art
truly full, thou whose soul is so filled
up with grace that there is no room
left in it for sin, and no entrance left
open for iniquity. The Lord is with
thee, and in what manner is He with
thee ? Not as He is with me, but as
He is nowhere else, — He is with thee
in thy body, He is with thee in thy
mind. He is with thee in thy soul,
He is with thee in thy thoughts. He
is with thee in thy womb, He is with
thee to help thee. He is with thee to
spring in thee. He is with thee to
come forth out of thee. He is with
thee till the end, and He is with thee
without end.
Sixth Lesson. {2nd on the
Annu7iciation.)
A^rHEN she had received the
message of the heavenly am-
bassador, Mary said, " Behold the
handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, STYLED MOTPIER OF GRACE. I 1 29
according to thy word." This creat-
ure, who by a sublime mystery, and
by the quickening influx of the Deity
from on high, was about to conceive
God, recordeth the fact, that she is
an handmaid about to bring into the
world a Son, Who was to be in the
world as He that serveth. (Luke xxii.
27.) " Be it unto me according to thy
word," — and at her word the Word of
God forthwith took flesh in her womb.
<«Be," — by this word God made the
world. "Be," — by this word the
Most High created the heavens and
the earth. But no such a " Be " hath
ever sounded on this planet as thou
hast now uttered, O thou blessed
virgin. O what a word of power !
What a word of living force I What
a word to be honoured for ever above
other words I "And it was so."
What was so ? Who can tell what
was so ? Nature is staggered, the
judgment is arrested, the senses are
stupefied, the tongue is arrested, the
reason faileth, the understanding
understandeth not what followed in
Mary when she had uttered those
words, " be it done unto me according
to thy word."
THIRD NOCTURN.
Sevejith Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (i. 26.)
A T that time : The Angel Gabriel
was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin
espoused to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David, and
the virgin's name was Mary. And
so on.
Homily by St Augustine, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Sermon 2<^\. On the birth
of St John the Baptist.)
And the same Angel himself said
unto the Virgin Mary, " Hail, thou
that art full of grace, the Lord is with
thee." He that will be in thee is
already with thee. Tell me, then, O
thou messenger of God, how shall
this be. Behold, the angel that
knoweth and the virgin that question-
eth but distrusteth not. When then he
seeth her questioning but not distrust-
ing, he refuseth not to tell her. Give
ear how this shall be. It shall be
thy virginity, only do thou believe the
truth. Keep thy virginity, accept
motherhood, but inviolate ; as thy faith
is unbroken, so also shall thy body
be. Give ear, then, how this shall
be, — "The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee," —
since by faith thou dost conceive,
since by faith thou shalt be with child,
and not by coming together. "There-
fore also that holy Thing which shall
be born of thee shall be called the
Son of God." What art thou ? Thou
that art hereafter to give birth, whence
hast thou earned this, whence hast
thou received this, whence is it that
He Who made thee is made in thee ?
Whence, I say, doth this great good
happen to thee ? Thou art a virgin,
thou art holy, thou hast vowed a vow,
but great is what thou hast earned,
yea verily, great is that which thou
hast received.
Seve?ith Respo7isory.
O Virgin, most merciful, we fly to
thy patronage ; receive us, O thou our
only hope, and let it please thee that
we should praise thee, unworthy
though we be. We praise thee, who
art worthy of all praise. Alleluia.
Verse. Take away from us our
iniquities, that we may be worthy to
sing the song of thy glory.
Answer. Unworthy though we be.
We praise thee, who art worthy of all
praise. Alleluia.
II30
GENERAL APPENDIX.
Eighth Lesson.
A^HENCE hast thou earned this ?
He that made thee is made in
thee, He by Whom thou hast been
thyself made is made in thee ; yea
verily, the Word of God, by whom the
heavens and the earth were made, by
whom all things were made, is in thee
made flesh, not by conversion of the
Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the
manhood unto God, the Word is joined
unto flesh, the Word is wedded unto
flesh, and the bridal chamber for this
great marriage is thy womb. I say
thy womb is the bridal chamber for
the great marriage of the Word and
the flesh, whence the Word shall be
as a bridegroom coming out of his
chamber, (Ps. xviii. 5.) At His con-
ception He findeth thee a virgin, And
a virgin He leaveth thee at His birth.
He giveth thee fruitfulness with-
out taking away thy maidenhood.
Whence cometh this unto thee ? Im-
pudently do I seem to interrogate the
virgin, and rudely to assail with my
voice her bashful ears. But I see
the virgin, bashful though she be,
answering me nevertheless, and ad-
monishing me. Askest thou of me
whence this cometh unto me ? I am
abashed to reply by telling thee my
good. Listen to the salutation of the
Angel, and acknowledge in me thy
salvation. Believe Him Whom I be-
lieved. Why askest thou me ? Let
the Angel answer. Tell me then, O
Angel, whence cometh this to Mary :
I have told it already when I saluted
herj saying, Hail thou that art full
of grace.
Eighth Responsory.
O Virgin Mary, mother of the eter-
nal King, thou art the gate of
heaven and the star of the sea, do
thou make us well pleasing in the
sight of thy Son, for all power and
beauty and glory shine from thee.
Alleluia.
Verse. Thou art the channel of
pardon, thou art the mother of grace,
thou art the hope of the world, grac-
iously hear us when we cry unto thee.
Answer. For all power and beauty
and glory shine from thee. Alleluia.
Verse. Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost.
Answer. For all power and beauty
and glory shine from thee. Alleluia.
Ninth Lesson. (290//^. On the
Saints.)
Vy'HEN Mary said unto the Angel,
How shall this be, seeing I
know not a man, her words were the
utterance of inquiry, not of hopeless-
ness. While she asked him, she had
no doubt of the truth of his promise.
Truly was she full of grace, as indeed
the Angel had saluted her. Hail, thou
that art full of grace. Such grace
who can explain, to such grace who
can render worthy thanks ? Man is
created, and man perisheth through
freewill, and He Who made man is
Himself made man, that that which
He had made might not perish. God
the Word, who was in the beginning
with God, and by Whom all things
were made, is made flesh. " The
Word was made Flesh, and dwelt
among us." The Word is made
Flesh, not by conversion of the
Godhead into Flesh, but by taking
of the manhood unto God. O what
grace ! How were we worthy that
we should have it ?
SECOND VESPERS.
Verse. Hail, Mary, full of grace.
Alleluia.
Answer. The Lord is with thee.
Alleluia.
THE BLESSED MARGARET POLE, MARTYR.
II3I
Antiphon at the Song of the Blessed
Virgin. O Blessed Virgin Mary, thou
art the channel of pardon, thou art the
mother of grace, thou art the hope of
the world, graciously hear thy children
who cry unto thee. Alleluia.
May 24.
In the Dioceses of Shrewsbury and
West7ninster.
CJje JSlesseU Firgtn JSarg,
Stjrleti **?gelp of (!i:J}rtst=
tans/'
Double of the First Class with a7i
Octave.
May 28.
Efje Bteseli JHargaret Pole,
Countess [of Salisburg,]
JMartgr.
Double.
All from the Comvio7i Office for an
Holy Woman., Martyr but not Virgin.,
(/. 649,) except the following.
Prayer throughout the Offiice.
r\ GOD, Who in Thy blessed hand-
^"^^ maid Margaret didst crown a
life of grace with the glory of martyr-
dom, grant us the grace for her sake
and at her prayers that no tribulation
may ever sever us from hallowing to
Thy service both our life and our
death. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Ame7i.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons fro7n Scripture accordi7ig to
the Seaso7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesso7t.
IV/rARGARET, Countess of Salis-
bury, was one of the descend-
ants of King Edward IIL, and was
born at Farley Castle, in Somerset-
shire, in the year 1471. From her
youth up she suffered adversities,
and bore them with such grace
that her whole life may be said
to have been a preparation for mar-
tyrdom. At the age of seven she
was deprived of both her parents,
her mother dying not without
suspicion of poison, and her father,
George, Duke of Clarence, being
put to death within the Tower
of London upon an accusation of
treason by his brother, King Edward
IV. In like manner, under King
Henry VII., she lost her brother,
Edward, Earl of Warwick, and by
his execution was left the last sur-
vivor of the kingly race of the
Plantagenets. Henry VII., for his
own interest, gave her in marriage
to Sir Richard Pole, one of the most
distinguished members of his own
party. In this wedlock she bore
five sons, of whom the fourth was
Reginald, afterwards Cardinal Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, who was used
to say that he set far more store by
being the son of a martyr than by
being the descendant of kings.
Fifth Lesso7i.
VyHEN Henry VIII. ascended
the throne and took to wife
Katharine, daughter of the King of
Spain, Margaret, whose husband had
I I 32
GENERAL APPENDIX.
died after ten years of married life,
was taken into the household of the
Queen, whom she faithfully served as
far as lay in her power throughout
her whole life. She was appointed
governess to the Princess Mary, after-
wards Queen of England j and when
the king iniquitously put away his
wife and separated her daughter from
her, Margaret took towards the prin-
cess the place of her mother, and so
brought her up and taught her as
that she should ever cleave to that
mother's faith and godliness. By
command of the king, Margaret
and her royal pupil were moved
from house to house, and among
others they at one time occupied
the royal manor called New Hall,
in the which place is now a mon-
astery of Canonesses of the Holy
Sepulchre of our Lord jESUS Christ,
by the whom her memory is held
in profound reverence.
Sixth Lesson.
A S the king became more hardened
"^^ in iniquity, and had abandoned
the obedience and communion of the
holy apostolic see, the wrath which
he conceived but was unable to in-
dulge against the Cardinal Reginald
Pole he turned against his mother
and his whole kinsfolk, and by a
new invention of injustice refused to
allow them to be brought to trial
or to receive sentence from judges,
but by an act of his slavish Parlia-
ment deprived them of all legal
rights and ordered them to be put
to death unheard and defenceless.
Thus did he murder Margaret's
eldest son, and after he had kept
herself for two years in prison this
cruel king caused to be beheaded,
in her seventieth year, that venerable
matron, his own near kinswoman,
because she would hot agree to
his sacrilegious novelties. Her last
words before death were, " Blessed
are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake." (Matth. v. lo.)
Gregory XII L approved the paying
to her of the honours due to a
martyr, and the same was confirmed
by Leo XIII.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xiii. 44, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {J>. 653.)
May 31.
Octave of f^e Q2>fe60eb (Ptf^tn
(niar^, ^iiU\ %<d-p of th^^U
tane.
Double.
All as on the Feast ^ except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Com-
mentary of the Holy Pope St
Gregory on the Books of Kings
(I. c. i.)
" 1\I ^^ there was a certain man of
Ramathaim-zophim, of Mount
Ephraim." The name of Mount
Ephraim may be applied to the
most blessed Mother of God, always a
Virgin. She was indeed a mountain,
the glorious height of whose pre-
destination towered above the pre-
destination of any other creature.
Was not Mary a lofty mountain,
Mary, who, that she might reach
OCTAVE OF THE B.V.M., STYLED HELP OF CHRISTIANS. II 33
the dignity of conceiving the Eternal
Word, lifted up the peaks of her
holiness far above all the companies
of angels, even unto the footstool of
God ? Prophesying of this moun-
tain's sublime elevation, Isaiah saith :
"And it shall come to pass in the
last days, that the mountain of the
Lord's house shall be established in
the top of the mountains, and shall
be exalted above the hills." (ii. 2.)
She was indeed a mountain on the
top of the mountains, for the height
of Mary shone high over that of
any of the Saints.
Fifth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Letter
of the Holy Pope Leo to the
Empress Pulcheria. Ep. xiii.
IVr O type fully represented the
mystery of our Redemption,
which had been predestined from
everlasting, for the Holy Ghost
had not yet come upon a Virgin,
nor the power of the Highest
overshadowed her, that within her
inviolate womb. Wisdom might build
herself an house, the Word be made
Flesh, and the form of God and
the form of a servant be united
in one Person, — the Maker of
times be born in time, and He
by Whom all things were made
be brought forth into the midst of
all. Unless a new Man, made in
the likeness of sinful flesh, had
taken our nature upon Him — unless
He that is of one Substance with
the Father had been pleased to
become of one substance with His
Mother 1 — unless He, Who alone is
without sin, had joined our nature
to His Own — mankind would still
have remained bound under the yoke
of the devil.
Sixth Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Com-
mentary of the Holy Bishop Basil
on Isaiah the Prophet.
"AND I went in unto the Prophet-
'^^ ess," said Isaiah, "and she
conceived and bare a son." (viii. 3.)
That Mary was a Prophetess unto
whom Isaiah went in very closely by
the spirit of fore-knowledge, will be
denied by none who remembereth
what she said, when she was filled
with the spirit of prophecy. For
what said she ? " My soul doth
magnify the Lord, and my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For He hath regarded the lowliness
of His handmaiden : for, behold,
from henceforth all generations shall
call me blessed." If thou wilt
ponder all her words, thou wilt not
gainsay that she was a Prophetess,
upon whom the Holy Ghost came,
and whom the power of the Highest
overshadowed.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xi. 27.)
A T that time : As Jesus spake
'^^ unto the multitude, a certain
woman of the company lifted up her
voice, and said unto Him, Blessed
is the womb that bare Thee. And
so on.
Homily by St John Chrysostom,
[Patriarch of Constantinople.] {20th
on John ii.)
Thou hearest that "a certain woman
of the company lifted up her voice,
and said unto Him, Blessed is the
womb that bare Thee, and the paps
1 Consubstantialis niatri.
II34
GENERAL APPENDIX.
which Thou hast sucked. But He
said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that
hear the word of God, and keep it."
Think not that by these words He
meant to set lightly by His mother,
but rather to show that to be His
mother would in itself have been of
no use to her if she had not been
eminent in goodness and in faith.
But if a mother's love would have
been of no avail to Mary without
virtue, much less can the goodness
of a father, a brother, a mother, or
a child be of any good unless we
bring thereto somewhat of our own.
Eighth Lesson.
T7OR a man's only hope, after the
grace of God, is in his own
good deeds. If kinship according to
the flesh had by itself profited Mary,
the same thing would have profited
the Jews, who were Christ's fellow-
countrymen ; it would have profited
his fellow - townsmen, as the city
wherein He was born ; it would have
profited His brethren. But while His
brethren concern themselves with their
own affairs, their kinship to Him pro-
fiteth them nothing ; but they were
condemned with the rest of the world.
(John vii. 1-8.)
Ninth Lesson.
n^HEY admired themselves in the
glory of their own excellency,
but His fatherland derived no profit,
and fell, and was burnt up ; His
fellow-citizens were slain, and per-
ished miserably ; His kinsfolk accord-
ing to the flesh got no salvation,
because they had taken no shelter
under His power. The Apostles
took the chief place, because they
betook themselves by true obedience
to seek His knowledge and friend-
ship. Hence we understand that we
are always in need of faith, and a
life enlightened by grace, and that
these are the only things which can
save us.
June 5.
St Boniface, Bishop anti
ittartgr*
L?i the Diocese of Plymouth the
Feast of St Boniface is a Double of
the First Class ivith a?t Octave. The
Lessons of the First Nocturn are from
Acts XX. 17, {J). 549), and at both
Vespers a?td at Lauds the following
are the Verse and Answer after the
Hyni7i and the Antiphon at the
So7igs of the Blessed Virgin aiid of
Zacha?'ias.
Verse. Be strong in the Lord, be
strong.
Answer. That ye may live for ever
with God.
Antiphon. Many nations, many
thousands of men, did Blessed Boni-
face gain for Christ ; and whereas he
made himself like unto an Apostle, he
hath purchased unto himself a great
reward in heaven along with the
Apostles.
June 7.
ZW'ii ®a^ wttjtn i%t Octave of
^i Q0ontface.
Semi-double.
All as on the Feast., except the fol-
lowing.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Lessons froin St Ajnbrose., {p. 517.)
FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF ST BONIFACE. II35
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matth. (v.
A T that time : Jesus, seeing the
"^^ multitudes, went up into a
mountain : and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.]
These beatitudes are eight in
number, and after uttering them He
seemeth to gather them together, as
He saith to them that were present :
" Blessed are ye, when men shall re-
vile you, and persecute you." What
He had said before He had said
generally. He had not said blessed
are ye poor in spirit, for yours is the
kingdom of heaven, but theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Neither had
He said blessed are ye meek, for
ye shall inherit the earth, but
they shall inherit the earth ; and so
with the rest, even until the eighth
beatitude, where He saith : " Blessed
are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven."
Eighth Lesso7i.
AND now He beginneth to speak,
as though gathering in one all
who were present, since those things
which He had spoken above touched
them that had been present to hear
them, and those things which He
spake now, and which seemed par-
ticularly addressed to them that were
present, touch them also that are
absent or that are yet to come.
We must therefore consider carefully
the number of these beatitudes.
His blessings begin upon lowliness
— blessed are the poor in spirit ;
blessed are they that are not puifed
up ; blessed are they whose souls
are brought into subjection under
the authority of God ; blessed are
they who even, if perchance they
seem to themselves to be blessed
in this life, are afeard lest they
go into punishment when this life
is over.
Ninth Lesson.
nPHEN he Cometh to the meek,
who through godliness so show
themselves in the knowledge of the
Holy Scriptures, who dare not to
speak against things which to the
unskilled appear to be absurd, and to
make themselves rebellious through
stubborn reasonings, but who gather
hence with what fetters of the world
such men are bound through carnal
custom and through sin.
June 9.
ftftg ®a^ wttgtn i^t Octave of
^i Q^oniface.
Senii-doiible.
All as on the Feast., except the fol-
lowijig.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scripture according to
the Season.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lessoit.
The Lesson is taken from the Ser-
mons of St Ambrose, Bishop [of
Milan.]
"VirHEN the tabernacle of this body
is dissolved the shadow of
death encompasseth us, and yet we
iiS6
GENERAL APPENDIX.
still walk in life, and by the power
of Christ we go forward without
stumbling in the very midst of the
conditions of the nether world itself.
It was of this that the prophet spoke
when he said (Ps. xxii. 4): "Yea,
though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for Thou art with me"; and
this is what the Lord Himself hath
said even more plainly concerning
His faithful ones (John xi. 25) —
namely, " He that believeth in Me,
though he were dead, yet shall
he live : and whosoever believeth in
Me shall never die."
F'z/t/i Lesson.
AIT'HEREFORE, O brethren, let
us talk with the holy martyrs
touching the glory of the Lord's
passover. They have a much wider
knowledge of all things than we have ;
but still, let us tell them how He rose
upward from the womb of the grave,
and let them tell us how He rose
upward into the grave from the womb
of the nether world. Let them tell
us how the cold and breathless body
became warm again, how the breath
again entered into it, how the blood
began to flow, and how the stiff veins
began to throb again.
Sixth Lesso7i.
T ET them tell to us how the dead
system of nerves and muscles
set again into motion the dead taber-
nacle of the body, and how the breath
of life set the organs again into play
in their old harmony after they had
ceased to work any more. Let Priests
proclaim to them that are above us
what wonders the Lord wrought after
that He was risen again, and let the
martyrs tell us what help He brought
to the departed even in death itself.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matth. (v.
I-)
A T that time : jESUS seeing the
multitudes, went up into a
mountain : and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.]
["Blessed are the meek: for they
shall inherit the earth."] In this
third step wherein there is know-
ledge, there is grief for the loss
of the highest good, for there is
still cleaving unto the things which
are lowest. [" Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness : for they shall be
filled."] In this fourth step there
is toil. The soul maketh mighty
efforts to wrench itself away from
those things which have fixed it
to them by their poisonous sweet-
ness ; hence there is hungering and
thirsting after righteousness, and
there is much need of a strong
mind, for what is loved is not
left without sorrow. [" Blessed are
the merciful : for they shall obtain
mercy."] At this fifth step there is
given unto them that toil on a counsel
of deliverance, for unless any be
holpen of a stronger than he, he is
unfit to free himself from the snares
of misery wherein he is entangled ;
and it is but just that whosoever
would be holpen of him that is
stronger than he, should himself
help him that is weaker than he, in
that wherein he is himself stronger,
and thus " blessed are the merciful :
for they shall obtain mercy " from
God.
TRANSLATION OF ST EDMUND, ARCHBISHOP, CONFESSOR. II37
Eighth Less 071.
[" "DLESSED are the pure in heart :
for they shall see God."] In
this sixth step we have that which is
the end of the commandment, even
charity out of a pure heart and of a
good conscience (i Tim. i. 5,) of
good works, a pure heart which is
able to gaze upon that highest
good that can be seen only by
a pure and calm understanding.
["Blessed are the peacemakers: for
they shall be called the children
of God."] Lastly, we find in the
seventh step wisdom — that is to
say, the contemplation of the truth
which proclaimeth peace throughout
the whole man, and taketh upon
itself the very image and likeness
of God, for the which reason it
is said that "blessed are the peace-
makers : for they shall be called
the cfiildren of God." And the
eighth beatitude returneth back again
unto the head, for it showeth and
proveth that which is finished and
perfect ; for the which reason also
it is the kingdom of heaven which
is named in the eighth beatitude,
even as also it was named in the
first — -"Blessed are the poor in
spirit : for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven " — " Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteous-
ness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven."
Ninth Less 071 is of SS, Pri7jms
a7id Fe!icia77., the two Lesso7ts bei7ig
read together as 07te, a7id the
sa77ie Sai7its are co7n7ne)norated at
Lands.
June 9.
L71 the Diocese of Ports77iouth.
translation of St lEtimuntr,
^rcPisijop of Canterfturg,
Confessor.^
Greater Double.
The whole isfro7?t the Coi7i77io7i Office
for a Bishop a7id Co7ifessor^ {p. 581,)
except the Prayer.^ which is as follows.
r\ GOD, by Whose grace we honour
^""^ the translation of Thy blessed
Confessor Bishop Edmund, grant un-
to us for his sake and at his prayers,
to be so freed from the bondage of
sin as to be able to pass hence unto
the joy of Thy kingdom in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus. Christ Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Ame7i.
SS. Pri77ms a7id Felicia7i are co77i-
77ie77iorated at Vespers a7td at Lauds.
At Matti7is the Ni7tth Lesso7i is
077iitted or read alo7ig with the Eighth
to 77iake roo77i for their two Lesso7is.,
which are read together as 07ie.
June ii.
/;/ the Diocese of Notti7igha77i.^ the
Feast of St Bar7tabas., Apostle., Titular
of the Cathedral Church., is kept as
a Double of the First Class with a7i
Octave.
June 12.
<Dc^ape of ^i (^outface.
Prayer as 07i his Feast-day.
1 The occasion commemorated is that when, according to Alban Butler, "in 1247, his body
was taken up and found entire, and the joints flexible. It was translated with great solemnity,
in presence of St Lewis, Queen Blanche, and a number of Prelates and Noblemen."
II38
GENERAL APPENDIX.
QOotwt ©ffice of t^t (paeeion of ouv ^ox\> Jeeue C^vist,
i^For Fridays. )
{^See ante., p. 1045, footnote.)
Translation by the Rev. E. Caswall of the hymn Mcerentes oculi, &c.,
(Hymns and Poems, p. 35): —
■jVrOW let us sit and weep,
And fill our hearts with woe ;
Pondering the shame, and torments deep,
Which God from wicked men did undergo.
See ! how the multitude,
With swords and staves, draw nigh ;
See ! how they smite with buffets rude
That Head divine of awful majesty :
How, bound with cruel cord,
Christ to the scouree is given ;
And ruffians lift their hands, unaw'd
Against the King of kings and Lord of
Heaven.
Hear it ! ye people, hear !
Our good and gracious God,
Silent beneath the lash severe,
Stands with His sacred Shoulders drench'd
in Blood.
O scene for tears ! but now
The sinful rac^e contrive
A torment new ; deep in His Brow,
With all their force the jagged thorns they
drive.
Then roughly dragged to death,
Christ on the Cross is slain ;
And, as He dies, with parting Breath,
Into His Father's Hands gives back His
Soul again.
To Him who so much bore.
To gain for sinners grace,
Be praise and glory evermore
From the whole universal race.
Translation by the Rev. E. Caswall of the hymn Aspice., mfajni, &c.,
(Hymns and Poems, p. 36) : —
CEE! where in shame the God of glory Pale grows His Face, and fixed His languid
hangs,
All bathed in His own Blood :
See ! how the nails pierce with a thousand
pangs
Those Hands so good.
Th' All Holy, as a minister of ill,
Betwixt two thieves they place ;
Oh, deed unjust ! yet such the cruel will
Of Israel's race.
Eye;
His wearied Head He bends ;
And rich in merits, forth with one loud cry
His Spirit sends.
Oh heart more hard than iron ! not to weep
At this ; thy sin it was
That wrought His death ; of all these tor-
ments deep
Thou art the cause.
Praise, honour, glory be through endless time
To th' everlasting God ;
Who washed away our deadly sins of crime
In His own Blood.
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
II39
iDHifces peculiar to 3J^^^IanD^
The Translator did not live to revise his translation of the following Offices, It differs
in some places from the fuller Irish Supplement which is now in use ; but in the
circumstances it has seemed advisable to insert it as its Author left it, altering only
the rubrics indicating the rite of the Office, where the rite has been changed, and
making one or perhaps two other adjustments.
February 17.
St Jtntan, ^tihat.'
Double.
All from the Common Office., {p.
598.)
Prayer throughout., " O Lord, we
beseech Thee," {p. 613.)
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Ecclus. xxxi. 8, {p.
610.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Lessons from St Gregory on Job., {p.
611.)
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xix. 27, luitk the
Homily of St Jerome., {p. 537.)
March 5.
St Ciaran, (^iratt,) iSisfjop
[of ©ssorg,] Confesgor.^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout., " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," (/. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturti., {p.
588.)
March 8.
St Cataltr, !3tsi|}op [of
Earettto,] Confessor/
Double.
All from the Common Office., {p.
581,) just as it stands — {Prayer
throughout., " Grant, we beseech Thee,
&c.")
1 Abbat of Cluain-Ednech, in the diocese of Lethglean, in Leinster, in the sixth cen-
tury. (Alban Butler.) " He is of the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathairt, of whom was Brigid.
He is described as Fintan the generous, chief head of the monks of Ireland, and re-
sembhng St Benedict in his manners and life." Bp. Forbes' Kalendars of the Scottish Saints,
p. 349-
2 Called the first-born of the Saints of Ireland ; said to have been born in Ossory about
the year 352 ; receiving some imperfect knowledge of Christianity, he went to Rome, and, on
his way back, joined company with St Patrick, who was then starting (a. D. 402) ; founded the
See of Ossory at Saigir ; he withdrew to Cornwall, and there, died at the place called from
him St Piran's.
3 A learned Irish monk, for some time regent of the school of Lismore ; made a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem, and afterwards settled at Tarento, where he was elected Bishop towards the
end of the seventh century. (Alban Butler.)
II40
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
March 13.
St Senan, Bisf)op [of Scat^
terg Eslanti,] Confessor.'
Double.
Prayer throughout., " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," (/. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn., {p.
588.)
March 20.
St (Eutpert, Bisfjop [of Htn.
titsfarne,] Confessor.'
Double.
All from the Common Office., {p.
581,) just as it stands — {Prayer
throughout, " Grant, we beseech Thee,
&c.")
March 22.
St Siy^mw,' 33tsliop [of
ILucca,] Confessor.
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office., {p.
581,) except the following.
Prayer thj'oughout.
A ^/"E beseech Thee, O Lord, that we
may be aided by the prayers
of Thy holy Confessor and Bishop
Finnan, that, as we do tell of his
worthy deeds, we may ever feel his
helpful succour. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.
mattins.
first nocturn.
Lessons from i Tim. iii. i, {p. 582.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
{Frojn the Breviary of the Canons of
the Lateral! Basilica.')
Fourth Lesson.
17 IN NAN was the son of Ultach,
King of Ulster, and was taught
the Christian faith from a child. He
was born again in the laver of salva-
tion without the knowledge of his
parents, and was filled with such zeal
that he was not afraid even as a lad
to make a pilgrimage from that far-
away land to Rome. At Rome he
was honourably welcomed by Pelagius
the First. He was there ordained a
clergyman, and given a place among
the Canons of the Cathedral of Our
Saviour, among whom he dwelt for
a while, setting an admirable example
of the keeping of their rule. From
Rome he came home again, and his
heathen parents strove to recall him
to the worship of idols, and to per-
suade him to marry, but by the power
of God's grace it fell the other way,
for he brought them to leave their
wicked idolatry and to believe in
Christ, in which faith he marvellously
strengthened them by raising his
sister from the dead in their presence.
1 Born about the year 448, of kingly race ; travelled a good deal, visiting Rome, Tours,
and Menevia (St David's) ; founded several monasteries in Ireland, and died at Kileochaille.
Along with St Ita he is the Patron Saint of the Hy-Conaill. By some he is identified with
St Mashenoc, and with the Scotch St Kessog.
■^ Said to have been the illegitimate son of an Irish Princess, and baptized Nulluhoc ;
disciple of the school of St Columba in Britain ; became monk, and in the year 664
Abbat, of Melrose ; afterwards made Prior of Lindisfarne ; then was an hermit in Fame
Island; made Bishop of Lindisfarne in 685, and died, 687. jf*\
3 Latinised, Frigidianus. \j
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
II4I
Fifth Lesso7i.
T_I E went a little way thence, and
built a monastery, wherein he
put Canons, to live after the rule
which he had received at Rome, and
therein he dwelt with them for a while
in great holiness. However, the fame
of his holiness and miracles became
spread far and wide, and that he
might escape the praise of men he
betook himself again to Italy, and
went to Lucca. There the sweet
odour of his holy conversation gained
him the worship of all the citizens,
and at their request he was ordained
Bishop of their city. In this office
he so spread about the worship of
God, that within the space of the
twenty-eight years during the which
he held the See he built twenty-eight
Churches ^ with Baptisteries. The
chiefest of these is that which he
hallowed in honour of the three holy
Deacons, but which is now called St
Finnan's. During the building of
this Church, a very large boulder,
which many men were not able to
move, was moved by him without
labour ; which stone is kept in the
said Church, even to this day, for a
memorial.
Sixth Lesson.
TUT OW God looked upon this holy
man is further proved by
that famous miracle whereof blessed
Gregory maketh mention in his " Dia-
logues." The river Serchio often
flooded the plain of Lucca, and did
great damage to the dwellers there,
but Finnan prayed, and then drew
a hoe over the earth, and the river
followed the mark which he made,
and so he saved the plain from the
flood. After much toil, rich in good
works and full of days, he rested
happily in the Lord ; and his body
was buried in the afore - mentioned
Church of the three Deacons. In
the time of Karl the Great, the body
of a certain noble damsel was buried
upon the top of him, and as soon
as it touched him, she lived again
and cried out, " Take me away, for
you have put me on the top of blessed
Finnan's body." When she had said
that, she fell asleep again. In this
way it came to pass that the body
which had been hidden for nearly
two hundred years was miraculously
discovered, and held in the utmost
honour. The day of the finding
thereof is kept by the people of Lucca
upon the 1 8th of November.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Matthew (xxiv.
42.)
A T that time : jESUS said unto His
disciples : Watch therefore, for
ye know not what hour your Lord
will come. And so on.
Homily by St Fulgentius, Bishop
[of Ruspa.] {On the Cofifessors.)
The Apostle Paul saith unto us,
touching himself and his fellows : —
" Let a man so account of us as of
the ministers of Christ, and stewards
of the mysteries of God." (i Cor.
iv. I.) And when we consider that
it is of himself and of his fellows that
he speaketh, we can realise what it
is that "is required in stewards, that
a man be found faithful." Neither
may ye think that the Apostles alone
were appointed stewards, and so
neglect the duty of your spiritual
warfare, and go to sleep, like idle,
unfaithful, and thoughtless servants,
for the same blessed Apostle hath
1 Ecclesias baptismales.
VOL. II.
2 Q
1 142
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
shown us that Bishops as well as
Apostles are stewards, when he saith :
" A Bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God." (Tit. i. 7.)
Eighth Lesso7i.
"DUT we are the servants of the
householder, and the stewards
of the Lord. That measure of wheat,
which we give unto you, we have
ourselves received ; and if we ask
what that measure of wheat be, the
same blessed Apostle Paul showeth
us, where he saith : " God hath dealt
to every man the measure of faith."
(Rom, xii. 3.) That which Christ
calleth the measure of wheat, is the
same measure which Paul calleth the
measure of faith, that we may know
that the wheat of the spirit is nothing
else but the worshipful mystery of the
Christian faith.
Ninth Lesson is the Homily for the
Week-day, but if another of the Saint
be required, it is as follows :
T^HIS measure of wheat we give
unto you, in the name of the
Lord, as often as, enlightened by the
gift of spiritual grace, we teach you
according to the ordinance of the true
faith ; and ye do receive this same
measure of wheat by the hands of
the Lord's stewards, when day by
day ye hear the word of truth from
the servants of God. And now let
us speak of this measure of wheat.
All are fed thereon, as God divideth
the measure unto all ; thence we take
the bread of life, that we may be
able to attain unto eternal life, be-
lieving in Him, hoping in Him, loving
Him before all, and in all. Who giveth
Himself unto us to be our meat, lest
we should faint by the way, and Who
keepeth a reward for us, that we may
have joy when we reach home.
March 24.
St JSlacartin, Btsfjop [of
ffilogfjer,] anti CEonfessior.^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout, " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," (/. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Noctur??, {p.
588.)
March 27.
St laupert, 33t)5t}op [of Sal^
tiurgj Confegsor*
Double.
All from the Common, {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout, " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Tim. iii. i, as in the
Commo7i.
SECOND NOCTURN.
{From the Benedictine Breviary.)
Fourth Lesson.
"D UPERT, who was Bishop of
Worms, in the reign of Childe-
bert IL, King of the Franks, was
so gifted with lowliness, meekness,
chastity, prudence, and other graces,
that he shed a brilliant light of faith
and love towards God upon his family,
which was a branch of that of the
Frank Kings. He was full of the
Holy Ghost, and stood before his
people as a model of the highest
life. Whatever he taught, he showed
1 One of the earliest disciples of St Patrick ; died in the year 506.
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
1 143
an ensample of, in himself, whether
it were of unwearied constancy in
prayer, of wisdom in advising, of
righteousness in judging, or of self-
restraint by chastening the body with
much fasting. So bountiful and kindly
was he toward the needy, that he
deemed nothing his own but what
he had given to the poor.
and gloriously exercised the ojffice
of a Bishop for many years, when,
having offered up the Sacrifice of
the most holy Mass, upon the
morning of the Lord^s Resurrection,
and strengthened the minds of his
disciples by a fatherly exhortation,
he passed away to live for ever
with the Lord in heaven.
Fifth Lesson.
TT OW great was the fruit which
his life bore for his neighbours,
many people, both near and far, do
witness, who were led by his toil into
the path of salvation. Theudo, Duke
of Bavaria, who had heard the fame
of his holiness and miracles, sent unto
him an embassage of some of his chief
men, beseeching him that he would
come and visit his country, and shed
upon it, and upon him, the light of
the V Holy Faith. Rupert was worn
out with many persecutions, but he
shrank not from the godly and holy
burden ; and, a little while after, he
baptised Theudo, and with him many
of his highest lords and a great multi-
tude of the people.
Sixth Lesson.
"D UPERT established his episcopal
See on the shores of the Waller
See, and built a Church in honour
of the blessed Peter, Prince of the
Apostles, at the place which is now
called Salzburg, upon the river Salzach,
and furnished it with clergy and all
else that was needful. There he
turned his mind to teach the sacred
religion of Christ to the rest of the
Bavarian people. He associated with
himself twelve fellow-labourers, and,
by the help of God, brought over
that nation to the Catholic Faith.
And so he won the title of Apostle
of the Bavarians. He had founded
many Churches in divers places,
THIRD NOCTURN.
Seventh Lesson.
The Lesson is taken from the Holy
Gospel according to Luke (xix. 12.)
A T that time : Jesus spake unto
His disciples this parable : A
certain nobleman went into a far
country, to receive for himself a
kingdom, and to return. And
so on.
Homily by St Austin, Bishop [of
Hippo.] {Gospel Questions., Book 2.)
By this nobleman we are to under-
stand our Lord jESUS Christ Himself;
and by the far country, that Gentile
Church which is spread even unto the
ends of the earth. It is said also,
that He is to return. For He went
away that the fulness of the Gentiles
might come in ; and He will come
again, that all Israel may be saved.
The ten pounds signify the Law, being
the number of the Commandments,
and the ten servants are they unto
whom grace was preached under it.
And we are to understand that these
ten pounds will gain money by trad-
ing, when the veil shall be taken away
from the hearts of them that hold
them, and they shall understand that
the Law itself pertaineth unto the
Gospel. The citizens who " sent a
message after him, saying. We will
not have this man to reign over us,"
are the Jews, who, even after His
Resurrection, set persecutors upon the
1 144
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
Apostles, and rejected the preaching
of the Gospel.
Eighth Lesson.
AND He receiveth the kingdom,
and returneth, for He Who
appeared before them, meek and
lowly, when He said, " My kingdom
is not of this world," (John xviii. 36,)
will come again with blinding and
overwhelming glory. By those ser-
vants who gave a good account of
that which had been committed unto
them, and were praised for having
gained by trading, we are to under-
stand those who have well used what
hath been given unto them to increase
their Lord's riches withal, through
them who believe in Him. And they
who will not so do, are signified by
the man who kept his lord's pound
laid up in a napkin.
Ninth Lesson.
nPHERE are some men who per-
versely flatter themselves by
saying — " Every one is answerable
for himself, what is the use of preach-
ing and ministering to others, so as
to have to give an account for them
also ? " With the Lord, not even are
they to be pardoned unto whom the
Law w^as not given, and who have
fallen asleep without ever hearing of
the Gospel. "For by the greatness
and beauty of the creatures the Maker
of them might have been seen." (Wisd.
xiii. 5.) "For the invisible things
of Him from the creation of the world
are clearly seen, being understood by
the things that are made, even His
etefnal power and Godhead, so that
they are without excuse." (Rom. i.
20.) And this is what is meant
where it is said that the Lord reapeth
where He hath not sown, namely, that
He holdeth guilty of ungodHness them
unto whom hath never been ministered
the word either of Law or Gospel.
And they who keep their pound
wrapped up in a napkin are they
who from sloth leave the ministry of
the Word unattempted, under the de-
lusion that they are thereby keeping
clear of the danger of judgment.
April 6.
St Celestme, ^ope anlr Con-
Greater Double.
All from the Common^ {p. 581,) ex-
cept the following.
Prayer throughout^ " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from i Tim. iii. i, as in the
Common.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
np HIS Celestine w^as a Roman, the
son of one Priscus, and the im-
mediate predecessor of Holy Boniface
in the Bishopric of Rome, being
chosen to that place without any
division among the people. This
venerable Pope, unto whom the Lord
was pleased to give very largely of
His grace for the defence of the
Catholic Church, knowing that they
that are once condemned can claim
no new trial, but only place for re-
pentance, commanded Celestius, the
chief disciple of Pelagius, who asked
an audience of him, to be banished
from any part of Italy, without enter-
ing upon the discussion of his busi-
ness,— neither was he more remiss
in purging Britain of this disease, but
banished even from those distant
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
II45
isles of Ocean certain enemies of
grace who had taken up their abode
in that their native land. For this
end he sent thither holy Germanus,
Bishop of Auxerre, as his own Legate,
and ordained first Palladius, deacon
of the Church of Rome, and then holy
Patrick, as Bishops for the Irish, and
thus, while he strove to keep Catholic
the island which belonged to the
Romans, he made Christian the one
which was still savage.
Fifth Lesson.
VX/'HEN Nestorius, Patriarch of
Constantinople, strove to seduce
the Church into a new falsehood, by
preaching that Christ was born of
Mary, man only, and not God also,
and that divinity was joined with Him
for His merit's sake, Celestine sharply
used his authority to combat that
blasphemy. He appointed Cyril, the
holy Patriarch of Alexandria, to be
his Legate, with authority to pro-
nounce sentence upon Nestorius,
unless he recanted within the space
of ten days. But when Nestorius
continued in obstinate refusal, and the
disputes and turmoils grew greater,
the Third CEcumenical Council was
gathered together at Ephesus. In
this Council Celestine presided by his
Legates, to whom he prescribed that
they were to judge of the utterances
of the Bishops, without entering into
conflict. In this Council Nestorius
and the heresy which beareth his
name, and a number of Pelagians,
who held a kindred falsehood, were
condemned.
Sixth Lessojt.
r^ELESTINE rebuked by his letters
the superstition of those priests
who laid aside the ancient garments.
and ministered in the Church dressed
in a cloak, with their loins girded.
He took order also, that the Sacra-
ment of penance should not be refused
to the dying, and that lay persons
and criminous clerks should not be
appointed Bishops. He also ordained
that metropolitans were not to take
anything upon themselves out of their
provinces, and that in the election of
Bishops, strangers were not to be
preferred before the Clergy who had
already served in the Church then
vacant. He ordained that some of
the 150 Psalms should be sung before
the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
He hallowed the Julian Basilica, de-
corated his own cemetery with paint-
ings, and offered divers gifts for the
adornment of the Church. He held
three ordinations in the month of
December, wherein he made thirty-
two priests, twelve deacons, and forty-
six Bishops for divers places. He fell
asleep in the Lord in the year of
Christ 432, in the reign of the Em-
perors Theodosius and Valentinian,
and was buried in the cemetery of
Priscilla, upon the Salarian Way.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. 1 4, zvith
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 588.)
April 7.
St IS^ellg, aircPtsl)op [of
^rmaglj,]^ Confessor.
Double.
All from the Common^ {p. 581.)
Prayer throughout., " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
Lessotis of the First Nocturn fro?n
Scripture according to the Season., or if
1 Died at Ard-Patrick, April i, 11 29.
1 146
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
in Lent^ from i Tim, iii. i. And of
the Third from Matth. xxv. 14, with
the Hojnily of St Gregory^ {p. 588.)
April 18.
St ILasertan, (Jttolto), Btgljop
[of HetgiilmJ Confessor.^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout^ " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, «&:c.," {p. 590.)
Lesso7is of the Third Nocturn^ {p.
588.)
April 27.
St amicus, aStsl)op [of (!BlpI}m,]
anti donfcssor*^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout^ " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn^ ( p.
588.)
May 10.
St (Kongal, ^ftbat.'
Double.
All from the Commoii, {p. 598.)
Prayer throughout, " O Lord, we
beseech Thee, &c.," {p. 613.)
Lessons of the First Nocturn from
Scripture according to the Season.
And of the Third, from Matth. xix. 27,
with Homily of St ferome, {p. 537.)
The last Lesson is omitted, or read as
one with the Eighth, to make room for
the Ni7ith Lesso?t, which is of the Holy
Martyrs Gordian aiid Epimachus.
May 13.
St Conlatlj, a3tgJ)op [of l^tl^
trare,] Confessor/
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout, " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
Lesso7is of the Third Nocturn, {p.
588.)
May 14.
St dartJias, (JHocfjitKu,)
i3is{)op [of ILtsmorr,] Con=
fessor.^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout, " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn, {p.
588.)
May 15.
St IBeiinet/ Ftrgitx antr
JKartgr.
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office, {p.
636,) except the following.
1 Born of Royal race, in the year 566 ; lived a good deal in Scotland, especially as a hermit
in the Holy Island of the Bay of Lamlash in Arran ; went twice to Rome, where he was
consecrated Bishop by the Pope ; died in the year 639.
2^ Placed in this See by St Patrick, by whom it was founded. He was a monk eminent for
penance and austerity.
3 Born in Ulster, in the year 516 or 517 ; founded the Abbey of Bangor in Down, 558 ;
went to Scotland in 598 ; was a friend of St Columba ; founded a church in Tyree ; died
about the years 600-1-2.
^ Said to have been originally Bishop of Sodor ; chosen by St Brigid to be her chief
artist, and with her to govern her churches, and to be Bishop in her city ; he was devoured
by dogs on his way to Rome,
^ Founder of Raithin as well as Lismore, at which latter he died, in the year 637-638.
*> Latin, Dympna. It survives in County Louth as "Demmy."
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
II47
Prayer throughout.
f~\ GOD, the lover of chastity, grant
unto our humble supplications
that Thy blessed handmaiden and
witness, Devnet, whose Feast-day we
are keeping, may obtain help for us
from Thee, for the sake of her life,
and by her prayers. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
MATTINS.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lesso7is from Ecclus. li. i, {p. 645.)
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
nr'HE Virgin Devnet sprang forth in
Ireland like a rose in the midst
of thorns ; her father was a king,
abandoned to idolatry ; as she grew
up in his house she took no pleasure
in dancing, and music, and the pas-
times of her age, but was secretly
baptised, and vowed herself to Christ.
The devil, incensed at her doings,
kindled in the king her father an in-
cestuous passion toward her, and this
man, forasmuch as she was exceed-
ingly comely, and very like to her
mother, formed the desire to take
her to wife to himself, in violation of
the laws of nature.
Fifth Lesson.
C HE fled from the lust of her father,
and in company with Gerebern
and some others, left her country,
took ship, and came with a favourable
wind to a certain place which is called
Antwerp, and there landed. Thence
she went to the village of Gheele,
where she built herself a neat habita-
tion, and in meditating on the things
of God, led for three months the life
of an Angel.
Sixth Lessojt.
T^HE father followed in pursuit of
his daughter, filled with fury,
and when he had found her, caused
Gerebern to be first beheaded, and
then bade behead her likewise ; but
as the executioner would not do it,
the cruel father himself with his own
sword wherewith he was girded cut
off the sacred head of this illustrious
virgin, who was crying for the mercy
of God. Thus did that glorious bride
of Christ, who is the terror and scourge
of devils, wing her flight for heaven,
adorned with the crown of maidenhood
and martyrdom.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Matth. xxv. i, with the
Ho77iily of St Gregory., {p. 640.)
May 16.
St Brantian/ ab&at.
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout .^ " O Lord, we
beseech Thee, &c.," {p. 613.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn., {p.
537-)
June i.
St lEleutfjertusi, ^ope anlr
jHart^r.
Double.
All from the Common Office., {p.
514,) except the followijig.
Prayer throughout, " Mercifully con-
sider, &c.," {p. 522.)
1 The subject of an immense quantity of legendary matter, especially as to his voyages ;
founded Clonfert in the year 539, and died, May 16, 577, aged ninety-fave.
1 148
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
FIRST NOCTURN.
Lessons from Scriptitre according
to the Seas 071.
SECOND NOCTURN.
Fourth Lesson.
"PLEUTHERIUS, whowasa Greek,
and the son of one Abundius,
was born at the city of Nicopolis, in
Epirus, and became a priest of the
Holy Roman Church. In the reign
of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, in
the year of our Lord 179, after the
death of Pope Soter, he was chosen
Bishop of Rome by the voice of
all the clergy. He discharged the
duties of the Popedom excellently
and praiseworthily for fifteen years
and twenty -three days. He held
three ordinations in the month
of December, wherein he ordained
twelve priests, eight deacons, and
fifteen bishops for divers sees.
Sixth Lesson.
T T IS was a time when the Church
of God enjoyed the utmost
peace and quietness, and many at
Rome were turned to Christ, even
of the chiefest. At the beginning
of his reign letters of request
were brought to Eleutherius from
Lleurwg, a British King, praying
him to send him ministers of
the Word of God. Wherefore
Eleutherius sent to him Dyfan and
Ffagan, priests of the Church of
Rome, by whom the King himself,
and all his household, and nearly
all his subjects, were given the
new birth in the holy laver. When
Eleutherius had done all these
things, and more, for the worship
of God, he came to a blessed
end under the Emperor Com-
modus, and was laid to rest in
his grave on the Vatican Hill upon
the 28th of May [in the year of
our Lord 192.]
Fifth Lesson.
T^HE Church of Lyons consulted
him by letter upon certain
questions, and he courteously wel-
comed the learned Irenaeus, the bearer
of the letter, and opened to him
those traditions of the Apostles
which the Church of Rome had
preserved inviolate. He condemned
the superstition of the Montanists
about dry meats. He laid down
excellent laws for the regulation of
procedure in church suits. After
Marcion and Valentinus had again
anji again relapsed, he cast them
out of the Church.
THIRD NOCTURN.
Lessons from Luke xiv. 26, with
the Homily of St Gregory^ {p. 555.)
June 3.
St %M\i, m\^x}
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout^ " O Lord, we
beseech Thee, &c.," (/. 613.)
Lessons of the Third Nocfiirn, {p.
537.)
1 Coemgenus— "like Paul the Hermit in his habits and life,"— studied under St Petroc,
and then under St Eugenius of Derry ; to avoid being chosen Abbat of Derry, he fled to
Gleann-da-locha, where he founded a monastery in the year 549 ; afterwards retired to a
deeper seclusion, and is said to have lived to the age of 120.
OFFICES PECULIAR TO IRELAND.
1149
June 6.
St Sarlatl), 3StsJ}op [of Emm,]
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout^ " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," (/. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn^ {p.
588.)
June 7.
St Caiman, 3Sisl}op [of 53ro=
more,] Confes^gor*^
Greater Double.
Prayer throughout^ " Grant, we be-
seech Thee, &c.," {p. 590.)
Lessons of the Third Nocturn^ {p.
588.)
June 9.
St dolumia, (dolumfeill,)
atrftat.'
Greater Double.
All from the Common Office^ {p.
598.)
Prayer throughout^ " O Lord, we
beseech Thee, &c.," {p. 613.)
Lessons of the First Nocturn from
Ecclus. xxxi. 8, as i7i the Commoti.,
{p. 610.) A?td of the Third Nocturn
from Matth. xix. 27, with the Homily
of St Jerome, {p. 537.)
June 16.
St 3oi}u Jrancts Eegts,
Confessor.
Prayer.
r\ GOD, Who didst gift Thy
^"^^ blessed Confessor John Francis
with marvellous love and unconquer-
able patience to toil very greatly
for the saving of souls, mercifully
grant that his ensample may teach
us, and his prayers help us to
gain the prize of life everlasting.
Through our Lord jESUS Christ
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without
end. Allien.
1 A Connaught-man of the family of Cormac ; studied under, and was ordained by Benen,
Archbishop of Armagh ; retired to Cluainfois near Tuam, Adhere he founded a monastery
and school ; thence taken and consecrated first Bishop of Tuam ; died about the year 540.
2 First Bishop of Dromore ; said to have been born in the year 516 ; was Abbat of
Mackmore in Antrim ; the date of his death is uncertain.
3 The illustrious Columba, one of the Three Holy Patrons of Ireland, and the chief
apostle of the Picts, was born at Gartan in Tyrconnel in the year 521 ; ordained Priest,
546 ; founded Durrough in 550 ; arrived in Scotland and founded lona, 565 (?) ; died 597.
BBAKGH ISSUE OEPT.^
END OF VOLUME II.
PRINTED BY WIM.IAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS.
.-^J.
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